J230SP -- Windshield Defogging, Rosen visors, Pedal Extensions

[John Womer]

I'm a 52 year-old student pilot in Connecticut, USA going for my Sport Pilot license. And with luck, by next week I'll be the proud owner of an almost new Jabiru J230-SP.

 

I would appreciate any input from those familiar with the J230 or it's siblings about the following...

 

...Even during a mild winter like this one, early morning temperatures here are typically between 20 degrees and 40 degrees F (-6 degrees and 4 degrees C). Until now, I've been training in a Diamond DA-40 and, on cold mornings -- even though we've just pulled the plane out of a heated hanger -- the inside of the the entire canopy quickly fogs over as soon as my CFI and I close the hatch. And even with the cabin heat/defrost on full defrost (not to mention plenty of fresh air from vents and small side windows) the canopy doesn't completely clear until we've taken off.

 

I see that while the J230 has two fresh air/cabin heat vents under the instrument panel, there isn't any way to direct the airflow toward the windscreen.. and, that the side windows don't open. Is fogging on cold mornings a problem? If so, how do people handle it? If it is an issue, one thought I had was to install a small fan at one end of the instrument panel -- maybe one of those small (6 in./150mm.) 12 volt fans you sometimes see used in buses or trucks, or one of the small box fans used to cool desktop computers and avionics.

 

... The J230s I'm looking at all have EFISs -- either Garmin or Grand Rapids -- which, I've read, can be difficult to read if you wear polarized sun glasses. I've seen a few pictures of Jabirus with Rosen sun visors installed and thought I might go that route -- but one person I know who had their "universal fit" model installed isn't very happy with them because they don't cover a lot of area.

 

... I'm 5' 8" with fairly short legs, and the J230s I'm looking at don't have adjustable pedals. I know I can use a second cushion, but I don't find those very comfortable. Has anyone tried any kind of pedal extensions? I own a small business with a machine shop, and it looks like it would be a no-brainer to fabricate something... nothing big like what Cessna uses... maybe just two small "blocks" on the front surface of the pedals like this picture.

 

 

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

 

[compsci]

1. I don't think that at Five Feet eight inches you will have any problem reaching the pedals.

 

You may want to add more foam inside the seat cushion; I did. You can get rudder pedals that

 

can be extended about 2 inches. I am 5 ft. 7 inches and do not use the installed pedal extension.

 

2. I recently purchased and installed sun screen from a Jabiru site in England. They also

 

cover only about 40 % but seem to work well. Total cost including shipping was about $65.

 

3. I have not had a problem with front windscreen fogging in my J230.

 

 

[Guest Andys@coffs]

So cant help with the pedals, or the windscreen as Im 6ft and the temp here even on the absolute coldest day during flying time is likely 10C or better (it gets down lower than that overnight, but not during the day)

 

As for the sun blinds, I just use those automotive side window mesh fabric shields with a stick on vacuumn cup thing, they can be had for not many $ and they fold up to a circular 6inch diameter that fits nicely in the door side panel. Doesnt cover all the area, but can be moved around to suit the sun position. The stick on cups can be a pain as they dont tend to be a long stay item but a little moisture around the lip enhances the time between put on and fall off, at the trade off of having to clean up the inside of the windscreen from time to time. They also weigh next to nothing, definately heaps less than proper glare shields

 

Andy

 

 

[planedriver]

G'day John and welcome to the forums.

 

Sounds like you're more than capable of overcoming your pedal problem.

 

As far as the fogging of the windscreen goes, you might like to try the following.

 

Make Your Own Anti-fog Spray

 

Have you ever noticed how when your bathroom mirror fogs up it’s always when you’re in a rush and need to use it? This article will teach you how to make your own anti-fog glass spray.

 

Once you make your own anti-fog glass spray can also be used on your car’s wind shield to stop it from fogging up.

 

So just how easy is it to make your own anti-fog glass spray? Very! All you need is white vinegar, hot water and a lint free cloth!

 

All you need to do to make your own anti-fog glass spray is to firstly pour two ounces of white vinegar into a bowl. The next step is to add one quart of hot water to the white vinegar.

 

Your make your own anti-fog glass spray is now ready to use! To use the mixture dip your lint free cloth into the bowl, wring it out and then wipe it over the mirror or the inside of your car wind shield and then allow it to dry off. And presto! No more fog! You can now use your bathroom mirror when ever you want… fog free!

 

Never again will you have to worry about not being able to see when you drive because of a fogged up wind shield. Use this make your own anti-fog glass spray as often as you like or need to in order to ensure fog free mirrors and wind shields!

 

Hope this helps you.

 

Kind Regards

 

Planey

 

 

[geoffreywh]

I never heard of using white vinegar! I'll give it a go....I have always used neat washing up liquid wiped on with a dry cloth. That worked when I lived in Holland when your breath used to freeze on the inside of the windscreen. You could also try breathing out thru' your nose! Really!....

 

 

[compsci]

The sun shade that I installed covers the width of the front wind screen

 

and is about 41/2 inches deep. The site in England that sells them is

 

called "Jabiru Pilots" and can be reached by clicking on the site id below.

 

http://www.jabiru.flyer.co.uk/http:/

 

 

[compsci]

Correction:

 

The site is called "Jabiru Owners" and the correct site id is:

 

http://www.jabiru.flyer.co.uk/