Light Sport and Ultralight Flying Magazine - August Classes: CPS and LSA West to Host Rotax Maintenance Schools

August Classes: CPS and LSA West to Host Rotax Maintenance Schools

August ’08 Classes
CPS and LSA West to Host Official Rotax Maintenance Schools

Starting on Wednesday, August 6, 2008, California Power Systems of San Leandro, California, and Light Sport Airplanes West of Salinas, California, will host four different schools designed to meet the requirements for the endorsement of the engine specialty portion of the light sport aircraft rule for Rotax 912-914 engines.
   “Even if you are already an A&P mechanic or have completed the 120-hour Repairman’s Course, these are the courses you need to complete the engine- specific portion of the requirements for Rotax,” says CPS president Mike Stratman. “The newly written Rotax factory-approved syllabus will be given to attendees, allowing them to fulfill this important requirement. All students successfully passing the written exam will receive a Certificate of Completion that signifies compliance with the LSA requirements for the engine specialty portion of the Light Sport Aircraft rule.”
   Rotax factory-trained technicians Mike Stratman and Eric Tucker will conduct the following four classes:

School #1: Rotax Two-Cycle Maintenance – Starting at 8 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, August 6-7, 2008. This 16-hour class covers all aspects for Rotax 503 and Rotax 582 maintenance and rebuild. Students will participate in hands- on inspection and rebuild of Rotax 503 and Rotax 582 2-cycle engines. All students successfully passing the written exam will receive a Certificate of Completion that will fulfill LSA requirements for the engine specialty portion of the Light Sport Aircraft rule. Conducted by Mike Stratman, the class will be held at the CPS facilities at 790 139th Ave. #4 in San Leandro, CA.
   Subjects covered will include: Rotax history and development in the aircraft engine market, in-depth discussions on 2-stroke engine theory and design, Rotax engine designations and identification, Bing carburetion theory, rebuild, and maintenance on Rotax 503 and 582 engines, Ducati ignition systems theory and maintenance, gearbox inspection and maintenance, complete disassembly and inspection of both engines through heads, pistons, and cylinders.
   Completion of this course qualifies students for certificated maintenance and rebuild of both engines.
   Price for this course is $500 and includes all manuals and printed materials plus an official Certificate of Completion that meets LSA requirements, as well as an official photo ID badge showing the rating achieved. There are no prerequisite requirements for this course. Class size is strictly limited. Registration must be guaranteed with a credit card number. Credit cards will be preapproved but not charged until all seats are filled.

Contact CPS, phone: 510-357-2403 • 800-247-9653 • e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Ask to register for Seminar 2 8/08.

School #2: Rotax Service – Saturday and Sunday, August 9-10, 2008. This 16-hour class starts at 8 a.m. both days and covers all aspects for Line Maintenance for both Rotax 912 and Rotax 914 Turbo engines. Students will participate in hands-on condition inspection and maintenance on an actual aircraft. This includes all items on the scheduled maintenance chart: oil and filter change, filter inspection, coolant change, spark plug maintenance, carburetor synchronization, and carburetor and gearbox checks. All students passing the written exam will receive a Certificate of Completion that will fulfill the LSA requirements for the engine specialty portion of the Light Sport Aircraft rule.
   Conducted by Mike Stratman, this class will be held at the LSA West Facility at Salinas Airport, 240 Mortensen, Salinas, CA. Subjects covered will include: Rotax history and development in the aircraft engine market, in-depth discussion on 4-stroke engine theory and design, Rotax engine designations and identification, Bing carburetion theory and maintenance, gearbox inspection and maintenance, and all points of condition inspection outlined by the Line Maintenance checklist.
   Price for this course is $500, and includes all manuals and printed materials plus an official Certificate of Completion that meets LSA requirements, as well as an official photo ID badge showing the rating achieved. There are no prerequisites required for the class.

   Contact: Sue Parker at LSA West, phone: 888-335-1247 • Website: www.lsawest.com • e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Ask to register for: Seminar 4Line August 2008.

School #3: Rotax Maintenance – Starting at 8 a.m. on Monday and Tuesday, August 11-12, 2008. This 16-hour class covers all aspects for Component Inspection and Removal for both Rotax 912 and Rotax 914 Turbo engines. Students will participate in hands- on condition inspection and component removal of carburetors, gearboxes, cylinders, heads, and all major components directly from an actual engine. These can then be sent to a certified Rotax Service Center for reconditioning or rebuilding. This allows the mechanics to perform these activities in full compliance with the LSA requirements for Special LSA. Participants will be supplied all printed material, including all Rotax parts, service, and service manuals.
   While the seminar is open to anyone meeting the prerequisite requirements listed below, this 16-hour course can qualify companies to be eligible for Rotax Repair Station status. Protected areas are still available for qualified Rotax Repair Stations in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Contact CPS for more information on this Rotax-sponsored business partner arrangement. Individuals wishing to qualify for Rotax Repair Station status will be given priority booking.
   Class size is strictly limited. Registration must be guaranteed with a credit card number. Credit cards will be preapproved but not charged until all seats are filled. Price for this course is $500 and includes all manuals and printed materials plus an official Certificate of Completion that meets LSA requirements, as well as an official photo ID badge showing the rating achieved.
   Prerequisite Requirements: Returning past course students, Rotax Service School, any certified FAA A&P-rated mechanic, or individuals completing the LSA 120-hour repairman’s course. This material would likely be too advanced for new or casual users of Rotax engines. Conducted by Eric Tucker, the class will be held at the CPS Hangar on Oakland North Field at 980 Harbor Bay Parkway, Oakland, California.

   Contact: CPS, phone: 510-357-2403 • 800-247-9653 • e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Ask to register for: Seminar L2 8/08.

School #4: Rotax Heavy Maintenance – Starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, August 13 and 14. Students will participate in a complete engine disassembly and rebuild, and discuss correct procedures and maintenance for the 4-stroke engine series. Class will be conducted by Rotax factory Trained Technician Eric Tucker. While the seminar is open to anyone meeting the prerequisite requirements listed below, this 16-hour course can qualify companies to be eligible for Rotax Repair Station status. Protected areas are still available for qualified Rotax Repair Stations in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and other states in the West. Contact CPS for more information on this Rotax-sponsored business partner arrangement.
   The Rotax Heavy Maintenance course, which qualifies students for heavy maintenance up to but not including crankcase splitting, will include Rotax history and development in the aircraft engine market, in-depth discussions on 4-stroke engine theory and design, Rotax engine designations and identification, Bing carburetion theory, rebuild, and maintenance on Rotax 912 and Rotax 914, Ducati ignition systems theory and maintenance, full gearbox inspection and maintenance, complete disassembly and inspection of Rotax 912 through heads pistons, and cylinders, valve lapping and complete cylinder head maintenance.
   Prerequisite Requirements: Returning past course students, Service and Maintenance School, two years experience as a certified FAA A&P-rated mechanic, or individuals completing the LSA 120-hour repairman’s course.
   In accordance with the LSA regulations, students will be required to participate in hands-on work as well as pass a written exam to receive the Certificate of Completion that will allow the mechanic to perform work listed above legally under LSA Regulations.
   Individuals wishing to qualify for Rotax Repair Station status will be given priority booking. Class size is strictly limited. Registration must be guaranteed with a credit card number. Credit cards will be preapproved but not charged until all seats are filled.
   The class will be held at CPS’s new Oakland North Field Hangar at 980 Harbor Bay Parkway. This facility is adjacent to the Oakland International Airport and a short ride from the passenger terminal and car rentals area.
   Price for this course is $500 and includes all manuals and printed materials plus an official “Certificate of Completion” that meets LSA requirements as well as an official photo ID badge showing the rating achieved.

   Contact: CPS, phone: 510-357-2403 • 800-247-9653 • e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Ask to register for: Seminar 4H 2/08.

Who Are Tucker and Stratman?

   Eric Tucker, a 30-year veteran of Rotax maintenance instruction, works closely with Rotax-Austria in the design and maintenance of all forms of Rotax 2- and 4-stroke aircraft engines. Has been a member of the FAA advisory committee on the formation of Light Sport Aircraft category, and has been instrumental in developing many of the training and maintenance programs surrounding light sport aircraft. If you have a question on any aspect of Rotax design and maintenance, Tucker is the man to ask.
   Mike Stratman is founder and president of Rotax factory parts and service distributorship California Power Systems. A factory-authorized and trained Rotax engine mechanic, Stratman has been involved in the ultralight aircraft industry since ’79, and has also been a contributing editor for this publication, writing more than 60 articles under the column, “The Proper Care & Feeding of the Rotax Motor.” Stratman has also produced a series of commercial instructional DVD’s covering the repair and rebuild of Rotax engines.