M6RV6 wrote:

Updraft cooling is a viable option for this applicaion... A big plus is it will help defrost the windscreen... A big negative is if you get an oil leak the windscreen will turn into a big pair of foogles...

Ben.

Even with that he should be able to open the door and wipe it off!!!!
GT

I just talked to the factory. I was kind of underwhelmed. They do know this airplane though, and one of their former employees did the sign off on it. He says it's well built but he has no interest in the Jabiru install. He told me to call Jabiru.

This is not Zenith, Rans or Vans that's for sure. The engine is a 2200A model. Serial #1862. I'm still trying to find out what that means.

To do a new weight and balance properly (and yes if the plane is as light as indicated bathroom scales can be used, typically bathroom scales do not go over 350/400 lbs or something close to that so you can only use them on a light plane) you need to find what configuaration the designer required the plane to be in for the weight and balance. For instance my plane required that I have the bottom of the wing level. This required building up a support for the tailwheel on top of which you would put the scale...or have the scale on the ground and weigh all the BS you need to get it to proper height separately, which you will subtract when doing the math. I used a series of concrete blocks and pieces of wood and put the scale on top.

The front two wheels just stay on the ground so you just roll the plane on top of the scales. That will give you the empty weight.

For the actual W&B, you need to know the datum of the plane and take speciifc measurements from the front axles and TW axle from the datum. The seller should have the Pilot's Operating Handbook which should list all of this info.

Good luck.

As a jabiru owner, (not sales or affiliated), I would consider the 2200 a positive. I've had great performance, and no issues at all with cooling the 3300 in my experimental. I've also found the factory to be helpful as well. There are some unique personalities that you may deal with, but I've never been turned away or made to feel less than a customer. I'm building my second experimental with the jabiru FWF as well. The 2200 on that airframe should be a real performer! If I were closer, I'd take a look myself. The engine is a well designed and developed system. With a serial number that high, it will likely have the hydraulic heads, which decreases maintenance by eliminating the manual Adjustments. The early developmental engines were more likely to have cooling issues, and since have had the finning redesigned on the cylinders to aid in cooling. The airspeed of the Plane I fly is a little higher, but I'm cooling 6 pots, and in Texas, with intakes of very similar size and orientation. The air dam, cardboard in the 701 picture, is to keep the first cylinder from being over cooled. Feel free to message if you have any specific question regarding the jabiru part of this. The rst of the plane just looks like a lot of fun, good luck.

KB

tejasflyer wrote:As a jabiru owner, (not sales or affiliated), I would consider the 2200 a positive. I've had great performance, and no issues at all with cooling the 3300 in my experimental. I've also found the factory to be helpful as well. There are some unique personalities that you may deal with, but I've never been turned away or made to feel less than a customer. I'm building my second experimental with the jabiru FWF as well. The 2200 on that airframe should be a real performer! If I were closer, I'd take a look myself. The engine is a well designed and developed system. With a serial number that high, it will likely have the hydraulic heads, which decreases maintenance by eliminating the manual Adjustments. The early developmental engines were more likely to have cooling issues, and since have had the finning redesigned on the cylinders to aid in cooling. The airspeed of the Plane I fly is a little higher, but I'm cooling 6 pots, and in Texas, with intakes of very similar size and orientation. The air dam, cardboard in the 701 picture, is to keep the first cylinder from being over cooled. Feel free to message if you have any specific question regarding the jabiru part of this. The rst of the plane just looks like a lot of fun, good luck.

KB

Thanks for the input KB. If I pull a rocker cover will it immediately be apparent to me if I have the solid tappets, hollow pushrods and hydraulic lifters? I've left a call with Jabiru USA with no return yet, (it's only been a few hours). I think there is a west coast distributor that may be able to help. He may even have helped develop this cooling package.

Another thing I've learned is that this Super Sky Raider is an earlier model than the current one. It has 3 inches less headroom in the front seat, but more importantly the rear seat is pretty scarce in the headroom department. I need to sit in it. I don't necessarily need to put anyone bigger than me back there, but I might want to.

EB

Have you gone on Barnstormers and looked in the Experimental>Avid category? Looks like you could be flying for less than $15K immediately, perhaps with more passenger headroom, still enjoy having folding wings, etc. and have good (sport) backcountry performance.

If necessary you can start flying with the 582, and having fun today, and then upgrade to a 912 or Simonini or 4 stroke or whatever later on as finances allow.

I'm not experienced with either, but I'd bet that your experience as an Avid or Kitfox owner (in terms of peer group support, factory support, parts availability, etc.) will be better. Even if it is the same, the money saved would tip the scales in favor of the Avid/KF.

NEWS FLASH : Look at Barnstormers>Experimental>Cygnet . Asking $12,500, STOL capable, two seat SBS, 4 stroke reliability, cheap engine to work on, and very economical. Emory... do not pass go... call this guy and see if that little Cygnet will serve your needs. I believe it might, with TEN GRAND left over for gas and camping gear. The Cygnet was awarded best new design when it came out in 1973. Steel fuselage, wood wings. Great back country visibility. Very good on cost (<4GPH of car gas).

That leaves you enough cash left over for some 26" air streaks! A cygnet on bush wheels would be awesome

NoCOpilot wrote:That leaves you enough cash left over for some 26" air streaks! A cygnet on bush wheels would be awesome

No VWs. Sorry. Maybe another time. My wife heard me talking to Brett at Airdale today. http://www.airdale.com/ I showed her the Sky Raider. She got that look you know? She muttered something about tandem airplanes, motorcycles, and copulation.


But she said something really surprising. She said "Why don't you build one like you've always wanted".

Anyway, all my options are still open. Except VW powered wood winged Cygnets that need large expensive hangars. I'll make an entry in the other thread on the one she picked out.

EB