Posted by John Olsson on Friday, January 14, 2011 @ 10:28 AM:
As a new owner of a RF4D anybody out there upgraded their engine with battery, alternator, starter? I'm getting to old for all this prop swing exercise!
Ollie
Posted by SteveBeaver on Friday, January 14, 2011 @ 10:34 AM:
Using the "Search" link on this forum (top right) will uncover much detail on what you are looking for.
Here is one to get you started: http://sbeaver.com/cgi-bin/fournier/cutecast.pl?session=UYN3fmFpVNNOmAUiDprWqOuBq9&forum=13&thread=381
Steve
Posted by dannparks on Friday, January 14, 2011 @ 04:47 PM:
Welcome, John,
I have been (slowly) modifying N2188 to include a starter, alternator, and slightly larger displacement. There are a few different options. The path I am taking is probably the most complex -- essentially a complete firewall-forward remake. But, I have seen the Diehl case/starter/alternator added to a RF4D with minimal changes -- see Ray's (member jb92563) N1771.
http://www.cfiamerica.com/N2188.htm
http://picasaweb.google.com/dannsparks/RF4D_N2188
The Picasa site has more pictures and commentary.
Fourniers are registered Experimental here in the US, so we have some freedom to make upgrades. How are they registered in South Africa?
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Posted by Jorgen on Friday, January 14, 2011 @ 05:17 PM:
Hi John and wellcome from me too,
suspiciously Swedish looking name there, do you have Swedish roots by chance? Is that the late Peter Goldin's 4 you have bought? In any case, congratulations to an Aeroplane that really is three Airys in one.
The other Swedish RF 4 (SE-XSK) and a Swedish SFS 31 Milan have electric starters and batteries, but they both have that ugly (pardon my Closeau-french) "Bömp" on the otherwise sleek, beautiful cowling. I am quite happy with the starter handle and I find the RF 4 very easy to prop.
But then again, I've swung some 90 hp rotarys. Now THAT's a handful to prop!
May the 4's be with you/ Jörgen
Posted by John Olsson on Saturday, January 15, 2011 @ 01:11 AM:
Hi All,
Thanks to all who responded. Yes, it is the late Peter Goldin's 4 that we have rescued. Sad to see it gathering dust. Jorgan, Swedish grandfather married to an English lady. Dann - RF4 currently classified as a motorised glider so falls under the SSSA and not the CAA but this is about to all change. I am chairman of the East Rand Motorised Gliding club based at Springs airfield around 50km east of Johannesburg. I have a two seater Whisper motorglider and a 50% share in the RF4. We have 4 motorfalke's for club flying and two other whispers in the club. Background pure gliding in the UK flying std Cirrus and then a 30 year layoff due to family, career. Saw the light after a freak accident and started flying motorgliders. Having great fun and a great way to see this beautiful and diverse country.
Posted by Bob Grimstead on Monday, January 17, 2011 @ 09:18 AM:
Hello John,
Welcome to the Fournier Forum.
I am so pleased that Peter's RF4 has gone to another enthusiast.
I e-mail corresponded with Peter for several years when I first got my RF4, and he pretty well taught me aerobatics by internet correspondence course. He called my tuition 'Fly by Wire'.
I also corresponded with Mike Butow.
I once hoped to buy Peter's Fournier, but it was just too expensive to export it and re-certify in England, so I had to drop the idea.
I have a couple of questions for you...
Have you flown it yet?
And are you aware of Peter's unusual 'mixture' mod?
I ask because he kept having the engine stop on him, even after lots of development work, and I would not like that to happen to you.
Also, obviously, be careful of the C of G if you fit an electric starter, although the Fournier is nowhere near as critical in that respect as the Turbulent, mentioned elsewhere on this forum.
Good luck with your Fournier, and I hope you get many happy years of flying out of it.
Yours, Bob
Posted by John Olsson on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 @ 09:18 AM:
Hi Bob,
Yes have flown it but not as much as my syndicate partner as I mainly fly my Whisper two seater. So far neither of us have suffered an engine stop and we are lucky haveing Barry Turner on site who knows the aircraft and engine intimately. Will discuss in more detail with the guys this week-end and get back to you.
