Import your own Rotax spares?

[Loco]

Hi guys

I'm faced with a horrific spares bill

I've imported plenty model hobby airplanes in the past, is there equivalent reputable sites you guys can vouch for when it comes Rotax parts?

What's the legalities when it comes to CAA etc? Backup service?

Thanks
Ant

[Rotorsrule]

I'm also keen to learn about this. I myself bring all kind of model spares into the country. Use paypal, never had any problems.

A fuel pump would have cost me more than R1000. Landed it here from Aircraft spruce for less than R300.

So where can we get Rotax spares from? It must be legal!? Its genuine Rotax, origin is traceable. Comes out of the Rotax factory via a different route.

Our engines are non certified anyway. So I put a BMW motor in my microlight with genuine BMW spares from where ever I choose to buy it in the world.

Why cant it be the same with a Rotax?

[Thatchman]

Interesting topic but one that has been very relevant for me of late.

Rotax 912S motors become increasingly harder to start as they get older. This is due to the high compression. As this became apparant, Rotax attended to the issue by incorporating a soft start module (SSM) into the ignition box and replacing the starter motor with a high speed starter. The SSM delays the ignition until TDC so that the spark fires at the correct moment and the high speed starter gets the prop spinning faster to overcome the compression and kick-back on the motor.

Older engines like mine which has 600 hrs had no problem until the last six months when the first start of the day got to the point when it just would not start. The kick-back (against compression) can also cause expensive damage to the sprague cluch and gearbox.

Rotax (as I discovered in conversation with them at Oshkosh) claim that these are merely improvements to the engine and they are not responsible to supply the SSM etc. Maybe - but then try to purchase the SSM and new starter motor from them and it costs well in excess of R10k

I imported both parts for R5k. Fitted and it purrs like a kitten and starts better then ever - Used the Bullyhawk SSM and Skytech starter, not Rotex but both made for the Rotax 912 motors. Just cannot understand the prices There are no import duties on aviation spares so why such a high mark-up.

I have also purchased NAV and strobe lights from Aircraft Spruce for my 12 at much cheaper than I could buy locally.

There are a few guys who regularly bring stuff in which helps to share the freight costs.

[Gompou]

Someone put this on sometime ago.
Don't know if anybody use there service.

http://loravia.com/shop/index.php?route ... ation_id=9