The video speaks for itself: David Windmiller’s Zivko Edge has been engineered, designed, and detailed by and for people who know and love what they are doing. The 345 horsepower experimental engine was designed by Bill Middlebrook and produced by the team at Penn Yan Aero. They started with a Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5 and redesigned and modified key components to be lighter and stronger. They dynamically balanced the core rotating mass components, used Hi-Lift rocker arms, and high compression pistons in special ported, polished, and flow matched cylinders. The modified fuel delivery system includes a polished cold air induction system. The fuel is ignited by a special electronic ignition system. The engine safely delivers 345 horsepower at 2750 RPMs. “This is the best engine I’ve ever flown.”, says David. “From the time I first start it, through all of the aerobatic routines, it runs smoothly and delivers everything that I ask. The people at Penn Yan Aero are not kidding about delivering the best engines in the world. I recommend Penn Yan Aero without hesitation or qualification.”
David Windmiller says “Zivko is the master of composites, the best in the world.” The Zivko Edge 540 weighs 1550 Lbs. and can climb a 3,700 feet per minute. It will roll 420 degrees per second. It moves with a grace and ease that can make spectators feel like they are watching a ballet in the sky. Able to be maneuvered quickly and nimbly, it lets highly proficient pilots like David execute gyroscopic tumbles, spins, aerial cartwheels, torque rolls, and soaring feats of precision that look for all the world like gymnastics in the sky.
The fuselage was designed and fatigue analyzed on a computer. It is made from 4130 steel tube, powder coated, oiled inside. The lower aft fuselage is fabric covered for minimum weight. The empennage is a unique airfoil, all composite with carbon spars and carbon skins. It has been static flight tested and subjected to ground vibration analysis. Stiffness driven, its strength far exceeds what is required. The ultimate load is +/-15 Gs. In the words of Todd Morse, project engineer who assisted in the design, “The aircraft can withstand a lot more than the pilot.”
The wing is able to sustain 10 Gs with less than two inch wing tip deflection. Strong enough to withstand 27 Gs. A unique airfoil, all composite with carbon spars. Static tested to 20 Gs. Had ground vibration analysis. Flight tested with over 2500 hours of unlimited aerobatic flying. Carbon fiber fairings with large windows and panels for easy removal for inspection. The cowl is carbon fiber for low internal cooling drag. The canopy has a carbon fiber frame with Hartwell latch and positive locking system for emergency release. The control system has an aileron and elevator push pull system, while the rudder has a cable system. All systems are ball bearings with nylon bearings or ball bearing rod ends for ease of maintenance and smooth control response.
For more information, contact Penn Yan Aero or go to David Windmiller’s site: http://www.windmiller.com