2 stroke oil question for the mechs/engineers.

[Termite]

The only reason I was considering the other stuff is because at 80:1, it saves some money. And Aircraft Spruce is a little high on their shipping costs.

I think that is pursuing a false economy.

Touche'.

[Netpackrat]

Honestly, I hate it enough when people I actually like consider flying behind 2 stroke engines to begin with. Trying to pinch a few more pennies on lubricants for an engine type known for being prone to seizures borders on madness IMO. TRX and I lost a friend just a couple of years ago to a ditching resulting from an engine failure (super cub), and my son is named after our cousin who was killed in a CFIT accident. Experienced commercial pilots, in both cases.

Our friend was an ATP, retired from Southwest IIRC. 3 weeks before the accident, TRX flew with him and since part of the flight was over water, they discussed the merits of ditching in the water vs trying for the beach. Richard was adamantly in favor of ditching in the water... Neither he nor his passenger made it to shore, though the airplane washed up on its own. Only the passenger's body was ever found. In the case of our cousin, it was a company C210 with no less than 3 commercial helicopter pilots on board. Mountains, weather, etc.

Point being, as I am sure you well know, there are too many things in aviation that are trying to kill you anyway, to go borrowing trouble in the form of finicky engines and magic lubricants. I don't want to lose any more friends to preventable accidents. Get a real airplane with a real engine, please.

[Termite]

The oil question was because I had never heard of the particuliar type, and wondered if others here were familiar with it.

I do not find 2 stroke marine engines to be unreliable. I have operated outboards since childhood. With reasonable maintainance and care, they are quite reliable.

As for 2 stroke aircraft engines, I have no plans to fly over water outside of gliding distance from shore, in an experimental aircraft. Also, almost all of the failures with Rotax engines are from operator error.

But I do thank you for your concern.

[Netpackrat]

Furthermore, there are lots of places I wouldn't want to go in a boat with only one engine. I've returned to harbor on one engine of a twin engined boat, several times (other peoples' boats). Edit to add, these were either two stroke outboards, or older marine engines. I would trust a Lycont aircraft engine or a well done aero conversion of an automotive engine single engine, no problem. A friend of mine converted a Subaru SVX engine for his Bearhawk, and it is a work of art.

[Netpackrat]

Furthermore, there are lots of places I wouldn't want to go in a boat with only one engine. I've returned to harbor on one engine of a twin engined boat, several times (other peoples' boats).

Yes... the bering sea in winter strikes me as one of those places.

An acquaintance of mine used to run tours up the Copper River in a big jetboat with twin 350s. He said the main reason for a twin boat was in case he lost an engine in the canyon/rapids.

[evan price]

For a very brief period Porsche was using the flat-six as an aircraft motor, iirc Mooney A/C comes to mind. They suddenly pulled the plug and left everyone high and dry for replacement spares.