Turbine Legends

I want to post a comment about the turbine Legend article in this month's on-line edition of Sport Aviation. What a great project it's turned out to be, and Dave Clinton has certainly put in the time, effort and money to work out the many bugs he encountered.

However, he indicates he's using an experimental Walter 601D turbine engine. My comment is that he writes about flying aerobatics with this aircraft. Yet this engine isn't rated for aerobatics. I spent almost a year researching engines trying to find a 600 plus HP engine for a homebuilt Spitfire I was trying to engineer. The turbine folks in Florida who handle the 601D were very helpful, but they agreed that this engine isn't designed for aerobatic use and that there's a different 601 engine that is. Surely Dave Clinton realizes that pulling aerobatic g's with this engine is asking for trouble and major overhaul expense if he flexes the engine shaft enough to cause the blades to contact the housing.

Hank Avent

Charleston, SC

EAA 760686