Why is the VW so Popular?

From our beginning, Great Plains Aircraft has been at the forefront of producing the highest quality parts for use on VW air-cooled Sport Aircraft power plants. Great Plains Aircraft is committed to producing the highest quality and safest VW derived aero power plants and VW conversion parts in the marketplace, and we believe we have the safest conversion available.

At Great Plains Aircraft, we have learned a great deal about automotive technology and its applications to aircraft in the last 22 years. If you read through past issues of aviation journals such as Sport Aviation, Custom Planes, etc., you will get a brief history of the many automotive engines that have been introduced to the sport aircraft marketplace . . . only to fail. Why did they fail? Set aside the fact that many of the automotive engines introduced were one of a kind. Discard the fact that several of the prototype engines were destroyed. Disregard the fact that some of the producers of these engine designers did not have the personal commitment or financial backing to stay and develop the product. And do not forget about the fact that some of these engines had horrific failures.

The single leading cause of Engine Failure in the marketplace is the lack of a product (airframe) for the engine.

WHAT MAKES THE VW SO POPULAR?

ADVANTAGE VW. The air-cooled VW engine has 50 plus aircraft worldwide that have been designed specifically around this dependable engine. These aircraft were designed with the VW engine as the power plant of choice. In addition, the VW air-cooled engine conversion has been retrofitted to existing popular aircraft such as the Kit Fox, Avid Flyer, Kolb, and Rans - check our web site for listings.

HISTORY. The VW air-cooled engine has been used in sport aircraft since the late 1940s. It has a history! Its strengths and weaknesses are well known and documented. FAMILIARITY. The majority of the baby boomer generation has had experience with VW engines at some point in their life.

POPULARITY. The VW engine has more sport aircraft designed around it than any other automotive engine conversion.

PARTS AVAILABILITY. Because of the engines continued popularity, the user is not locked into a companies success. In other words, when using a VW conversion, if the company you purchase it from fails or goes out of business, you are not stuck with a useless piece of metal. i.e., HAPI, Mosler, TEC, Barker, Monnett Experimental, INAV, Ltd., etc.

WEIGHT. A VW conversion will typically weigh between 145 - 190 pounds and deliver between 50 - 103 takeoff horsepower (includes Front Drive, Rear Drive and Reduction Drive). FRONT DRIVE. This standard aircraft configuration has no gear reduction, no high engine RPMs: for this front drive. It is a simple fact of life - the faster it turns, the shorter the engine life. Most comparable automotive engines in the same general market place as the dependable VW turn 4500 to 6500 RPM to produce their usable horsepower through their reduction drive and weigh considerably more. The Front Drive uses a wooden prop only and turns counter clockwise from the cockpit in a tractor configuration.

REAR DRIVE. Driven off the flywheel end of the crankshaft through a torsional dampener, driving a propeller drive shaft. Features a splined prop hub, bed type engine mount, 40 amp alternator, tuned exhaust and intake manifold that mounts a carburetor on top of the engine. You can use wood props up to 54 inch diameter or a 2-3 blade PowerFin prop up to 62 inch diameter. The torsional dampener and bed type mount make for one of the smoothest running engines you have ever flown behind.

REDUCTION DRIVE. Driven off the pulley end of the engine. The Reduction Drive offsets the centerline from the prop vertically 5.5 inches. Available in 3 ratios: 2:1, 1.6:1 and 1.29:1. The 2:1 is used on aircraft that typically cruise at less than 80 mph and run an 84 inch diameter prop. The 1.6:1 is used on aircraft that do less than 120 mph and run a prop that is 72 inch to 76 inch. The 1.29:1 is dual purpose -- It can be used on a higher speed aircraft with a short prop (50 to 56 inch) and can also be used on slower aircraft that turn a 56 to 65 inch prop.

COST. No where in the sport aviation marketplace can you purchase a NEW 70-103 HP engine, with dual ignition, for $5,300.

DEPENDABILITY. In addition to the engines dependability, we are referring to our companies dependability. Great Plains Aircraft has been in the air-cooled VW engine conversion business for 22 years. We know the market, understand our engines and their applications.

INSURANCE. Our engines are insurable. If you want liability and or hull insurance for your sport aircraft, check with several insurance companies prior to making your purchasing decision. Not all VW engine conversions are insurable. Great Plains Aircraft VW engine conversions are! Our continued reliability has Great Plains listed as a preferred vendor.

Commitment! Our commitment to quality products, reasonable prices, and customer service over the years has earned us our excellent reputation in the sport aviation market place. Itıs a reputation we aim to keep!

AND WE WILL BE THERE! -- ADVANTAGE VW AND GREAT PLAINS AIRCRAFT!

TO FIND A SPECIFIC ITEM OR PRODUCT . . .
i.e. Carb, 1/2 VW, landing gear, secondary ignition, exhaust systems,
Go to the Great Plains On-Line Shopping Cart and Catalog here!