Rec.Aviation OSH report

On Tue, 1 Aug 2006 16:49:32 -0700, "RST Engineering"
wrote:


"Morgans" wrote in message
...


I can't figure out why they chose the Rotax. Wouldn't an O-200 work well
in
that plane?

WEight
Performance
1970s technology (aot 1930s)
Auto gas
Less expensive initial and parts
Reliability

I'll bet the FBO's would be more comfortable with a regular 'ole engine in
it, that they know and understand how to work on.

These are destined to be the "regular 'ole engines" in the years to come.

'An when you get to Weir's age, being "regular" is the most important thing
there is! :-)

But the Rotax is not every tolerant of 100LL fuel. The lead gets dissolved into
the oil and sludges things up...these engines don't have the sloppy tolerances
of the Lycosaurs.

From http://www.rtx-av-engines.ca/PDF/techinfofuel.pdf:

"The problems with the leaded fuels are the pollution and the heavy deposits
of lead left on the spark plugs, piston rings, oil passages, and cylinder heads.
Fuels with lead can be used if the operator is willing to increase maintenance
on these parts. In many cases the engine will require a top overhaul well before
the TBO due to the lead contamination. Additives that help purge the lead, TCP
for example, are beneficial, but, are not yet recommended by Rotax due to the
volatile nature of such an additive. The Rotax liquid cooled head is also a
problem with a lead enhanced fuel. In simple terms it runs too cold. The head
never gets hot enough to allow the lead to “purge” itself of the deposits and
they build up over time."

Most of the reports regarding Diamond's switch from the Rotax 912 to the
Continental IO-240 emphasize the increased power, but AVweb says some smaller
operators were having problems with the engine. Due to the use of 100LL?

Filling up your friendly personal LSA with car gas isn't a problem...but an FBO
considering operating a fleet as trainers may well be scared off due to the
increased maintenance and the decrease in overhaul interval.

Yes, they *should* just set up a autofuel tanking system...but we've got a
chicken and the egg situation, there.

It *does* make you wonder about all those LSA companies, selling planes that
require fuel that isn't sold at 99% of American airports....

My bet? Cessna switches to a Lycosaur, if the plane goes into production.


Ron Wanttaja