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RV-12 For Sale $59,900

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 3:57 pm
by HAPPYDAN
Not mine, but I wish it was! I even like the color!
https://www.trade-a-plane.com/mobile/se ... e=aircraft

Re: RV-12 For Sale $59,900

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 7:36 pm
by Merlinspop
Finished 3+ years ago with all of 50 hours on it. Also has a Viking engine. I’d rather get one built per Vans.

Re: RV-12 For Sale $59,900

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 12:04 pm
by HAPPYDAN
Yeah, the scuttle on the EAA forum regarding this Honda/Viking engine tends to agree with you. But that was a few years ago, and things may have improved. Applying simple logic and a fair amount of ignorance, it seems to me to be a good idea. We know the Vans RV-12 is a solid performer, that's an established fact (with a Rotax 912, that is). But given Honda's stellar reputation for building incredible engines (cars, boats, motorcycles and planes) I can't help but think this idea is worthy of a fair trial. Experimental aircrafts have been built and flown using all types of engines, including VW and Corvair. How much worse could this be? It would be nice to hear from someone who has actual experience with this configuration.

Re: RV-12 For Sale $59,900

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 12:59 pm
by Warmi
Well, if your goal is to prove that Honda engines can be used in aircraft with a reasonable change of success then this is probably the way to go...

On the other hand , if your goal is just to fly a plane with minimum risk and hassle possible then buying this plane borders on insanity ... imho.

Re: RV-12 For Sale $59,900

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 11:00 am
by HAPPYDAN
Insanity, probably so. And where in the wide world of sports could an owner ever find someone qualified to work on it? Your local Honda dealer? Just fly in, leave it, and pick up a loaner?

Re: RV-12 For Sale $59,900

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 11:41 am
by Warmi
A local Honda dealer would be indeed insane to allow their mechanics to work on a Honda engine installed in a plane.

The bottom line here is that , yes you can fly on such engines but it wherever you go you will always be facing an "it may work but don't quote me on that" attitude ... not for me :-)

Re: RV-12 For Sale $59,900

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 5:18 pm
by Jim Hardin
600 lbs for the engine? Or did I miss something?

I think Viking themselves would be the go to guy on any questions of service. Likewise I'll bet they have a list of recommended service locations.

That said, anyone know if it might be true :?

Re: RV-12 For Sale $59,900

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2018 10:40 am
by rsteele
Some folks on the Zenith list are flying Vikings and really seem to like them. I don't think they have been around long enough to have any reliability data available, but no one has mentioned any problems.

Re: RV-12 For Sale $59,900

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2018 10:21 am
by Merlinspop
Sorry for the thread drift, but the new RV-12is looks very nice. A lot of good improvements. Wish I was in the market, or had time for a kit build.

Re: RV-12 For Sale $59,900

Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2018 12:37 pm
by rsteele
Zenith.aero (site for all things Zenith) has just added a dedicated forum for Viking Power.
The site and the forums require approval from the site admin, but interest in Viking should be sufficient justification even if you aren't a Zenith enthusiast. Jan (Designer of the conversion and owner of Viking) has been hanging out on the Zenith lists for months. So, it's probably a go place to ask questions if you are interested.

Disclaimer, I'm a Corvair guy, couldn't care less about Viking.

ron

Re: RV-12 For Sale $59,900

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 9:49 am
by HAPPYDAN
This all caught my interest as a result of visiting the EAA museum, and the adjacent Pioneer airfield hangars. It seems all sort of engines have been stuck in all sorts of flying contraptions over the years. The Honda Fit engine is a marvel of engineering; lightweight, powerful (for it's size), reliable and economical. Liquid cooling came to motorcycles a few years ago, vastly improving performance and longevity. Prestone coolers were common in WWII on the P38, P39, P40, and P51 to mention a few fighter planes. So the logic is sound enough, and time will tell if this may hail a new trend in small aircraft design.

Re: RV-12 For Sale $59,900

Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 9:58 am
by 3Dreaming
HAPPYDAN wrote: Prestone coolers were common in WWII on the P38, P39, P40, and P51 to mention a few fighter planes. So the logic is sound enough, and time will tell if this may hail a new trend in small aircraft design.
I think it already has, since the Rotax 912 has liquid cooled heads.

Re: RV-12 For Sale $59,900

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 10:24 pm
by Cbt jmp
A year later and this RV-12 / Viking remains for sale.

It looks nice, so I contacted the agent (first checking the Viking site).

The Viking web page shows mandatory parts replacements required for the 110 (flywheel, idler pullly, etc.) They no longer sell the model 110 engine.

The agent advised that these parts had not yet been replaced, and estimated it would cost between $1500-$3000.

I am not dissuaded from a Viking engine, but am not prepared to buy a project, and so will keep looking.