Active Projects

Cessna 180

Mooney M20J

Grumman Ag Cat

Piper Seneca

Rig Testing

C-180 Project
This is the initial project that started everything. This aircraft was equipped with an O-470U/TS engine and converted to ethanol. It has been flown nearly 1000 hours on AGE-85. Several STC's have been awarded based on this work.

The C-180 has completed testing for dual fuel certification and an STC has been granted.


Mooney 201 Project
This project began Fall, 1999 and is our first attempt to work with Lycoming engines. Equipped with a 200 HP IO-360, the fuel system for this aircraft was modified for operation on both AGE-85 and avgas. The Mooney has been flown from coast to coast for shows including AirVenture, AOPA Expo (FL and CA) and Sun-n-Fun. The aircraft has accumulated over 700 trouble free hours on AGE-85.

The Mooney is currently being used for fuel efficiency testing. The first step was to install an Airflow Performance fuel injection system to compare with the stock Bendix system. Thus far testing has shown an excellent mixture balance with more precision than the stock system.

The instrumentation in the Mooney is an EIS system which records 4-EGT’s, 4-CHT’s, Fuel Flow, RPM, MP, Altitude, Oil Temp, Oil Press, OAT, IAS, among other things.

The next step in the test program is to tear down the engine (it is past TBO) and put in new cylinders with 10.0:1 pistons instead of the stock 8.7:1 pistons. This modification will allow the Mooney to fly on AGE or 100LL and will be used for fuel efficiency testing. A new composite MT 3-bladed prop will be installed with the newly rebuilt engine to handle the increased horsepower resulting from the upgrade.

Here the Mooney is shown at AirVenture 2004. The aircraft was flown to and from the show in Oshkosh on AGE-85 but can also use 100LL. This aircraft will provide the basis for converting the 360 cubic inch and 320 cubic inch engines with fuel and injection and carburetors.

Here the Mooney takes off and is in the process of retracting the gear for another research flight. The Mooney was using the new Airflow Performance fuel servo on AGE for this flight. Thanks Dave for the great picture!


Grumman Ag Cat Project
The project addresses both radial engines and aerial applicators with the conversion of the Ag Cat. Since AGE-85 runs cooler, extends engine life, has good takeoff performance, and is made from corn, it has potential appeal to this aviation group. Conversion of this aircraft to AGE-85 has already occurred. Test cell work showed a power output of 600 hp on 100LL and 650 hp on ethanol!

The instrumentation in the In the Ag Cat is two EIS systems which records 9-EGT’s, 9-CHT’s, Fuel Flow, RPM, MP, Altitude, Oil Temp, Oil Press, OAT, IAS, among other things.

Currently the Ag Cat flight testing is centered on improving the fuel system. Plans are to install an improved impeller in the supercharger, fuel injection system, and finally computer controlled fuel injection and electronic ignition.

Shown at AirVenture 2004, this aircraft proved very popular with people of all ages. The aircraft was flown to and from OSH on AGE but can also use 100LL.

Piper Seneca Project

The Seneca was acquired in January 2005, and has recently begun initial flight testing. The engines have already been converted for dual fuel with either AGE-85 or 100LL. The Seneca uses the Lycoming IO-360 engines and is equipped with the RayJay turbochargers (turbo-normalizing). Plans for the Seneca this year include side-by-side detonation testing of AGE-85 and 100LL.  

The instrumentation in the Seneca includes EIS systems for each engine which record 4-EGT’s, 4-CHT’s, Fuel Flow, RPM, MP, Altitude, Oil Temp, Oil Press, OAT, IAS, among other things. The EIS system is used to record the low speed engine parameters. The higher speed engine parameters are recorded using an AVL Engine Indicating System which will also record detonation events.

Shown here in the hangar in the summer of 2005, Dave installs the detonation testing equipment from AVL. 

The Seneca takes off on the first detonation test flight.

Rig Testing Project

Rig testing is in the final stages of testing. Four different rig tests are planned with the third one finishing up this summer. The first rig test used an electric fuel pump, the second a mechanical fuel pump and the third a fully computer controlled system. The fourth rig test is on schedule to begin this fall.

Rig Test 3 has run over 3000 trouble free hours and models a Continental fuel system. Rig Test 4 models a Lycoming fuel system. Both Rig Test 3 & 4 are completely computer controlled and simulate different portions of flight. Often we hear the rig test increase the fuel flow and we know it is now “flying”.

The rig test tank and fuel system are shown in the soak phase of testing.