On 2008-01-21, Vaughn Simon wrote:
Average the useful load of every O-200 powered LSA and compare it to
the average useful load of Rotax powered LSAs and you will see why 912s
are winning in the marketplace.

I'm not buying an average aircraft. I'm buying one for me. :-)

I do see your point, but I think the real difference in the marketplace is
not the 60 or so pounds difference, but rather the $8000 difference.

Given the present state of LSA regulation and the engine market, if you
want an LSA that you can fill with two real-sized humans, fill the tanks,
and actually travel somewhere, you need the significantly lighter 912.

The Zodiac will have enough useful load for me, my roommate, and full fuel,
with enough stuff for a weekend. That's enough for me.

To make money with the Cessna LSA, flight schools will have to recruit the
lightest CFIs they can find. It will be a real lady's airplane.

Quite possibly. OTOH, as I understand it, they did a presentation early on
and said they'd be using the Rotax, and half their audience walked out.
Given their issues with negative PR over their decision to build in China,
and the insanely long lead times they're currently quoting (they told me
2011), they had to do something to limit the bleeding.
--
Jay Maynard, K5ZC http://www.conmicro.com
http://jmaynard.livejournal.com http://www.tronguy.net
http://www.hercules-390.org (Yes, that's me!)
Buy Hercules stuff at http://www.cafepress.com/hercules-390