There’s the Rotax powered RV 9 prototype that’s out, and it’s my understanding Vans plans to release build plans to those who desire this engine. But it’s safe to assume it will be a long while before being able to find a fully build Rotax-powered RV on Barnstormers or Trade-a-plane, etc. So if you want a Rotax 9 in the foreseeable future, you’d need to pretty much plan on building one yourself.
One option would be to buy a partially or fully completed airframe with no engine, but you never know when those will pop up. But could it be easier to just buy a flying RV and swap the engines? The’m aware that swapping engines is a major project not to be taken lightly, especially with this new engine option (I would wait until Vans had already sold several kits), but surely it would still be far quicker and easier than just building from scratch, even with a quick-build kit?
Perhaps I could buy a 9 with a run-out engine, or an o-235 powered one for a lower price, then swap it for the 915/916. Surely this would be faster than just assembling a kit entirely.
One option would be to buy a partially or fully completed airframe with no engine, but you never know when those will pop up. But could it be easier to just buy a flying RV and swap the engines? The’m aware that swapping engines is a major project not to be taken lightly, especially with this new engine option (I would wait until Vans had already sold several kits), but surely it would still be far quicker and easier than just building from scratch, even with a quick-build kit?
Perhaps I could buy a 9 with a run-out engine, or an o-235 powered one for a lower price, then swap it for the 915/916. Surely this would be faster than just assembling a kit entirely.
Last edited:
that’s why I did an IO-360 but thank you I understand now.
