Hello to All:
I must clarify my observations regarding the 914 and 912S that Michael Grass is
currently looking into.
My statement that I found little difference between the two, excludes the
performance
envelope.
I think it goes without saying that the 914 with its turbo will have an
advantage
over the 912S in a certain area.
Addressing other considerations was my objective, and some of these may not be
apparent until someone has been running the engine for some time.
Hopefully you will never have a full failure, but if you do, your engine will
not
help you when your wheels leave the ground, you have 120' under you and little
or no runway left.
My point simply is your engine choice if you find yourself in this position, is
immaterial, and in my opinion, I would not select one over the other based on
this criterion.
For pilots needing the performance, then yes, and my point here is the engine
must
be run properly for it to deliver what you expect, and as we all know that
includes those things that are not obvious in the beginning, but come sometimes
much later, in the form of additional expense. This is an individual decision
and each has their own comfort factor . My own experience has taught me to
give consideration to these long term expenses.
I am 175# , will be flying X-country and locally, mostly on my own, with some
higher altitude time. This to me does not warrant the 914, although I am not
discounting
it totally yet. For my current profile , if I had to choose now, it
would be the 912S.
Pilot workload to me is a non -issue, perhaps due to my back ground, but for
some
may be a major issue, certainly a consideration nonetheless.
Type of flying and weights ?... know what you are going to be doing. Establish
your predominent profile, and fit the engine to suit it. Don't kick yourself if
you find on a rare occasion that you need more power on a hot day, short field.
You will minimize this by... again, knowing your profile, becoming intimate
with your limitations and your plane ( regardless of your engine choice) so
you don't find yourself on a runway you cannot get out of. Acts of God aside.
The safety issue was something I wanted to address when Micheal raised it ,
because
it will not be your choice of engine that rescues you. When instructing
potential F-16 pilots, whether the engine has afterburner or not is not an
issue.
Survival is a measure of how well you know your limits and how you can leverage
the plane's limits in your favour. Period.
Bottom line (and in my opinion) I believe the most practical approach is
choosing
what best suits your flying profile, with an eye to the future expenses. And
whatever you choose, learn its limits and know yours.
Best of the Holidays to all and above else..Safe flying.
Myron Haluschak USAF/ANG.
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