Harmon Rocket N540RM
A Journey
John HarmonJuly 1993
Laminar Airfoil -
An experimental laminar
airfoil (top) was selected
to increase efficiency over
the blunt Turbulent airfoil
(underneath)
Wing Internal Structure
14,000 rivets
All ribs hydroformed
Lycon Prepared IO540EXP
• 326hp on the dyno
• Increased compression
• Ceramic pistons
• Heads ported
and flowed
• Engine designated as “experimental”
Cowling mock up
• Composite Construction
• Bi-directional High Tech Composites– S-Glass– Carbon– Kevlar
6:1 Exhaust Collector
Initial Cockpit Layout
Wire A to Stud B……
Battery Weight Trying To Offset The 540ci Engine
Final Push - Long Nights…..
Fashionable Footwear
Panel Final Assembly
Accessory Switches
Inflight Serviceable Fuse Panel
Fuse Panel Layout
Test Flight SessionTest Flight Program
Shelter Cove, California
New IFR Panel
• Instrument Flight
• Climb to the Flight Levels
• Turn on Auto-Pilot and Oxygen
Harmon Rocket III
• Single Place
• Sportsman Category Reno Pylon Racer
Bruce Bohannon’s Rocket
• Time To Climb Records
• 0 – 3,000 meters
• 0 – 6,000 meters
• 0 – 12,000 meters
• Absolute Altitude Piston ?