NEWS  

 

CKT Aero has been manufacturing LSA/Ultralight Aircraft exhaust systems for more than ten years. 

In the early days, with production being low, these were not serial numbered, so taking these early models into account, we have manufactured about 2000 systems, most of which are still airborne! Sure, we get the occasional broken spring but we rarely see a cracked pipe or casing-it just doesn’t happen. 

We are asked ‘Why 304 Stainless Steel, when 321 is commonly used on Light Aircraft Exhausts?’ Well, we have to give our reasoning in a combination answer; 1. Price. I’ve just checked with our Stainless Steel supplier and the raw material cost of each System is over 80% higher if we go to 321 Steel instead of our regular 304L. There is no weight penalty with either grade but there is a wider range of Tube sizes available in 304L, this gives us more choice for Pipework. 

304L and 321 both form well, but 304L has slightly better weldability due to there being no Titanium content. 

CKT Aero has chosen its range of tube and sheet for manufacture over the years to produce consistent, in-the-field reliability of product.We can make systems lighter but reliability would suffer – I’m sure that customers of OEM’s don’t want to be replacing Exhaust system every 50 hours because the lovely lightweight item has fallen to bits AGAIN! 

 

CKT Aero do supply Titanium Systems to a number of OEM’s however the cost can be almost prohibitive. The average 3 axis LSA system would be more than twice the Stainless Steel price-but it would be approximately half of the weight! 

 

If your flying field has non-flying neighbours then you might be familiar with complaints or off-hand remarks about your Sport Flying activities. 

Fact: IC Engines and Propellers are a noisy combination. When I was young and Lovely and had all my own hair and teeth, I recall a N.A. Harvard Trainer that flew out of my local Airfield – NOW THAT’S NOISY!! The fact is we and our flying field neighbours don’t have to put up with that level of noise these days, thanks to better Props and well-designed Exhaust systems. 

The CKT Aero systems are custom designed for each Airplane / Engine bay configuration. They typically take ten minutes to fit straight from the box. 

Noise testing here in Europe is lead by the CAA/EASA in Europe and the toughest test is the German ADAC test. They have a 60dBA limit on LSA/Ultralight flyers and all OEM’s have to pass this test. 

We supply a twin-silencer system to P&M Aviation for their Quik 450GT Flex-wing, which went through its test at 58.7dBA – climb condition, 4500rpm with standard 16° propeller. 

We also supply Progressive Aerodyne, U.S.A., with the system for their SeaRey Amphibian, which produces 65.2dBA. 

We have yet to have any customer complain about the noise level of one of our designs; we have even successfully silenced an airborne Rotary engine! 

A good Exhaust system can help you be a good neighbour.