The days when homebuilt aircraft owners relied solely on basic engine gauges and gut instinct for engine health monitoring are rapidly fading. Today’s experimental aircraft builders and operators have access to sophisticated engine analytics services that rival those used by commercial operators, but at prices that won’t break the bank.
While certified aircraft owners have long had access to professional engine trend monitoring through services like CAMP Systems and Jet-Care, the experimental aircraft community has developed its own ecosystem of monitoring hardware and analytics services specifically tailored to the unique needs and budgets of homebuilders.
The Analytics Advantage
Engine analytics goes far beyond simple parameter monitoring. These services analyze trends in your engine data over time, identifying subtle changes that might indicate developing problems weeks or months before they become flight-safety issues. For homebuilt aircraft operators, who often fly behind engines with fewer manufacturer support networks than their certified counterparts, this predictive capability can be invaluable.
The process typically involves three components: onboard data collection through an engine monitor, automated data transmission or download, and professional analysis by experts who understand the unique characteristics of your specific engine installation.
Leading the Pack: Savvy Aviation
Savvy Aviation has established itself as the premier analytics service provider for homebuilt and experimental aircraft engines. Their SavvyAnalysis platform supports the most common engines found in experimental aircraft: Lycoming, Continental, Jabiru, and Rotax powerplants.
What sets Savvy apart is their deep understanding of how these engines behave in experimental installations, which often differ from certified aircraft operations. Their analysis methods account for the unique operating profiles typical of homebuilt aircraft, from pattern work to cross-country touring.
The Hardware Foundation
To feed data to analytics services, you need a capable engine monitor with data logging capabilities. Several manufacturers have developed systems specifically for the experimental aircraft market that balance comprehensive monitoring with reasonable costs.
EDM Series Monitors
JP Instruments has long been a favorite in the experimental community with their EDM series monitors. The EDM-350, EDM-730, and EDM-830 systems provide professional-grade data logging while maintaining compatibility with analytics services like Savvy Aviation. These monitors offer data export capabilities that seamlessly integrate with post-flight analysis platforms.
For budget-conscious builders, the ENGOOD Engine Monitoring System represents an interesting alternative. Designed specifically for fixed-wing experimental aircraft, this $1,299 system monitors all critical parameters including CHT, EGT, RPM, MAP, oil temperature and pressure, and fuel pressure and flow. At a fraction of the cost of certified equivalents, it provides data logging capabilities that work directly with Savvy Aviation’s analysis platform.
MGL Avionics
MGL Avionics has carved out a significant niche in the experimental aircraft market with their comprehensive engine monitoring solutions. The Blaze EMS-2 and XTreme EMS systems offer universal engine monitoring capabilities with special accommodations for different powerplant types.
What makes MGL particularly attractive to homebuilders is their systems’ flexibility. The XTreme EMS can adapt to various engine configurations, while offering special modes for popular engines like the Rotax 912/914 series. These systems include data export capabilities for analysis services and integrate well with MGL’s EFIS systems for builders seeking a complete avionics solution from one manufacturer.
Rotax: The Special Case
Rotax engines, increasingly popular in the Light Sport Aircraft and homebuilt communities, have spawned their own specialized monitoring ecosystem. These engines present unique monitoring challenges due to their liquid cooling systems, reduction gearboxes, and electronic fuel injection systems.
RS Flight Systems addresses this with their EMU 9xiS, designed specifically for Rotax 912iS and 915iS engines. This system provides continuous monitoring and health checking of ECU display buses, with sophisticated data recording capabilities. The system logs georeferenced data at 10 Hz intervals over up to 2,000 hours of operation, providing unprecedented detail for engine analysis.
Avmap
AvMap takes a different approach with their EngiBOX system. Priced at $1,289, (€1,099) it serves as a complete engine management system with integrated mobile app and web portal functionality. The system allows real-time monitoring during flight and enables data sharing directly with Rotax Service Centers for instant technical support when issues arise.
For builders using Dynon avionics, the SV-EMS-221 module offers seamless integration with SkyView EFIS systems. This module receives engine parameters directly from Rotax engine computers via dual-channel CAN bus interface, providing clean data integration without additional sensors for many parameters.
The Established Players
Grand Rapids Technologies has been serving the experimental aircraft community since 1991 with their EIS series engine monitors. Known for their reliability and straightforward design, GRT systems appeal to builders who prefer proven technology over the latest bells and whistles. The EIS 4000 system offers comprehensive EGT/CHT monitoring with data export capabilities to services like SavvyAnalysis.com.
Electronics International, long known for their certified aircraft engine monitors, offers experimental versions of their CGR-30P systems specifically designed for non-certified aircraft. These systems provide the same comprehensive monitoring capabilities as their certified counterparts but at significantly reduced prices due to the absence of TSO requirements.
Engine-Specific Considerations
Different engines present unique challenges for analytics services. Lycoming engines, the most popular choice among homebuilders, are well-supported by most analytics services. The ubiquitous 140-, 160-, and 180 hp Lycoming engines have extensive operational databases that enable sophisticated trend analysis.
Continental O-200 engines, commonly found in light aircraft like Cessna 150s that find their way into experimental categories, are supported by most monitoring systems. However, specialized analytics services may be more limited compared to larger Continental engines due to their smaller installed base.
Rotax engines receive the most specialized support for light aircraft applications, reflecting their growing popularity in the experimental market. Multiple companies offer dedicated monitoring and analytics solutions specifically designed for the 912/914/915 series engines, accounting for their unique operational characteristics.
Jabiru engines present challenges for analytics services. Their operating characteristics differ significantly from traditional Lycoming and Continental engines, requiring specialized interpretation of engine data parameters. Savvy Aviation has developed specific expertise in Jabiru engine analysis, but options remain more limited than for mainstream powerplants.
The Economics of Prevention
The cost-benefit equation for engine analytics in experimental aircraft is compelling. Most monitoring systems suitable for homebuilt aircraft cost between $2,000 and $5,000, while analytics services typically run $300 to $500 annually. Compare this to the cost of an unexpected engine failure—not just the engine replacement costs, but potential aircraft damage, alternative transportation, and the safety implications of an off-airport landing.
The experimental aircraft market benefits from more flexible installation requirements and lower certification costs compared to the certified world. This allows manufacturers to offer sophisticated engine monitoring and analytics capabilities at price points accessible to individual aircraft builders and owners, rather than just fleet operators.
Data Integration and Future Trends
Most current experimental aircraft engine monitoring systems provide data export capabilities in formats compatible with analytics services. The trend is moving toward more automated data transmission, with some systems offering cellular or WiFi connectivity for automatic data upload after each flight.
Cloud-based analysis platforms are becoming more sophisticated, with some services beginning to offer real-time alerts during flight operations. As avionics systems become more connected, we can expect to see engine analytics integrated more closely with flight planning and maintenance scheduling systems.
Making the Choice
For homebuilt aircraft operators, the combination of affordable monitoring hardware with professional-grade analysis services provides enterprise-level engine health monitoring capabilities that were unimaginable just a few years ago. The key is matching the monitoring system to your specific engine and operational requirements, while ensuring compatibility with your chosen analytics service.
Whether you’re flying behind a traditional Lycoming, a modern Rotax, or something more exotic, engine analytics can provide the early warning system that helps ensure your engine and your aircraft stay healthy for years to come. In a community that prides itself on hands-on involvement with aircraft maintenance, engine analytics represents the logical evolution of the homebuilder’s attention to detail.
