Engine first, Airplane second?

[Mike Armstrong]

Is'nt it true that an airplane is built around the engine? That the powerplant dictates much of the airframe geometry? I once read that before you build your aircraft from plans you must first know what engine it's going to use. W&B, CoG, wing location, passenger/baggage location, moments, arms ect, all are dictacted in large part by that engine. It's size, weight and power all playing an important role.

The reason I ask is because I'm planning on building a Serenity Spacewalker 2. It can use several different powerplants however the two I'm interested in are the Rotec Radial and the LOM M132. Using fuselage formers I want to approximate the look of a Ryan STA. For that the LOM would 'fit' nicely, however I have always admired radial engines and would love to fly behind one.

Two different engines, one aircraft. Is it imperiritive to know which powerplant your going to use 'before' you begin to build? Thanks


Mike

http://www.serenityaviation.com/index.html

http://www.spacewalker.org/

http://www.airbum.com/pireps/PirepSTA.html

http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/lab/4515/sta.html

http://www.rotecradialengines.com/0RotecR2800/R2800.htm

http://www.moraviation.com/m132.html

 

[orion]

 

[Mike Armstrong]