Rotax BRP is offering a new warranty extension program but it plans more. The Austrian supplier of some 80% of the powerplants used in Light-Sport Aircraft and light kit aircraft is also building a flight school locator for training operations that use their engine. Consumers have some locator services now — in fact, our own FIRM List offers resources — but most (including ours) are USA-centric. As a supplier of engines around the world, Rotax will build a locator service for the entire globe. For many that struggle to find a flight school using Light-Sport Aircraft, this should be most welcome. More on that as it develops
R.E.S.T. stands for Rotax Extended Service Terms. The company introduced two new warranty extension programs for its consumers scheduled to start in November 2013. “The R.E.S.T. program provides a warranty extension for all new Rotax 4-stroke aircraft engines,” Rotax said.

Zenith Aircraft is one of the country or world’s most successful providers of kit aircraft. Several thousands of all models are flying. One of their most popular is the “Sky Jeep,” otherwise known by the more pedestrian designation, CH 750. Plenty of reasons tell the story of why Zenith in Mexico, Missouri can sell solidly through good times and bad but arguably one of the most important is the company’s support for many different engines. Since Zenith sells Experimental Amateur Built (51%) kits, owners can install whatever they like and Zenith supports multiple engine installations. Now, they’ve added one of the very newest: Rotax BRP’s fuel injected 912iS. Zenith now offers the 912iS as an engine choice from a list of powerplants that includes the 100-hp 912 ULS, the turbo Rotax 914, the fuel-injected UL Power (video) and Viking engines, as well as the Continental 0-200 and the Lycoming 0-235/233 engines.

China, China, China … Americans hear a lot about this fast growing country although financial news outlets say growth is slowing as its economy matures. American pilots have been hearing plenty, too. Sometimes it seems like an unending list of companies (Cirrus Design, Continental Motors, Mooney Aircraft, several LSA seaplane manufacturers and various other enterprises) that report gaining Chinese investment. We have several times written about western light aircraft builders gaining approval to sell in China after meeting requirements from the country’s aviation authorities. We have even seen a number of Chinese-designed light aircraft some of which are exploring new new ideas. European and other aircraft are offered for sale at shows though deliveries remain modest. Behind all this bustle of activity Zenith Aircraft has been quietly collecting orders and making shipments. Indeed, they released fresh news about their success in China.