CDBridgesRV7A
Active Member
Good Day Folks,
My wife was kind enough to send me my issues of Kitplane in the mail the other day. It gave me something to read here in the desert I came across the article on the proposed elimination of leaded fuel by 2017. The author, who happens to be the editor of the magazine, makes some very valid points.
While most of the engines that RV builders use will be able to use the 94UL fuel (vice 100LL) the price will be astronomical ($8-$12 per gallon). Not too mention the loss in HP from using a lower octane fuel. (Did I read this correctly?)
For those of us who are just beginning to build (I haven't even ordered yet as I don't come home for another 5 months ) what does that do for us? If the FAA is adament about no leaded fuel by 2017 then what kind of engine choice should we be looking at? I would really hate to buy an engine and then have to replace it 4 years down the road because there is no fuel for it.
I was originally looking at putting an IO360 180hp or 200hp engine on my RV7A. (would like a 210hp but the added price and weight doesn't justify the 2-4 kts increase in speed).
Should I be looking for a different engine? Do you guys & gals think the FAA will stick to their 2017 timeframe? ( this debate was ongoing 11 years ago when I got my license).
Cheers
Chris
My wife was kind enough to send me my issues of Kitplane in the mail the other day. It gave me something to read here in the desert I came across the article on the proposed elimination of leaded fuel by 2017. The author, who happens to be the editor of the magazine, makes some very valid points.
While most of the engines that RV builders use will be able to use the 94UL fuel (vice 100LL) the price will be astronomical ($8-$12 per gallon). Not too mention the loss in HP from using a lower octane fuel. (Did I read this correctly?)
For those of us who are just beginning to build (I haven't even ordered yet as I don't come home for another 5 months ) what does that do for us? If the FAA is adament about no leaded fuel by 2017 then what kind of engine choice should we be looking at? I would really hate to buy an engine and then have to replace it 4 years down the road because there is no fuel for it.
I was originally looking at putting an IO360 180hp or 200hp engine on my RV7A. (would like a 210hp but the added price and weight doesn't justify the 2-4 kts increase in speed).
Should I be looking for a different engine? Do you guys & gals think the FAA will stick to their 2017 timeframe? ( this debate was ongoing 11 years ago when I got my license).
Cheers
Chris