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Pilot's Cove Cafe at Sanford Regional(SFM)
Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2021 12:01 pm
by rcpilot
So my friend's flying club had another meetup in Maine, this time at SFM. If nothing else I'm getting plenty of time in as this trip was 4.8 on the hobbs. The restaurant, Pilot's Cove Cafe, has plenty of outdoor seating and it was a beautiful day. Food and service were good. They have mogas at the field but it's only 91 octane not good for my Rotax, not to mention it was only about .20 cheaper than avgas.
https://www.pilotscovecafe.com
Re: Pilot's Cove Cafe at Sanford Regional(SFM)
Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 7:20 am
by Sling 2 Pilot
What’s the issue you have with 91 octane MOGAS? It’s approved by ROTAX, its most probably non ethanol, so what’s the problem?
I use 91 non ethanol unleaded, sourced from Stewarts, here in NYS. Been using it for well over 2 years without an issue, this past season exclusively. Just finished up my annual/condition inspection and my A&P was surprised at not having to see lead deposits on plugs or in the tank. So again, what’s your problem, real or perceived with 91 octane?
Re: Pilot's Cove Cafe at Sanford Regional(SFM)
Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 8:02 am
by ShawnM
Not good for your Rotax? Say what? AVGAS is NOT good for your Rotax. What is your issue with 91 OCT MOGAS?
Have a look at the latest service bulletin, SI-912-016 R11 and you can see that that fuel is approved by Rotax. 91 octane is the minimum octane fuel for the 912ULS engine. See page 10 of the SB. About 3/4 down the page you can see the "US Standard" with a minimum AKI of 91. AKI (anti knock index) is the same as our (R+M)/2 octane rating that you see on pumps here in the US. Here's a link to the SB for your reading pleasure:
https://legacy.rotaxowner.com/si_tb_inf ... 19-r11.pdf
I also run 91 and/or 93 ethanol free fuel exclusively in my SportCruiser and have never had ANY issues with my engine, not even a hiccup, ever. I have not used AVGAS in nearly 8 years of ownership and my engine thanks me for it everyday.
Re: Pilot's Cove Cafe at Sanford Regional(SFM)
Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 8:20 am
by drseti
Shawn's information and document reference are correct. However,
<pedantic mode>
That's a Service
Instruction, not a Service
Bulletin (there's a diffefence)
</pedantic mode>
Re: Pilot's Cove Cafe at Sanford Regional(SFM)
Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 11:06 am
by ShawnM
Correct, that's my bad. I knew it was a "service instruction" hence the "SI" at the beginning. I'm just so used to talking about service bulletins that's what I typed, Sorry for the confusion. Damn forum wont let me edit my post after posting for just one second.
Re: Pilot's Cove Cafe at Sanford Regional(SFM)
Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 8:20 pm
by fatsportpilot
You can run with a lower octane rating but you'll need to be careful of engine temps to prevent detonation. 89 works in a pinch. I wouldn't use 87 for anything with higher compression than a 912 UL though.
Re: Pilot's Cove Cafe at Sanford Regional(SFM)
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2021 1:41 pm
by rcpilot
ShawnM wrote: ↑Mon Sep 06, 2021 8:02 am
Not good for your Rotax? Say what? AVGAS is NOT good for your Rotax. What is your issue with 91 OCT MOGAS?
Have a look at the latest service bulletin, SI-912-016 R11 and you can see that that fuel is approved by Rotax. 91 octane is the minimum octane fuel for the 912ULS engine. See page 10 of the SB. About 3/4 down the page you can see the "US Standard" with a minimum AKI of 91. AKI (anti knock index) is the same as our (R+M)/2 octane rating that you see on pumps here in the US. Here's a link to the SB for your reading pleasure:
https://legacy.rotaxowner.com/si_tb_inf ... 19-r11.pdf
I also run 91 and/or 93 ethanol free fuel exclusively in my SportCruiser and have never had ANY issues with my engine, not even a hiccup, ever. I have not used AVGAS in nearly 8 years of ownership and my engine thanks me for it everyday.
OK, I admit that I did not look in the manual for what kind of fuel is acceptable. I just went by what was labeled on the fuel inlet. My instructor never pointed out anything either. Guess I'm bad.
Re: Pilot's Cove Cafe at Sanford Regional(SFM)
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2021 7:32 pm
by Warmi
My plane is from 2012 and it came with the 91 oct placard from the factory - I though it was universally accepted fact …
Re: Pilot's Cove Cafe at Sanford Regional(SFM)
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:06 am
by rcpilot
My Zenith 601 is an E-AB. It was built in 2004 and either the builder only wanted to use 93 or that's what Rotax was recommending back then and hence why it was labeled accordingly.