|
-
POSTING RULES

-
Donate yearly (please).
-
Advertise in here!
-
Today's Posts
|
Insert Pics
|

05-14-2012, 11:59 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: san rafael
Posts: 110
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacPara
I know. Just not sure about the ELSA status when using that. So I meant "from Van's" in my previous statement ....
|
The ELSA is a lot more flexible than EAB actually.
I think you can have 100% of the airframe assembled by 3rd parties as long as it all conforms to the plans and you must buy all the kit parts from Vans.
The fairing consists of builder supplied materials, so do not need to be purchased from vans.
|

05-14-2012, 06:07 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wharton, Texas
Posts: 122
|
|
Hauling Mogas is a pain but the $20.00 or more savings a fill-up makes it worth while. Avgas is $5.30 / gal at KARM - Mogas 93 oct. is $3.99 / gal.
IJS
Gary
|

05-14-2012, 09:58 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Barneveld, NY
Posts: 189
|
|
Guys.. just another data point in the 100LL/Mogas discussion. I agree it would be better to burn Mogas as frequently as possible. With that said.. the flight school where I learned has several 912 powered planes. Some of them burn mostly Mogas at one airport and three of the others burn only 100LL. They both are running fine. The one made it to TBO of 2000 hours before being swapped out and sold with no issues at all on only 100LL for 2000 hours. 25 hour oil changes and regular maintenance and it did just fine. There is another one with nearly 1000 hours and another with over 300 all 100LL only and they are also doing fine. I am not saying it isn't an issue and I know Mogas is preferable, just throwing this empirical data point out there. FWIW I burn 100LL about 90% of the time in my 912 as well and it is doing well also.
Carl
__________________
Private Pilot
|

05-15-2012, 06:58 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: La Feria Texas
Posts: 3,822
|
|
So you keep track of fuel burns, and alter the oil changes to somewhere between the two intervals, or just use 25 hrs if you burn any 100ll?
|

05-15-2012, 07:05 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Salem, OR
Posts: 296
|
|
I now have 400 hours on the 912 in New Blue. This engine was originally in the yellow proof of concept RV-12 so it had 200 hours on it when I got it. This engine has been fed nothing but 100LL for the last 360 hours. The only noted item we've found is that when the carbs were rebuilt at the 500 hr TT mark, the blue residue from the 100LL had built up sufficiently on the slides to prevent smooth movement. Result was improper and out of balance fuel mixtures yielding a not-so-smooth running engine. It never missed a beat. It just kind of 'growled' at you between app 2800 and 3900 RPMs. Once cleaned, smooth engine operation was restored over the entire RPM range.
__________________
Mitchell Lock
President Van's Aircraft
|

05-15-2012, 08:18 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Athens, GA`
Posts: 22
|
|
Thanks for the info on fuels, it sounds like With 25hr oil changes and a little more diligent maintenance, a steady diet of 100LL is not a problem for the Rotax. 
|

05-18-2012, 09:31 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 21
|
|
It sounds to me like you don't really like building all that much and are looking for an easier way out. There are builders and there are flyers, you have to decide which one you are. If you are truely trying to decide between the RV-12 and a Sonex and are leaning towards the RV only because of the easier build then why not just go out and buy a completed Sonex? You can easily buy a sonex on barnstormers with the Jabiru 3300 for well under what the RV-12 is going to cost you by the time you are done. You could probably even buy two Sonex with the Aerovee engines for the same cost as one RV-12. Now if you have other reasons for not wanting a Sonex such as IFR capability, baggage space, or cockpit size then by all means go the RV-12 route. To just go to the RV because of a quicker build time doesn't make much sense. You can be up and flying next week in a Sonex if you buy one already complete. It doesn't get much quicker than that.
Keith
|

05-18-2012, 10:20 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Elkton, Md.
Posts: 1,654
|
|
Sit in the Sonex then sit in the -12 and you will easily make the decision. Better yet, sit in each one with a passenger. Compare everything in the cockpit, brakes, stick, FLAP HANDLE, etc. The Sonex with the VW is a bit anemic on performance, on the other hand a Sonex with the Jab 6 cyl. is an impressive performer. Overall, they are not that comparable. The -12 is a very refined aircraft in comparison.
__________________
Wag Aero Sport Trainer built,sold and wrecked
N588DF RV12 #336 built, sold and alive and well in New York
N73DF RV12 #244 built, sold and alive and well in Florida
N91 RV RV9 I wish I could say I built this one! Mark Santoleri hit the ball out of the park on this gem.
Currently restoring a 1978 Citabria GCBC
|

05-18-2012, 01:01 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 21
|
|
True but a completed RV-12 is two to three times the cost of a completed Sonex. It is sort of like comparing a Hyundai to a Lexus. They both can drive on the same road but are far different in cost and comfort features. It all goes back to what you flying mission is. Long cross country with some IFR capability and alot of baggag capacity go for the RV-12. Flying around the local area doing aerobatics with only an occasional VFR cross country then go for the Sonex.
Keith
|

05-18-2012, 01:09 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: La Feria Texas
Posts: 3,822
|
|
Part of the cost comparison is invalid, IF you build the RV12 as EAB like the Sonex, and don't think you need the $14,000 avionics nor the $29,000 engine, neither of which the Sonex has, costs are more aligned and the extra size of the RV12 cockpit comes at a far lesser price. Still cannot fly upside down in the RV12 though, darn it..
|
| Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
|
| Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:45 AM.
|