Mate, what planet do you live on!
"Not sure what your axe to grind there is, however I am reasonably informed by some locals down here that the good old 2-strokes are given a very low TBO for a good reason and Rotax do not refurb cranks and similar."
- ABSOLUTE CRAP!
I would not say this is the case here because I do not know, but I would bet there are hundreds of two strokes that are touched up and flown well past their TBO just to save a buck.
- Not to mention the hundreds of GA aircraft out there running "on-condition." Until only last month there was no such as "on-condition" so who is operating more safely?
"Bit like some R22/44's that you get to read about from time to time."
- Almost every day!