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On 7/9/2010 9:09 PM, John wrote:
I believe that the difference in cost between the rotary and a new 0-360 Lycoming would furnish you with fuel for years of flying, which is reason enough. Av-gas here is $6.29 to $6.69 a gallon, no lead is $2.549. JohnD
Unfortunately, you can't really use that as a comparison. I run premium car gas in the Lyc I'm currently flying, so my 'avgas' cost is around 2.80-3.00.
Also unfortunately, the installed cost of a used rotary (hardly anyone buys a new crate engine from Mazda) & all the parts to make it fly, more than equals the cost of a mid-time Lyc.
Now if you want to discuss overhaul costs....But I don't know of anyone except Tracy & the gyro guy from Texas (I think) who have put even half the hours on a rotary that it would take to reach a typical Lyc TBO.
The upsides to me are the *potential* for higher reliability and the potential for advancing aviation engine technology. And the fun of actual experimental aviation, beyond the typical kit assembly.
Charlie
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