Rotax 912 bed mount photos needed

[flyvulcan]

Hi fellow forumites,

 

We are looking to install a Rotax 912ULS into our Lightning Bug aircraft and are seeking photos of Rotax 912 bed mount installations.

 

If any of you have a Rotax 912 that uses a bed mount, could you please post a photo here or alternatively pm me so I can pass my email address to you so you can email me some photos? Close up shots of the bed mounts would be appreciated.

 

Details of any rubber isolators used would also be appreciated.

 

Photo of Lightning Bug and its current engine bay attached.

 

Thanks guys and gals.

 

Cheers,

 

Dave

 

 

 

 

[Head in the clouds]

Hi Dave,

 

It's not a photo but might help - here is a screenshot of the CAD model of the bed mount on the AussieMozzie, fairly similar to what you have in the Bug.

 

It's all fabricated from 2"x2"x1/4" 6061T6 structural aly angle. The vibration isolation mounts look similar to what the Bug has at the moment, Universal mounts. I sourced them from the US - Vibration mounts Part no. V10Z82-R21200060, they come in various durometer values.

 

Cheers, Alan

 

 

 

[Head in the clouds]

Here are some pics of the actual installation, note that the 'vibration mounts' are just dummies made from PVC and the bolts are just temporary ones for setting up - so no comments about the crappy hardware.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[flyvulcan]

Thanks very much Alan. That's a great help.

 

I also found a very good reference document on the Zenith Aircraft website. The document can be seen at http://www.zenithair.com/stolch701/data/r912s-s1.pdf.

 

Cheers,

 

Dave

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

Flyvulcan....These are detailed photos of the Storch SS4 912 engine mount. Engine is secured via the side lower bolts. Mount probabily designed by Bill whitney and sits on a chromolly frame via An5 bolts and circular rubbers above and below the alum base...........material appears to be 6061-t6 about 1/4" thick....irst 3 photos are with mount upside down...rest are as mounted in aircraft..............................Cheers Maj....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[flyvulcan]

Thanks Maj,

 

Also a great help.

 

Cheers,

 

Dave

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

This is about as simple as it gets, you can see in the later photos (right way up) where the rubbers are positioned and where the engine case bolts have been. That Lightening Bug will be like a scalded cat with a 912 in her !!!!..................................................Maj...

 

 

[flyvulcan]

Thanks again Maj.

 

Yes, we anticipate that the performance of the Bug should still be good with the 912 installed. We will need to modify the cowls slightly to incorporate some cheeks to facilitate the wider 912 (the original AMW was inline) but we anticipate with small cheeks but an honest 90+ hp that we should get performance similar to the original so 180kias+ top speed. With a more optimum prop than the original, we actually are quietly hoping for around the 200kias mark. We are looking into using an IFA prop to allow optimisation for all phases of flight. Time will tell...

 

We aim to have this aircraft at Oshkosh to gauge the interest in a new production Bug using the 912 as its standard power plant. The original Bug was let down by the unreliable AMW. We hope that the 912/Bug engine/airframe combo will be appealing enough to warrant putting it into production. We have the molds etc. ready to go, as well as a good stock of hardware for the kits.

 

If enough people genuinely want one, we would be ready to ship kits later this year.

 

Cheers,

 

Dave

 

PS We hope to have the first Aussie Bug flying later this year, all going well. It's wings should be closed out in the next month, the fuse is close to being on its wheels so progress is good.

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

That's great mate, I knew the Lightening Bug from my time in the States....yes I thought the nose would be a little narrow for a 912........Powerfin props in the states have a 5-bladed carbon prop available with a very small diameter. Good props, I run a three blade on the lightwing, very lightweight and strong..will look foward to seeing this aircraft become a success.......Cheers ..............Maj...