Rotax Alternative & Others

[John Boucher]

So what about Limbach engines?

Are they reliable?

Are they just un-affordable?

[African Grey]

Anyone know how much PT is involved in getting the engine "approved"...?
eg: The Verner or another lesser known brand that is desigend for aviation - do CAA "NEED" to inspect the factory ?

[John Boucher]

Check out Hirth Engines as well....

[Rudix]

So what about Limbach engines?

Are they reliable?

Are they just un-affordable?

They are based on VW so they are quite heavy. I looked at them a while ago but they are also quite expensive, you might as well go for a Jabiru, better option I think.

Fly safe,
Rudi

[John Boucher]

The Hirth 3-cylinder 100hp EFI engine is what I was looking for.... Lightweight , tbo 1000hrs, 3 year warranty on crank (irrelevant of hours!)

I like two stroke.... less moving parts that can break!

[John Boucher]

Anyone know how much PT is involved in getting the engine "approved"...?
eg: The Verner or another lesser known brand that is desigend for aviation - do CAA "NEED" to inspect the factory ?

AG, they'll find a reason to go for a jol....

[Pumba]

Guys

Some of you asked how much trouble is involved in getting the paperwork sorted out, and if the CAA use this as an opportunity to go on an overseas trip to "inspect" the manufacturer's facility.

Here is a summary of my experience in getting an ATF issued for the Verner installation:

- After completing the engine installation, I had it AP inspected.
- Submitted a Modification Application with a lot of supporting documentation to CAA: (Mass & balance, a complete engine manual with installation, operation and maintenance instructions, photographs and calculations of the installation).
- Met with one of the guys at Certification who reviewed all the documents, and gave me a Proving Flight Authority to Fly, valid for 20 hours.
- In order to finalize and sign of the mod, they wanted performance data, climb test data, a Flight Manual Supplement and a follow-up AP inspection.
- I flew the 20 hours, gathered all the required data, and performed the tests.
- All of this was submitted, and I finally got my ATF, good for the next 12 months approved in last week.

So, no physical inspection of the aircraft was required, and I did not end up having to sponsor any CAA Personnel on a trip to Czech to "inspect" the manufacturing facility where this engine came from.

Without bad mouthing anyone, or going into all the detail, I must say my last visit there was not a pleasant experience to start with. I e-mailed all the supporting documents and after 2 weeks, 5 phone calls and many follow-up e-mails with no response decided to go there. Waited more than 3 hours to get service. If anyone there is working on something, you can forget that anyone else will help you. You have to go back to the person who originally reviewed the mod. If that person is out, you are not going to get anything done. Begs the question; where are the standards they are working to?

This is the biggest problem with the CAA in my view, there is no consistency, and standards for them to follow. You seem to be exposed to the whims, and mood of the person you end up dealing with.

If ever you get stuck at CAA, here is my advice:

I started getting really annoyed with waiting, and asked the ladies at Reception if there was anyone I could talk to about their poor service. I was taken to their Client Services Manager, a lady by the name of Mary Stephens. She is an absolute star, and looks set at shaking things up there. She referred me to the Head for the Technical Department and told me to come straight back to her if I am not satisfied, she would then take me one level higher, and we would continue doing so until I got helped. After seeing her it took me 15 more minutes, and I was out the front door with an approved ATF in hand.

It is always encouraging to see that there are still a few people around that care, its when we lose them that we are really going to go down.

If anyone is tackling this process, feel free to contact me, I've learnt a few things in doing this, and would be glad to share advice.

Fly safely,
Barry