We have now obtained full authorisation from both EASA and the UK CAA to install this conversion on all Yak and Sukhoi aircraft.  

In our twenty or so years with the M14P, we have found that about 80% of engine problems are related to high-tension ignition issues.  This can be put down to a number of factors, but principally because the magneto is intrinsically not a brilliant provider of a spark, but until someone comes up with a fully electronic system, we are stuck with them, but also, because the Russian system has thin (5mm) wires, insulated with not terribly good rubber; packed into a small steel tube into which water can penetrate.  

Then the sparking plugs are old technology, the combination of which can become quite easy for a spark to either short itself into one of the other cables, or simply not fire the sparking plug as well as it could. 

Dennis Savarese in the USA has, after quite a lot of experimentation, brought out a kit for the M14P/PF, which replaces all the Russian equipment with silicone high tension wires, normally for racing car use, as well as special NGK plugs, designed for high temperature air-cooled engines.

The conversion is now flying on over 160 Yak and Sukhoi aircraft, and indeed we have fitted it to a number of Sukhois and Yak-18T aircraft, which we have been allowed to on the Hungarian register, with excellent results.   The advantages include: 

Ø      Significantly easier starting.

Ø      Magneto drop typically 1½% only. 

Ø      Cooler running – typically 10/15º less at the same power settings.

Ø      Slightly improved fuel economy and performance. 

Ø      The real advantage – that of eliminating magneto / high tension problems which so often afflict the engines.

Ø      Finally, a replacement sparking plug price of about £3.00/Euro 3.50 each, which means that most owners, instead of trying to clean up old plugs and keep them going for another year, simply replace all the plugs each year.

We have come to an agreement with Dennis Savarese to have exclusivity for the European market, with savings in that we can import the kits in quantity.

We have also come to an agreement with Russian Engineering at White Waltham Airfield and Kobo Coop at Gyor in Hungary , to fit the conversions as a  “package” to convert aircraft. 

The price for a full kit, including installation (about 10 hours), is £685.00 plus VAT at White Waltham, and Euro 680 at Gyor .    

Owners who use these conversions in the US all say that this is the best money that they have every spent on their aircraft and it is a product that I am very happy to endorse myself.  Also, we calculate that it will probably pay for itself in fuel and sparking plugs within a couple of years, purely apart from all the other benefits listed above!

Please come back if you need more information, or if you want to have a set installed, please deal directly with Gena or Alfonz at White Waltham contact Telephone +44 (0) 1628 829 165 e-mail parts@wlacrussianeng.co.uk or directly with Bela Kobori in Hungary Telephone 00 36 96 348 144  and e-mail b.kobori@mail.kobocoop.hu

Click here to view pictures of M14P engine with conversion installed