[f-AA] Jabiru NA

[Harvey Brock]

 Below is the information Pete Krotje sent out. Maybe this will answer a lot of questions.

Harvey, who was insulted by another aircraft pilot referring to my Champ as a Belanca.

Jabiru North America, LLC Is Closing
After nearly 20 years as a Jabiru importer / distributor it is time for me to retire.  It has been my privilege to work with so many talented aircraft builders over the years.  I have learned so much from this group of innovative, entrepreneurial craftsmen.  The interaction with homebuilders is something I will miss. 
It is time for some new blood with more energy and creativity than I can muster to care for all the Jabiru customers and aircraft builders.  Nick Otterback, owner of Arion Aircraft, LLC and designer of the Lightning airplane is just the man for that job and he has taken over the Jabiru engine, firewall forward, parts and service business.  Nick is very well qualified in the world of Jabiru as he and his crew have produced nearly 200 Lightning kits and LSA aircraft with most of them powered by Jabiru engines.  Arion Aircraft has fully qualified repairmen on staff who are already experienced in Jabiru engine service, overhaul, repair and upgrade.  I know Nick will do a great job for his customers.
I will be hanging around for a while helping with tech support and in general helping in the business transition.  Engine and parts orders in the Jabiru North America pipeline before April 1^st, 2018 will be fulfilled by Jabiru North America, LLC and when those deliveries are completed the company will close for good.
Again, it has been an honor and privilege to represent Jabiru all these years.
Pete Krotje
Jabiru North America, LLC
For Engines, FWF, Parts or Service contact Arion Aircraft, LLC at 931-680-1781 or in...@flylightning.net  or web site at www.flylightning.net
For Jabiru tech support email jabir...@gmail.com
Follow Arion Aircraft on Facebook at Arion Aircraft, LLC

[Richard Murray]

No PILOT would refer to a Champ as a Bellanca. Some DRIVER might be confused by the subtle differences.

Richard in OH who has owned a Bellanca that resembled a Champ

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--

Each sunrise is an opportunity to learn more than you knew the day before.

[Harvey Brock]

AH HA!!

   It was not the Aeronca filter but my junk folder where the info from Pete got held up.

 Harvey, who is electronically challenged.

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From: Aeronca <aeronca...@westmont.edu> on behalf of Harvey Brock <harve...@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2018 8:26 PM
To: aer...@westmont.edu
Subject: [f-AA] Jabiru NA

 

[Roger Anderson]

I'm absolutely astounded.  Here I am, right on the airport and had no idea.  I guess it was 3 weeks ago now, but our last breakfast, I sat right next to Pete at the breakfast table and we BS'd about everything.  The conversation was business as usual, including some gripes he was having at the moment.   But decisions are suddenly made.  I ended my FAA /DOD 38 year career  one day, a Tuesday, while driving up the interstate to work, by deciding that was it, wouldn't be back again.  I left at 3:30 that day, never went back.  Mailed in my retirement papers and facility key.  Never seen or heard from anyone there again.   When it's time to hang it up...it's time.   roger

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[Jim Chuk]

Sorry for my other post with the same info on Pete's post.  I should have read further before I replied.  JImChuk

[Richard Murray]

Hey Roger-

I went to a seminar for career tech educators once and the presenter closed one session by refering to what he termed and old Dakota Indian saying, "when the horse dies, don't forget to dismount". I fought with what that meant until the curriculum I was teaching was discontinued and I was offered another position. I dismounted and haven't looked back.

Richard in OH dismounted seven years ago and loving it.

[Roger Anderson]

I see Pete has his remaining Jabiru, a demo model and a remaining overhauled Jabiru engine listed on Barnstormers now.  Just a month or so ago Pete was trying to generate enough local interest to start a flying club/partnership using that Jabiru.  I had considered it when my Chief was without engine.  roger

[Jerry Eichenberger]

Wasn't there some really negative stuff about jabiru engines going around a few years ago ?

Sent from my iPhone

[Ken McClelland]

They had some heavy use trainers have issues - I believe they were early gen 1 engines. I believe the current is gen 4. They put out a fix with some through bolts or some such. I would have to go back and look it up but the general thought is that it was addressed both with learning what was happening and why and then modifying.

Ken

Sent from my iPhone

[Ken McClelland]

Found the full document here. It describes it all.

https://www.casa.gov.au/file/169776/download?token=BcnNQEBY

Sent from my iPhone

[Jim Chuk]

I've put about 500 hrs on a early #903 solid lifter Jabiru engine.  After the solid lifter engines, they went to a hydraulic lifter engine, and that seems to be where most of the problems were.  JImChuk

[Harvey Brock]

   Some early Jabiru engines had connecting rod issues. And, some series required annual flywheel bolt retorque. That's the only issues I'm aware of.

   I think mine has about 500 hours with no problems. However, logs indicate the connecting rods were upgraded in the early hours of operation.

   Forget prop starting a Jabiru unless you can create about 400 -500 RPM. No impulse mags!

Harvey,

Get Outlook for Android

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From: Aeronca <aeronca...@westmont.edu> on behalf of Jim Chuk <avidfl...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, April 27, 2018 12:17:17 PM
To: aer...@westmont.edu
Subject: Re: [f-AA] ####Jabiru NA

 

[Jim Chuk]

At about serial #425 for the 2200 CC engines, they went to steel connecting rods and more cooling fins on the heads.  JImChuk