Buying engine for RV12is directly from a Rotax dealer

[Ahmed]

Hello Rviators,

I wonder if anyone has idea about getting the engine from Rotax dealer instead of buying it through VANS to avoid markup and delay, same thing for avionics, maybe some builder took this route? I noticed you can save at least $2000 on 912is engine price if you get it from a Rotax distributer!

any advice in this matter would be appreciated

Thanks

[Dvalcik]

Originally Posted by Ahmed

Hello Rviators,

I wonder if anyone has idea about getting the engine from Rotax dealer instead of buying it through VANS to avoid markup and delay, same thing for avionics, maybe some builder took this route? I noticed you can save at least $2000 on 912is engine price if you get it from a Rotax distributer!

any advice in this matter would be appreciated

Thanks

You will will have to build as an EAB but no issues.

[Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Dvalcik

You will will have to build as an EAB but no issues.

Thanks David for the input!

[rongawer]

But if you're going to go E-AB, which I did, maybe you would want to consider a UL engine instead? Simple, more power, direct drive, easy maintenance, EFII, lower cost. Just a thought. I recommend the UL350iS.

[Ahmed]

Originally Posted by rongawer

But if you're going to go E-AB, which I did, maybe you would want to consider a UL engine instead? Simple, more power, direct drive, easy maintenance, EFII, lower cost. Just a thought. I recommend the UL350iS.

Thanks Ron for your great recommendations, I checked the UL350iS it seems amazingly more powerful but I have no idea about UL engines before, I will research on them, I always liked more powerful engines, have you ever seen them before on RV airplanes?

[Mel]

I've done quite a bit of research on the UL350iS. Only issue I've heard of is that you must pay particular attention to cooling. Zenith has been flying their CH650B demonstrator quite a few years with this engine. They initial had a learning curve with cooling but soon got it under control by relocating the oil cooler. The engine is dependent on an electrical supply. No mechanical fuel pump. Full FADEC ignition and fuel injection. The internal alternator is 30 amps. There is an optional 50 amp alternator, but it is $500 extra.
I'm very seriously considering this engine for my next project.

[David Paule]

An early RV-12 builder, not iS, told me that the engine kit included a number of things that a bare engine buyer would have to source separately, and that practically speaking, it was cheaper to buy from Van's. It might be worth asking for a packing list for that kit to see what you'd need.

Dave

[Mel]

Originally Posted by David Paule

An early RV-12 builder, not iS, told me that the engine kit included a number of things that a bare engine buyer would have to source separately, and that practically speaking, it was cheaper to buy from Van's. It might be worth asking for a packing list for that kit to see what you'd need.
Dave

This makes a lot of sense to me. Seldom will you beat Van's pricing when comparing apples to apples!
I would definitely do a lot of investigating before making a decision based on price alone.

[Ahmed]

Originally Posted by David Paule

An early RV-12 builder, not iS, told me that the engine kit included a number of things that a bare engine buyer would have to source separately, and that practically speaking, it was cheaper to buy from Van's. It might be worth asking for a packing list for that kit to see what you'd need.

Dave

I totally agree with you, I'm sure Vans considers marketing in all of their designs, definitely RVs are not only aluminum sheets and rivets you can modify or outsource them easily, otherwise they wouldn't be the greatest kit airplane manufacturer in history!

[Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Mel

I've done quite a bit of research on the UL350iS. Only issue I've heard of is that you must pay particular attention to cooling. Zenith has been flying their CH650B demonstrator quite a few years with this engine. They initial had a learning curve with cooling but soon got it under control by relocating the oil cooler. The engine is dependent on an electrical supply. No mechanical fuel pump. Full FADEC ignition and fuel injection. The internal alternator is 30 amps. There is an optional 50 amp alternator, but it is $500 extra.
I'm very seriously considering this engine for my next project.

Thanks Mel for your great input, I was impressed too with UL350is specs, minor issues are normal for new engine manufacturer compared to main players such as Rotax and Lycoming, the big question if this engine can be easily adapted in RV12is without too many engineering modifications!