Mercedes Mullins
The Rotax 912 is a four-cylinder, four-stroke aircraft engine that was first sold in 1989. It has since undergone several upgrades, including the 912 iS Sport, which offers greater power, torque, and reduced fuel consumption. The engine can be operated using leaded fuel, although this requires more frequent maintenance due to the accumulation of lead sludge. The 912 iS has been found to be more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, the 912 ULS, with an improvement of up to 36% in routine block-to-block flight. The fuel consumption of the Rotax 912 engine varies depending on various factors such as altitude, rpm, and propeller setup.
With this in mind, how much fuel does the Rotax 912 engine burn?
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What You'll Learn
The Rotax 912 iS Sport upgrade has reduced fuel consumption
The Rotax 912 is a four-cylinder, four-stroke aircraft engine that was first sold in 1989. It is used in small aircraft and kitplanes. The engine has gone through several upgrades since its launch, with the company announcing a new upgrade, the 912 iS Sport, on April 1, 2014. This upgrade promised greater power, torque, and reduced fuel consumption.
The 912 iS Sport engine has a modified airbox and intake system, which results in an improved torque curve. The airbox is 27mm higher than the previous version and is made of aluminum instead of plastic. The engine also features different software and new calibration to support the upgraded engine.
The 912 iS Sport engine offers up to 30% better fuel efficiency compared to the 912 ULS carbureted engine. This was measured over a three-year period in flight school conditions. The improved fuel efficiency is also due to the engine's dual-injector electronic port fuel injection, which replaces the ULS's dual Bing carburetors.
In addition to reduced fuel consumption, the 912 iS Sport engine also has lower maintenance costs than its predecessor. This is because there is no need to service or synchronize carburetors, and the engine has a computer-based electronic diagnostic system. The engine is also approved for 91 AKI mogas fuel, which can further reduce running costs.
The Rotax 912 iS Sport upgrade, with its reduced fuel consumption, is a significant improvement over the previous versions of the engine. It offers improved power and torque while also lowering fuel and maintenance costs. This makes it a more efficient and cost-effective option for small aircraft and kitplane operators.
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The 912 iS is more fuel-efficient than the ULS
The Rotax 912 is a four-cylinder, four-stroke aircraft engine that has dominated the market for small aircraft and kit planes. The original 912 UL engine has a capacity of 1,211 cc and is designed to work with regular automotive gasoline. The 912 ULS, an upgraded variant of the 912 UL, has a higher compression ratio and requires 91-octane ("premium") auto gas.
The 912 iS is an upgraded version of the 912 engine, which Rotax claims offers greater power, torque, and reduced fuel consumption. The 912 iS has dual-injector electronic port fuel injection instead of the ULS's dual Bing carburetors. This change is expected to improve fuel economy, as direct injection is becoming a common method to improve fuel economy in cars.
Test results show that the 912 iS is more fuel-efficient than the ULS. The tests involved climbing the aircraft to a specific altitude, levelling, and allowing it to stabilize on one fuel tank before switching to another tank and measuring consumption on the ground. These tests were conducted at multiple altitudes, and the results showed that the 912 iS burned between 8 and 16% less fuel than the ULS. At higher altitudes of 8,000 feet and above, the 912 iS showed a significant improvement of up to 36% in fuel efficiency over the ULS.
In addition to the improved fuel economy, the 912 iS is also expected to have lower maintenance costs than its carbureted predecessor due to the elimination of the need to service or synchronize carburetors. The engine also features a computer-based electronic diagnostic system. These factors make the 912 iS a more cost-effective option for aircraft operators, especially when considering the potential fuel savings of up to $2,100 per year, depending on fuel costs and usage.
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The 912 is more fuel-efficient than comparable older engines
The Rotax 912 is a four-cylinder, four-stroke aircraft engine with a reduction gearbox. It was first sold in 1989 for use in ultralight and non-certificated motorgliders. The engine is designed to work with regular automotive gasoline. The 912 is more fuel-efficient and lighter than comparable older engines, such as the Continental O-200.
The 912's fuel efficiency is a significant improvement over previous generation aircraft engines. For example, the 912's lubrication system differs from most dry-sump designs in that oil is forced into the storage tank by crankcase pressure, rather than by a separate scavenge pump. This unique design contributes to the engine's overall fuel efficiency.
In addition, the 912 is certified to run on automotive fuel (mogas), which further reduces running costs, especially in areas where leaded avgas is not readily available. The use of automotive fuel also reduces maintenance requirements compared to leaded fuel, which can cause lead sludge buildup in the engine over time.
The 912 iS, a newer version of the 912 engine, offers even greater fuel efficiency. It features dual-injector electronic port fuel injection, which improves fuel economy over the dual Bing carburetors found in previous models. Side-by-side flight trials have shown that the 912 iS consistently achieves at least a 30% improvement in fuel economy over the older 912 ULS model.
The 912 iS Sport, an upgraded version of the 912 iS, was introduced in 2014 and offers reduced fuel consumption, along with greater power and torque. This upgrade demonstrates Rotax's continued focus on improving the fuel efficiency of the 912 engine series.
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The 912 can be operated using leaded fuel
The Rotax 912 is a four-cylinder, four-stroke aircraft engine that is used in small aircraft and kitplanes. It was first sold in 1989 for use in ultralights and motorgliders. The engine is designed to work with regular automotive gasoline, with up to 10% ethanol.
The 912 iS variant, released in 2019, is approved for 91 AKI mogas, and future versions of the engine may be approved for lower-octane fuels. The iS variant also features dual-injector electronic port fuel injection, which improves fuel efficiency. Side-by-side flight trials showed that the 912 iS achieved up to a 36% improvement in fuel economy compared to the previous 912 ULS variant.
The 912 engine is more fuel-efficient and lighter than comparable older engines, and it has a reduced time between overhaul (TBO) compared to previous Rotax engines. The TBO has increased over time, and as of 2009, it stands at 1,500 hours, or 2,000 hours depending on the serial number.
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The 912 iS has dual-injector electronic port fuel injection
The Rotax 912 is a four-cylinder, four-stroke aircraft engine that dominates the market for small aircraft and kitplanes. The engine is designed to work with automotive gasoline, with up to 10% ethanol. The 912 iS is an upgraded version of the 912 engine, which offers greater power, torque, and reduced fuel consumption.
The 912 iS engine has been tested rigorously, with side-by-side comparison flights in identical aircraft. These tests have shown that the 912 iS engine has improved fuel economy by up to 36%, with at least 30% consistently achievable in routine block-to-block flight. The 912 iS engine also has a shorter takeoff run, a steeper climb rate, and the best flight range in its class.
In terms of fuel consumption, the 912ULS engine has a fuel consumption of around 4.65 GPH, while the 912 iS engine burns 3.25 GPH for the equivalent power output, an efficiency improvement of 30.1%. The 912 iS engine also performs better at low altitudes and shows a significant improvement at altitudes of 8000 feet and above. The exact fuel consumption will depend on various factors such as altitude, rpm, and aircraft specifications.
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Frequently asked questions
The Rotax 912 engine is a four-cylinder, four-stroke aircraft engine that consumes less fuel than comparable older engines. The original 80 hp 912 UL engine has a fuel capacity of 1,211 cc and is designed to work with regular automotive gasoline. The later 100 hp 912 ULS variant requires 91-octane ("premium") auto gas.
The fuel consumption of the Rotax 912 ULS engine depends on various factors such as altitude, rpm, and propeller setup. Some users have reported fuel consumption rates between 4.65 and 5.8 gallons per hour (GPH) during flight.
Yes, the propeller can affect fuel consumption. Adjusting the propeller pitch and rpm can help optimize fuel economy.
The Rotax 912 iS engine offers improved fuel economy compared to the 912 ULS. Side-by-side flight trials have shown up to a 36% improvement in fuel efficiency, with at least a consistent 30% improvement in routine block-to-block flight.
In addition to propeller and rpm settings, other factors such as altitude, aircraft weight, and fuel type can influence the fuel consumption of the Rotax 912 engine.
