Sport Pilot Talk

flyboyjim · Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Northport, NY

I see that Rotax has come out with a Turbo charged version of the 912 - the 914 which raises the HP from 100 to 115. It looks like the same displacement and probably the same engine mounting.

Other than the cost, is there any reason why the 914 should not be considered as an option for the new breed of LSA. Does is comply with the new rule (naturally aspirated).

Looks like it is 40lb heavier but would provide great power at altitude. A nice trade. :roll:

vwvectors · Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Posts: 76 Location: Florida

The 914 requires the use of a constant speed prop which under the LSA rules only ground adjustable props are allowed.

owenstrawn · Joined: 02 Jul 2006 Posts: 20

40 lbs is a lot of weight on a 1320 lb airplane.

Nearly 7 gallons of fuel
120 miles range
90% of baggage allowance
7-10% of the total useful load.

A LOT.

jlong16 · Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 96

The 914 doesn't really seem to perform all that well in higher humidity. I am not a mechanic and have only typed something a mechanic told me, once, when I inquired about buying one.

Chuckhhill · Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Concord, CA

The 914 has a lower TBO than the 912, 1200 hours vice 1500. It is the same displacement as the smaller 80 HP Rotax 912.

Also S-LSA rules require that an airplane with a 115 HP have a higher useful load than one with only 100. Jabiru with their 120 HP engine, but it might be problematic for some aircraft. Don't know if that is an issue for E-SLAs.

At the Sebring Expo, Liberty had a prototype certified aircraft that had the 914. They said it had better high altitude performance than the O-235 they normally use.

Jeff Tipton · Joined: 26 Nov 2006 Posts: 73

Magni Gyrocopters use a fixed pitch prop on there 914's.

rfane · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 80 Location: San Jose, CA

Why would you need a turbocharged engine on a gyrocopter?

Jeff Tipton · Joined: 26 Nov 2006 Posts: 73

The way the Magni is setup it only uses 100 horsepower normally and if you go around the horn on the throttle you will have the full 115 horsepower.

The advantage of the turbo is full horsepower up to the critical altitude of around 10,000 feet. I don't recall the exact altitude. The other nice thing is the computer takes care of the work for you. You don't really need a manifold pressure gauge.