Microlighters

Struggling to find a drum of avgas for the Bantam, was always a great fan of avgas on the jab 2200 (80Hp) , but it seem most guys are using unleaded petrol now.

1.Please advise on any modifications prior to converting.
2. Any disadvantages?
3. Must the avgas be drained or can it be mixed?

Any other Bantam owners on the forum? The last one I remembered was Agent many moons ago.

Thanks
Johan

UJ
Try the local co-op. We had to drive to Bfn or Kby to get fuel and then while at Co-op I saw them loading AVGAS. Apparently most co-ops will supply (even small quant) countrywide. Supply is erratic so we take as much as we cn get when we can, but then like this month they get 16'000l . I have a standing order for 4 drums whenever they get stock. Works well, but I don't have option of Mogas.

Just a thought, but it is expensive. Last batch was R10.44, now up to R11, but it still more convenient that having to send bakkie every month which was about R12.50/l.

Rv , Thanks for the advice I will try the co-op if I remain on avgas.

If I remember correctly ulp was approved by the manufacturers about a year ago.

I assume a lot of guys went this route ,and want to get their inputs in terms of problems and performance. If any I will stick to avgas . because in our part of the world there is very little level and open ground for emergency landings.
Not worth the chance, for a R2… per liter saving and better availability!

Johan

As far as I know, only the 2200A (with hydraulic lifters) is approved for automotive fuel. Better check with the factory before you make any decisions.

-justin

Guys at Morning Star went the mogas route on the Jabi's and quickly reverted back to Avgas. I agree speak to the factory

Ditto here with the flying school aeries running jab's.

Contact person and tel for jab (sa) please.

Alex Green is the right guy to speak to. 083 454 4955

Since he is an Instructor on Bantam, he is flying Bantams with Jab 80 and 85 HP every day of his life, and as far as I know he has converted to Mogas.

They are operating in the Nelspruit and Lowveld area
Maybe altitude can influence the descision as well.

I would like to follow this conversation, because my Bushbaby will be ready soon, and I will also have to choose.

UJOHN wrote:Contact person and tel for jab (sa) please.

http://www.jabiru.co.za/contact.htm

Phone Numbers Local in South Africa
Ph: (044) 8769991 / (044) 876 9992
Fax: (044) 876 9993
Cell: 082 881 8499

You probably want to speak to Len.

-justin

I fly a Bantam the 80 HP model at Lydenburg and have recently changed to Mogas, however, i was advised that it must be 95 ulp. My AP told me that in recent stripdowns of the Jab. engines, those running on 95 mogas alone were in better condition than those running on avgas or avgas/mogas mixture. As it is difficult to obtain 95 ulp inland, i am fortunate to live close to the lowveld and am able to fill a drum periodically. I am now on my second drum of straight 95 mogas and so far...all good.
Dirk

Hi Dirk welcome to the forum ,and thanks for your input.
Glad to notice we are at least 2 guys on the forum, flying one the worst looking ,best flying ,most reliable light aircraft on the market.
Could only do .3 this morning due to fog closing and avgas. Down to 5 liters in the tank , was promised avgas early next week.

Justin and Chris thanks for your inputs. Spoke to Alex a while back also very fond of mogas ,but me not convinced yet . The altitude thing you mentioned,makes me think that the timing might need some adjustment, because of the octane difference.
I still remember how my dads Zodiac “pinged” when we went to Durban once a year in the late 60’s.

With avgas on the way ,I will use at least one more drum and then make the decision again in 2 months time . Keep the info coming.

Hi UJ,
thanks for the welcome, i'm kinda new at this, this was my first posting, so i'm still learning.
I flew my bantam for a long time on a 50/50 mixture of avgas/95mogas, but Alec, and all the guys down here are on straight mogas. I do know that at lower altitudes you need a higher octane rating, thus the pinging at the coast in motor vehicles, that is why i believe that at our altitude 4900ft amsl, flying around at 6000 ft, 95 mogas should be fine. I have also heard that our avgas is not of high quality and that shortly it may be unavailable, so will continue to monitor it carefully. Agree about the bantam, it has to be the nicest aircraft to fly and i have no desire to change it, except maybe for a 6 cylinder..
kind regards,
Dirk

Hi Guys

I have been monitoring the international Jab engine forum for a while, and posed the same question there, but there doesnt seem to be any great feeling either way.

Most guys seem to running avgas. They all warn against using mogas which has ethanol, something about attracting water, and causing a deteriation of fibreglass tanks, and seals etc.

MY engine will be installed in about a week, and I will probably try to run on avgas for the first 50 hours or so, but will then defintely go to mogas, as we dont have avgas available, and would need to fetch from 130 km away.

They do say that the new models, with hydraulic lifters, are suitable for mogas.

Some of the guys talk about additives, but others talk against them, so feelings seem to be very mixed.

A little worrying to see and hear all the problems, but I suppose all engines have their problems.

jabiruengines@yahoogroups.com


Larry

Hi

Larry ,thanks for the link ,never knew Jab made a 8 cylinder engine.
Please keep us updated on any new findings concerning the fuel. I have the non hydraulic 80 hp engine.
What aircraft are you fitting the Jab engine to?

Got my drum of avgas Yesterday R2508-00 !!! Seems like the price difference to mogas is increasing.

Filled the Bantam this afternoon, hoping for good weather tomorrow morning.

Johan

AVGAS is on the way out... I think the petroleum companes are working on alternatives to replace the expensive process!

Correct me if I am wrong but AVGAS is a full import product now?

Jab 8 cylinder was developed for kitplanes such as RV's & Spitfires. I do however think they were having trouble with them!