CMP.WERNER@UTEXAS-20.ARPA (04/18/84)
From: Werner Uhrig <CMP.WERNER@UTEXAS-20.ARPA> Baulor's prof's ethanol plane near STC -------------------------------------------- The FAA may issue a supplemental type certificate for Dr. Max Shauk's ethanol fueled Bellanca Decathlon, which would allow him to pursue his next project, an aircraft using a 50/50 mix of ethanol and methanol, which would be even cheaper than pure ethanol. He uses ethanol made in Waco at a solar-powered production unit that turned discarded candy waste from the local M&M factory into denatured alcohol, which led to his claim that his aircraft exhaust smelled "just like a Snickers bar". The basic modification to the 2-place Bellanca is an increase in injector size. On-board electronic logger monitors cylinder head temperature, exhaust temp., outside air temp., and fuel flow. An auxiliary tank for gasoline is required for starting purposes during cold weather, because ethanol does not vaporize as quickly as gasoline. A coat of standard aviation sloshing compound on the interior of the wind tanks offset the corrosive interaction between aluminium and ethanol. The air pollution researcher and stunt flier who teaches math put 400 hours on the Bellanca as he flew coast to coast, touting the relatively inexpensive and clean alternative to avgas to all who would listen. "I've proved that ethanol is safe, and now I have to satisfy the FAA," he notes. "There is no doubt in my mind that it's a cleaner fuel than gasoline, and not only does it burn cleaner, it also provides more power." The fuel, Shauk adds, can be distilled from urban waste or any home-grown grain product. -------