Hello all:
For those able to attend EAA, I hope you enjoyed it and got back safely.
I am always open to looking at other engine possibilities to the Rotax 912S,
even
though I know the Europa was designed around a Rotax. If possible, the areas
I would like to see advantages in are : cost, simplicity of operation, a
complete
FWF kit, preferrably no baffling, (or at least minimal), direct drive, and
better HP if possible, no weight penalties.
That's quite a list of demands. There is one engine that has been around that
seems
to offer alot of what I am looking for. So I am interested in hearing from
anyone who is or has installed a Jabiru 3300 6 - cylinder engine. I have flown
behind both 914 and 912S engines, spoken with happy Europa owners who have
them, but they do admit to their complexity as being one downside, and one
mentioned
the regular need to go under the cowling. My first choice for my needs
is the 912S unless something better comes along.
What I found with the Jabiru is a 127 hp (advertised as 120 hp but continually
dinos out to 127 hp) air cooled but with ram air ducts, direct drive, simple
light
and modern engine with a FWF kit, and less than the cost of the Rotax. I'm
wondering why more haven't looked at this engine. Certainly they have been
around
and their safety record isn't showing a big red flag. I was told by builders
what most have heard... the Europa was built and designed around the Rotax.
If you change that then the flying qualities and all else changes. That's like
Henry Ford saying you can have any colour you want, as long as it's black,
when the Model T first came out. I am interested in hearing comments on both
positive and negative on the Jabiru only, as I am already familiar with the good
and bad for the Rotax.
Thank you
Myron Haluschak USAF
A0149 Monowheel
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