Engine sound of Rotax 912

[JK]

Here's a tough question, but I'll try anyway. Can anyone describe the sound
of a Rotax 912? I'm thinking of building a Zodiac XL, and have heard the
Zenith demo plane equipped with the Jabiru 3300, but I don't know if I have
ever heard the sound of a Rotax 912. Although sound may not be an important
characteristic, I'm still curious. The Jabiru has a nice tone, similar to
the Lycomings that I am familiar with. Does the higher-revving Rotax have a
buzzing sound?

Thanks,
John

[karel]

Post by JK
Here's a tough question, but I'll try anyway. Can anyone describe the
sound of a Rotax 912? I'm thinking of building a Zodiac XL, and have
heard the Zenith demo plane equipped with the Jabiru 3300, but I don't
know if I have ever heard the sound of a Rotax 912. Although sound may
not be an important characteristic, I'm still curious. The Jabiru has a
nice tone, similar to the Lycomings that I am familiar with. Does the
higher-revving Rotax have a buzzing sound?

Well this is a hard question to anwer indeed,
given the lack of objective terminology & criteria.
Nor does it help that I never heard a J3300
neither any other Jabiru engine.
But I can compare the rotax 912 to a Lycoming
after a demo flight in a Europa (thanks again, Andy!)
and I would describe the sound as finer -
it is on a higher pitch, more stable
(IOW less Harley-Davidson-like)
and above all less noisy.

As I am only a beginner in this area
and mainly a lurker in this forum,
I _think_ the sound of a plane
depends not only on the engine,
but also very much on the prop.

My 2 (euro-)cents...
Karel

PS if you cannot find a real world Rotax around your place,
nor even at a fly-in within your reach,
you might be able to install one in a flight sim package on your PC?
The approximation would be less than perfect, of course...

[OtisWinslow]

Post by karel
(IOW less Harley-Davidson-like)
My 2 (euro-)cents...
Karel

Hey .. what's wrong with that nice HD sound?

[Gordon Arnaut]

I have flown in several Rotax 912-powered planes and I like the low noise,
vibration and harshness.

Some people describe the Rotax as a little sewing machine up front and I
guess compared to big thumping Lycoming it is a fair characterization.

However, after an hour in the air, that big thumping up front has worn out
its welcome, while the Rotax makes for a very civilized and comfortable
flying experience.

Regards,

Gordon Arnaut.

Post by OtisWinslow

Post by karel
(IOW less Harley-Davidson-like)
My 2 (euro-)cents...
Karel

Hey .. what's wrong with that nice HD sound?

[t***@peak.org]

I fly a Rotax powered Savannah, and I've had many compliments on how quiet it
is. As I mentioned earlier, most of the noise is from the prop.

tom

Post by Gordon Arnaut
I have flown in several Rotax 912-powered planes and I like the low noise,
vibration and harshness.
Some people describe the Rotax as a little sewing machine up front and I
guess compared to big thumping Lycoming it is a fair characterization.
However, after an hour in the air, that big thumping up front has worn out
its welcome, while the Rotax makes for a very civilized and comfortable
flying experience.
Regards,
Gordon Arnaut.

[t***@peak.org]

If you are located anywhere near Corvallis, Oregon, USA, I'd be happy to
demonstrate my Rotax 912S powered Savannah. With the muffler, the predominent
sound is the propeller. I think it sounds sort of like a well muffled V8 car
engine. By the way, the 100hp Rotax weighs about 136 pounds. TBO is now 1500
hours.

tom pettit

Post by JK
Here's a tough question, but I'll try anyway. Can anyone describe the sound
of a Rotax 912? I'm thinking of building a Zodiac XL, and have heard the
Zenith demo plane equipped with the Jabiru 3300, but I don't know if I have
ever heard the sound of a Rotax 912. Although sound may not be an important
characteristic, I'm still curious. The Jabiru has a nice tone, similar to
the Lycomings that I am familiar with. Does the higher-revving Rotax have a
buzzing sound?
Thanks,
John

[Blueskies]

Post by t***@peak.org
If you are located anywhere near Corvallis, Oregon, USA, I'd be happy to
demonstrate my Rotax 912S powered Savannah. With the muffler, the predominent
sound is the propeller. I think it sounds sort of like a well muffled V8 car
engine. By the way, the 100hp Rotax weighs about 136 pounds. TBO is now 1500
hours.
tom pettit

Post by JK
Here's a tough question, but I'll try anyway. Can anyone describe the sound
of a Rotax 912? I'm thinking of building a Zodiac XL, and have heard the
Zenith demo plane equipped with the Jabiru 3300, but I don't know if I have
ever heard the sound of a Rotax 912. Although sound may not be an important
characteristic, I'm still curious. The Jabiru has a nice tone, similar to
the Lycomings that I am familiar with. Does the higher-revving Rotax have a
buzzing sound?
Thanks,
John

I think more like a throaty old VW 2180cc engine

[JK]

Thanks for the offer, but unfortunately I'm on the East Coast.

Post by t***@peak.org
If you are located anywhere near Corvallis, Oregon, USA, I'd be happy to
demonstrate my Rotax 912S powered Savannah. With the muffler, the predominent
sound is the propeller. I think it sounds sort of like a well muffled V8 car
engine. By the way, the 100hp Rotax weighs about 136 pounds. TBO is now 1500
hours.
tom pettit

[Sully]

Where on the East Coast?

Post by JK
Thanks for the offer, but unfortunately I'm on the East Coast.

Post by t***@peak.org
If you are located anywhere near Corvallis, Oregon, USA, I'd be happy to
demonstrate my Rotax 912S powered Savannah. With the muffler, the predominent
sound is the propeller. I think it sounds sort of like a well muffled V8 car
engine. By the way, the 100hp Rotax weighs about 136 pounds. TBO is now 1500
hours.
tom pettit

[JK]

Columbia, Maryland

Post by Sully
Where on the East Coast?

Post by JK
Thanks for the offer, but unfortunately I'm on the East Coast.

Post by t***@peak.org
If you are located anywhere near Corvallis, Oregon, USA, I'd be happy to
demonstrate my Rotax 912S powered Savannah. With the muffler, the predominent
sound is the propeller. I think it sounds sort of like a well muffled
V8
car
engine. By the way, the 100hp Rotax weighs about 136 pounds. TBO is
now
1500
hours.
tom pettit

[Morgans]

"JK" <***@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:C%8ie.5835

Can anyone describe the sound

Post by JK
of a Rotax 912?

How does a sewing machine sound? Yep, that's it!

Sewing machines usually work for many hours with good reliability, with no
more care than addition of a bit of lightweight oil. Rotax? Hmmm.

[NewsGroups]

Your question is stupid as the Jabiru will sound really quiet when it
FAILS. All you will hear is your heart and heavy breathing on the way
down !!

Check the Australian accident ststistics and fatalities behind Jabiru
engines

Post by JK
Can anyone describe the sound

Post by JK
of a Rotax 912?

How does a sewing machine sound? Yep, that's it!
Sewing machines usually work for many hours with good reliability, with no
more care than addition of a bit of lightweight oil. Rotax? Hmmm.

[Richard Riley]

On Tue, 17 May 2005 20:27:03 +1000, NewsGroups <***@NewsGroups.com>
wrote:

:Your question is stupid as the Jabiru will sound really quiet when it
:FAILS. All you will hear is your heart and heavy breathing on the way
:down !!
:
:Check the Australian accident ststistics and fatalities behind Jabiru
:engines

Any suggestion as to HOW to check those statistics, mr. anonymous
newsgroup poster? I don't get anything from google. Or should we
write you off as Tuesday's Troll?

[NewsGroups]

Try the ATSB.gov.au or the RAA.asn.au web sites, most Jabiru powered
aircraft are registered as ULTRALIGHTS so they dont have official govt
reporting and investigation, they just list it as another fatality under
the aircraft type. But with the loss of 3 friends in 2 seperate engine
failure accidents you tend to get a little wary.

Anonymous because of industry involvment but we have spoken before on
other matters.

Post by Richard Riley
:Your question is stupid as the Jabiru will sound really quiet when it
:FAILS. All you will hear is your heart and heavy breathing on the way
:down !!
:Check the Australian accident ststistics and fatalities behind Jabiru
:engines
Any suggestion as to HOW to check those statistics, mr. anonymous
newsgroup poster? I don't get anything from google. Or should we
write you off as Tuesday's Troll?

[Darrel Toepfer]

Post by Richard Riley
Any suggestion as to HOW to check those statistics, mr. anonymous
newsgroup poster? I don't get anything from google. Or should we
write you off as Tuesday's Troll?

Michael Coates isn't anonymous or a troll...