Gentlemen,
Considering using a Glass Filled Engine Mount for my next aircraft. The engine is to be mounted horizontal (like a profile) rather than inverted.
Have several questions about using Glass Filled Engine Mount.
1) Do you drill and tap the Mount to hold the engine mounting bolts?
2) If not, how do you hold the engine to the Mount?
Plan to use 2 degree engine offset.
3) Do you sand 2 degree wedge in the back side of the mount?
4) Do you use the 2 degree plastic wedges on the back side of the mount?
5) Do you angle the F1 former at a 2 degree offset?
Most F1 former design for Glass Filled Engine Mounts are 1/4 inch (two 1/8 ply epoxied together) thick.
6) What additional design changes need to be done to strengthen the nose of the aircraft?
A design using an Engine Mount rather than the 1/2 X 3/4 Hard Maple Beams is Tom Dixon's THUNDERBIRD 60 Mk II.
Tom's design only states "2 degree Right Thrust." Not how to get the offset. The F1 former is 1/4 inch Violett Carbon/Bal Laminate, but it is not clear how the laminate fastened to the fuselage.
7) Is there a recommended design for using a Glass Filled Engine Mount?
Overall, is going the Glass Filled Engine Mount a better idea than the Maple Beam mount? (weight, simplicity, strength, etc...)
Thanks for your assistance.
T Michael Jennings
Knoxville, TN.