In this newsletter:

SportStar adventure day at Redliffe
Rotax increases TBO to 2,000 hours
Ethanol in fuel
Latest deliveries

Adventure day at Redcliffe

Hello all you flyers and would-be flyers in south east Queensland - even northern New South Wales!

Adventure Flights Brisbane, based at Redcliffe Aerodrome, is having an adventure flying day on Saturday 30 January 2010. Specially discounted trial instructional flights will be available in their brace of new SportStar SL aircraft. Come along and find out what fun it is to fly in a top-of-the-range modern Light Sport Aircraft!

You will be able to talk with like-minded flyers, who will be able to tell you all the details of getting a recreational flying license and more.

Start with an early morning flight from 07:00. Barbecue on site at 16:00 - bring your own drink.

For more information or to make a flight reservation, call 0427 288 298......NOW!

You won't be disappointed.

Rotax 912 series TBO increased to 2,000 hours

Welcome news - particularly if your Rotax-powered aircraft is used in a school or club and clocks up plenty of flying time!

If you fly an aircraft with a recent 1,500 hour TBO (Time Before Overhaul) Rotax 912 series engine, you may be able to upgrade your engine to a higher 2,000 hour TBO.

For engines purchased from around early 2007 that have a newer crankcase design, the upgrade is fairly simple. All that is required is:
- new oil pressure plug screw & oil pressure relief spring
- a new Line Maintenance Manual 899735 issue 2 revision 0
- a new Heavy Maintenance Manual 899603 Issue 1 revision 3
- All relevant SB's & SI's must have been have been complied with as well.

Earlier engines will need substantially more work and probably will need to have the crankcase replaced to benefit from the TBO increase. Please check all relevant Service Bulletins for the correct information.

Also check the Rotax website for all the information. In particular, check the Line and Heavy Maintenance Manuals as there are a number of new servicing requirements to go with the higher TBO.

Evektor, the manufacturer of the SportStar aircraft has no additional requirements to enable you to upgrade your engine.

Ethanol in fuel

Rotax has approved the use of up to 10% ethanol in unleaded fuel for their engines.

However, although Rotax has approved this type of fuel, it is important to check that your airframe manufacturer has also approved the ethanol - as much of the fuel system is likely to have been installed by them and not Rotax.

All fuel hoses, filters, fuel tanks, electric or other auxiliary pumps, fuel seals, drain valves etc must be approved for use with ethanol augmented fuels. One LSA manufacturer has immersed all its fuel system in neat ethanol for at least a month - after which it will be tested and approved (or not).

Evektor, manufacturer of the SportStar, already approves the use of up to 10% ethanol in fuel for the aircraft. However, the fuel drain valve seals under the wing tanks of a few very early aircraft may need to be replaced to ensure compliance. They have no specific serial numbers which are affected - if the seals are affected, eventually you will not be able to close the valve after fuel sampling, due to swelling of the rubber seal caused by the ethanol. Replacement of affected seals is a straightforward procedure.

Two more SportStar SL/MAX delivered

Congratulations to Adventure Flights Brisbane, based at Redcliffe Aerodrome, on the delivery of two new SportStars. The aircraft are owned by Chris Taylor and Richard Gardner and are available for training and hire

Both aircraft are to the current 600 kgs MTOW standard, and while there are a number of differences (eg the colour schemes) they both are fully equipped, including full dual controls, electric aileron & elevator trim, in-flight variable propellers, radio & transponder, GPS etc.

Both aircraft also feature a painted canopy top instead of the more common retractable sliding sunshield - apart from increasing headroom even further, the painted area gives the aircraft a more aggressive look.

Contact details for Adventure Flights Brisbane, are:
Physical address: Redcliffe Aerodrome, Nathan Rd, Kipparing, Queensland 4021
Mailing Address : P.O. Box 582, Mango Hill, Queensland 4509.
Phone : 0427 288 298
Fax : 07 3886 1917

Give them a call - you'll get a friendly reception!