I've started and flown both the 912S and Jabirus in critically cold weather, and they both start equally as well, but it isn't whether or not they start, it is how much damage you are doing until the oil is fluid enough to lubricate pistons. The Jabiru is more stable on oil pressure on startup because all of the oil stays in the engine. The Rotax has to draw the oil from the oil tank and through the oil cooler before getting to the oil pump, then gets pressurized to feed the engine. This usually requires shutting down and restarting the engine several times to generate enough heat-soak so the oil will return to the oil tank so you don't starve the engine for oil for any length of time. Another problem with cold oil is that you run the risk of spinning crankshaft main bearings in either engine, but the Rotax has roller rod bearings to withstand the high continuous RPM's it must endure.
In any case, you want to pre-heat any engine to some extent. We use a simple plastic-cased space heater for our 3300 that easily bungies to the Titan motormount and blows directly on the oil pan. The engine is nicely heated by the time we pre-flight and finish doing 'stuff' to get ready to roll the airplane out. The Rotax requires a regular engine heater kit that bonds one heating element to the bottom of the case by the drain sump return line, and the other is a band that goes around the oil tank to heat the oil there.
--Kimberly
----- Original Message -----
From: girarda11
To: Titanaircraft@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, September 27, 2009 5:38 AM
Subject: [Titanaircraft] Flying in cold weather
I have tried a Tornado 2 for the first time yesterday and I was extremely impressed. It flies very well and is surprisingly comfortable considering the size of the front cockpit. As I almost always fly alone, tbe size of the back cockpit will only be relevant as luggage space.
As I live in a place where the winter is cold and there is a lot of snow, I have a few questions related to the use of the Tornado during the winter:
1) What is the best engine for flying in the winter: the Jabiru 2200 or the Rotax 912? In particular, I am wondering if any of them is likely to start well without preheating?
2) I would like to fit wheel-skis in the winter. Is there any problem using skis on the Jabiru. In particular, based on the previous discussion about direct steering vs spring steering, is spring steering compatible with ski use?
3) What is the best way to have cabin heat?
André
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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