In considering what type of plane to build, I find myself attracted to those powered by the Rotax 582. I live in Kentucky and our summers can be quite humid, which, of course, are perfect conditions for carb ice. I notice that on many 582 installations (and those of other 2-stroke engines) that the carb air filter is left to protrude through the side of the cowling into the slipstream.
I was wondering about, instead of drawing air in from the "outside", why not simply enlarge the engine cowling - I am envisioning something of a "blister" - that would place the air filter inside the cowling so that it would draw warmer air from that surrounding the engine. Of course one would have to make sure that the cowling admitted sufficient air, but would this degrade engine performance if properly done?
It would seem to me that a recreational aircraft powered by a 2-stroke engine would likely be flown in the warmer months where the air would, at least in this part of the country, carry a lot of humidity, and raising the temperature of the induction air even a little would help to move you out of that temperature/dewpoint range where carb ice would occur.
BTW, I am thinking about an FFP Classic.
I was wondering about, instead of drawing air in from the "outside", why not simply enlarge the engine cowling - I am envisioning something of a "blister" - that would place the air filter inside the cowling so that it would draw warmer air from that surrounding the engine. Of course one would have to make sure that the cowling admitted sufficient air, but would this degrade engine performance if properly done?
It would seem to me that a recreational aircraft powered by a 2-stroke engine would likely be flown in the warmer months where the air would, at least in this part of the country, carry a lot of humidity, and raising the temperature of the induction air even a little would help to move you out of that temperature/dewpoint range where carb ice would occur.
BTW, I am thinking about an FFP Classic.