Engine options?
 

I saw on Facebook this update on the 107hp UL260iS engine in the RV-12.
https://www.facebook.com/ulpower

It says a firewall forward kit and engine for $22.9k. I asked if there was any strengthening to the firewall and fuse but the reply was:

' UL Power North America Hi Bob. At 107hp the firewall does not need to be modified. The weight, power, torque, etc. are very similar to the Rotax.'

I thought the installed ready to fly weight for the Rotax was around 146 lbs. The UL engine is listed on the website at 164.2 lbs. That's a fairly large difference, unless I'm missing something.

It would be nice to get away from the carb problems of the 912ULS, but I'm no engineer.

I've also seen the D-Motor 97 horse at 125 pounds.

I'm just wondering if I'm missing something?

Bob

Bob,

The installation of the ROTAX 912 is pretty straightforward if you follow the Vans instructions. If you pick something else you are buying into a lot of work. I built 3 homebuilts before my RV-12, and two required winging it on the engine. With that experience I would recommend without reservation that you use the recommended ROTAX 912 ULS.

Yes, it can be done, but is it worth the hassle?

Rich

No I get that, and I'm especially leaning to the Van's solution just because of the ELSA. However, that doesn't stop me from wondering about the carb issues that seem to have been occurring and looking at other possibilities.

I just wasn't sure about the weight difference between the UL and Rotax.

Thanks,

Bob

No pun intended, Rich?:D

Like has been said, you pay a price when you use alternate engines. You become a true experimenter with some unknowns in the mix. Although it was a correct choice for me (did not like the carbs, wanted FI etc)it is not for everyone. I caution everyone considering it to think it over carefully, and maybe you are not willing to suffer all that experimenting with a powerplant. If not 100% certain you want the headaches, do NOT choose alternate powerplants!

Viking w/ 3 blade prop
 

Pls check out the Viking engine package with the Firewall forward kit and the Whirlwind 3 blade prop. Mine should be here in about 2 weeks. I did a lot of background research on the Honda engine , and Whirlwind prop before making my purchase.

Other choices
 

The only thing I don?t like about the RV-12 is the lack of factory support for other engines. The other major kit manufactures offer multiple engine options for their Light Sport size aircraft and registering E-AB is the norm just like all of the other Van?s kits. The Light Sport market has a few different made just for aircraft engine choices, some that have been around for a while and some that are newer but seem to be operating trouble free. I have not seen any complaints from the few 12?s that are flying with UL or Jabaru engines, I would like to see more reports from those few to maybe encourage others to follow. It sure would be nice if Van?s would get on board and endorse some of these options.

+1 on this recommendation. I went the alternate engine and DIY wiring/avionics route on my -12 and I estimate it doubled the build time. If your decision is only based on saving money upfront, you will be disappointed once you add up the total cost, increased build time, and decreased resale value. If you like building, fabricating, and solving problems on your own as much as you like flying, go for it.

John Salak

RV-12 N896HS

Van's business model is to fly what they sell. In the long run the customer benefits because a lot of flight experience is acquired operating the same or very similar power plant installations as customers do.

It would not be practical or make good business sense to build three or four different prototypes, to develop the installations and then operate all of them.

At the time the RV-12 was in initial development, a number of different power plants were considered.
In the end, the one that already had a long term track record, was from a sizable company that could support it world wide, and that had a very good power to weight ratio to help achieve the goal of a truly useful, useful load on the RV-12, was chosen.
If that changes sometime in the future, then you may see a different engine option offered.

I think that comes with the ELSA territory, there is a big profit motive to be able to sell everyone an engine and every last part of the aircraft as well as blame if one with the alternative engines crashes. Those that support alternative engines are all EAB only as far as I know. I think Vans has mellowed though, at first it seemed they hated me, now they seem to allow me to coexist with them. As a courtesy, I registered mine as something other than an RV12 so if I crash and burn, it is not "one of theirs" so much anymore "just another Air Force One crashed".