Article published in USAviator
Magazine
Alternative Power manufactures a chain-drive, cast-aluminum PSRU for the
experimental homebuilt aviation world. We have developed PSRU's for
airplanes, helicopters, and airboats. Alternative Power's PSRU's are cast
from 356 aluminum. Our airplane PSRU is available in two gear ratios for
the Chevrolet V8 350 engine. Engine mountings for other models of our PSRU
are under development. The helicopter PSRU is available for the V8 350 or
400 engine. Because of the unique power requirements of the helicopter
rotor blade system, the gear ratios are more limited. The new airplane PSRU
under development and soon to be tested is the constant speed propeller
system.
The PSRU will start at $3600 depending on options. We will be at the EAA
Convention in Oshkosh in 2000. Be sure to look for us in the experimental
homebuilt helicopter show area!
Alternative Power has the airplane PSRU currently flying in many
different
aircraft. This unit weights a mere 60# complete, depending on the version
requested. This PSRU is a cast aluminum one-piece unit made in our own
foundry. We have done all the flight testing in a Cessna 172 that has
logged over 350 hours total flight time using our Chevrolet 350 V8 PSRU.
The latest innovation incorporated into the manufacture of our PSRU is the
Sprague clutch system. We will show this at the EAA Convention this year.
This is currently available as a special order option. This option will be
showing up in the airboat industry very soon.
Alternative Power's experimental Cheetah 350 helicopter PSRU is the most
sophisticated of all our PSRU units. The 4-bladed rotor system was
developed with #6061T6 aluminum. The aluminum 6061T6 swash plate and rotor
head were developed to fit a 3" steel rotor mast. The PSRU we developed to
fit the small-block Chevrolet Donavan V8 350 engine is cast aluminum. The
total weight of the transmission (PSRU) is approximately 100 pounds. This
Chevrolet V8 engine will develop 350 horsepower.
Our prototype homebuilt Cheetah 350 tandem helicopter will be flight tested
soon. Look for us at the EAA Convention in Oshkosh!
Alternative Power is currently working on a PSRU for the Subaru engine
that
will have counter-rotating propellers! This unique PSRU should develop
significantly more efficiency (up to 25% more) using the same horsepower .
an ideal homebuilt project alternative!!