The fuel-injected, fadec-equipped Rotax 912 iS, which was introduced by BRP earlier this spring, has achieved ASTM approval. What this milestone means is that LSA manufacturers can now install the engine and meet the industry’s consensus standards without the airplane being under an experimental certificate. Engines already installed will be able to get ASTM stickers as well.
The Rockwell Collins electronic control unit (ECU) in the 912 iS allows for simpler diagnostics as maintenance technicians can connect the system to a computer for analysis. And pilots have access to more accurate engine monitoring in flight. But the biggest benefit of the ECU is that it optimizes the fuel/air mixture for each altitude, which makes the engine run more efficiently.
