Is this the end of microlighting in S.A. ?

[Carel]

There are several alternative engines available - even from Rotax fitted into jetski`s, etc without the the strict maintanance as for their "aviation" engines.

Quite a few other "aviation" engines also with less strict maintanance schedules at prices that compares well with Rotax.

Rotax (SA) can suffer financially should a compromise not be reached.

Waiting with suspense to hear and see A E proposal.

Maybe it is time to be more open minded about other ML aviation and non aviation engines ?

[ICEMAN]

Gents, has there ever been any surveys into the use of motorcycle engines as a powerplants..... im thinking here along the lines of the BMW GS ranges eg the 1100, 1150, 1200 boxer motors........ perhaps even the dakar ranges or the honda transalp 650s... the motors are all compact, light, powerful and reliable

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Does a Rattex engine have a data plate? If you remove it is it still a rattex engine? If not how do they prove that it is a rattex engine?

I went through this with the Lyconosaurus fitted to the RV. Only reason I have not chucked it (although I have removed it) is that I want IF ATF and they will only give me IF if it better maintained than a brand new TCA aerie

[Woody]

MORNING ICEMAN
We need to get a box of popcorn and juice on this one.This is the time when that other engin"powerplant" you know the one im referring to ...be ready to go on the market.Ill be the first to dump "rattax" and get something more aviation friendly.
And yet all we want to do is fly to get away from politics.I hope some sollution will be found before it's to late.
Cheers
Johnny

[skybound®]

Bloody good question RV4ker. Wonder what the implications are.

Reminds me of work. Often in a responsible IT shop, we have to protect our users and more so the firm's reputation. This sometimes leads to implementing some technologies that restrict user's access to some resources. It is always amazing that human nature is then to find a work around so that users are able to access the very things we were attempting to restrict. There are many parrallels. Time to take a leaf out of our users books.

At this stage with the cost implications of maintaining these two strokes, I am beginning to think that it is not a coincidence that the motors are called a RoTAX. It is a conspiracy by SARS I tell you

[RudiGreyling]

HI Guys,

Sorry I don't have time to debate, hit and run...

Mike B, had a meeting yesterday at CAA, go read his comments on the new misasa website:
http://misasa.flyeaaforum.com/?p=300

Want more info on the new website, go here
viewtopic.php?t=6502

Regards
Rudi

[Gyronaut]

I see the BMW1200 boxer puts out 122 hp at 7,500 rpm. Seems better than a Rattex 914F which puts out only 110 hp at 5,800 rpm or am I confused? Ok so it doesnt have 2 plugs per piston etc... but is that an issue?

[Duck Rogers]

I have finally finished and sent through a proposal to CAA and if adopted by them will resolve this matter to the satisfaction of all role players in the industry.

That's very nice Niren...........but don't you think you should have let the most important "role players", that's us, Microlighters, see this proposal and comment on it before submitting it? What happened to transparency? I for one would seriously like to see this document.

[ICEMAN]

Bloody good question RV4ker. Wonder what the implications are.

Will we need an authorized approved AP to remove the data plate...

[Rudix]

I see the BMW1200 boxer puts out 122 hp at 7,500 rpm. Seems better than a Rattex 914F which puts out only 110 hp at 5,800 rpm or am I confused? Ok so it doesnt have 2 plugs per piston etc... but is that an issue?

It actually DOES have 2 plugs per cylinder :D

Great motor, just need to make sure you have the gearbox sorted out.

Fly safe,
Rudi

[Tumbleweed]

Does anyone know what are the trends in the UK/ USA/ Aussi regarding Rotex maintenance? Maybe, instead of re- inventing the wheel, apply their common sense?

With fu#$ups. comes oppertunity.

What if some engineering company opens a CAA approved,'RATAX' 583 MK2 High performance, fuel injected Rotex service exchange?

High performance / polished crank, gas flow heads - everything to improve but lose manufacturer warrenty and have the re-builder's 1500 hour reccomended maintenance apply?

The idea then of having enjoyed 300 hours, paying a bit ?? for a superior rebuild with a 1500 hour extended tbo motor maintenence schedule does'nt sound as bad?

Can think of some seriously advanced motor engineering set- ups that could give credit to something like this?

OK, now's probably not a good time to say 912S rules?

[Wargames]

In summary - in the short term:
For Rotax 582 engine owners - we are hoping the CAA will allow extensions to the 300 hour crankshaft replacement schedule.
For Rotax 503 engine owners - the crankshaft only needs to be replaced if necessary.

Best news ever. I do have a 503 engine. So this would mean that my maintenance is on par. This mean that I can go and fly legally.

Or am I missing something here.

[skybound®]

I think the regulation as it currently stands needs to be re-read.

24.03.1
(1) A non-type certificated aircraft, specified in subregulation 24.01.1 (1) and classified in the paragraphs (a) to (g) of subregulation24.01.1(2), shall be maintained in accordance with its Approved Maintenance Schedule in such a manner that it is airworthy at the commencement of any flight.

The General overhaul (crank issue) is only 1 of 40 items on the Rotax maintenance schedule. I would suggest that you are only airworthy if all other 39 items are also up to date.

[Wargames]

Skybound,

My engine had a piston replaced at 400 hours and is currently standing on 420. Al other maintenance is done according to plan. I have about 5 hours before I need to replace spark plugs and gearbox oil.

Am I missing something?? Can I go and fly legally, and what will "speedcop" say if they stop me at airfield??

[Chunky]

I was at CAA this morning. They are going to issue a statement regarding the crank issue today or shortly.

Looks like they may extend to either 400 or 450 but nothing past that. They are not going to bend on this rule at all. So if you are close to 300 hours you may get an extension at their discretion. If you are at 450 sorry for you but you need a new crank.