Tony,
You're right; Jabiru make a cowling for the Europa and this has been around
for a few years. However, when I was approached by Europa in USA to produce
a complete firewall forward kit here, I decided to develop a new cowling for
the following reasons:
1. The Jabiru cowling was designed a few years ago, and is based on the
Jabiru aircraft cowling.
2. Europa's (then) management didn't like the look of the Jabiru cowling
offering, and wanted something more on the lines of the standard Rotax
Cowling. I accept it's a subjective opinion, but at the time, I took notice
of those who would be making key purchase decisions.
3. I have wanted for some time to adopt the 'Lo-Presti' style round cooling
openings, not only for looks, but for the fact that they are much more
efficient at high angles of attack than other shapes (the Jabiru standard
cowl has openings with straight lower edges, and this causes more turbulence
in the duct at high alpha angles).
I'm not pushing our design exclusively; if owners prefer the Jabiru cowling
(I too think it looks better than most), I'm happy to supply it.
Andy
Suncoast Sportplanes, Inc.
www.suncoastjabiru.com
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Tony Renshaw
Subject: RE: Europa-List: Jabiru 3300 Engine option
<tonyrenshaw@optusnet.com.au>
Andrew,
I am aware Jabiru here in Australia are selling a complete fwf kit for the
Europa, so the question is "why do you think you can do it better than what
is already on offer out of Australia?". I know for a fact that the Jabiru
3300 cowling makes it the nicest lines of any Europa, but that is my
opinion. Standing by....................
Reg
Tony Renshaw
Sydney Australia.
P.S. I am still undecided as to which engine I am going to go with.
At 10:17 AM 9/20/2004, you wrote:
>
>Andrew,
>
>You're not alone in your views about the 'firewall-forward' part of the
>kit-build so often conveniently overlooked by kit manufacturers! I fairness
>I suppose, to all kit companies (except Jabiru, who I think are unique
>selling both aircraft and engines), the Firewall-Forward is 'Somebody
Else's
>Problem'. Kit manufacturers tend to concentrate on airframe support, and
why
>not? Having said that, I do applaud Europa's long-standing support for the
>Rotax setups and I'm not here to rubbish Rotax in favor of Jabiru. However
>(!), I ask potential engine customers to consider the following issues:
>
>1. Simplicity. The Jabiru is designed as an aircraft engine, uses all
>'aircraft' (AN/SAE) fastenings, is direct-drive and air cooled. No gearbox,
>radiator, header tank, fluid pipework, etc.
>2. Reliability. Jabiru engines have a 2000 hour TBO, with a 1000 hour
>recommended top-end overhaul - essentially changing the piston rings and
>re-honing the bores, and maybe re-seating the valve seats if necessary. No
>need to split the crankcase until 2000 hours.
>3. Cost of ownership. Jabiru parts are around 1/2 the cost of equivalent
>Rotax parts, and the cost of TBO overhaul, parts and labor, is currently
>around $6500 all-in, and remember it's at 2000 hours, so the cost-per-hour
>is very competitive with those having lower published TBOs.
>4. Flexibility in use. The engine runs equally well on AvGas or premium
>auto-gas (minimum 93 Octane), and uses regular aviation oil.
>5. Sound. The Jabiru's maximum RPM is 3300, not over 6000.
>
>OK, that's about as close as I'll get to a hard-sell on here; I respect
that
>these lists are for inter-owner technical information and opinion and not
>necessarily for heavy marketing or 'our product is better than theirs'. All
>I ask is that prospective customers look closely at the alternatives and
>decide based on their own preferences. I'll be happy to provide more
>information or enter discussion here if members are interested....
>
>Andy Silvester
>
>Suncoast Sportplanes, Inc.
>www.suncoastjabiru.com
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
>[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of
>ACJARVIS1@aol.com
>To: europa-list@matronics.com
>Subject: Re: Europa-List: Jabiru 3300 Engine option
>
>
>Being at heart a glider pilot, when I started on this homebuild lark I had
>naively thought one's problems were just about over when the airframe was
>built . I imagined you just bolt in the engine, probably a Rotax, connect
>the fuel
>and some wires, and the rest just happened. I now have a sneaking feeling
>it's not that simple....
>
> Reading all the technical snags people are running into makes me wonder.
I
>know for a fact that if snags are out there, I will get the lot.
>
>At least I have the luxury of time before I have to send someone another
>huge sum of money (for the engine that is- and maybe this time I'll get
the
>
>goods I paid for.) But now a new dilemma- should the money go to Austria or
>Australia?
>
> My point is , no doubt many builders would be very interested in a nicely
>cowled Jabiru option; but would it be a better choice than the Rotax? if so
>will it be easier to fit, more reliable, more economical, etc etc?
>Obviously
>the hiatus in Kirkbymoorside offers Jabiru an ideal chance to come up with
a
>
>brand new firewall- forward package, but ....how does one decide which
>engine to
>buy? And then what about these diesels? Heavy and smelly but so much
>simpler...so ,sell me an engine, Andy at Suncoast Sportplanes!
>
>
>Andrew Jarvis 599 [wingless wonder]
>
>
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