PowerFlow exhaust, oil filter kit and electronic gauges
Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 10:27 pm
Went to the aviation expo over the weekend. While I was wondering around I had a chance to chat with a couple vendors. One was the PowerFlow guys. The rep told me the GM was keen to develop a system for helicopters and I should give him a call. I talked to him today and had a nice conversation. Turns out they had looked at the Brantly but the numbers in operation were just too low to justify the development cost 
How much it would add to the Brantly's performance I don't know but it seems like it would be an easier and cheaper upgrade than a turbo or alternative engine. Maybe if enough of us pester them they might reconsider...hey it could happen, well maybe someday when they run out of the high volume aircraft to pursue 
I also had a chance to talk with a small company that makes oil filter adapter and bypass blocks. We talked about the possibility of making a mount that would sit on the right side of the oil cooler shutter and place the filter inline before the cooler. He's going to talk with his tech guys and see if it would work and if we could get away with removing the filter screen we use now while leaving the bowl or some such arrangement. Just curious how many of you might be interested in a set-up like that if we could get it approved?
On a final note I talked with the guys at Electronics International about their MVP-50 engine monitor and display system. If you've never seen it, it's an awesome piece of kit. It had everything and the kitchen sink too. I understand there are quite a few flying in certified helicopters in Alaska as PRIMARY engine instruments and they expect TSO certification within 60 days. They even have a set-up for turbine helicopters. The total cost...$4995 with all senders included! Beats the heck out of the $20,000 the factory quoted on a conversion to their new gauge pack. It's outside my budget right now what with the looming engine overhaul but I figure it could be a great way for the factory to help keep their costs down.
How much it would add to the Brantly's performance I don't know but it seems like it would be an easier and cheaper upgrade than a turbo or alternative engine. Maybe if enough of us pester them they might reconsider...hey it could happen, well maybe someday when they run out of the high volume aircraft to pursue I also had a chance to talk with a small company that makes oil filter adapter and bypass blocks. We talked about the possibility of making a mount that would sit on the right side of the oil cooler shutter and place the filter inline before the cooler. He's going to talk with his tech guys and see if it would work and if we could get away with removing the filter screen we use now while leaving the bowl or some such arrangement. Just curious how many of you might be interested in a set-up like that if we could get it approved?
On a final note I talked with the guys at Electronics International about their MVP-50 engine monitor and display system. If you've never seen it, it's an awesome piece of kit. It had everything and the kitchen sink too. I understand there are quite a few flying in certified helicopters in Alaska as PRIMARY engine instruments and they expect TSO certification within 60 days. They even have a set-up for turbine helicopters. The total cost...$4995 with all senders included! Beats the heck out of the $20,000 the factory quoted on a conversion to their new gauge pack. It's outside my budget right now what with the looming engine overhaul but I figure it could be a great way for the factory to help keep their costs down.