planesmaker

This link shows a clearer picture, so very sad, thoughts go out to family and friends, Tom

http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/man-dies-in-plane-crash/2584881.aspx

Thanks OME good to hear about things we should look out for. Tom

the attachment at the wing root? or wing /strut attach? if the wing root, does the attachment lug move or does it seem loose in the lug? just curious . Tom

Maj,Yes that is why I thought I would ask about the interest for a 912 mount perhaps I could make one up if there is enough interest. A friend of mine is just converting his J200 now with a 912S. Tom

Hi planesmaker, I have a J400 . I don't think a 100hp would not be enough power. But i love the J400 it's a great plane.Rory

I might be depending on how much to fit with a 914.That being said my 3300 is still running fine at 410 hours.Rory.

Just out of interest, how many out there would be interested in a 912 engine mount for the Jabiru?

It is up to Jabiru to address the serious issue, we can talk all we want but if the manufacturer has deaf ears, then we are a little limited as to what we can actually change to improve the engine particularly in a school invironment! Jabiru if you read these forums, time to act! Tom

Hey, just an aside and to add a little lighthearted post, probably a little off topic, I had a mazda rotary one time that, due to a faulty radiator cap, did a water seal. Just for fun, a mate and I decided to get it going again and drive it till it stopped ,well we drove and drove and drove, ended up driving it back home, mind you is was not putting out much power and running real sick, but got us home. Where upon we decided to cool it down with the hose and I kid you not, it sizzled more than 10 minutes with the hose on it :-))) Surprised both of us that we could not kill it, we really tried hard!

Jabiru make great aeroplanes, affordable and strong, now if they can get their engines more bullet proof, it would make us all happy. It may mean the price for engines may have to rise, let them get the engineering right and fully tested on the test bench or factory test plane before making it available to the public, Time to rise to the occasion Jabiru!

Unfortunately I don't have pictures of my pistons of some years ago, but your picture shows relatively mild damage compared to what can happen with severe detonation. For those who don't know detonation begins long before you actually hear it and can be causing long term damage behind the scenes. Usually the ring lands are broken and the rings broken (your picture shows that was close) and departed out the exhaust valve. It does largely depend on what material the piston is made of and how it is formed, the worst are the silicon hyperatectic types (if I have spelt that correctly), the strongest being the forged types.In my case, a 6 litre boat racing engine fitted to a Jet Sprint boat, the piston melted and departed via the exhaust valve and port and we found molten aluminium in the exhaust manifold. In my case, we heard it, felt the immediate reduction in power and then a continuous rattle in the engine. I had the misfortune of destroying two engines like this (caused by bad Shell fuel ... well perhaps a poor choice on our part). One memorable occasion was at full noise on the Broad water on the Gold Coast, and that was just test running ... an expensive day.

I don't really think the Jab engine is detonating, I have attached a photo of a piston that has experienced detonation,(on take off) as you can see it is destructive, any Jab pistons out there with similar damage?

Yes the rotax Jabiru is definitely the go. The Jabiru airframe is a strong low maintenance airframe coupled with the reliable low maintenance Rotax it really is a good machine. Tom

SF, no worries I just read your other post, seems a rare occurrence having a gudgeon circlip dislodge. how many hours? Tom

Sunrayisa Flyer, was it a thru bolt that failed on you too? Same type of engine, ie hydraulic lifter with the spacers under the barrels? how many hours since new or o/h? was the cylinder base cracked as well? just want to see if there is a pattern to these failures. Good you got it down safely. Tom

How can fitting hydraulic lifters break thru bolts?

I could be wrong but yes jetjr is right in saying it is a relatively recent problem (thru bolts) early Jab engines did not have this problem, Jabiru need to go back and see what they changed (gosh that would take forever) that now causes the thru bolts to break. Eg have they changed the bolt manufacturer, the timing, the mixture? or something else that is causing this problem. I believe they are claiming a few more horsepower over the older 2200 engines is this adding to the problem? just my thoughts Regards Tom

Great job on the training side of things, so good no injuries, suggest when you get it repaired ask Jabiru to make up a Rotax mount for it, might make them think about finally fixing the ongoing problem. Fantastic aeroplane with a rotax.

Thanks Mike, I have received it, will suit my purposes perfectly, Thank you

Hi Tom if you pm you email i'll end you a copy of the flight manual for 0606 for aero power engine if you want.Cheers

Mike

Hi Plane maker has it got a 912 or the original areopower engine?Cheers

Mike

Tom

Sent Email to you Mike Regards Sue Wiggett

do you happen to have a copy of CA 21 flight manual, I recently purchased a skyfox which unfortunately has the flight manual missing

Regards

Tom

I fail to see how a sticky intake valve would prevent the engine producing enough power for at least level flight. Tom

My question is 'What caused it to need to put down in a paddock? engine failure perhaps? More info please?

concerning different carb set ups for Jabiru take a look at what sonex are doing with their installations, they claim to have much better fuel distribution with even temps. Their carbs are reasonable price too, be worthwhile for someone to give it a run. Tom