Rotax Genuine Spares

[Windsock]

...."If R50 is an issue for you, you are free to puchase it elsewhere"... says a very confident sole supplier in a market where he has NO competition. I bet a Bing carburator that he would not have said that if there was an alternative supplier locally - statements like this can only be made if you have no competitors! [/quote]

[Nimbus Bellator]

Hi Everybody

I see my post has let the cat out amongst the pigeons.

This is not necessarily a bad thing as I believe our comments, beliefs and concerns need to be aired publicly. We, as the aviators of South Africa should be taken seriously and lets not forget that without us there would be no reason for Aviation Engines to even exist.

In all fairness to Niren and Aviation Engines, I have always found them to be very helpful and, more importantly, WILLING to help. Any advice that Niren offers is based on years of experience and is well worth heeding.

I do not believe that my comments about the o-ring were not completely unfounded. Surely it is far more beneficial, to Aviation Engines and to the aviation community at large, to sell 10 o-rings at a reasonable price than to extort huge amounts from 1 person and have the other 9 people doing what I did. Given the extensive testing Rotax conduct, I know I would much rather have 10 safe aircraft than 9 potential accidents. If you do go the same route I did, it is imperative that you purchase the highest quality product available becase it is your life, and possibly someone elses, that you are putting at risk.

After conducting much research into the available lubricants on the South African market, it is worth noting that only Castrol TTS appears to carry a documented Rotax/Bombardier specific approval, thus any other oil must be in the same class as my "pirate" o-ring.

When you have a captive market and want to force that market, through legislation, to use genuine parts, make the prices realistic and affordable. This is Africa after all, and we do not earn European salaries. It is because of unwarranted high prices that aviation is on the decline in a country that has so much to offer the aviator and yet, certain sectors of the fraternity continue to smother what remains.

South African business is plagued by a culture of greed. Having worked in the United Kingdom and Australia where markups of 20% to 40% seem to sustain healthy, thriving business, our culture looks at markups far higher than that, reaching into the 1000's%.

Please note: I am not stating nor implying that Aviation Engines subscribes to this deplorable business ethic!

Many aviators in this country are not wealthy people and chose to fly microlights because it was a "CHEAP" form of aviation. Why do so many desperately want to make it elitist? It is worth remembering that it is these intrepid people with their love and passion for flying that will encourage the aviators of the future. It is precisely because of people like those (Aidan de Gersigny and Dave Elliot) that the microlight even exists!

If what Niren says is true about Rotax being solely responsible (global price fixing?) for the exorbitant prices, then perhaps we, as the aviation community, should begin a petition for Niren to put forward to Rotax on our behalf, and for Rotax to officially acknowledge receipt there of.

In conclusion:

Aviation Engines

If you want us to use YOU, encourage us to WANT to use you.

[Dre'man]

I ride a Bombardier DS650x with a Rotax motor (the reason for buying that particular quad), spares are cheaper on the other brands but you end up using needing much more of them.

[Nkwazi]

I'm amazed how everybody wants something for nothing. Just take a look at your own business, will you provide a service/ sell an item at no gain for you, come on man.

I have always had great service from Aviation Engines and am safe in the knowledge that my life is worth much more than saving of a few south african rand.

Nimbus, I hope you never get into a captive market situation, you might come to eat your very own words.

[coen]

The only way to get away from exspensive rotax parts is to not have that engine in whatever you are flying. When other manufacturers like Simonini etc had a go at the S.A market WE DID NOT SUPPORT THEM. The day that ROTAX engine sales go down 30/40% in relation to aircraft sold will they wake up and smell the roses. Untill then we must maar kak en betaal.

Regards Coen.

[cutman]

Hi All,

I don't think anybody is dissatisfied with the service off Aviation Engines, and we don't want anything for nothing, but also don't want to pay rediculous prices for spares.

I don,t realy see any new design or technology in any Rotax engines that can justify the spares prices. Materials also don't make them last any longer than any other engines.

So it's not about Aviation Engines or their service for that matter. I think it's a global thing.

Cheers

[Duck Rogers]

So it's not about Aviation Engines or their service for that matter. I think it's a global thing.

Now isn't that what I said 2 weeks ago?

I've got to agree with Demon regarding the service and support but I think the spares ARE expensive........however, its a worldwide phenomenon and not just here in SA. I have, on numerous occasions, requested prices from my sources in the USA and UK and after converting the R/$ or R/£ most items are very similarly priced as to what we would pay here.

That still doesn't mean I agree with the high prices. I'll source them parts anywhere I can :D

[FO Gyro]

It is often said that if God had wanted man to fly he would have given him more money!

Whilst I know parts are expensive, and seem ludicrous, it is illegal to fit parts that are not recommended by the engine or aircraft manufacturer. PERIOD! Have the people on this forum not seen what has happened to Nationwide airlines for using parts whose history cannot be verified?

Flying is not a cheap sport, and people who fit parts that are not specified by the manufacturers, are looking for trouble. NTCA are supposed to be maintained according to the manufacturer's manual. No wonder the CAA are coming after us with Part 24!

[Barnstormer]

I'm amazed how everybody wants something for nothing. Just take a look at your own business, will you provide a service/ sell an item at no gain for you, come on man.

Well said.

I do think however this debate goes both ways.

I am new to this sport. I am in the process of buying spark plugs and some other goodies and have to mention that I could not find the same stuff cheaper locally, than from AE. Now, either the local guys are just more expensive, or I don't know where to shop. (Yet)

My point? As mentioned by other members, shop selectively. Also, I would rather spend R5 more than drive around town all afternoon. On the small amounts I'll go the easy route. On the more expensive stuff however, sniffing around for prices might be worth the time.

I ended up buying a mount for my GPS locally, because including courier cost when purchasing on the net would have worked out more expensive. You have to consider ALL costs, not just the obvious ones.

Aviation Engines, if pricing is of such a nature that I do not need to sniff around, I'll remain a purring kitten.

I don't mind paying a little extra when I save a little extra. It does go both ways.

[Duck Rogers]

Silence.............lest the ignorant read between the lines and "discover" things that are not there