| Ethanol has been available for nearly a century. But | | | | nothing new. The FAA even stating that it exceeded |
| we are now finding ways to use it for more things and | | | | the tests. Aviation fuel is the last fuel available with |
| to help us on our reliance on foreign oil. Baylor | | | | lead in it. This has taken some 22 years to develop |
| University has done numerous tests on ethanol in | | | | and now it appears aircraft with piston engines can |
| acrobatic general aviation aircraft as well as | | | | use ethanol and perform better in many instances. This |
| passenger high and low performance aircraft. | | | | is especially good for those states, which grow corn |
| The Bellanca Decathlon a symmetrical winged Citabria | | | | such as Nebraska, ND, SD, Iowa and others. |
| for aerobatics was tested with 100% hydrous ethanol, | | | | The push for this type of fuel is coming predominantly |
| which was gotten from an M & M Mars Candy | | | | from the areas in the US where corn grows which |
| Manufacturing plant. Ethanol was thought to be | | | | elevates the price of corn for farmers. Corn, a |
| dangerous when it was 10-15% mixed with water due | | | | commodity can also be used to eat obviously and of |
| to the condensation aspects of water in aircraft | | | | course like oil can be used to make plastics and other |
| engines another good reason for preflight inspections. | | | | important materials for a myriad of uses. Next time |
| It was found that with a 100% hydrous ethanol there | | | | you think of corn, think of more than just food. The |
| was no decrease in performance and to the contrary | | | | Navajo Indians made it into food by pounding the crap |
| a slight increase in less knocking under demand for | | | | out of it, they were on to something there. Corn is a |
| power. When put into a Pitts Special S1S where the | | | | big deal to many states where it can be grown in |
| compression ratios were 10:1 the ethanol had a higher | | | | abundance. |
| performance when temperatures were over 100 | | | | It appears that if ethanol provides better performance |
| degrees. The 50/50 blended fuel had a decrease | | | | in hotter climates then perhaps we may wish to sell |
| slightly of up to 15-20%. But did comparable under | | | | ethanol for aircraft in those markets unless the pilots |
| hotter temperatures of air intake or ambient air. Eleven | | | | will fly much above 12,000 feet where the air is cooler. |
| aircraft were tested at Baylor University the larger the | | | | The average of 2 degrees per thousand feet |
| engines the better the ethanol did. | | | | decrease in ambient temperature, flying over |
| Ethanol also increased the TBO, total time to | | | | mountains could be an issue. But these are most |
| recommended or predicted overhaul by 50% meaning | | | | interesting facts for military vehicles in the middle east, |
| less wear on the engine, probably due to less knock. | | | | cars in hot climates and of course for aviation also. |
| The FAA certified the IO-540 a very popular general | | | | If you have any ideas on alternative fuel for aircraft |
| aviation engine in March of 1990. So much of this is | | | | please let's explore and discuss these issues. |