ARV Super2
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 856
Likes: 0
From: I sell sea shells by the sea shore
ARV Super2
Dear All,
Like many I've read the Article in this months (well, April) Pilot about Trevor Lyons ARV Super2, G-ORIX. It's left me with a few questions:
1) Did the Hewlett AE-75 engine originally fitted to Super2s ever get "sorted". There are quite a lot still flying with the orginal engine, so presumably it's a bit more reliable now.(...or is it?)
2) Rotax 912 engines have also been retro-fitted to a few airframes. Opinions pls?
3) Any horror stories about owning / operating the Super2?
4) Conversely, any GOOD stories about owning / operating the Super2?
and lastly
5) Where can I find someone that will (for the price of fuel / landing fees) let me fly in one. If the engine is sorted out it seems like just the thing I'm looking for.....
Kind rgds
BEX
Like many I've read the Article in this months (well, April) Pilot about Trevor Lyons ARV Super2, G-ORIX. It's left me with a few questions:
1) Did the Hewlett AE-75 engine originally fitted to Super2s ever get "sorted". There are quite a lot still flying with the orginal engine, so presumably it's a bit more reliable now.(...or is it?)
2) Rotax 912 engines have also been retro-fitted to a few airframes. Opinions pls?
3) Any horror stories about owning / operating the Super2?
4) Conversely, any GOOD stories about owning / operating the Super2?
and lastly
5) Where can I find someone that will (for the price of fuel / landing fees) let me fly in one. If the engine is sorted out it seems like just the thing I'm looking for.....
Kind rgds
BEX
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,681
Likes: 10
From: Just South of the last ice sheet
BEXIL160 I think some crankshaft mods were put in place which seemed to resolve the sudden stoppages!
ARV's are a delight to fly, lovely handling, light but not twitchy comfortable except for the lack of a heater and they have a stick not a yoke. Add in the excellent visibility due to the shoulder wing layout and it's like a mini warbird.
The original 75hp engine isn't really enough for a good climb rate. Two up with a full tank and it can be a struggle on a warm day. From memory, the Rotax conversion involves putting a 12lb lead weight in the tail to counteract the C of G shift caused by fitting a longer, heavier engine. This reduces the already not too generous load carrying ability.
Mid-West have also fitted their 100hp Wankel rotary engine to an ARV which transformed it apparently. There was a Pilot or Flyer article about it a while(??) ago.
The only significant weakness I can remember the flying club complaining about was the step up into the cockpit which was a tad flimsy for club use. Checking to make sure that BOTH latches on the cockpit lid were closed was a must. Taxiing with a central brake handle took a bit of getting used to but the brakes are quite effective. Not having a heater on an aircraft with a liquid cooled engine was barmy, especially in a UK winter.
All in all, a lovely little aeroplane especially if you can get a Permit one. I've only ever flown the Hewland engined version but would imagine that a Rotax powered ARV would have a bit more get up and go.
Check G-INFO on the CAA (caa.co.uk) website, that shows the owners addresses and risk peeing them off by contacting them! I don't think any flying clubs use them now but it could be worth browsing one of the where to fly guides.
ARV's are a delight to fly, lovely handling, light but not twitchy comfortable except for the lack of a heater and they have a stick not a yoke. Add in the excellent visibility due to the shoulder wing layout and it's like a mini warbird.
The original 75hp engine isn't really enough for a good climb rate. Two up with a full tank and it can be a struggle on a warm day. From memory, the Rotax conversion involves putting a 12lb lead weight in the tail to counteract the C of G shift caused by fitting a longer, heavier engine. This reduces the already not too generous load carrying ability.
Mid-West have also fitted their 100hp Wankel rotary engine to an ARV which transformed it apparently. There was a Pilot or Flyer article about it a while(??) ago.
The only significant weakness I can remember the flying club complaining about was the step up into the cockpit which was a tad flimsy for club use. Checking to make sure that BOTH latches on the cockpit lid were closed was a must. Taxiing with a central brake handle took a bit of getting used to but the brakes are quite effective. Not having a heater on an aircraft with a liquid cooled engine was barmy, especially in a UK winter.
All in all, a lovely little aeroplane especially if you can get a Permit one. I've only ever flown the Hewland engined version but would imagine that a Rotax powered ARV would have a bit more get up and go.
Check G-INFO on the CAA (caa.co.uk) website, that shows the owners addresses and risk peeing them off by contacting them! I don't think any flying clubs use them now but it could be worth browsing one of the where to fly guides.
