Rotax - 15 Year Life

[good finish]

We have a 80hp Rotax 912A certified motorglider which has done 790 hours.

we understand the engine is life expired after 15 years. we are aware of Rotax extensions for hours but not calendar life.

the agent is seeking to have this extended as it is a motorglider - using the arguement that motorglider engine failures are less critical;hence the reason why many are allowed to operate with a single magneto.

we further understand that an engineer can give a 5% extension ie 6 months.

has anyone else come across this 15 year life and found away around it? The engine has been professionally maintained and is in excellent condition running very smoothly.

any help very much appreciated.

[Rod1]

“has anyone else come across this 15 year life and found away around it?”

I had not come across this, but if it is the case it will only apply to certified aircraft, permit aircraft will be on condition.

Rod1

[Aviator1512]

Rotax Engines fitted to certified aircraft are NOT permitted to have any extension granted beyond the manufacturers TBO (In hours & calendar years) - See GR24 and Appendix 1 to GR24 (Formally Airworthiness Notice 35) published in CAP747 http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP747.pdf

Rotax publish the TBO in Service Bulletin SB912-057 http://www.rotax-aircraft-engines.com/pdf/dokus/d04685.pdf
The TBO extension as mentioned to 2000hr & 15years is only immediately applicable to later engine serial numbers (912A above s/n 4,410.857). Earlier engines have TBOs ranging from 600hr/10years upto 2000hr/15years. To increase the TBO of an earlier engine (upto 2000hr/15year max) requires various further SB action depending on the age & mod state of the engine - see SB912-057 for full details.

If your engine has already exceeded the manufacturers TBO in hours or calendar life then it should not be flown until you have clarified its exact TBO and satisfied the requirements to gain any available TBO increase.

If you know your engines s/n & SB status then I'm happy to help guide you to the correct answer - PM if you wish!

Sorry to sound so formal, but it is better to be clear!
Good luck....

[good finish]

Reading a recent article on the easa website it now seems they are saying that tbo can be on condition rather than calendar life.
My aircraft is certified but the chap who does the maintenance had not heard about this.
Anyone clued up on this?
Regards
Good finish