Hp loss = (DA x .03 x sea level hp)/1000

So on a stock 912is at 12k DA you now have a loss of 36 HP. So at 12k DA you now have 64 HP.

I am keenly aware of the high DA's that occur in the northwest --- but at the time I did not care. Now I have aspirations of exploring out there in a KF, I thought I didn't care - how bad could the DA hit be? Other guys do it! But then I did the math (backed up by my 12 year old) -- and at 36% power loss? I care.

Heck even here in Florida we get hot humid days and our DA can get up a little --- considering floats and the implications of even 4'k DA...

For those that do significant flying out west do you find that having turbo to normalize is significant? Seems to me that it makes a pretty significant difference (36% difference give or take depending on your exact engine).

I am trying to avoid building a plane and going, "huh. I really should have bought a turbo-normalized engine". That said -- it's a hefty price tag (and weight) jump to get into a turbo'd rotax.

Thoughts? (is this one of those "if you have to ask..." type questions?)