Sell her, or install a new donk!

[jfleming]

Hey all,

So my Sportstar will come to it's age of 15 years in about 3 years, and the Rotax 912 ULS has a TBO of 15 years. So it raises the question - To sell, or to install a new motor.

The entire aircraft has only done 250 hours (had 160 on it when I picked her up) so the airframe is in very good condition.

This is my first aircraft - I would love to hear your thoughts?

Cheers
John

[TimTaylor]

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it for 2+ years. Lots can happen in that amount of time.

[MrMorden]

Hey all,

So my Sportstar will come to it's age of 15 years in about 3 years, and the Rotax 912 ULS has a TBO of 15 years. So it raises the question - To sell, or to install a new motor.

Do neither. Continue running the current engine "on condition". It's perfectly safe and legal to do so. The 15 year time limit is an engine manufacturer recommendation, and is not regulatory. Only the *aircraft* manufacturer can set maintenance intervals, not individual component manufacturers (in this case Rotax).

[drseti]

As it happens, I am scheduled to present an EAA webinar next week on this very subject. Title is "What TBO Really Means (or, why I bought a whole new airplane)". Wed 14 March, 20:00 hours Eastern Daylight time. FAA WINGS and AMT Award credit offered. You can sign up online at http://EAA.org/webinars.

[jfleming]

Thanks guys,

@drseti - I won't be able to make that Webinar sadly. Are you able to elaborate a little?

Cheers
John

[drseti]

John, my webinars are all recorded, and videos posted online. The day after the presentation, it will be available linked from the archives at http://eaa.org/webinars.

[3Dreaming]

Hey all,

So my Sportstar will come to it's age of 15 years in about 3 years, and the Rotax 912 ULS has a TBO of 15 years. So it raises the question - To sell, or to install a new motor.

Do neither. Continue running the current engine "on condition". It's perfectly safe and legal to do so. The 15 year time limit is an engine manufacturer recommendation, and is not regulatory. Only the *aircraft* manufacturer can set maintenance intervals, not individual component manufacturers (in this case Rotax).

Andy, I think he is from the land down under. The rules may be different down there.

[MrMorden]

Andy, I think he is from the land down under. The rules may be different down there.

Ah. That's sad if they force pilots to toss perfectly good engines just because of some arbitrary time limit. I'd suggest an overhaul, but on a Rotax 912 that is rarely economical compared to new engine cost. Is there an option for "disassembly and inspect/replace parts as needed", rather than "the engine must be scrapped"?

Sometimes I think our energy and pollution problems would be far less severe if we'd just stop discarding perfectly usable items, especially ones with such huge energy requirements to produce like engines...

[jfleming]

I will be my engineer in a week or two to do the annual, and I will ask what options I have.

Cheers
John.

[MrMorden]

I will be my engineer in a week or two to do the annual, and I will ask what options I have.

Cheers
John.

Good luck, I hope you have options you like!

[drdehave]

As it happens, I am scheduled to present an EAA webinar next week on this very subject. Title is "What TBO Really Means (or, why I bought a whole new airplane)". Wed 14 March, 20:00 hours Eastern Daylight time. FAA WINGS and AMT Award credit offered. You can sign up online at http://EAA.org/webinars.

I just concluded your seminar, Paul. Kudos to you, sir, you are the man! And thanks too, for answering the question I submitted about my 2300+ hour engine. I was thrilled to learn I'm pretty much doing everything I should be doing, in my pursuit of an "on condition" life past 2,000 hours.--Rich

[drseti]

Thanks for tuning in, Rich - glad you found it useful. It's a good thing I didn't know it was you asking that question, or I might have given a different answer.

[Wm.Ince]

Thanks for tuning in, Rich - glad you found it useful. It's a good thing I didn't know it was you asking that question, or I might have given a different answer.

Good stuff, Paul! I attended also.
Thanks for your contribution to our flying community. Looking forward to the next one.