On Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 3:34:34 AM UTC-4, Willy VINKEN wrote:
ASH-25E - Rotax 275

Having flown some of them, I noticed a couple of recurrent problems:

1. Actuator cannot start to lift the engine out of its well.
The usefull lever to start moving is short...
Manually opening the hatch helps. Door sandows are original.
Battery voltage is OK (a car battery has been tried).
Screw actuator has been opened, cleaned and properly lubricated.
800N gasstrut has been replaced with a 1000N new one.
Anyone got rid of this problem?

2. What is the safest way to get and keep propeller vertical while
lowering the engine?
I've seen (lucky) pilots rely on the 'natural' stop position after
switching off.
I've also seen two propellers shattered while trying to enter the
fuselage...
Some engines have a magnetic position detector on the flywheel.
Some pilots use a mirror to see the propeller.
Some position it with wind-and-brake, some have a manual starter
cable.
Some brakes on the flywheel seem really efficient, some are slippery.
Anyone has bright ideas?

My PIK 20E has a retrofited engine detent that is very good; a notched plate
is bolted to the flywheel, a spring loaded arm has a finger which engages with the notch when the engine doors are OPEN; I added a microswitch controlling a red LED on the panel. The system only works if the reduction ratio is 2:1 so the prop is vertical every engine revolution.

1. Stop the engine
2. Open the doors to enable the sprung arm.
3. Wait for the light to go out.( there is a clunk as the detent engages.
4. retract the engine 80%.
5 climb in the thermal.
6. fully retract the engine and close the doors.

Much easier than fiddling with a brake and mirror.

John Firth