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Post by Tony on Jan 29, 2019 15:31:24 GMT
I went to a Rotax seminar presented by Phil Lockwood. Phil, Dean and others were in the Rotax tent most of the day taking questions and just chatting. I got some great info and a great refresher on engine maintenance. What were the top 3 take aways? The most important one for me was that it's fine to use Stabil in your auto fuel. I have a big 100 gallon storage tank like you and wanted to make sure it was going to stay fresh if I didn't use it all within a month or two. They have had no problems with fuel stabilizers. I think the other take aways were about some maintenance errors that others have made. Like the guy who forgot to replace the ball bearing that regulates oil flow or the guy who overtightened the oil pressure sensor. It just solidified my decision to let the experts do all my maintenance even though I took the Lockwood course. |
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Post by Flocker on Jan 29, 2019 21:53:11 GMT
What were the top 3 take aways? The most important one for me was that it's fine to use Stabil in your auto fuel. I have a big 100 gallon storage tank like you and wanted to make sure it was going to stay fresh if I didn't use it all within a month or two. They have had no problems with fuel stabilizers. Good to know.
Any discussion points or questions on the 912iS?
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Post by Cluemeister on Jan 29, 2019 23:24:25 GMT
Any discussion points or questions on the 915is?
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Post by Tony on Jan 30, 2019 13:28:57 GMT
Noting specific about those two engines. He mostly discussed the 912/914 engines. Very generic.
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Post by ChiMike on Jan 31, 2019 3:26:18 GMT
Any idea if the 915 will make it to a Tecnam? My dream plane is the P2006 twin with 915’s!
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Post by Cluemeister on Jan 31, 2019 11:19:57 GMT
In April of 2017 Tecnam announced the 915 was going into the Sierra by the end of that same year. Never happened. Story link: Tecnam 915 Sierra announcementI think the problem is the 915 could/should go into the P2008 and Astore. But then the aircraft will be too heavy and fast to be an LSA. So that leaves experimental or certified. Tecnam doesn't do experimental, so that leaves certified. The certification costs would push up the plane's pricing substantially. Combine that substantial increase to the current $225k range of a new P2008, you're pushing $350k for a 2 seater that would do 145-150 knots. So I'm guessing they'll wait 3-5 more years to see how the LSA rules shake out before they do anything with the 915. That's my best guess, anyway! |
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Post by Tony on Jan 31, 2019 14:16:58 GMT
In April of 2017 Tecnam announced the 915 was going into the Sierra by the end of that same year. Never happened. Story link: Tecnam 915 Sierra announcementI think the problem is the 915 could/should go into the P2008 and Astore. But then the aircraft will be too heavy and fast to be an LSA. So that leaves experimental or certified. Tecnam doesn't do experimental, so that leaves certified. The certification costs would push up the plane's pricing substantially. Combine that substantial increase to the current $225k range of a new P2008, you're pushing $350k for a 2 seater that would do 145-150 knots. So I'm guessing they'll wait 3-5 more years to see how the LSA rules shake out before they do anything with the 915. That's my best guess, anyway! That makes sense. I'd add that there might be a quicker path to the 915 via the P2010. It would require the certified version of the 915 (if there is one) but that might be an interesting plane. The Sling 4 tsi is a 4-seater experimental powered by the 915. The P2010 is about 600 pounds heavier than the Sling model and is a very different class of plane but there might be something there. The P2006T with 915s would be awesome but more expensive initially and to operate. I'm not sure there is a big enough market for that plane to justify the certification costs for Tecnam. |
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Post by Cluemeister on Jan 31, 2019 14:58:11 GMT
The Sling 4 tsi is a 4-seater experimental powered by the 915. And there's the sweet spot. That is a 1,000 lb empty weight experimental (2,000 lb max gross) that will do 155 true at elevation. The Airplane factory builds these complete in S. Africa for other markets. In the US, they build the SLSA Sling 2 here, and they now offer a two week builder assist for the Tsi, which is a very attractive option. Fully decked out with chute, Garmin avionics, and IFR capable will put you at about $240k including the build assist program. |
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Post by jetcat3 on Feb 1, 2019 17:11:25 GMT
Apparently that Sierra flew with the 915 and hit 167 knots true. Don’t know if I fully believe that but the P2008 is a 150 knot airplane at altlitude with a 130 HP Rotax, this we know.
But I really think the best combination for the P2008 is a 914 with a constant speed prop. You get 140 knots at altitude without the extra 50 pounds on the nose and added cost.
Tecnam needs a bit bigger P2008 with three seats built around the 915 and then they’ll have something special! The P2010 is a bit large for that engine but I still think it could work.
And the Sling 4 TSi is just about perfect for the 915. As well as the Kitfox STi and soon to be Shock Cub. Cool things are happening!
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Post by Flocker on May 30, 2019 21:36:59 GMT
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Post by ChrisConnor on Jun 19, 2019 23:25:37 GMT
Did Tecnam do an owner's thing in 2019 like they did in 2018? I thought that was really good of them.
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