Hi,
I am currently in the process of selecting which RV model is right for me. This process takes already 9 months... and I want to start building. Because it concerns both the RV12 and RV9, I thought that it fitted best in the general discussion.
My interest in building an RV started by watching a member from our aero club going home with his Europa on a trailer. Quickly I noticed that this is probably not the best plane to build. I checked several other brands, but always come back to VANS.
The RV12 was the best choice if I wanted to have the removable wings and being able to fly MOGAS. I am from the heart of Europe and AVGAS is rather expensive over here. The ROTAX engine was meeting this MOGAS requirement.
But then I started to dig a bit deeper into the other models. Generally under the influence of other RV builders in my neighborhood. One of them told me that he is able to fly much more fuel efficient with his Lycoming then with the Rotax. This is the reason that I tend to go for the RV9(a) with the IO-320-B1AC2 (160 HP) from Superior.
The thing that seems to be difficult to get reliable information about is the fuel consumption. Most pilots tell me that I should expect a fuel consumption of about 23 liter (6.08 gallons) at 2300 RPM per hour on a IO-320. Some tell me that it should be 15% less on the Superior over the Lycoming. The Europa owner told me that he flies at about 16 liters (4,23 USG) of MOGAS at 5000 RPM. Rotax suggests 20 liters (5,28USG) at 5000 RPM in their graphs. What are your experiences concerning fuel consumption on these engines? What could I expect on both?
Second concern is the speed. We commonly operate from shorter (+/- 2000 ft) runways, sometimes grass strips. My flight instructor told me once: The more power usually the better. Not that you always want to use it, but if you need it, it is there for you to use. That is a concern I have on the Rotax in the RV12. Purely looking at the performance on the VANS website, it shouldn't be a problem to operate the RV12, but some RV owners told me that you easily could get bored with the 100 HP engine from Rotax. The Rotax owner on the other hand told me that he also cruises at 115 Kts with his Europa at 5000 RPM. A RV9A owner told me that he generally cruises at 125 Kts at 2300 RPM. If this is true the difference of 10 Kts seems not to be that big to be honest.
What are your experiences on the fuel consumption and cruise speed related to both?
Many thanks!
I am currently in the process of selecting which RV model is right for me. This process takes already 9 months... and I want to start building. Because it concerns both the RV12 and RV9, I thought that it fitted best in the general discussion.
My interest in building an RV started by watching a member from our aero club going home with his Europa on a trailer. Quickly I noticed that this is probably not the best plane to build. I checked several other brands, but always come back to VANS.
The RV12 was the best choice if I wanted to have the removable wings and being able to fly MOGAS. I am from the heart of Europe and AVGAS is rather expensive over here. The ROTAX engine was meeting this MOGAS requirement.
But then I started to dig a bit deeper into the other models. Generally under the influence of other RV builders in my neighborhood. One of them told me that he is able to fly much more fuel efficient with his Lycoming then with the Rotax. This is the reason that I tend to go for the RV9(a) with the IO-320-B1AC2 (160 HP) from Superior.
The thing that seems to be difficult to get reliable information about is the fuel consumption. Most pilots tell me that I should expect a fuel consumption of about 23 liter (6.08 gallons) at 2300 RPM per hour on a IO-320. Some tell me that it should be 15% less on the Superior over the Lycoming. The Europa owner told me that he flies at about 16 liters (4,23 USG) of MOGAS at 5000 RPM. Rotax suggests 20 liters (5,28USG) at 5000 RPM in their graphs. What are your experiences concerning fuel consumption on these engines? What could I expect on both?
Second concern is the speed. We commonly operate from shorter (+/- 2000 ft) runways, sometimes grass strips. My flight instructor told me once: The more power usually the better. Not that you always want to use it, but if you need it, it is there for you to use. That is a concern I have on the Rotax in the RV12. Purely looking at the performance on the VANS website, it shouldn't be a problem to operate the RV12, but some RV owners told me that you easily could get bored with the 100 HP engine from Rotax. The Rotax owner on the other hand told me that he also cruises at 115 Kts with his Europa at 5000 RPM. A RV9A owner told me that he generally cruises at 125 Kts at 2300 RPM. If this is true the difference of 10 Kts seems not to be that big to be honest.
What are your experiences on the fuel consumption and cruise speed related to both?
Many thanks!