Re: Rotax versus Camit for a Onex
Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2016 5:34 pm
LarryEWaiex121 wrote:Larry in N. Idaho.
Lastly, I can't see a Rotax ever working well in the Sonex airframe. I have no beef with the quality or integrity of the product whatsoever. Rotax has their own quirks and Service Bulletin issues but have the biggest market share for good reason. My comments are based on the gear reduction aspect. The Rotax will turn a big prop slowly. Very efficient for an airplane that has about a 2-1 speed range. Cruises up to about twice the stall speed. My friends RANs S6 cruises about 100MPH.
Contrast that with the Sonex airframe that can easily reach 3-1 speed range and the lower speed, geared prop just won't cut it.
My Waiex with the previous Jabiru would cruise easily !48MPH and decend at about 2,700 rpm from cruising altitude at about 300-400 FPM descent at 160-163 mph in smooth air. If I had a Rotax running at 5,100 RPM in the same scenario, I'd be willing to bet it wouldn't go much over 120 mph straight and level and 130-135 downhill due to the prop holding the plane back.
If your flying a Rans type high wing or a Just Aircraft, or a KitFox, etc, I believe the Rotax is far superior for the above stated reasons. My guess is slow moving airplanes have real issues trying to cool a Jab? Just my guess.
I am not sure why this would be true. There is an Australian plane, the MCR01, stalls at 47kts and has a top speed of 172kts with a Rotax 100hp. That is more than a 3:1.