North Shop
Will: (850) 342-9929
Cowl and Plenum:
The circular cooling inlets on our cowls are smaller in terms of square area
than the square or rectangular inlets traditionally used for horizontal, opposed aircraft engines. The inlet design was influenced by a NASA funded study conducted by Mississippi State University. This results in a 40% reduction in cooling flow and the associated drag penalty. We are able to make these reductions through the use of a sealed plenum system that receives, contains and meters airflow according to the specific requirements of each engine type. Cylinder head temperatures are closer to uniform and the overall drag reduction yields speed increases of approximately 7 to 10 mph.
Unless specified, our cowls are constructed with an advanced material system which does not contain the older style phenolic "honeycomb" paper core. Lightweight, strength and rigidity are assured with no concerns for future delamination.
The Cowlings are available for the IO-320 through IO-360, 200 horse power engines, as well as carbureted engines O-320 through O-540. The Cowling Kit includes the upper and lower cowling with pre-molded inlet scoop, three CNC machined anodized aluminum inlet rings, rubber plenum seal with seal cement, fiberglass cloth, cotton flock and full instructions. Induction kits are sold separately. The RV-4 and the Shorty RV versions all use the standard Van's air induction.
Ram air induction:
Flying with unfiltered air may lead to costly repairs. Our systems filter "full time" using a very low restriction K&N filter that provide an additional one inch of manifold pressure over ambient at 5000' density altitude. These systems are designed specifically for use with our cowls and are provided at a nominal cost
James Aircraft
We don't build the airplane; we make it faster!
Products
South Shop
Sam: (863) 675-4493
Plenums
Plenums are constructed using a high temperature post cure epoxy system.
They are available for engines 320-540 ci. and may be used on many different aircraft besides those specified. Most aircraft will have speed increase
of approximately 7 mph. Please call Sam for inquiries concerning yours. Full sized diagrams for construction of baffles are included.
Wheel Pants
All wheel pants are of the pressure recovery type and are substantially smaller in cross sectional area than others available, resulting in a drag reduction which yields 3mph. They are lightweight but strong enough for operating from grass strips. All are provide with diagrams for mounting brackets.
Wing root fairings
Fairings are available only for the RV-4. These fairings provide an intersection radius similar in appearance to a Curtiss P-40, extending the trailing edge somewhat for a clean departure.
Videos
Professionally produced videos featuring a mastercraftsman guide the viewer through the basics of composites work and aircraft painting. Spend a little and save a lot.
Available either directly from Sam or order from Aircraft Spruce.
