Rotec r3600 radial

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my thought. How many Kit aircraft manufacturers are there? Kitfox remains in business. How many Radial engine manufacturers are there? One. So, there are so many aircraft kits that can use the Rotec that I wonder who might go out of business first, an airplane company or an engine company who serves many airplane company kits? I want that Rotec too. I just considered weight, cost of purchase and long term maintenance costs. Rotax won.
Eddie

[Esser]

Talking with the Kitfox guys, the Titan was too heavy and made the plane less fun to fly than a Rotax.

The radial engine really makes no sense to me. It’s form over function and in a plane I will always choose function over form.

Set up your plane to fly well and worry about looks last.

[jmodguy]

Scott,
If you want to hang a radial on a 7, go for it. If you want the "same thing as everyone else" has then hang a Rotax on it and wonder when your carbs will go out of sync or where you will be when the pricey ignition module(s) dump on you or why the hoses are so expensive, or how often the reduction drive needs inspected/overhauled.

Every airframe/engine combo has its quirks. Make it yours and enjoy it! Learn something new/different and let everyone know what you learned.

A guy in Florida put a Rotec on an RV-8 and it has some pretty respectable performance.
Some say you can't/shouldn't put a Rotec on a Model IV, but some have done it, and it works.

Rotec has been around since 1999. I doubt they will fold tomorrow, but you never know, Skystar went through bankruptcy and its future was uncertain until John and Deb picked it up.

There are other radial companies in the market now, Verner being one from Europe.
Remember, opinions are like @$$#oles, everyone has one!

[paulc]

Form over function..... Why not have both?

1500'/min climb, 110MPH at 20" engine.

Perhaps I'm an odd ball, but If I cant have it like this. I'd rather do something else.

See here: https://youtu.be/vVn4b49KWPs?t=19s

[jmodguy]

I’m with you Paul! If you want to be like everyone else, get an Vans or certified. The interesting ones are the ground breakers!

[Slyfox]

Form over function..... Why not have both?

1500'/min climb, 110MPH at 20" engine.

Perhaps I'm an odd ball, but If I cant have it like this. I'd rather do something else.

See here: https://youtu.be/vVn4b49KWPs?t=19s

I don't understand what you are trying to boast about here. I did a bit better than that the other day with my rotax 912uls. I know for a fact I got 1800 and my full out is 101kts which is like 116mph correct me if I'm wrong on that one. I have a light plane and she is a nice runner and that's with 27.5 mains

[jdmcbean]

Talking with the Kitfox guys, the Titan was too heavy and made the plane less fun to fly than a Rotax.

Not really true... The Kitfox is ALWAYS fun to fly. The Titan was certainly heavier and that extra weight is noticed. The Radial was heavier as well..
But I would fly either to Oshkosh and back.. oh wait.. I did.😜

While I personally prefer the Rotax.. it is not for everyone. The Titan or the Radial are good choices.

The 3600 is currently being installed in 2 Kitfox's

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How come some people don't use this forum? You know how many people are interested in something like an r3600 installation. Man I wish whoever is doing that was sharing it here.
Im enjoying my build so much that I even consider another SS7 kit just to build it old school with a radial. Like the guy at Rotec. Man, I salivate every time I come across that video.

[Slouis]

Does anyone have a rotec project going with a kitfox? I would love to see some pictures if anyone has some. I have a brand new r3600 that was planned for a Van's rv6 but I think a kitfox would be a better home for my engine.

Scott Louis

[Delta Whisky]

I read this thread really fast so I might have missed it but the one point that I don't think was mentioned, and pushed me over the edge to the tried and true Rotax, was the fact that Rotec doesn't have direct representation in the States. (I.e., a factory rep) That means (most likely) when you get parts, new or replacements, is an unknown and you will be carrying the freight charges from Australia all by your little own self. Just one more factor to weigh when making your decision.