Craig_J

I actually had a demonstration flight in a new 2014 230D at the Midwest LSA Expo here in the states a few weeks ago. http://www.midwestlsashow.com/

Why is the solid lifter engine (2006 and 2007 models?) less prone to high CHT's, or is this a wrong conclusion? If you were in the market for a J230 and could afford a 2014, would it still be wiser to choose a 2006 or 2007 with the solid lifter engine, then hang the new scimitar prop on it along with a few other upgrades and call it a day, pocketing the savings (w/ expectation of engine overhaul being closer in time)? There are several 2006's and 7's on the pre-owned market here with mid time engines. Problem is, their sale location is at the shops that also service them-- on the surface sounds a convenient arrangement but it adds seller bias to the pre-buy inspection since these shops are about the only places here with experience working on the Jab.

You know, the 3300 imparts to the J230 something rare among LSA's -- a "real airplane" exhaust note. Quite a lovely sound a few weeks ago amongst the whine of all the Rotax 912's at the Expo. I'm old school and while I respect the Rotax's reliability, it just sounds too much of a frenzy to me.

You folks are scaring me off from anything powered by the Jabiru 3300 Was hoping the chance to buy new = nothing going to come apart (for awhile).

As a newcomer here to educate myself on the J230D, I'm posting this not to resurrect the slanging match as it's been called, but rather to post what I gather from having read the entire thread and to express appreciation for info contained herein. What I gather about the Jabiru 3300: - Requires meticulous attention to CHT and strict adherance to operating practices that manage them (cht's), i.e. climb @ no less than 90kt - Is not a mature engine design and improvements are needed - 13.2 Update History Table of the overhaul manual (25 June 2014 rev) indicates head design is evolving in attempt to address CHT (fine fin heads, etc) Things such as Rotec Aerosport's liquid cooled heads at first sound like a "no-brainer" but then you're adding complexity (coolant pump) and weight. And of course that could only be done if aircraft is moved into the experimental category at which point you become your own warranty as well as your own liability insurance. My question might be, what is thought by those who have posted here, of the state of the 3300's coming out of Bundaberg right now, serial numbers above #2539 with all the updates to the head design and with the roller lifters and cam, etc. I realize that these engines may not have been in the field long enough to form opinions as to whether some of the purported reliability issues have been successfully addressed, but I have to ask anyhow as I am, at this time, in the factory new market not pre-owned. Short version: Are brand new 3300's likely to be less prone to the overheat problems discussed in this thread?

I'm looking to get back flying again after a very long hiatus. My last bird is in the avatar, 1967 Pa-28 140/160. Need an LSA that can safely depart 610m turf field (w/ 16m obstacle) @ MTOW; field elevation 116m, summer density altitudes can get as high as 915m. My USA 3rd class medical certificate I have kept current but just have not flown in forever. Easy to fly, forgiving yet capable, economical to operate (an oxymoron in aviation...), and good looking appearance are the boxes that need to be checked off. J230 best candidate so far. Oh yes, and pilot comfort-- I am 190cm and 100kg.

Hello, As I am on a quest to learn further about the J230D, most of my concerns are on the evolution of the Jabiru 3300 engine. Is there somewhere to be found a list of design improvements that have been made to the 3300? For instance, cooling fin changes to the heads (?...) and hydraulic valve lift along with I thought I saw somewhere that the alternator was improved as well (albeit that is an accessory). Is there a year by year bulleted list of changes inclusive up to the current production being built now?

Hi all, I blundered across this site while researching a particular LSA which originates in your neck of the woods. It's harder to find as many owner reports and discussions on the Jabiru J230D since they're not nearly as prolific here as in Australia and South Africa. Right now I'm simply trying to better educate myself about the 230 from folks who fly them most, so I'll be on my way over to the Jabiru section of the LSA models forums. Just wanted to say hello.