by Colin Zuppicich

What does one get when one mixes six years and $1.25 million together? Answer: a world first. This is the result achieved by BOP Fertilizer subsidiary Super Air with a breakthrough with their new V8 engine, an engine that has the potential to revolutionize the topdressing industry. Super Air has grafted a Ford automotive V8 10.5-litre engine to power its aircraft and married a locally-manufactured gearbox and propeller system to the engine, which allows for the propeller to be placed in reverse pitch, believed to be a world first.

Many aircraft engineers throughout the world have attempted to install automotive engines to aircraft, with varied results. Those who have succeeded have not been able to achieve reverse thrust, a feature that gives shorter landing rolls and thus increased pilot safety. Super Air general manager Mike Keen told AgWings that when the idea was first raised it was estimated that such an achievement would take only a few months and about NZ$500,000 to complete. However, the re-engined aircraft's registration says it all: ZK-BHG (Bloody Hard Going)!

The engine was certified in early January 2000 and the aircraft, with Super Air's chief pilot Peter Whetton at the controls, made its first official flight from its Rukuhia base at Hamilton International Airport on 23 January 2000.

During the six years of development, Super Air have converted some of their fleet to turbine engines, capable of carrying a higher load with less noise. However, the purchase price of the turbine engines negated any cost benefit.

"The turbine engines are so highly priced, we haven't been able to generate any cost efficiency gain, whereas with the V8 engine, we will be able to. This is turbine-type power for piston-engine prices," remarked Keen.

The V8 10.5-litre engine makes less than half the noise and has twice the thrust of the 400-hp piston engines currently in use in aerial topdressing. Performance is improved as the new engine produces 500-hp and is thus able to carry more fertilizer. Eventually the engine will run on normal "91 Octane" fuel, saving the need to use costly and high-lead content Avgas. Mike Keen advised that Super Air intends to patent the engine, which will ensure the ongoing development of aircraft to meet the aerial topdressing needs of the future.

The potential cost savings generated by the new V8 engine are enormous. Apart from the savings in fuel costs, parts are considerably cheaper with the standard spark plugs offering more than NZ$1000 in reduced maintenance costs. Bay of Plenty Fertilizer is to be praised for having the foresight to heavily invest in research and development of such an engine. Further flight trials to test the productivity and comparative performance of the V8 engine will be carried out over the next six months. Once fully proven, BOP anticipates a worldwide market for the engine.

A comparison of aircraft type was displayed to the invited quests on aircraft noise and capabilities with John Miller flying ZK-EMX, a 400-hp machine, Gary Langman in ZK-CBA, a Walter Turbine powered machine and Peter Whetton in ZK-BHG with it V8 engine. The noise comparison was very noticeable É lookout Mr Farmer, you could have a surprise guest for breakfast.

This article courtesy of Wings magazine in New Zealand.