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  #31  
Old 06-22-2011, 07:47 PM
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DonFromTX DonFromTX is offline
 
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Default No Rotax, Viking is Here

I guess this was just the final straw that broke the proverbial camels back. I am not saying that it is the right choice for everyone, but I ordered my Viking engine kit today!
For me, it gets me out of the ELSA "noose" that seemed to thwart me putting my ideas in play until after the inspection, or giving up on them. I will probably order my Skyview tomorrow for instance, no more waiting for that. For me fuel injection and what I consider a far more refined and proven engine was a big plus, and the $13,000 plus savings with 10% more HP was not bad either.
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  #32  
Old 06-22-2011, 08:58 PM
skydiverlv skydiverlv is offline
 
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Location: kansas
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Default Viking Power

Don, great to hear that you are going with the Viking engine. I will probably go that route also. I believe it is a superior engine with less complex installation, along with much easier and less costly maintenance.
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  #33  
Old 06-22-2011, 09:05 PM
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Aw shucks, you are just saying that because it is true!
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  #34  
Old 06-22-2011, 10:00 PM
N427EF N427EF is offline
 
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Default Flight hours?

How many flight hours has the viking engine accumulated so far?
Just curious>
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  #35  
Old 06-23-2011, 03:54 AM
Jack Tyler Jack Tyler is offline
 
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Location: Jacksonville, FL
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Don, it will be interesting - and also educational - for us to follow your kitlog as you get to that portion of your build. I've seen Viking's own RV-12 build (Sebring this past January) but haven't run across a VAF member who's building one and posting here. Looks like you just became a pathfinder... Good luck to you.

Jack
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  #36  
Old 06-23-2011, 06:40 AM
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DonFromTX DonFromTX is offline
 
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There are "several hundred hours" total on the engine in flight, including some fairly long distance flights. Jan can answer that question better than I, he has been flying a Zenith, but is selling it and replacing it with an RV12! I think this weekend he is flying from Florida up to Mexico MO for the Zenith bash there. It seems many of the conversions are actually replacing an installed Rotax with the Viking. The first 12 to be flying with a Viking is being done by a member of this forum in fact, it should be at Oshkosh if he can get it done, you can see his progress on the Viking web site, just click on RV12 tab. This engine is built from Honda Fit, Honda marine engines, and Honda Racing. Not like taking a slow reving engine from a car and calling it an airplane engine. I expect some teething problems being one of the very first, but I can live with that in exchange for the final result.
Check it out here: http://www.vikingaircraftengines.com/
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Last edited by DonFromTX : 06-23-2011 at 06:42 AM.
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  #37  
Old 06-23-2011, 08:53 AM
vernhendershott vernhendershott is offline
 
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Location: Spruce Creek, FL
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by DonFromTX View Post
There are "several hundred hours" total on the engine in flight, including some fairly long distance flights. Jan can answer that question better than I, he has been flying a Zenith, but is selling it and replacing it with an RV12! I think this weekend he is flying from Florida up to Mexico MO for the Zenith bash there. It seems many of the conversions are actually replacing an installed Rotax with the Viking. The first 12 to be flying with a Viking is being done by a member of this forum in fact, it should be at Oshkosh if he can get it done, you can see his progress on the Viking web site, just click on RV12 tab. This engine is built from Honda Fit, Honda marine engines, and Honda Racing. Not like taking a slow reving engine from a car and calling it an airplane engine. I expect some teething problems being one of the very first, but I can live with that in exchange for the final result.
Check it out here: http://www.vikingaircraftengines.com/
Hi Don,

I admire your spirit on this, Jan is an interesting fellow and was at the EAA chapter 288 meeting as the featured speaker. It does look like a good engine for the RV-12.

It will be interesting to see how many more hours you spend integrating the new engine into the RV-12 systems. Keep in mind when you purchase your avionics that Van's has locked many functions and settings in the Dynon 180 so that it matches the Rotax engine, I would expect the same or similar issues with the Skyview when it happens, for people building ELSA this is a big benefit but it may cause some additional work hours finding a way to get it unlocked and then sorting out the correct setup for the new engine.

From Jan's talk it does not sound like they are ready to sell a firewall forward kit with the same level of step by step plans and down to the last washer kit completeness. I wish you well and do please keep us informed as you find and solve the issues inherent in this kind of "beta" environment.

Best regards,
Vern
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  #38  
Old 06-23-2011, 10:46 AM
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DonFromTX DonFromTX is offline
 
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Thanks for the praise! I am buying my Skyview direct from Aircraft Spruce, and do expect to have to spend some time setting it to the RV12 and Viking, but don't see any great difficulties there. I have the AP servos already installed, they will be simple, a bit of rewiring and replumbing the fuel system are in order as well, all pretty simple stuff actually..
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  #39  
Old 06-23-2011, 12:19 PM
asav8tor asav8tor is offline
 
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So now in the end I guess you will have to say Van saved you money with the misinformation.......
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  #40  
Old 06-24-2011, 09:55 AM
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DonFromTX DonFromTX is offline
 
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Yep, that is what I AM saying!
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