I'm considering an Aero Momentum engine for my -12 build. Looking for other builders and their experiences with this combination. My email is [email protected]. Thanks for any help.
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Aero Momentum engines
- Thread starter Morriem
- Start date
Agreed, build per the plans. I recommend buying the kits from Vans and staying with E-LSA.
Dave
Dave
From my own experience, I wouldn't do it.
When I started with the AeroMomentum engine, my colleagues said to me do you want to build or fly?
They were right! I lost two years. Too many compromises and quality issues, in the end almost the same cost as with a Rotax 912iS engine.
Yes, of course the RV-12 will fly, but it needs approx. 10kg lead in the tail to have the same flight characteristics as with a Rotax engine.
The empty weight of my RV-12iS with AeroMomentum engine was 404kg!
now with the Rotax 912iS, 363 kg thats a true 40kg difference.
Fortunately, I built my RV-12iS up to FWF according to Van's original plans, so the conversion to Rotax 912iS apart from $$ was not to complex.
My resume, two very expensive first flights, but now I'm very happy with my original RV-12iS.
Just my 2 cents worth----we've been involved in more than a few off plans engine installs. Some of them never flew, and were converted back to the plans recommended engines. Others flew, and for various reasons were converted back to the recommended engine. What I do know as fact, is that alot of time, effort and money was spent, basically as a research project. Sometimes triple the money.
i am probably the bob. i have built 2 planes that i totally designed the fwf. my second is a 12 with a viking 110 . i also cut my own panel and wired everything into the vans d sub connectors. i have about 400 hrs on the 2 planes. i think the 12 took about 7[?] years to build. i think to answer the question... i like building more than flying. of course resale is not as good and it is immensely more work but i went into it with my eyes wide open and i pretty much got what i expected. i do have a good cabin heater,efis,full lighting, autopilot, mode c transponder and a 26 gallon tank. i am 74 so no, i wouldn't do it again, not even if i followed the book 100%.
you have to know what you are getting into and want that. probably not for the majority.
IF i were to do another i think i would use a jabiru or ul.
you have to know what you are getting into and want that. probably not for the majority.
IF i were to do another i think i would use a jabiru or ul.
Dick Gossen built an RV-12 with an aero momentum engine and spent quite a lot of time and money trying to make it work, but ended up with a few off-field and precautionary landings, and then ultimately switched to a UL. I built my -12 with a UL350iS and found it was an excellent engine, but it took a lot of extra time and effort FWF to get the setup completed, mostly involving the cowl and oil cooling. But once setup, it was a very smooth, torquey, screamer.
If you really want to pursue the AM engine, I'd highly recommend connecting with Dick.
I enjoyed the process, but unless you really just want to put the 'E' in Experiment, you might save a lot of frustration, spend the extra money and go with the factory setup.
If you really want to pursue the AM engine, I'd highly recommend connecting with Dick.
I enjoyed the process, but unless you really just want to put the 'E' in Experiment, you might save a lot of frustration, spend the extra money and go with the factory setup.
The time to tell if an oddball engine installation was worth the savings (if any) is when it comes time to sell! Orphan types often get less $$, your choice
Some years ago when I was looking for an 8 I found one that has a 6 cylinder Conty, 470 if I recall, heavy as lead , it sat on the market for ages, disappeared, never did find out where it ended up!
Some years ago when I was looking for an 8 I found one that has a 6 cylinder Conty, 470 if I recall, heavy as lead , it sat on the market for ages, disappeared, never did find out where it ended up!
This conversation reminds me of a line a coworker uses frequently: you're forgetting Newton's undiscovered fourth law: the conservation of misery.
I thought the collective might get a kick out of that one.
I thought the collective might get a kick out of that one.csmith3603
Well Known Member
Yep I have worked with Dick on the Fuel Lines of an RV-12iS airframe and not the RV-12 airframe. He was very interested in the connection that Van's Aircraft
placed in the two fuel lines.
I work with Dick with the latest RV-12 Aero Momentum kit 2024. Dick was very interested in the RV-12iS (2) fuel lines and how they were connected
I work with Dick with the latest RV-12 Aero Momentum kit 2024. Dick was very interested in the RV-12iS (2) fuel lines and how they were connected thru a Bypass fitting. There was a Venture hole between the two lines. Van's Aircraft Genus! Disk had no experience with RV-12iS builds!
csmith3603
Well Known Member
Howdy there;
I am finishing up building a RV-12iS using an Aero Momentum AM15 Engine. Working with the FAA with a Airworthiness certification. Smile.
Having problems with supplied incorrect Luga propeller! Aircraft moved backwards! Smile. After Sending it back charged for damages
and replacement sent out and received. Working with Professional propeller shop to adjust blades to get the aircraft to fly?
csmith3603
Well Known Member
Doing Ground testing on my RV-12iS and the Aero Momentum engine, Finally got the Luga propeller blade angles within range of 10 degrees.
It's a powerful engine with normal RPM range 1800 to 5800 rpm.
It's a powerful engine with normal RPM range 1800 to 5800 rpm.
Hey there CS, sorry its taken so long to get to this reply, would love to hear more about the installation. I'm at [email protected], currently finishing up
the fuselage kit and getting ready for the finishing one. Things are going well with help from Seb, a fellow EAA chapter 1300 member. Hope to hear from
you soon.
the fuselage kit and getting ready for the finishing one. Things are going well with help from Seb, a fellow EAA chapter 1300 member. Hope to hear from
you soon.
csmith3603
Well Known Member
Continuing Ground testing on my RV-12iS and the Aero Momentum Engine. Coolant max at 218 and Oil Temp at 240. Need Oil Cooler!
Aero Momentum refuses to sell me there Oil Cooler Kit for there engine because of a 300.00 business dispute!
csmith3603
Well Known Member
Found a Aero Momentum invoice date Apr 18 2023 for oil cooler and Mounting kit and wired them $429.00 from my bank.
Send copes to All known Aero Momentum emails asking them about shipping and tracking numbers of kits purchased.
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csmith3603
Well Known Member
Adjusted Blade pitch to 23.5 and tested. Aircraft moves better on ground but airframe vibrates very badly with Aero Momentum Engine!
temperatures still high.
csmith3603
Well Known Member
Wired funds from my Bank to Aero Momentum Bank routing/account fail twice? Contacted them about it and was ignored...
csmith3603
Well Known Member
Contacted Aero Momentum about loud vibration Ignored; no solution?
Aero Momentum continues to ignore my Phone, email and texts requests to purchasing there oil Cooler and Mounting Kit for there
aero Momentum Engine.
From Aero Momentum installation Manual:
OIL COOLER (optional) Depending on your installation, application and version, you may need an oil cooler and one is recommended for most installations. We offer an optional oil cooler kit. But Not to Me? RV-12iS Grin
csmith3603
Well Known Member
Made written request to purchase Aero Momentum Oil Cooler and Mounting Kit. Very, very risky to test fly N5415J without Aero Momentum Oil Cooler to
reduce engine oil Temperature!
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csmith3605
I'm New Here
Hi there; I build and installed an Aero Momentum engine in my RV-12iS. CG was out of limits and needed to revise weight & balance with 20 lbs Ballast
weight in tail. The coolant and oil temps are borderline. Made two Takeoff's and Landings as of 3/24/2026. Coolant is under control but oil temp on borderline
while in flight. Will install oil cooler and continue flight testing on April 2023.
