Having worked for the Defense Industry for years, I understand why everything cost so much. They have more rules, regulations and requirements than you can imagine. The one side benefit, because of the Predator Drone the Light Sport Industry has one hell of a good engine. The Reliability Program that they put the supplier through, is what partially drive all the Rotax maintenance directives, and purchase cost. I appreciate the fact that the Reliability of the Military Products keeps our Sons and Daughters in the Military Safe, and they provide us with an EXTREMELY reliable Aircraft Engine. Go fly behind a Volkswagen or Corvair Aircraft engine conversion, and the reliability and parts availability is an issue.