Rotax vs. Jabiru

As I continue to research, the Zodiac XL and the Sonex are on the short
list. Both offer a couple of engine options including Rotax 912
(variations) and the Jabiru 3300. Real-world performance doesn't seem
like it would be that much different, at least on paper.

I hope this isn't a religious issue. I'm interested in opinions on both
the Rotax and Jabiru options.

TIA.

Cal Vanize wrote:


As I continue to research, the Zodiac XL and the Sonex are on the short
list. Both offer a couple of engine options including Rotax 912
(variations) and the Jabiru 3300. Real-world performance doesn't seem
like it would be that much different, at least on paper.

I hope this isn't a religious issue. I'm interested in opinions on both
the Rotax and Jabiru options.

TIA.


Or if I opt for a Zodiac XL, would it be better to use a Conti O-200?

"Cal Vanize" wrote

Or if I opt for a Zodiac XL, would it be better to use a Conti O-200?


I think it pushes it above the weight for LSA designation. Check on that.
--
Jim in NC

Morgans wrote:


"Cal Vanize" wrote

Or if I opt for a Zodiac XL, would it be better to use a Conti O-200?


I think it pushes it above the weight for LSA designation. Check on that.
Jim
I'm not sure if your talking about the 'built' version or E/AB version.
If it's the experimental version you can set the gross weight where you
like. Just limit it to the LSA requirement and your good to go. You will
lose some useful load which you can trade off with smaller tanks and less
range if you need the weight.
John

("UltraJohn" wrote)
I'm not sure if your talking about the 'built' version or E/AB version.
If it's the experimental version you can set the gross weight where you
like. Just limit it to the LSA requirement and your good to go. You will
lose some useful load which you can trade off with smaller tanks and less
range if you need the weight.


Could you ex"pound" on this - set the gross weight where you like?

Thanks


Mont ....blue, yeah, that's it - Montblue

"Montblack" wrote in
:

("UltraJohn" wrote)
I'm not sure if your talking about the 'built' version or E/AB
version. If it's the experimental version you can set the gross
weight where you like. Just limit it to the LSA requirement and your
good to go. You will lose some useful load which you can trade off
with smaller tanks and less range if you need the weight.


Could you ex"pound" on this - set the gross weight where you like?

Thanks


Mont ....blue, yeah, that's it - Montblue



As the builder/manufacturer of an ambuilt-experimental you can
absolutely set the max gross weight anywhere you like... Who is to tell
you that a kit that others have built and set at, say 1450lbs is
mandatory for you to do the same.... Of course, a ramp check when you
and your 200lb friend climb out and pull out pull out 200Lbs of camping
gear that's 150lbs over your gross weight will be a problem....

S-LSA and kit E-LSA are regulated as to the min usefull load to combat
just this issue... but ambuilt expermimental is not.
--
-- ET :-)

"A common mistake people make when trying to design something
completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete
fools."---- Douglas Adams

Montblack wrote:

("UltraJohn" wrote)
I'm not sure if your talking about the 'built' version or E/AB version.
If it's the experimental version you can set the gross weight where you
like. Just limit it to the LSA requirement and your good to go. You will
lose some useful load which you can trade off with smaller tanks and less
range if you need the weight.


Could you ex"pound" on this - set the gross weight where you like?

Thanks


Mont ....blue, yeah, that's it - Montblue
Yes Montred (hey if you can do it I can) ;-)

You can set the gross weight for E/AB where you like. You might/should have
some documentation as to what the pane can actually maxout but you
certainly can set it lower for safety sake.
The speeds are another story. You can't easily 'set' the max continous etc
etc but you could put an electronic (or otherwise) limiter on the engine to
keep the speed within limits and/or adjust the prop pitch/diameter to limit
airplane (or prop/engine) speed. Now if you have a 250 kt plane it might be
difficult to limit it! My plane which I'm slowly (very slowly) working on
original specs are 180 mph cruise (yeah right) realistic most cruise at
140-150 so proping it down with a climb prop takes care of it easily the
problem is stall speed mines about 3 mph high so I need mods to lower the
stall down.
The whole point is E/AB has a lot of leeway!

Also the AMD CH601XL is SLSA (the one Jim Pellien is selling is ELSA)and it
has a Cont O-200 they lost 70lb useful load because of the engine weight
but it still has the 1320lb gross.

John

Sorry for the rambling post!

"Cal Vanize" wrote

I hope this isn't a religious issue. I'm interested in opinions on both
the Rotax and Jabiru options.

More people are badmouthing Jubiru, than are badmouthing the Rotax 4
strokes.

YMMV.
--
Jim in NC

I've only got 120 trouble free hours on my 912ULS, so I'm no first hand
expert, but, the 912 was recently changed from TBO of 1200 hours to
1500. That seems like a fairly good endorsement for reasonablely good
field experience.
tom

wrote:
I've only got 120 trouble free hours on my 912ULS, so I'm no first hand
expert, but, the 912 was recently changed from TBO of 1200 hours to
1500. That seems like a fairly good endorsement for reasonablely good
field experience.
tom

For the best first hand info check the clasifieds in Australia and see
the story

Jabiru 3300 6 cyl. Engine 125 hrs, core engine and all accessories, no
top end. $3000 Ph 02 9688 2011or 0417 218 299


Jabiru 2200, Factory rebuilt 1999. Only 46hrs engine (total airframe
hours 164).


Aircraft for Sale Jabiru, factory built TT 1150 hrs, Engine TT 150hrs, Long


JABIRU 2.2Lt 55-0735 factory built, TT 750 hrs, Engine 150 hrs. Latest
Head Mod. Spats,


JABIRU 2.2 Factory Built, 55-936, LAME Condition Report 24/3/05, latest
2.2, oil cooler kit Engine TT 392, airframe TT 1072


Jabiru LSA 55-0727. Just love the rego! Approx 1100 airframe and 220 on
latest 2.2 engine.


JABIRU, factory built, 2.2engine and propellor 170 hrs, airframe 1034hrs,


This tells you that at best you will get 300 to 1000 hours from an
engine designed and promoted as 2000 hr tbo END OF STORY