ryan4321

Or is there a directory or website online to find a local LAME ?

I was just wondering if anyone know a good LAME on the Sunshine Coast, QLD to service a Jabiru?

Yes - I am taking the advises and not planning on putting myself or others in danger. I am taking steps now to ensure it is cleared by a LAME before making the trip and again when it arrives to see if I can use it or have to replace the engine immediately.

I'm sorry it may have come across the wrong way - but there are a lot of opinions and I don't take any 1 persons as gospel and it is a matter of trying to find a good consensus basically as I don't have anyone's detailed history / experience level on here. It is nice to know though that 'deadstick' is has a lot of experience with these planes. The person I has spoken to regarding the value of 70/80 being the lower limit of the Jab factory letting new engines out to pasture was a trusted source (I would assume) as he has built a J400 and also rebuilt a damaged J430 so he also has a lot of experience in the past (and present) working closely with the Jab company. The LAME who has looked after the sellers plane for years I think was also quoting values from Lycoming engines as he said that the leak downs on previous tests had been around 75 ('from memory') which I had been told was a load of BS from the contact person I had above as he then referenced the lower limit for new Jab engines being (70/80) and it would be near impossible for it to be 75 on an engine with 480 hours (or even 200 hours after new valves / heads etc.. which is this engines history). So I think the LAME just made a mistake with that reference. All in all - Negotiations have progressed and I now have this J400 at a great price and am looking to eventually refit with a CAE3300 engine, so I will have our local LAME here give it the okay before getting some hours up on the 'old' engine before the swap over. If he says it's on the fritz I will just have to splash the cash earlier than desired for the new engine. Thanks everyone for the advice & guidance! Here's hoping the CAE engine is a winner!

Hmmm, From another source, I have been told NEW jabiru 3300 engines are sent out if their leak down test is 70 or better. So I am a little confused when you say that you will be searching for a issue below this? The issue I have been told is with the rings causing the lower reading.

It is a good price and I have been told by the LAME that previous tests were 75 on the cylinder that were showing 48. He said it is quite variable and if a leak down was done again it should be okay again. He also mentioned it was likely the rings (ie not valves or other) so it isn't as significant also. I have factored in a new CAE 3300 engine also in the pricing of this one so if I get 100 - 200 hours I will be happy :)

Hi Everyone, I am looking to purchase a J400 and it has 480 hours and leak downs are... 48/80 55/80 60/80 62/80 62/80 68/80 Is this good / bad / cause for concern? I spoke to the sellers LAME and he said these results can change pretty dramatically from test to test and it is nothing to worry about (with regard to some low values) he said as long as the RPM is okay (which supposedly it is). He said he has a leakdown on another plane at early 40's and then next test this cylinder was 70+ so it just depends on the ring position at the time (not 100% sure if this is exactly how he worded it. He however said there is no cause for concern and although it isn't his preferred engine. There is no need to worry about it stopping. Noting too sorry that the engine has had new valves, heads, camshaft and these are 200 hours old. Appreciate any thoughts.

Just putting the feelers out for anyone who would be interested in flying this plane to me on the Sunshine Coast from WA.

Thanks so much. Off topic I guess, but I am waiting for my level 2 medical (1st one, ie. Not renewal) and I have been told it is under review by a medical accessor due to comments on the medical that I have IGA Nephropathy (chronic inflammatory condition of the kidneys). Should I be worried about rejection due to this as I would have thought it was only conditions which pose a threat of incapacitation, not something which 'can' slowly reduce kidney function over many many years (Likely never to affect me if I am not overweight/unhealthy). I am also only 31 with perfect kidney function. Would be interested to know anyone's thoughts. This could be the stumbling block to purchasing my J400. If if were rejected is there an avenue for dispute?

Luckily I am switching to RPL and the J400 is already VH registered. So I think this will be okay and an easier process to change over ? If you can let me know what you think in this situation

Thanks everyone - seems under the restrictions there is no problem at all operating out of the Sunshine Coast Airport - big relief. If anyone tells me otherwise I guess it really is not logical based on the wording and the geography of the airport and its surrounds (as there is plentiful landing areas on a glide). I think I will keep the Jab 3300 engine in the J400 I am buying as well as it has about 300 hours theoretically left in it. Would be a shame to have to swap it out prematurely if I'm okay operating from my home airport using this existing engine. The CAE engine seems to be go when it comes time to overhaul on this one, however I don't see what sort of announcement would make much difference from the RAA as Oscar has mentioned... "There should be an announcement from RAA fairly shortly that will clarify the situation re CAE engines being used in controlled airspace." The CAMit company has no restrictions at all with their engines so swapping out a Jab engine would definitely wipe any restrictions. I guess maybe there is an announcement that if certain approved changes are made to the Jab engines with CAMit replacement parts, then this will deem them worthy again maybe. We can only hope :)

The pilot in command of a Jabiru-powered aircraft is only permitted to operate the aircraft over a populous area at a height: (a) from which the aircraft can glide clear of all populous areas to a suitable forced-landing area;and (b) that is at least 1 000 feet above ground level, except to the minimum extent necessary for the aircraft to safely climb after take-off or safely descend for a landing. NoteParagraph (a), together with the definition of populous area, has the effect of prohibiting Jabiru-powered aircraft from departing from or landing at various places, including but not limited to Archerfield, Bankstown and Moorabbin Airports. ================== If I am taking off from the Sunshine Coast airport. I would be able to glide to the beach on runway 18 / 36 no problems at all. And runway 12/05 the same. Well runway 05 will be gliding to the open paddocks / bushland. So technically there is no problem with this airport would you say? Would the only way to get a definite be by talking to CASA? Or is it up to the individual to make this assessment based on the information? Thanks everyone.

Hmmm, can someone else chime in on this as it seems a bit of a grey area.

That's just my assumption. I have spoken to CFI's at the Sunshine Coast airport and it seems to be that any airport within CTA is definitely a 'populous' area and hence Jabiru powered aircraft are not allowed. I would love to hear differently if someone has a solid (and reliable) contravention to this assumption as it would much rather be operating out of my home airfield (Sunshine Coast) rather than Caloundra (if even we are allow at this Aerodrome).

Does anyone know also whether a Jabiru powered J400 can operate out of Caloundra Aerodrome (YCDR). I know the Sunshine Coast airport is a no no. But just seeing if anyone knows?

I am in the market for a J400 with an engine which has had all the necessary mods done to the engine (heads, camshafts, valves, barrels, through-bolts) and am getting it at a good price. Is that $14k for the change over from a Jab 3300 to a CAMit 3300? Can someone elaborate on this as a viable option and the costs of change over? I want to operate out of Class D so I really need the Jab engine gone.