Another Experimental Aircraft is Ready to Touch the Sky

Bob Rogers, former President of EAA Chapter 1246 in McKinney, has announced that his Bushby Mustang II (N62BT) has received its Special Airworthiness Certificate as of December 20, 2008!



For years, it was only a slowly growing collection of aluminum parts and pieces, but now, his Mustang II is a real airplane, ready to fly!



After his first visit to Oshkosh in 1990 he discovered that maybe there was a way to realize his dream of owning his on airplane. He would build it himself!

He settled in on the Bushby Mustang II. He noted that it seemed fairly straightforward to build, came in a kit, was not real expensive, and was well tested, having been around for over 20 years. He also thought it was the best-looking kit plane among all the choices available to his pocketbook. An an aluminum, two-place airplane that was moderately priced and relatively fast (180-200 mph).



He chose the Mazda rotary engine as his power plant. Properly prepared, it has a power to weight ratio which is much higher than other automobile piston engines and which approaches that of a turbine engine. Real World Solutions, Inc. of Bell, Florida ("RWS") has developed a compact, lightweight, planetary-geared PSRU to fit several auto engine conversions, including the Mazda rotary engine. By all accounts, this PSRU is virtually bullet-proof. Even with a radiator for cooling, the Mazda rotary engine, PSRU, and all accessories weigh about the same as a Lycoming 180 hp aircraft engine installation.

His Mazda rotary auto-engine conversion does not use a magneto system for ignition. However, it does have a highly reliable stock electronic crank angle sensor, with four high-performance coils, powered by the alternator and backed-up with a standby alternator and the battery. Each rotor is served by dual spark plugs; only one plug per chamber is required to keep the engine running, but firing of both plugs is desirable for optimum burning of fuel in the combustion chamber (just like a certificated aircraft engine). The fuel and ignition controller (manufactured especially for this aircraft conversion application by Real World Solutions, Inc. of Bell, Florida) has two separate units, either one of which will fully operate and control the fuel and ignition system.

Congratulations Bob!
Smitty

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