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All major parts such as wings, fuselage, horizontal stabilizer,
flight controls etc., are ready for painting and installation. Most of the
last months have been filled with work on details like the control system,
fuel tanks, fittings and such. News is that even though LN-3 is designed around the Rotax 912
ULS we have decided to go for a Jabiru 2200 as the first engine on the
prototype. Reasons are several. In the Rotax installation manual we found
information that did not recommend this engine for installations in tail
dragging pushers because of a negative tilted prop shaft. We asked Rotax rep about it but never
got an answer. It has something to do with the fuel levels in the carburetors
and is probably easy to fix. The lack of response from Rotax isn’t however
promoting this business much. A more prominent reason is that the interest we have received
regarding UL possibilities calls for an even more intense weight hunting and
the Jabiru is close to 20 kg (44 lbs) or 16% lighter. This surely compensates
for some of the 15 less hp’s. It also means a simpler installation that will save some
precious time and money. And talking about money, the Jabiru is a lot less
expensive as well. There is no change in course, any builder can still install the
Rotax if he feels for doing so, or why not the Jabiru 3300 120 hp’s. Weight growth never sleeps and our vigilant eyes on every part
tell us that we are still on the right side compared to the initial weight
calculations. Figures including the Jabiru indicates an empty weight of 281
kg (620 lbs). With an engine that consumes 12 l/hr a four hr endurance +
reserve will require some 57 l (15 gal.) equal to 43 kg (95 lbs) of fuel
load. If you are going along with most UL restrictions, this leaves a healthy
176 kg (388 lbs) for you, your passenger and your bags. Our respect for the
UL weight restrictions should of course refrain us from reminding you that
the LN-3 design is stressed for +6 –3 g’s at a weight of 540 kg! Should you
go alone or your passenger weighs less, maybe you can fill up the tanks and
get an endurance of more than nine hours! We have also
added some new pictures to our homepage. Please see the link to the left. Thanks for
your interest Lage |