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Jabiru aircraft are Australian type certified production composite aircraft used by flying schools, bush pilots and recreational flyers throughout the UK, Australia and Worldwide. They have proven to be strong and reliable operating in some harsh operating conditions. Careful use of modern composite techniques has resulted in a strong, sleek and curvaceous structure that is clean and light. The aircraft are designed around the pilot and passengers, being spacious and comfortable for touring, yet with a small footprint and frontal profile. All controls fall easily to hand and include a centrally mounted control column, brake and trim lever. Jabiru have designed and certified their own aero engines for use in other aircraft types as well as Jabirus.
Being aircraft designers, they have had the unique opportunity to design engines ideally matched to modern light aircraft requirements. Jabiru engines have a high power to weight ratio, air cooling, direct drive, quiet (62db), compact, horizontally opposed, simple installation and economical. The success of the production Jabiru, prompted requests for a homebuilt kit version from around the world. As a result, production and kit aircraft components are built alongside each other, there is no discrimination between them - making the Jabiru kit unique as it is manufactured under stringent quality procedures and inspection regimes. The original Jabiru demonstrator G-OJAB made its first flight in the hands of Kevin Pearce back in October 1996. The aircraft performed very well and Kevin reported that he felt very much at ease in the Jabiru even though first flights tend to be a tense affair, as the aircraft climbed through 300 feet he retracted the flaps and could not help but be impressed by the quiet and smooth operation of the aircraft. The J400 continues in this tradition, being benign in the stall and easy to fly. Everyone who has flown in the Jabiru have expressed great delight in their performance. When trimmed out they will fly hands and feet off for miles, making the Jabiru ideal for touring. Another interesting characteristic is the Jabiru's ability to hold itself in a balanced turn unassisted. Kevin reports that you use rudder to roll into a 35 degree bank and trim to level flight then let go of everything and the aircraft will continue a balanced turn in either direction with no change in height. The glassfibre composite construction lends itself to several key benefits. There are no worries from long term corrosion or fatigue issues in metal aircraft and the 'skins' do not have to be replaced periodically as with 'rag and tube' types. Lastly, the composite construction makes the aircraft slippery so that it can achieve higher cruise speeds than other types. Since the construction is thicker and more rigid than carbonfibre constructed aircraft, you don't get the drumming associated with these types, and so together with the smooth and quiet running engine, the Jabiru has to be one of the quietest aircraft about, both for the occupants and people on the ground. In the long run, this lends the aircraft well to relaxed touring. The Jabiru kits comes complete with everything except paint, upholstery and radio - they include engine, exhaust system, radio aerial, seat belts, propeller, disk brakes, all fastenings, spats, basic VFR & engine instruments, spats, winglets (where fitted) plus battery. Unlike other microlight aircraft, all key fastenings are aircraft grade, giving an idea of the standards at which Jabiru are aiming to achieve. Being simple and proven and using standard automotive consumables under the PFA's guidelines, the engine is very cheap to maintain and spares are reasonably priced. The standard undercarriage included in the 2 seater kit comprises 400 x 4 main wheels and 260 x 4 noseleg (with spats) with a 400 x 4 noseleg option is available as an option. The J400 has 500 x 5 wheels all round. Hydraulic brakes are provided as standard, and include lightweight CNC machined (by Jabiru) callipers operating on cast iron disks. disabled pilots Jabiru aircraft are very easy to convert to the special needs is disabled pilots.
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