Sport Pilot Talk

KellyZ · Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Posts: 21

My interpretation of the Rotax 912 Line Maintenance Manual leads me to believe that a 912 owner can't even change his/her own oil unless that person has had some type of formal Rotax training or on-the-job instruction from an authorized Rotax rep. Does anyone have reason to believe otherwise? Normally this would be allowed by the FAA as preventive maintenance under FAR Part 43 Appendix A Subpart C.

CTflyer · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 8:42 am Post subject:

Kelly - I found that Rotax manual online.

http://www.rotax-aircraft-engines.com/pdf/dokus/d03657.pdf

I also took a look at the 912 warranty:

http://www.rotax-owner.com/si_tb_info/serviceletter/sl-new_warranty.pdf

Where's the part that's got you worried?

Is there a warranty issue? Does Rotax require *all* work to be done by authorized mechanics, or the warranty is cancelled? Unfortunately, regardless of FAA regs, a business can set any restrictions it wants on service and/or maintenance.

Maybe give us a page number or section number of the document you're concerned about?

Thanks.
Tom

KellyZ · Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Posts: 21

I have a later version of that manual, but the worrisome text in Section 05-00-00 Paragraph 2.2 is the same (found on page 4 of that section in the manual you referenced). In fact, the restrictions can be interpreted to mean the pilot can't even check the oil level without having Rotax-approved training!

CTflyer · Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 7:17 am Post subject:

Thanks Kelly. I see what you mean.

Maybe one of the guys here that uses a Rotax will comment.

What have you learned from contacting a Rotax distributor? I'd think that would be the most reliable answer to your question of what you can do yourself. FAA issues general regs on USA aviation - but a private company can make its own rules on the use of its products.

According to the Rotax website, there's a single authorized distributor for Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Carribean, Central America, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, United States of America, Uruguay, and Venezuela. It's Kodiak Research in the Bahamas.

Phone: (242) 356 5377.
Email contact is: custsupport@kodiakbs.com.
Website: www.kodiakbs.com

Please let us know what you find.

Tom

Chuckhhill · Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 45 Location: Concord, CA

California Power Systems is the West Coast Distributor

http://www.800-airwolf.com/