regards from sport pilot student in upstate New York interested in Jabirus

[Guest markfnkl]

Hi Everyone:

 

I discovered RF looking for folks interested in Jabirus. I'm working toward my sport pilot license on a Flight Design CT but am thinking about a Jabiru because of its large luggage capacity: the ability to carry a couple golf bags is a must for me.

 

In any case, I've read a bunch of the posts here regarding Jabirus, and really enjoy the generally down-to-earth Australian approach to matters.

 

I have about 28 hours, haven't soloed yet but could be getting fairly close. Last time I flew the instructor said he didn't touch the controls on three landings.

 

I'll throw out one question: how important is it to keep the Jabiru hangared as opposed to covered and tied-down? We have cold and nasty winters here, but hangaring costs about US$240/month.

 

Regards,

 

Mark Finkelstein

 

Ithaca, NY

 

East Hill Flying Club

 

[email protected]

 

 

[mlpinaus]

Gidday. The real issue is that they (jabs) leak water. Its all pretty much plastic, so no corrosion problems like my mates Cessna, but still a pain in the . My j230c is about 2 yers old, and they have improved the door locking mechanism since then, but .... freezing water ? A hangar looks good.

 

Marcus

 

 

[Guest markfnkl]

:thumb_up:

 

Thanks Marcus, guess I'll have to bite the bullet, or the wallet as the case may be, and have it hangared.

 

How do you enjoy your Jab in general? Have you taken it on any extended trips? What's it like in turbulent air? The Flight Design I'm learning in is a fine plane but really gets bounced around.

 

 

[mlpinaus]

The longest trip was flying back from the factory in Bundaberg to Murray Bridge. This was 9.9 hours in my log book, spread over 2 days. I have flown Murray Bridge to Narromine in the back blocks of NSW twice, around 8.5 hours there and back. The 230 here is registered as a light sport aircraft, 600kg MTOW. It burns about 21-23 litres per hour, and gives an honest 120 knots. It is really an 430 with no back seats, so there is a lot of room at the back. Not so good in the front, asI am 6 ft 6 tall. My mates Cessna 172s burns 40 litres per hour and gives about 110 knots. Its bigger mass means it is thrown about less in turbulence, but it still is. Want a smooth ride, go in a spam can. The real limitation of any light aircraft is the pilot's bladder range. Peeing in a bottle :ah_oh: is not great without an autopilot, so 2-3 hours is a good leg. Murray Bridge to Hay. Stop, have lunch, a pee, refuel the aeroplane , onto Narromine.

 

Interesting that a hangar space is around $240 a month in the US. A bout the same here, except in Pacific Pesos. Get the ticket, buy the plane, it really is a new kind of freedom that only a fraction of 1% of the populace enjoys.

 

regards

 

Marcus

 

 

[Guest markfnkl]

"Get the ticket, buy the plane, it really is a new kind of freedom that only a fraction of 1% of the populace enjoys."

 

Words to live--and fly--by! Thanks Marcus.

 

The prospect of waking up some sunny morning, getting inspired, giving a friend a call and flying off somewhere on the spur of the moment--that would be a huge thrill.

 

 

[geoffreywh]

Hi Marcus, There are plenty of Jabirus that live outdoors,plus I expect that our summer sun causes as much damage as your winter weather?.. It will have to be covered. Completely if possible. There are covers available. Good luck. G

 

 

[Guest mikek]

Jab 430/230

 

Hi Mark, I am involved in a group in Africa that runs two 430's. They are a sensational touring aircraft, and I think by far the best value for money in the LSA field. You get a strong, composite 4 seater with the beautifully-built 6 cyl engine for a lot less than many 2 seat aircraft. We have had no trouble with either plane except one wrongly-fitted CHT sensor which read erroneously high temps until fixed.

 

In Africa the JAb 430 is rated at 700kg MTOW and we regularly fly from "hot and high" strips with 3/4 tanks, 3 pax and the fourth seat to the roof in luggage. It uses a lot of an 800m dirt strip to get airborne, but where you are it would be a beast. One of our planes carries 100kg of electrical instruments in the back seat area and still takes 2 pax up front well in weight and balance. 100 kg is a stack of golf bags!!

 

Re storage, the enemy of fibreglass is hot sun; I am sure if you got quality covers made the Jab would be fine in the cold. The latest models have better-sealing doors so if u have good cabin and wing covers you should be right in the rain. Saying that, its hard to beat a dry hangar, I'd go that way unles $$$ were tight.

 

Come to Africa! Hangarage is $50/month, and there is unlikely to more than 2 planes in the sky anywhere near you on an average trip.

 

Happy flying! Mike K.

 

 

[Guest markfnkl]

Hi Mike:

 

Thanks for a very interesting and encouraging message. I bet you've had many memorable adventures in Africa, both in the air and on the ground.

 

Based on your remarks and those of the other posters I'm convinced that the Jab LSA would meet my needs beautifully. I'm working on acquiring one now, and have a lead on one that's very well-equipped at a decent price from what seems like a very conscientious owner. So hopefully before too long I can report back that I've joined the proud ranks of Jab owners!

 

Thanks for the Africa invite. Would you believe that a couple weeks ago, fantasizing about going places in the plane, I tried to figure out if it would be possible to make it to Africa from the easternmost bit of Brazil? But there don't seem to be many islands in between. I'd probably have to go via the North Atlantic then down across Europe. Were your Jabs shipped or flown from Australia?

 

Thanks again and good luck with your work. I bet there's a good book in there somewhere.

 

Mark

 

 

[Guest mikek]

Heck, I have looked at the Atlantic crossing, and there aren't too many stepping stones! The Jabs in africa are crated to George in South Africa and then assembled in a factory there by a great team run by Len and Les Alford. They finish them very well.

 

The test pilot Jean d'Assonville has done Jab delivery runs at least as far north as Nigeria, so you could buzz him on [email protected] to see if he knows the usual Atlantic delivery routes.

 

Good luck!

 

 

[Guest watto]

I live in central Qld near the Jab factory and I have my 230 outside, however we have a company in Australia called Punkinhead air sports and Di there has made me a full cover, nose to tail, wingtip to wing tip and it works a treat.

 

It comes in several sections and has a large and a small carry bag so if you are going away and space is limitted you can take just the cabin and prop cover which still prevents any water ingress to the AC.

 

My 230 is always clean and dry and protected from the elements and it takes around ten minutes to remove and fold or to fit it to the AC and costs around $1700.00 aud, so for 4 months hangar cost you would have it covered.

 

On the Aircraft though, I cannot speak highly enough as far as value for $ and performance, you cannot go wrong.

 

Good luck

 

Watto

 

 

[Guest studentbiggles]

Hi Mark, have been reading your posts wth great interest....Guess what, I'm taking my 1st leson 2moro South Australian time....1/2 later after eastern Aust time ( we call it here affectionately [EX. Victorians] "Crow Eater Time".......I'm so excited!!!!...Will be in a "Jabbi" I hope....Pray that I've got good weather, which we often have in the Riverland SA (Renmark)....I'll post you on the out comes, 10 year dream come true for me...Don't wait years for your dreams come true for your flying...forfil your dream... Alley (studentbiggles)

 

 

[Guest markfnkl]

Congrats Alley, and please do keep us posted on your progress!

 

PS: I always learn something at RF. I had no idea that SA was in a different time zone from Vic. How inconvenient is it to be 1/2 hour off?

 

 

[Guest studentbiggles]

Hi again Mark, What time in the U.S. of A. @ the moment @ your state side.....Many thanks for your moral support for me, IM SO EXCITED 4 2MORO, can't sleep, doing all the jobs in my Home Based Business that I normally hate doing???? I'ts 10.45pm. S.A. Riverland time....I've Emailed or texed simply everyone that I know to watch the skyes in morn for "Alley's Alts Gone Airborne" ??????....Mark I think that I may be flying in a "Jabbi" 160 or 230....I'm the green horn here...I'll just to wait and see @ 10am. in morn......I had lots of American friends in Melbourne when I lived there pre 2000...I really enjoy their openess...Flying this week yourself???

 

All the Best, Keep safe in your skyes,

 

Cheers Alley

 

 

[Guest markfnkl]

It's 9:35 AM Eastern Daylight Time here.

 

Happy flying, keep us posted, and . . . possibly lay off the highly-caffeinated coffee before your flight :big_grin:

 

 

[Guest studentbiggles]

Hi again Mark, I hate to say this , I've always been hyperactive...And I'm not going to stop my consumption of 4 expresso's before 9.am????....I actually have a letter of intro to pass onto my instructor in the morn from a pilot/client(Own Aero Company and Flight Instructor) from Western Australia which is very complimentary of me on a "Joy Flight" I took with him (early Jan this year) in his "Piper".....I was put in "Left Hand Seat"....Ignition... He looked over at and said..."The Aircraft is in your Command"!!!....God did I have to think quick???...All I could remember from 34years back when I was 17 ..."False Horizon"....."Full throttle"... Bring her back to 23.50RPM...THE BEST FEELING EVER???...And we cruised around the Riverland for an hour.....After I landed I can honestly say my feet didn't touch "Terra Firma" for about 8 hours.....Got to go to bed , have to be up in the air in 9 1/2hrs Bye Bye for now. Cheers Allley

 

 

[Guest basscheffers]

I tried to figure out if it would be possible to make it to Africa from the easternmost bit of Brazil? But there don't seem to be many islands in between.

Single pilot, with ferry tanks you could certainly make it. But then you have several fine war-ravaged countries to choose from! Alternatively, go via Ascension Island and farther south in Africa, which increases your odds of survival. If you make it there because your friendly military at Ascension might just throw you in the slammer.

Read Jon Johanson's adventures for inspiration. Though he did have a Lycoming, not sure I'd want to repeat his adventure using a Jabiru engine!

 

It can be done, but is very, very expensive and requires a lot of help and goodwill from others.

 

Sounds like a great adventure, though!

 

 

[Guest markfnkl]

Very cool, BC: thanks for the info! A mere 1700 nm on the second leg: no problemo! My club recently hosted a talk by a woman, part of a two-woman team that set a world record for flying around the globe: 156 hours including time on the ground. They flew in a Mooney with additional tanks. Their longest non-stop leg was . . . 3300 nm!! The most amazing factoid to me was that their fuel consumption averaged only about 28.7 liters/hr. The flew quite slowly, about 100 kts.

 

Mark