First Flight in Jabiru 170

[Compulsion]

I have been learning to fly in a Jabiru 160 and just haven't got the landings right. Today I went to Gawler to fly in a Jabiru 170. Everything I have heard led me to believe they are an absolute handful to land. I last flew at Gawler 16 yrs ago when I learnt to fly gliders. The new freeway has shortened 2 runways and the whole place has changed with all new hangars and buildings.

 

The weather was awful with strong winds and driving rain at times. Flying was cancelled and students where rung to be told not to bother. I had nothing better to do so I hung around bothering the CFI. After lunch the sky cleared a little and I was told to get the aircraft ready to go. Parts of the Taxi way where water logged after all of the rain. The wind was strong but straight down the strip so off we went. The first thing I noticed was the rate of climb against the 160 I was used to flying. It was the bumpiest flight I have had since starting learning. I was not used to the field or right hand circuits. The plane seemed to be half a circuit ahead of me at first. I had to side slip the aircraft on base to loose some height. Down wind seem to take seconds and caught me out. I turned onto final and found myself flying over an oval full of kids playing footy as opposed to the normal paddocks at Murray Bridge. I flew over the new freeway and then lined up on the runway. To my surprise I NAILED my first landing in a Jabiru 170. I was over the moon and wanted to stop there before I could stuff the next landing up. I went on to do 6 circuits each one getting better and not seeming to go past so quick. I would say my tally for the day was 1 perfect landing (according to CFI) 3 good landings 1 below average and 1 terrible Kangaroo Hopping Landing where the CFI yelled(quite rightly LOL) at me to pull the stick BACK.

 

Needless to say I am over the moon. I finally got the picture and am looking forward to going solo very soon. Come on next week so I can fly again.

 

 

[facthunter]

Aeroplanes are all aeroplanes. A bigger wing means better climb more response to bumps more float if you are fast. Funny how a reputation can be nothing really. To sideslip well you should not be too fast. Fun eh! Nev

 

 

[Compulsion]

Thanks Nev. once I got back in control I found it easy to control the speed on aproaches. With a screaming tail wind downwind went really fast.

 

 

[Gnarly Gnu]

Theoretically I understand the J160 should have a faster cruise speed with its shorter wings but I don't seem to have noticed much difference in speed myself & also prefer the J170 overall.

 

 

[turboplanner]

Aeroplanes are all aeroplanes. A bigger wing means better climb more response to bumps more float if you are fast. Funny how a reputation can be nothing really. To sideslip well you should not be too fast. Fun eh! Nev

Add to this a longer moment arm of a longer wing, shorter moment arm of a shorter fuselage, and less resistance from a smaller vertical stabiliser and rudder, and big flaps.

 

Then add colder denser air and gusting quartering winds.

 

 

[facthunter]

The 170 should be better at higher weights and altitudes and temperatures. Nev

 

 

[turboplanner]

The wing was introduced for the higher temperatures (less dense air) of the northern part of Australia.

 

 

[bushpilot]

We do ab-initio training in both J160 and J170 (our J230s are used mainly for NAVEXES and private hire) and most students prefer the J170. Dont need to worry about power management in landing as much in the 170; just get it low and level and pull the power back to idle and it will ground-affect for a bit, then settle without drama. The 160 likes some power kept on until its on the deck.