Was recently explaining to No. 1 son the difference between a Rotary and a Radial engine in aeroplane terms. For example, the type often used in WW1 Scoutplanes like the Camel (Gnome), and why exactly the huge gyroscopic effect gave the Camel such a good rate of turn (in one direction anyway!).
However, I managed to remember that these things had no throttle as such, but were controlled by 'blipping' or effectively isolating the magnetos via a button on the stick.
The question, "Why Dad?" inevitably came up, and I ran out of knowledge. He wouldn't even be distracted by the design features of the oil system, ie that it sprays its entire contents over pilot and fuselage during the flight, and is meant to!
Anyway, does anyone have a technical explanation for why a Rotary is designed to run flat out as opposed to having some sort of manual fuel control system?
Thanks!
