Australian manufacturer Jabiru Aircraft aims to make the first flight of a new trainer by mid-April. At the same time, the Queensland-based company is preparing for the impending implementation of light sports aircraft rules in Australia and the USA with new designs.
Jabiru now produces one certificated aircraft - the two-seat LSA - and a range of kitplanes, including the Jabiru SK, Jabiru SP and the J-series J400 and J200, and has sold more than 750 aircraft. A second certificated aircraft, the UL featuring an extended fuselage and longer wing than that of the LSA, is now reaching the end of a four-year certification programme, says Phil Ainsworth, managing director and co-founder. The aircraft has been developed for the European market, primarily for the UK.
One prototype of the new trainer, internally dubbed the T200, has been built and "will be flying before Easter [9-12 April]", says Ainsworth. "A number of our aircraft are already used in training and we have had good feedback. Flight schools love them, but not some of the ergonomics, including the centre stick and the throttle position, and they think they are a bit small," he says. As a result, the two-seat T200 features the larger cabin of the J-series and dual yokes, conventional throttle and electric flaps. The trainer will be available this year.
Ainsworth says Jabiru is looking forward to the impending introduction of the new light sport aircraft rule in the USA and subsequent release in Australia. The manufacturer has developed variants of its J-series aircraft - the two-seat J250 and four-seat J450 - with a longer and wider-chord wing with more flap for the new sports rule.
The notice of proposed rule making for the sports area in Australia, which features slight modifications to the US version, has already been published and received a positive response, says Ainsworth. The rule will allow Jabiru to self-certificate sports aircraft, enabling it to bring products to market quicker. The manufacturer is also working on a new four-stroke, two-cylinder engine following interest from the market.
EMMA KELLY / PERTH
Source: Flight International
