Which engine?

[Errol]

Hi Guys I am very new to the microlight world and was wondering what are the pros and cons of the different engines ie power , maintaince, 4 stroke veries 2 etc - can the normal man in the street maintain a microlight and even more important should he, as an ex PPl flying blik aries these all seems to be very confusing

[Abe]

Hi Errol,
You have in a single sentence stirred at least four hornet nests...
You will get as many red herrings as the real McCoy, but you will always be welcome amongst the microlighters.
Popcorn, drink, seat, let the show begin!
FlySafe!
Abe.

[Errol]

Me thinks the hornets are nesting unfortuate but true, many a sting in the tail, and I would rather be stung now before I commit myself to something without doing homework first

[Flooi]

Errol. I went from PPL to MPL. Cheaper. Just my 2 cents worth. Many will disagree.

Rotax still rules. 912 (S) is still best.

New Jab with hydraulic cam lifters cheaper and a worthy competition BUT
it makes a poor pusher.

If you're going to fly tractor and want affordability; AND if you will follow
strict rules, VW will do the trick.

If money is no object, go 912 (912S)

[Errol]

I am hoping to pick up a fairly cheap 3 axis ie streak shadow or the likes there of , majority of flying will be local sea level to 3000 ft elevation and it seems pusher engines vary in capabilities more than meets the eye. Any other ideas on this?

[Rudix]

New Jab with hydraulic cam lifters cheaper and a worthy competition BUT
it makes a poor pusher.

Hi !

Why does the Jabiru make a poor pusher ?

Fly safe,
Rudi

[Boet]

Cooling. For the same reason VW also a problem. Rotax 582 a good option.

[Flooi]

Cooling. For the same reason VW also a problem. Rotax 582 a good option.

Boet is 100% correct. Remember 582 and upwards have water cooling on engine
and air cooling on heads. 582 for StreakShadow is probably best option.

[justin.schoeman]

I think you will have to try harder to convince Rudi that the Jabiru doesn't work as a pusher, considering how many hours he has on his Streak Shadow - with an 80hp Jabi engine!

[John Boucher]

There are alternates to ROTAX in the offering and in the process of becoming serious serious contenders to knock the BOMBERS of top spot!

Check ZULU1's project, Vliegvark and his old man's BMW offering and then there is DIESEL FAN's project in the process....

There is serious development that will clearly change the face of affordable aviation in the NTCA / LSA classes!

[Rudix]

Cooling. For the same reason VW also a problem. Rotax 582 a good option.

Boet is 100% correct. Remember 582 and upwards have water cooling on engine
and air cooling on heads. 582 for StreakShadow is probably best option.

Well, I beg to differ

If you do the installation right cooling is no problem, my 2200A is almost running to cold in the Streak Shadow, both oil and CHT's are down, in winter I tape up the oil cooler and block the air intakes slightly, if I don't do that the oil stays below 50C and the CHT below 100C.

I do have a aluminium custom air ducts that force the air through all the cooling fins. Even with extended ground runs it is not a problem.

I have flown Shadows with 503's, 582's and the 2200A and for me the Jabiru is the clear winner, swinging a cut down 3 bladed Warp drive prop I have plenty ground clearance and it outperforms the Rotax's by quite a margin, it is quiet and smooth and burns way less fuel than them.

See the cooling ducts and oil cooler installation below.



Fly safe,
Rudi

[Rudix]

I think you will have to try harder to convince Rudi that the Jabiru doesn't work as a pusher, considering how many hours he has on his Streak Shadow - with an 80hp Jabi engine!

Hi Justin,

You said it Sitting at about 480 hours with the 2200A and I will not swop it for anything.

Fly safe and hope to see you at the field sometime,
Rudi