ACRO CHIMP,,PURPLE?

[Matt Chapman]

Badge, I will forward you the new Thunderbolt logo if you like. Or, I can give you the address and phone # of my sign guy and he can do a graphic for you.

[Matt Chapman]

For that matter, any sign guys out there..let me know and i will send you the Thunderbolt logo for use.
mc

[Badge]

Yeah send it on over to me at mbadger@aero3d.net are you able to send me some transparencies of your scheme for proper painting?

[wizard]

I have to agree watching Matt fly at Thistledown was one of the many highlights to the event. I was able to catch the flight on Saturday and Sunday. Amazing. For those that haven't had the pleasure to meet Matt, do so when you get the chance. He was at the field most of the time I was at the fly-in and even flew a donated plane in the foamy demolition event. Then he loaded up with the rest of us and headed downtown to the club and helped entertain the locals.

But, Matt I'm going to be looking for the knife edge spin sometime in the future. LOL

[why_fly_high]

Is it another 580 or did you go back to the 540?

Dan

[Matt Chapman]

Used to do a Knife Edge spin...stopped a couple years ago...not sure why...maybe I'll re-visit thagt one?
The new engine is also a Lycoming AE-IO-580. But, this one has been developed by Lycomings new "Scunk Works" Thunderbolt devision. My old IO-580 was rated at 320 hp at 2700 RPM. It was a certified engine for use on cetified aircraft. A few years ago Lycoming was invloved with developing a 580 for a Reno racer. THey did very well with it and it was aslo putting out 360 hp give or take a few. The new pres. of Lycoming thought they should see how that basic engine would work in the aerobatic line of planes. So, a year later the first two were built and deliverd. One to Michael Goulian for his new Extra 300-SHP and the other for me. Mine dynoed out at 357 HP at 2750 RPM. Lycoming had no objections to turning the engine up to 3000 RPM like the Reno engine does while racing. I limit mine to 2850 RPM.
Thunderbolt was developed to build custom engines for the experimental market to compete with outside engine builders like Ly-Con and Barrett. They offer a list of costum options with ignition, timing, spark plugs, cam, and yes, even color! I wanted yellow, but was advised against that as yellow might turn brownish with the heat of the engine. So, purple it was!
The HP of the engine is great, but the real difference is in the torque. This engine will not bogg down at all at slow airspeed. It will keep digging in at the top of vertical lines. I really noticed it with Torque rolls and the whole Harrier thing. Mono planes have never really been that great at TR's, but this engine has changed that. I will put the CAP's TR's up against anyones now. I can get two more vertical rolls out of the plane, hang longer, and accelerate much faster. You really notice the power on take off.
Thats about it in a nut shell for those of you that are interested.
one downfall....fuel flow went up about 2 gph in cruise and is now a whopping 32gph doing acro.

mc

[why_fly_high]

Matt,

Thanks for the info. Are you running the Hartzell? I would imagine that Lycoming can balance an engine to turn more RPM but the limiting factor then becomes if the prop will hold together under huge loads at higher RPM. I hope to see you fly someday. I was thinking about going to Tulsa for the ACAP but you know better than anyone that that didn't happen.

Dan

[Matt Chapman]

No it didn't!

Yes, running the Hartzell "claw". It's the carbon graphite blade. Ran the numbers by Hartzell and they were not worried at all about the rpm's or loads.

[dsnyder]

Sounds awesome Matt! Hope to see you fly again soon!!!

[SUPERFLYJAY]

THANKS GUYS !@!!! NOW I GOT A WOODIE !!! LOL

[madmax]

mmkay Mr. Chapman, I'll have a video posted shortly of your show at thistledown...

[50%plane]

Sweet Max!