Saito FA-220a Viewer Request Run

[@ChetanGreywolf]

That engine is quiet. Awesome sounding gem of an engine.

[@keithgoode9726]

Man that is sweet! You know I really like the 220a. I was too embarrassed to tell you I got a sweet deal on another NIB last week! I will not admit to how many I have now. Thanks for another great video!

[@luisgarza2036]

The sweet sound of a big bore saito single iddling and running so smooth makes me miss my 220a, the biggest single cyl glow engine saito ever made.

[@harveynewman4333]

that spins the 20x8 prop really well. dam, i wanna my 220 Zeus, golden knight.

[@ewaldpalgen3424]

Greetings from Hamburg, Germany.

[@dmrcflyr2]

Hello there!

[@klesmer]

Damn Dave, at idle that thing sounds like a Matchless 500 single.

[@Grahame59]

Lovely engine. I have one too. Unfortunately the tacho rpm is out of view on video.

[@dmrcflyr2]

Well I can’t get them right all the time. How about you try to make several thousand videos?

[@Grahame59]

@@dmrcflyr2 Still a great video, David. No offence intended. It does idle nice and low, was just keen to see the idle rpm. Maybe you can tell me here? Is of interest as I use the same prop so would be interesting to know. Thanks.

[@dmrcflyr2]

Well I think I have it better framed in the video before this one from last September. Nothing really has changed since then.

[@Grahame59]

@@dmrcflyr2 Thanks, I'll have a look at that one.

[@dmrcflyr2]

Simply do a search on my channel for Saito 220a you will find all of the videos.

[@noseel5]

nice sound . Surprised it can run at such low revs.

[@Laser100man]

Hi David, my most profound thanks for the run you made for me (too); below are the stats of my 220 as she stands after some 32-33 hours running time: MA 20x6 prop (not 20x8) 8,140 rpm peak, ~ 8,100 sustained APC 18.1x10 7,700 rpm peak, ~ 7,640 sustained APC 19x8W 7,600 rpm peak, ~ 7,520 sustained APC 18x8W 8,490 rpm peak, ~ 8,380 sustained MA 18x10 8,240 rpm peak, ~ 8,180 sustained 12% Nitro 18% fully synthetic oil Optifuel, OS F plug. These are the props I 've tried on my 220 since 2009, and the "longest-serving" one is the APC 18.1x10, just suits my YT International Typhoon perfectly, has been on the airplane for over 5 years now. However, I've always had a slight issue with the 220: I see your's idles magnificently without the glow igniter on, at less than 1,500 rpm sometimes. To get that low, or to even get a reliable idle below 1,900 rpm I've had to install an onboard glow system, which activates from 1/3 throttle and below. Then I have no issues; if I de-activate it, the engine will stall on me when trying to rapidly -or even moderately- throttle her up after some ~20-25 seconds, even after the most meticulous tuning of the slow-run needle. Could never explain why this happens for all those 15 years I have this otherwise glorious engine? At least I'm quite happy to see your 220 idling like a dream without glow heat. There has been no improvement on that front as my 220 clocked more and more running hours, she's had that "drawback" from new...

[@dmrcflyr2]

That is a great service life for your engine and the numbers seem very good. It is unusual about your idle however. Mine being the only 220 I have experience with I cannot offer you any advice aside from a carb swap. Obviously that is not an easy thing to do but it would be the best thing to experiment with.

[@Laser100man]

@@dmrcflyr2 Well David I hope I get many more hours out of the 220, it was quite an expense (bought brand new in 2009) and I adore it, frankly. Forgot to mention 2 things on maintenance; the intake (not the exhaust!) valve spring failed in flight at precisely 24 hours running time, but I had landed without issues. Also, she's on her 3rd main bearing, and her 2nd front bearing (I do dry-run the engine out after each session). Other than that, and the idling issue, I 've been quite happy with the big bore beast. Carb swap, I can't find something in decent condition but since I've been using the onboard-glow system and it works, I'm not quite sure if I'm really willing to; I've left things as they stand.

[@Laser100man]

@@dmrcflyr2 David I forgot something that could be important: how much oil content does the CoolPower 10% fuel have? Because my engine is (almost) inverted, it is a parameter that could be playing a significant role in itself.

[@dmrcflyr2]

I sent you an email of the Product Analysis of Morgan Fuels.. Cool Power 10% is 17% synthethic only.

[@Laser100man]

@@dmrcflyr2 Thank you very much once again, for both the 220 run and the enlightening email David ;)

[@MyZxcvb12]

Great engine. I have one never ran it .

[@dmrcflyr2]

You should, very fun to run and hear in person.

[@victormontalbano4993]

Much better engine ! Lol