In reply to Chas Stirling
<<After endless deliberations I felt inclined towards the suburu 100 NSI.
<<According to recent information kits are being completed above the pre-
<<dicted weight.Added to this the extra weight of the Suburu plus the tail
<<weight-does this mean?
The lightest build possible would seem to be around 750 lbs, with 912 engine and
a very basic panel. From my information the Subaru installation is around 50 lbs
heavier than Rotax 912, all on the nose, hence the extra counterweight in the
tail. The fuel consumption is worse than 912 (particularly NSI 118 hp version),
so your range will be considerably less, particularly as the fuel capacity is
down to 66 litres with the latest issue tank.
Depends what you want from your Europa, if you need a touring aircraft with a
long range and good luggage capacity (or large bomb load!!) go for the 912,
disadvantage seems to be average rate of climb performance, however the current
crop of variable pitch props under development help here and seem to be worth
the slight weight penalty (2-3 kgs).
If you do mostly local flying, or travel solo a lot and /or your bladder
endurance is less than 5 hours (Don't drink coffee!!), then the Subaru is the
one to go for. You will get much better climb performance, slightly higher
cruise speed and save money. Its a case of horses for courses. (Rotax 914 offers
both, but adds complexity and a much higher price and it seems to be in
vapourware form only at the moment!)
IMHO the cost difference is not the major consideration, by the time you are
ready to fly the Europa it will probably have cost 30-35K GBP, the engine cost
difference is around 1-2K GBP in favour of the Subaru, spend less on your panel
(leave out RC Allen Electric horizon at 1.5K GBP!!) and this will disappear.
BTW......As a special Xmas treat Rotax are increasing UK prices by 6% from
January :-(
Allan J Hall #177
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