Maintenance costs RV-9A vs RV-12

[Piper J3]

Dale

Just for a data point... do you preheat engine in the winter?

[RVbySDI]

Originally Posted by Piper J3

No, if you're building experimental airplane, then only Annual Condition Inspection is required. 100 hour inspection is not required.

Also, if you're building your RV-12 as E-LSA (not EAB), then you are permitted to do your own condition inspection if you take 16 hour training class and apply to FAA for rating which is good only for the plane you own.

The first statement about Anual Condition Inspection and 100 hour not required is correct. Some added clarification on your second statement about E-LSA and EAB.

• If one builds an airplane and certifies it as an E-LSA, one can "take a 16 hour training class and apply to FAA for rating which is good only for the plane you own".
• If one builds an aircraft as an EAB one can apply for the Repairman Certificate for that aircraft. With that Repairman Certificate that builder can sign any and all airworthy inspections on that aircraft. She or he does not have to take a training course in order to receive the Repairman Certificate.

[rvbuilder2002]

The importance of doing the 100 hr inspection regardless of whether your certification requires it, is for maintaining and inspecting in accordance with Rotax's written requirements for factory warranty.
It is also a good guide for doing an annual condition inspection even if you don't reach 100 hrs in a year.

[DaleB]

Originally Posted by Piper J3

Dale

Just for a data point... do you preheat engine in the winter?

I live in Nebraska. The engine heater gets plugged in in November, and stays that way until March or April. Yes, we preheat, with extreme prejudice.

[NORM T]

Was this thread about "my old man can beat your old man", "my airplane is better than your airplane", "a comparison of mission", or what? My RV-12 is the very best for me, but I would like your choice, too if it suited my purposes!
Norm