April 9, 2008 E-Mag Adds Evolved Magnetos to Lineup

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By Rick Lindstrom

From time to time, we'll feature posts and commentary from our sister magazine Kitplanes. If building is your thing, do yourself a favor and check out the Kitplanes blog — and be sure to visit their web site.

E-Mag Electronic Ignition of Azle, Texas, had plenty of new goodies at their Sun 'n Fun booth this year. The prototype of the new six-cylinder electronic magneto was on display, along with software that allows the pilot to precisely set the E-Mag ignition timing parameters while in flight. "It's a highly evolved platform at this point" says E-Mag's Brad Dement. "And we're making this software available to the manufacturers of other engine monitors to use in their systems."

Indeed, with more E-Mag models coming on-line, and with the addition of magneto control software, the engine efficiency bar has been raised once again. "In addition to all of the normal benefits you get from electronic ignition," says Dement, "you can precisely adjust the ignition timing in flight to find that 'sweet spot' for your particular engine. With the price of gas what it is, the E-mag is a great tool to keep costs down."

Many pilots have shied away from electronic ignition systems in the past because of an understandable concern about these systems' dependency on aircraft power. E-Mag has a solution. "The P-Mag has a built-in alternator whose sole job is to power the mag in the event of aircraft electrical failure. With two P-Mags, the pilot has triple redundancy where electronic ignition power is concerned," Dement says.

With the one moving part of the E-Mag line being the center shaft, the system is much simpler and less prone to mechanical issues than the traditional mechanical mags of the past. And, unlike its predecessors, these mags require no periodic maintenance. "And we're anticipating starting the certification process once the six-cylinder unit is in production" Dement says.

Experimental types can enjoy the benefits of E-Mag right now. The E-Mag lists for $895, and the P-Mag is $1395. Further information is available at E-Mag.

Comments

Will this product be certified for continental 0-300-D engines? How about 1 e-mag and one regular mag for chickens like me? (I know that electronic ignitions are great in cars, but I have had one fail on me. No warning, just stopped... I simply pulled off the road and called for a tow....NOT SO EASY IN A PLANE!!) posted by Jerome LaForest on April 11, 2008   (report abuse)

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