jan olieslagers wrote:
jan olieslagers schreef:
After due examination of mission, the Europa (see
www.europa-aircraft.com) is my ideal plane.
....
That said the Europa seems unbeatable, achieving
200 mph cruise on a 100HP Rotax 912S.
....

Um, according to the web site you provided, at 8000 ft and 75% power, the
912S achieves 155 mph TAS, not 200 mph TAS. The 200 mph is with a
different (much more expensive) engine at a higher altitude.

-) the Avion Lightning is one I never heard of.
But even with 120 HP it only manages 150-170 mph cruise?

I suspect that the 914 would have similar speeds at the quoted 8000 ft
altitude and 75% power fraction. If you are going to fly high, then a
turbo would probably be appropriate. And the Arion Lightning isn't the
slouch you think it is:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?t=49642
Note the Lightning was traveling at 185 mph TAS at a DA of 3840 ft.

Also note that in the U.S., at least, a Rotax 914 costs ~US$28000 while a
Jabiru 3300 costs ~US$15500:

http://www.rotaxservice.com/rotax_en...otax_914UL.htm
http://www.jabirupacific.com/

Not sure what the cost difference is like in Europe. You can buy a lot of
fuel for that extra ~US$12500. Probably well over 400 flight hours of
fuel.

All this being said, can we discuss engine choice?
In the 80-100 HP range, Lycosaurs seem unfit given
their high fuel burn. Rotax seems the obvious choice,
they're widely available and not excessively expensive.

In the U.S. at least, Rotax engines have become expensive.

Best compromise seems a Rotax 914, its turbo should much
improve altitude performance, but don't see many
of these around either...?

Probably because turbos costs a lot not only to buy, but to maintain.