alpinelakespilot2000
Well Known Member
I'm down to the final stages before ordering the engine. Aerosport will be (re)building me an 0-320. The question I have to decide is will it be 150hp or 160hp. Posing this question right now probably seems ironic since another thread is arguing between 160 and 180 for the -9, but here are my thoughts:
1. With the 150 I can use any autofuel, assuming it's ethanol and water free. While I don't intend to use autofuel all the time, the difference right now between avgas and premium is pushing $2 per gallon. At 8 gal/hr, flying autofuel would save me close to $16 per hour when I do choose to use it.
2. I'm not concerned about 10 extra hp for performance purposes. From Van's specs it appears that I would lose no more than 5-8 mph on the top end. Climb should still be somewhere in the 1700-1800 fpm range. Anyone flying with 150hp to confirm these guestimates? (Regardless of hp, I will be going fixed-pitch Catto.)
3. I have no need for the extra hp so that I can keep up with people in formation. I have absolutely zero interest in flying formation. Never say never, I know, but I don't think that will ever be an issue.
4. Generally I agree that more horsepower is better from a safety standpoint. However, with RV's I take a little different perspective. Even flying from the mountain west where density altitude can be an issue, I tend toward the mindset that if you NEED more power in an RV, you probably should not have been where you were in the first place. Thus, I don't think not having that extra 10hp would significantly limit where and when I would fly.
5. Future resale value? (Only relevant if I ever decide to build again.) I know buyers of -6s, -7s, -8s seem to like higher horsepower. Not sure if the same is true of the -9. Maybe so, but the ability to run autofuel might offset that.
Anyway, given these thoughts, anybody have any additional thoughts that I should be thinking about. As always, help is appreciated. I'll be spending $15K and will have to live with the decision for as long as I own the plane! Thanks.
1. With the 150 I can use any autofuel, assuming it's ethanol and water free. While I don't intend to use autofuel all the time, the difference right now between avgas and premium is pushing $2 per gallon. At 8 gal/hr, flying autofuel would save me close to $16 per hour when I do choose to use it.
2. I'm not concerned about 10 extra hp for performance purposes. From Van's specs it appears that I would lose no more than 5-8 mph on the top end. Climb should still be somewhere in the 1700-1800 fpm range. Anyone flying with 150hp to confirm these guestimates? (Regardless of hp, I will be going fixed-pitch Catto.)
3. I have no need for the extra hp so that I can keep up with people in formation. I have absolutely zero interest in flying formation. Never say never, I know, but I don't think that will ever be an issue.
4. Generally I agree that more horsepower is better from a safety standpoint. However, with RV's I take a little different perspective. Even flying from the mountain west where density altitude can be an issue, I tend toward the mindset that if you NEED more power in an RV, you probably should not have been where you were in the first place. Thus, I don't think not having that extra 10hp would significantly limit where and when I would fly.
5. Future resale value? (Only relevant if I ever decide to build again.) I know buyers of -6s, -7s, -8s seem to like higher horsepower. Not sure if the same is true of the -9. Maybe so, but the ability to run autofuel might offset that.
Anyway, given these thoughts, anybody have any additional thoughts that I should be thinking about. As always, help is appreciated. I'll be spending $15K and will have to live with the decision for as long as I own the plane! Thanks.
Last edited: