915is Updates in the Kitfox?

[Danzer1]

Well Keith - CPS (Califironia Power Systems now has it priced at $38,667 and it has been constantly going up prior to even one unit being delivered. Their Q&A also states the current version is only set up for variable (constant speed) prop. And they state maybe another year for a fixed pitch version.

Pretty rich for the HP in my view!

[tracstarr]

Ouch. That is up there in cost. I also noticed the main product page shows TBO at 1200 hrs, not 2000. That's a big difference.

[Av8r3400]

IMO - Not even close to worth that kind of money.

[aviator79]

The latest I heard was that a hydraulic Constant Speed Prop was required. I wonder if they'll extend the TBO after it acquires some service history. As it is, if you make an apples-to-apples comparison by assuming ~$10/hour in overhaul costs for the 800 hours you're losing, The cost compared to the rest of the rotax line is a staggering $46,667. I was hoping there would be a way to justify this engine on my plane, but it's looking bleak.

[WWhunter]

Since I am in the market for a new flivver I am also weighing the different options. Edge Performance seems to be a better option if one wants power with light weight. It is an expensive engine also,and warranty might be something a buyer would have to consider.

Although a lot heavier, the Titan has more power, and $10K +/- less. Unfortunately it needs Avgas if that is an issue. You can get a car gas compatible motor with less HP though.

[Esser]

ULPower? Still surprised No One Has popped one in. I was going to until I got a deal on my engine. It’s lighter, costs the same as the titan I believe, and runs on auto fuel. The 130hp model would be waaay cheaper than the 915 and the titan. Looks like zenith is having good success with them

[colospace]

When I last visited the factory some years back, there was a customer plane in the shop getting at least a partial FWF developed for its UL Power engine.

[av8rps]

ULPower? Still surprised No One Has popped one in. I was going to until I got a deal on my engine. It’s lighter, costs the same as the titan I believe, and runs on auto fuel. The 130hp model would be waaay cheaper than the 915 and the titan. Looks like zenith is having good success with them

On the Highlander "wings forum" you can read about the struggles a builder went through installing and operating a UL 130 hp engine by searching for UL350. He eventually got it to work good, and out of fairness, in many regards it had some great attributes (simple, nice "aircraft type" sound, etc). But if you read all of "Stede52's posts on it, as my memory serves me, after he sold it he admits he wouldn't do the UL engine again. He admits a zippered/modified 912 will outperform it, be lighter, and burn less fuel. And as much as I hate to say it, those are common shortcomings when comparing against a 912, as to be truly effective it needs a PSRU as it turns higher rpm than a standard aircraft engine. So prop efficiency is just not in the same league as the 912.

Fwiw, the 6 cylinder 130 hp Jabiru has similar performance. Non geared high revving engines just don't work well on STOL type aircraft. They will however work reasonably well on faster planes that typically use shorter props. But so will a 912.

With all that said, I'll be surprised if the 915 doesn't provide outstanding performance. I agree it is a bit pricey, but I personally think it will get the job done that most other engines won't. Time will tell...