ron dunn

Finances don't run to a 2.2 in any condition so have to plug away with the 1600. But I did ring Jabiru and spoke to rod Stiff. A bit of luck here as he has very kindly GIVEN me a complete 1600 that they exchanged for a 2.2 some years ago and sealed it up in a box so with any luck I will be able to make up another engine. At the very least I should have a source of parts for some time. and all for the cost of 148 dollars for freight. Cheers Ron

Hi there Mike. Good to hear from you. I am still flying my Jabiru powered VP1 at Port Augusta. Going OK but having a bit of trouble getting spares for the 1600 Jab engine. Would like to fit a 2.2 if I could get a a cheap run out unit suitable for a general rebuild. Would be a lot easier to maintain and perform better. must try and catch up with you one day. Cheers Ron Dunn Port Pirie.

Have not got it...will not be getting it and do not fly into airports that require it, but feel rather sorry for you lot that have to pay hard earned cash for something not worth the money. Regards from the 'Vippy Flyer' Ron Dunn

Hello mark, Good to hear you are still flying. The VP1 is a nice little puddle jumper. I have the plane at Port Augusta old gliding which is now 'Port Augusta flying club'' No gliders there now but around 8 RAA-us aircraft and 1 Cessna 180. I fly a mates Jabiru 120 for fuel cost if I need to carry passengers or do the odd cross country. Cheers Ron Dunn

Yes- they are a nice little puddle jumper with only 2.5 hours range at around 75 knots. Mind you due to the hardish and upright seating, about an hour and a half is enough for a good stretch. Not so much wind in the face with this one though as it was built with a full width windscreen and a tubular rear roll cage, so I have fitted a side opening canopy. Wind free and quite quiet with the little Jab engine up front. Cheers Ron

This is an AD out from CASA/RAA-us on all sleeved control cables over 15 years old and were to be replaced before next flight. The reason was possible corrosion in the sleeve and cable breaking away. There were one or two deaths overseas due to this I am led to believe. Cheers

Vippy, (my Volksplane VP1a) flew again last week after a few months off. I received my provisional registration late April last year and started the testing but came to a halt when we found that the prop was too course for my draggy old aircraft so ordered a new Brent Thompson unit. After a two month wait it arrived and we started again - only to come to a sudden stop with the mandatory control replacement. Finished this a few weeks ago and can get back to flying the old dear again again and what a difference a few months make - When we started, temps were around 15 degrees. This gave me a climb rate of around 500 fmp. Now with temps around 30 degrees we are only seeing barely 400 odd. Changing the 16600 Jab to a 2200 would make the world of difference but would also probably mean a divorce a I have spent for too much on the rebuild already. That said, the VP1 is still a delightful plane to fly and a forgiving taildragger to land. Cheers Ron