If you’re in the market for a new Rotax 912 engine for your LSA, you might want to call your local dealer to see if they are offering any discounts right now. Hays, Kansas-based Rans Designs announced this week that prices for the Austrian-manufactured engines have dropped, primarily due to the increase in the value of the U.S. dollar over the Euro.
Rans founder Randy Schlitter told Flying that Rans is now selling the 100 hp Rotax 912 ULS for $17,600, a drop of $600. “In January it was $19,495, so since the beginning of the year the price has dropped a total of $1,895,” he said. Rans’ price for the 80 hp Rotax 912 UL is now $16,350, down from $17,495 in January.
The Rotax 912 series engine powers dozens of types of light sport aircraft, and is widely considered one of the most reliable reciprocating engines available today. Earlier this year, Rotax introduced a fuel-injected version of the 100 hp 912 ULS, called the 912 iS. Schlitter said the current price for the 912 iS is $23,918. “This engine is supposed to save fuel and increase range,” he said. “If you look at the actual ‘all things considered’ cost difference ($3,000), investment is returned within 500 to 1000 hours. I think the iS will be common over time because of the trend toward cleaner, greener planes. As to which Rans aircraft is first to fly with the iS, that is still up in the air.”
