Anybody familiar with the Jabiru 3300?

TreeTopFlyer83

TreeTopFlyer83

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TreeTopFlyer83
I have been searching engine options for an STI Kitfox that I am going to build. I'm not a huge fan of the Rotax engine because of the way it sounds. I've been looking at the Continental 0-200D but I am not sure if that will have the power that I am looking for (100hp). Any information you fine folks can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks as always.
 
If you're anywhere around North Texas there's a guy at my airport who has won and rents it out. I'd be happy to ask him any questions you have about it or put you in contact with him as well
 
C-1 PILOT said:
You’re kidding, right?
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Honestly that is the only reason I’m not a fan. After reading a lot last night about the Rotax 912/914 it seems to be the only option as people have said nothing but good things about the engine. I can get past the sound of the engine if it is as reliable and durable as people say. I’ll probably put the 912 ULS in the aircraft. So yeah, I totally wasn’t kidding but it seems like it’s a great way to go for my specific build.
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
If you're anywhere around North Texas there's a guy at my airport who has won and rents it out. I'd be happy to ask him any questions you have about it or put you in contact with him as well
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I’m in the Charlotte, NC area. I appreciate the offer though.
 
I maintain and fly behind an older Jabiru 3300 from time to time. It only has 200 hours on it yet has problems. It hasn’t blown up yet but I’d be quite surprised if we aren’t hanging the spare engine we have before it reaches 400 hours.

As someone who works in engine development, I can’t find much I really like about the engine other than that it is light and makes good power for what it is. It feels to me like the engine was rushed to production with little or no testing and the company is fixing the problems with it as they are discovered. They’re on major revision 4 of the engine now...
 
mondtster said:
I maintain and fly behind an older Jabiru 3300 from time to time. It only has 200 hours on it yet has problems. It hasn’t blown up yet but I’d be quite surprised if we aren’t hanging the spare engine we have before it reaches 400 hours.

As someone who works in engine development, I can’t find much I really like about the engine other than that it is light and makes good power for what it is. It feels to me like the engine was rushed to production with little or no testing and the company is fixing the problems with it as they are discovered. They’re on major revision 4 of the engine now...
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Very helpful information, thank you for that.
 
mondtster said:
I maintain and fly behind an older Jabiru 3300 from time to time. It only has 200 hours on it yet has problems. It hasn’t blown up yet but I’d be quite surprised if we aren’t hanging the spare engine we have before it reaches 400 hours.

As someone who works in engine development, I can’t find much I really like about the engine other than that it is light and makes good power for what it is. It feels to me like the engine was rushed to production with little or no testing and the company is fixing the problems with it as they are discovered. They’re on major revision 4 of the engine now...
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I have heard similar things to this about the older Jabs. I have also heard that the Gen 4 engines are much more reliable so would like to know what you think about the newest revisions.
 
Kansas Flyer said:
I have heard similar things to this about the older Jabs. I have also heard that the Gen 4 engines are much more reliable so would like to know what you think about the newest revisions.
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I’ll believe the problems in the previous generations are fixed once the newer engines get some hours and age on them. I like the design/outward appearance of the latest generation of engines better than the previous ones but I still don’t like the Jabirus compared to other engine designs.

I should mention that so far the engine we’re running has not left us in a field or created any in flight emergencies for us. When using that as the standard, it has been reliable. But as far as I am concerned, it is not a durable engine. The airplane this engine is on is an experimental so we will probably disassemble the new engine we have sitting in a crate and try to come up with our own permanent fixes for as many of the problems as we can, then install it.
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
If you're anywhere around North Texas there's a guy at my airport who has won and rents it out. I'd be happy to ask him any questions you have about it or put you in contact with him as well
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How can he rent it out? Does he have a special FAA waiver?
 
Might also look at UL power as an option. Your best bet though is the Rotax. I’ve seen some used mid time engines that are in the same price range as used O-200’s. Unlike the O-200 I feel better buying a used Rotax. I know the rotec looks cool but avoid it like the plague as well. If you want a radial look at Verner instead.
 
An "undisclosed client" rumored to be Vashon Aircraft (note white bearded John Torode, founder of Vashon and Dynon, lurking in the video) is working with EPI to develop a 126 hp, 186 pound 4 cylinder direct drive clean-sheet low cost (half the price of an O-200-D) O-200 replacement engine. It'll be interesting to watch this and see if it reaches production.

http://www.epi-eng.com/aircraft_engine_products/aircooled_4-cyl_aircraft_engine.htm



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Last edited:
Blatham489 said:
:eek2:

I’ve always seen failure rates in hours, usually something like 1 in 100,000. Put this way, that seems a bit more frightening!!
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Keep in mind that this cover malfunctions as well as failures so not all of them are forced landings or similarly dramatic events and also Jabiru engines got a lot of upgrades since the study was done so most likely things are looking better now.
 
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