Sportstar Vernier Throttle?

[Mick]

I am trying to resolve a problem with the vernier throttle on my Sportstar that has come about after working great for 1000 hours of use in training. Can anyone out there tell me who makes the vernier used in the Sportstar?

 

 

[Camel]

Pretty sure it's Kaspar the same mob who made the props for Sportstars. I seen their web site long time ago. http://www.kasparaero.cz/en/category/throttle_control/7.html

 

 

[Mick]

Thanks Camel, now that you point that out I remember seeing that on the Kasper site before.

 

Cheers!

 

 

[Camel]

Thanks Camel, now that you point that out I remember seeing that on the Kasper site before.Cheers!

Aust Aircraft Kits, AAK at Taree are agents for their bits according to AAKs website. Olie might be worth a call to see if he has any.

 

I like the vernier throttle but when I had my Sportstar others had trouble with it as they would try to force it and GA pilots would not even push the button and want to force it, mine never packed up but I watched it like a hawk and when someone tried to force it I nearly broke their hand, really need absolute basic for some people as no appreciation for equipment, I'm a mechanic and a plant operator, I love machinery, some people should not be allowed near it.

 

 

[Mick]

Thanks I will get on to Ollie.

 

I hear what you say about some people being ham fisted, the aircraft has been doing more hire than training lately which is when things get get busted. No instructor there to watch what is being done. Both air vents have also been broken recently as well as the vernier.

 

Cheers!

 

 

[DGL Fox]

Hi Mick,

 

Yes I won't replace my window vents while my Sportstar is being cross hired, some people are just so heavy handed even when I put on signage on how to use the window vents...

 

David

 

 

[Moneybox]

Wow, this is a really lively thread. 🤣

 

I don't like my Sportstar/Rotax Vernier throttle that locks into position. I've trained in a few planes all fitted with a simple push-pull cable with friction adjustment. I like being able to just shove it quickly to full throttle or back without thinking of pressing the release button. I've seen these Vernier cables that look to be a better option.

 

 

It still has the fine adjustment but can be quickly pushed or pulled without having to release it first.

 

Any comments, for or against?

[skippydiesel]

I have no problem with your argument/preference. I do urge caution - your aircraft is a factory build. Non factory changes may have implications for insurance, etc😈 

[Moneybox]

30 minutes ago, skippydiesel said:

I have no problem with your argument/preference. I do urge caution - your aircraft is a factory build. Non factory changes may have implications for insurance, etc😈 

Yes I’m quite well aware of that. Insurance is something I don’t have much to do with. We’re conditioned through fear that we need insurance, home and contents insurance, car insurance, personal liability insurance, life insurance, aircraft insurance, public liability insurance, flood insurance, income protection insurance, health insurance, landlord insurance, personal disability insurance and the list goes on.

 

If you have been conned into all these insurance policies and the worst happens, have you ever tried to make a claim? Sometimes they may pay but they are careful not to overlap those payments even though they’ll happily sell you policies with overlapping cover.

 

In most cases Insurance is just a well designed business operating on poor ethics and our fear of the unknown, the what-iffs in life. We’re all sucked in feeding the big machine. I avoid it wherever I can.

[Ando]

Until you need it

[onetrack]

You have to weigh up what your losses may be, in a worst-case scenario, coupled with the premiums outlay over the many years, before you actually make a claim, to make a decision about insurance.

In the case of huge potential losses, such as being sued, or losing your home or a large shed full of expensive toys, you can't really do without insurance.

 

But there are many items, such as lower value vehicles, where the cost of insurance is outrageous. I refuse to finance the losses of people who are careless about their vehicle losses, so I no longer fully insure my Hilux.

It costs $1000 a year to comprehensively insure it, and I've owned it for 9 years, without indulging in any vehicular loss. Plus, the companies want you to pay $1000 excess to start with, so that adds more financial burden to any claim.

I know I've made the correct decision for the conditions and risk profile that I operate under.

[Blueadventures]

12 hours ago, Moneybox said:

Wow, this is a really lively thread. 🤣

 

I don't like my Sportstar/Rotax Vernier throttle that locks into position. I've trained in a few planes all fitted with a simple push-pull cable with friction adjustment. I like being able to just shove it quickly to full throttle or back without thinking of pressing the release button. I've seen these Vernier cables that look to be a better option.

 

 

It still has the fine adjustment but can be quickly pushed or pulled without having to release it first.

 

Any comments, for or against?

How many startups have you done with the vernier throttle?  They take getting used to.   For example; some used for starting are set;- throttle at idle and then turn vernier to provide 1/2 its rpm increase adjustment. The knob is a fine rpm adjuster and you should be able to demand movement of the main throttle movement; as it should be adjusted so the friction is enough to prevent movement that is not by the pilot (eg take hand off, should remain on that rpm setting).  POH should advise.  You will get used to it and like it.  My preference for a R912 is not to have a vernier type.  

Edited January 25 by Blueadventures

[facthunter]

I prefer a Lever type with Friction adjuster. Does everything you Need.  Nev

[Moneybox]

3 hours ago, Ando said:

Until you need it

Yes that may be true however if you check the small print, they will, questions like “is the vehicle modified?” “Are there any accessories?” etc. Even if you answered this honestly when first insured did you update your insurance when you had the suspension lift of fitted the roof rack?

 

items like this can be said to have a detrimental affect on the stability of the vehicle. Then where do you stand when you make a claim? These businesses are not here to protect you, they are looking at their bottom line and what they can do to protect their financial interests.

 

I had the inside of the Hyundai fitted out as a camper. Part of that was the installation of two LiFePo4 batteries that blew up destroying the vehicle. What chance would I have with an insurance claim? It wasn’t worth finding out just as it wasn’t worth paying the insurance.

[facthunter]

 Vehicle Insurance is pretty much a Monopoly in Australia.. 3rd property fire and theft is often a good choice with a low value vehicle. One risk is that A vehicle can be written off very easily and you lose the vehicle unless you have a Keep the wreck clause written in. With later high tensile steel cars, any CREASES  means it's a WRITE OFF. Also damage above 50% of vehicle value  means a write off.  Nev

[rgmwa]

17 hours ago, Moneybox said:

Wow, this is a really lively thread. 🤣

 

I don't like my Sportstar/Rotax Vernier throttle that locks into position. I've trained in a few planes all fitted with a simple push-pull cable with friction adjustment. I like being able to just shove it quickly to full throttle or back without thinking of pressing the release button. I've seen these Vernier cables that look to be a better option.

 

 

It still has the fine adjustment but can be quickly pushed or pulled without having to release it first.

 

Any comments, for or against?

I have one of those in my RV-12 and it works very well. Best of both worlds. Available from Aircraft Spruce although I got mine direct from MacFarlane in the US who manufacture them. 

 

Vernier-Assist ™ Throttle Controls For Dual Carb Rotax 912 / 914 | Aircraft Spruce Australia

WWW.AIRCRAFTSPRUCE.COM.AU

---

Vernier-Assist ™ Throttle Controls For Dual Carb Rotax 912 / 914 This type of control has all the fine adjustment benefits of an old style...

 

[skippydiesel]

For a Rotax I would NOT use the aircraft grade throttle cables. Way too heavy & expensive.

 

Light weight motorcycle cables, much much better. Fraction of the cost- Last time I checked about 1/10th.

 

The aircraft grade, when they get warn & start to stick, may respond to lubrication. A short lived solution.

 

Motorcycle style - do not lubricate - replace.😈

[Moneybox]

2 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

For a Rotax I would NOT use the aircraft grade throttle cables. Way too heavy & expensive.

 

Light weight motorcycle cables, much much better. Fraction of the cost- Last time I checked about 1/10th.

 

The aircraft grade, when they get warn & start to stick, may respond to lubrication. A short lived solution.

 

Motorcycle style - do not lubricate - replace.😈

 

I don't know if they come apart but the bit that I want to replace is the knob control. To move my throttle knob in or out the button has to be pressed to release the lock or it can be rotated for fine adjustment, not what you need for a fast response in an emergency.

[BrendAn]

11 hours ago, Moneybox said:

 

I don't know if they come apart but the bit that I want to replace is the knob control. To move my throttle knob in or out the button has to be pressed to release the lock or it can be rotated for fine adjustment, not what you need for a fast response in an emergency.

i think you need to use it for a while. then you might get used to it.  glad i don't have a vernier setup.  they belong on a stationary engine i reckon. i know a lot of ac have them though. easy to fit is about the only reason surely.

[BrendAn]

23 hours ago, Moneybox said:

Yes I’m quite well aware of that. Insurance is something I don’t have much to do with. We’re conditioned through fear that we need insurance, home and contents insurance, car insurance, personal liability insurance, life insurance, aircraft insurance, public liability insurance, flood insurance, income protection insurance, health insurance, landlord insurance, personal disability insurance and the list goes on.

 

If you have been conned into all these insurance policies and the worst happens, have you ever tried to make a claim? Sometimes they may pay but they are careful not to overlap those payments even though they’ll happily sell you policies with overlapping cover.

 

In most cases Insurance is just a well designed business operating on poor ethics and our fear of the unknown, the what-iffs in life. We’re all sucked in feeding the big machine. I avoid it wherever I can.

i have never had a problem getting claims approved. i have to have insurance being in business. last year my premium went from 9000 to 15000 a year after one of drivers turned into toorak rd with a crane stabiliser hanging out 1.5 mts. straight into a lexus and pushed that into a new kia.   

[onetrack]

That crane stabiliser incident could have cost you millions if it had killed someone. In Perth, a number of years ago, a woman standing on a central median strip was killed by an extended stabiliser on a crane truck driving down Stirling Highway.

She had her back to the oncoming truck, and never even saw what hit her. If an insured event like that happens, with the cost running into huge figures, you would find the increased cost of premiums in the next renewal period would possibly make your business unprofitable.

It pays to do regular assessments of accident risk potential to reassure your insurance company that you have a good handle on the risk potential. I trust you fitted highly visible warning lights in the truck cabin for stabiliser extension, and carry out regular checks to ensure they are working.

One thing that annoys me, is drivers running around with emergency lights flashing, and they have no idea they are on - thus showing they have no cabin indication of the warning lights being on - or if there is, it is being ignored.

You have to slow down to 40kmh for flashing lights, and when someone has them on for no reason, it is infuriating, and could potentially cost you a traffic infringement fine.

[BrendAn]

25 minutes ago, onetrack said:

That crane stabiliser incident could have cost you millions if it had killed someone. In Perth, a number of years ago, a woman standing on a central median strip was killed by an extended stabiliser on a crane truck driving down Stirling Highway.

She had her back to the oncoming truck, and never even saw what hit her. If an insured event like that happens, with the cost running into huge figures, you would find the increased cost of premiums in the next renewal period would possibly make your business unprofitable.

It pays to do regular assessments of accident risk potential to reassure your insurance company that you have a good handle on the risk potential. I trust you fitted highly visible warning lights in the truck cabin for stabiliser extension, and carry out regular checks to ensure they are working.

One thing that annoys me, is drivers running around with emergency lights flashing, and they have no idea they are on - thus showing they have no cabin indication of the warning lights being on - or if there is, it is being ignored.

You have to slow down to 40kmh for flashing lights, and when someone has them on for no reason, it is infuriating, and could potentially cost you a traffic infringement fine.

Thanks for the advice on how to run my business. Yes that crane now has the most annoying alarm in the world.  Commonsense is far more important than alarms. Switchs and prox sensors get damaged and out of adjustment all the time on hiabs. 

Never ever rely on them. You have to have your sequence that you follow every time you pack the crane up. That accident was driver error. When own 4 trucks you can only drive one yourself . Employees do not pay attention to the job like the owners.   

Better get back on topic.

 

[Moneybox]

I've emailed Evektor to see if they'll allow the modification.

[Moneybox]

Response from Evektor.

 

Dear Phil,

Please contact our dealer Mr. Steve Cesco (info@evektorsalesaustralia.com.au] for Your order. You need following items:

766395 Vernier Throttle Control, 1pc

076810 Grommet, 2pcs

 

Now I just need to know what these parts are before I go ahead.