Rotax 912 ULS TBO Calendar

Hello Sergio, greetings from the USA:

I, too, am in this situation; almost identical to yours with just over 300 hours and the engine reaching 15 years this September.  Other than installing a new engine or converting from an S-LSA to E-LSA, not sure what are my 'next steps'.

Perhaps someone from Rotax can reply and offer suggestions.

Al Arena

In the US we have people flying planes that the engine hasn’t been apart for literally a half century.

It’s probably not a good thing but it legal if they pass inspection. Both Light Sport and Certified are the same.

Ed

I am no authority on the Australian regulations however it would seem we also have many aircraft flying that have exceeded the Rotax calendar TBO.

These aircraft are continuing to flying "On Condition" meaning that as long as the engine meets or exceeds annual test standards,  it can continue to to be used for private flying.

I suspect that such aircraft can not be used for training or hire.

HI all

The question is  "indicate if in the USA the FAA requires the TBO calendar for Rotax 912 ULS engines installed in LSA Private Aircraft"

on the surface it is simple however since you are dealing with an LSA it depends more on if you are a Special Light Sport or an Experimental Light Sport.  You have said it is a Tecnam and most of those that I am aware of are all Special, or factory built and approved.  Given that you would be bound by your maintenance manual that came with the aircraft.  if they state you must follow the Rotax maintenance programs then you would have to do just that and the calendar time would matter.  If you are flying type certified Piper PA 28 as a private pilot and not used commercially then you are not bound by that and can fly it on condition,  Check with Tecnam and have a look at your airworthiness ticket.  An experimental can ignore the recommended times and not do anything if you believe that is safe for you. 

If you are looking for a Rotax answer then it is simple, follow the Maintenance Manual Line information on time and calendar hours for your engine serial number.  The hours are for wear and the calendar time is for corrosion and preventive replacement of critical parts such as O-rings, seals, bearings, crankshaft and parts in the starter and electrical areas.  

Cheers.