---------------------------------------------------------- Kolb-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Wed 03/22/06: 24 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 06:01 AM - Re: Jabiru (Larry Bourne) 2. 06:10 AM - Re: Re: Jabiru (snuffy@usol.com) 3. 06:20 AM - Re: Re: Jabiru (ray anderson) 4. 06:24 AM - Re: Re: Jabiru (ray anderson) 5. 07:19 AM - Re: Re: Jabiru (Eugene Zimmerman) 6. 07:55 AM - Re: Re: Jabiru (Earl & Mim Zimmerman) 7. 08:00 AM - Re: Re: Jabiru (snuffy@usol.com) 8. 08:07 AM - Re: Re: Jabiru (John Hauck) 9. 08:24 AM - Re: Re: Jabiru (robert bean) 10. 08:37 AM - Re: Jabiru (Don G) 11. 09:08 AM - Re: Re: Jabiru (ray anderson) 12. 12:40 PM - Re: Re: Jabiru (Jeremy Casey) 13. 01:43 PM - Re: Jabiru (Don G) 14. 02:13 PM - Re: Re: Jabiru (John Hauck) 15. 02:29 PM - Re: Re: Jabiru (John Hauck) 16. 03:11 PM - Re: Re: Jabiru (robert bean) 17. 03:27 PM - Re: Re: Jabiru (mike moulai) 18. 03:38 PM - Re: Re: Jabiru (mike moulai) 19. 04:18 PM - Re: Jabiru (John Jung) 20. 04:19 PM - Re: Re: Jabiru (John Hauck) 21. 04:48 PM - Re: Re: Jabiru (Lamont Taylor) 22. 05:14 PM - Re: Re: Jabiru (John Hauck) 23. 06:02 PM - Re: Re: Jabiru (Charlie England) 24. 08:59 PM - Re: Re: Jabiru (Richard & Martha Neilsen) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 06:01:14 AM PST US From: "Larry Bourne" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Larry Bourne" Now, THere's a thought................! ! ! Do not Archive. Larry Bourne Palm Springs, CA Building Kolb Mk III N78LB Vamoose www.gogittum.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard & Martha Neilsen" Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 9:03 PM Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Jabiru Put a reduction drive on a Jabiru and you might > have some serious competition for Rotax. > > Rick Neilsen > Redrive VW powered MKIIIc > ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:10:44 AM PST US From: snuffy@usol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: snuffy@usol.com Only know of one Jabiru engine on a Mark 3. Actually the same engine on two Mark 3's. Both of them crashed........... Do not archive ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 06:20:46 AM PST US From: ray anderson Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: ray anderson I guess it's in the beholders eye, or is the glass half full or half empty. The engines I've looked at impressed me with their sleek, trim appearance. If one can push their little airplane along at 185 mph on 120 hp, I'm impressed. do not archive. JetPilot wrote: --> Kolb-List message posted by: "JetPilot" You could not give me the Jabiru engine. Just looking at it and it looks like it has been machined and manufactured in someones garage. The technology used in that engine is downright primitive compared to the Rotax 912-S. Reading reports from owners, the Jabiru has a lot more problems than the Rotax 912-S. There are lots of disadvantages to the Jabiru, and I cant find even one thing that engine does better than the Rotax. -------- NO FEAR - If you have no fear you did not go as fast as you could have !!! Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=23353#23353 --------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 06:24:44 AM PST US From: ray anderson Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: ray anderson I've heard of a few with Rotax engines that crashed. do not archive snuffy@usol.com wrote: --> Kolb-List message posted by: snuffy@usol.com Only know of one Jabiru engine on a Mark 3. Actually the same engine on two Mark 3's. Both of them crashed........... Do not archive --------------------------------- Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments. ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 07:19:40 AM PST US From: Eugene Zimmerman Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: Eugene Zimmerman On Mar 22, 2006, at 12:43 AM, JetPilot wrote: > You could not give me the Jabiru engine. Just looking at it and it > looks like it has been machined and manufactured in someones > garage. The technology used in that engine is downright primitive > compared to the Rotax 912-S. Reading reports from owners, the > Jabiru has a lot more problems than the Rotax 912-S. > > There are lots of disadvantages to the Jabiru, and I cant find even > one thing that engine does better than the Rotax. Some sane people fly with Jabiru engines and like them. ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 07:55:03 AM PST US From: Earl & Mim Zimmerman Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: Earl & Mim Zimmerman JetPilot wrote: > There are lots of disadvantages to the Jabiru, and I cant find even one thing that engine does better than the Rotax. > Then you never experienced one idling on the ramp beside you!! One of the locals has one on a Slingshot and it purrs like a kitten at idle. NEVER seen a Rotax do that!? ~ Earl ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 08:00:16 AM PST US From: snuffy@usol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: snuffy@usol.com > -- Kolb-List message posted by: ray anderson rsanoa@yahoo.com > > I've heard of a few with Rotax engines that crashed. > do not archive I know of many Mark 3's with Rotax's that are flying. Know of any with Jabiru's that are flying? Do not archive ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 08:07:45 AM PST US From: "John Hauck" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: "John Hauck" | I have a buddy that flew his Jabiru powered, direct drive Kolb Kolbra in 48 States without a hitch. In fact, several of us on the Kolb List landed with John Williamson at Oshkosh 2003 (?) as he tallied up State Number 48. One of those Kolbs, escorting John W was a VW powered MKIII with a redrive. Another aircraft was a Kit Fox with a 532 or a 582. Most Kolb folks don't care what each other fly. It all boils down to what we want to do and what we can afford to do. I remember flying my MKIII with 582 initially. Was as happy as I could be flying with a two stroke that had dual ignition, oil injection, water cooled and 65 hp. In fact, was planning on making my first flight to Alaska with that engine. Unfortunately, it broke, and Homer Kolb recommended I fly to Alaska with a 912. Course when it came down to paying for the new 912 it became my responsibility entirely. I was so broke I could not pay attention. Finally, figured out a way to get me a 912. Got a new credit card, charged the engine on the new credit card and paid minimum payments until I could do better. That was Fall 1993. We ended up installing the first 912 on a MKIII and flying it the first of April 1994. First week of June, two months later, and we were winging our way to Alaska. I think I appreciate what I have to work for the most, much more than what is easy to obtain. It is still that way today. ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 08:24:34 AM PST US From: robert bean Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: robert bean > > On Mar 22, 2006, at 12:43 AM, JetPilot wrote: > >> You could not give me the Jabiru engine. If you know of any free ones let me know. I'll take them. do not archive > > ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 08:37:04 AM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru From: "Don G" --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Don G" Ray, What aircraft and model is it that makes 185 on that jabby? Is it a Sonex by chance? -------- Don G FireFly#098 http://www.geocities.com/dagger369th/my_firefly.htm Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=23448#23448 ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 09:08:56 AM PST US From: ray anderson Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: ray anderson It's their own design. A low wing super slick and it can use either the 85 hp or the 120 hp and with that it cruises at 185. do not archive. Don G wrote: --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Don G" Ray, What aircraft and model is it that makes 185 on that jabby? Is it a Sonex by chance? -------- Don G FireFly#098 http://www.geocities.com/dagger369th/my_firefly.htm Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=23448#23448 --------------------------------- Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments. ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 12:40:44 PM PST US From: "Jeremy Casey" Subject: RE: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Jeremy Casey" You could not give me the Jabiru engine. Just looking at it and it looks like it has been machined and manufactured in someones garage. The technology used in that engine is downright primitive compared to the Rotax 912-S. Reading reports from owners, the Jabiru has a lot more problems than the Rotax 912-S. There are lots of disadvantages to the Jabiru, and I cant find even one thing that engine does better than the Rotax. Hummmm... let me try to be polite... Have you ever seen one? Of the several that I have seen and couple that I flew with, I was MIGHTY impressed. For the right airframe they are great engines...as Rick has already stated the high revs of the engine kinda dictate the sleeker airframes to let the airspeeds get up where a short prop is more efficient... Now on the "machined in someone's garage" point...al I can say is "horse crap" (and I mean that as polite and unoffensive as I can) The Jabiru engine is so much a work of art from a machinist standpoint I almost wouldn't know whether to run it or build a glass box to sit it in in my living room. BEAUTIFUL machining...if you think that is garage work then you don't know anything about machine work. Absolute CNC machined perfection...friend of mine that's building a Sonex commented how little work it would take to actually polish the case to a mirror shine...what more you want from an engine? As far as the technology is concerned...how many 80hp 4 stroke engines out there that weight 123 pounds? Give me a break... CDI ignition, bone simple...and now they have hydraulic valve lifters...yea I know Rotax has had that for awhile, they are just balancing "technology" with "simplicity" and "manufacturability". And for the record...I don't own one, don't sell them either Also as Rick stated, the Jabiru guys machine a gearbox for that engine, Rotax will have there hands full... The main reason you see 912's on so many production planes is due to the gearbox slowing the prop and reducing the noise...most of Europe is so strict on noise regs that nothing but a geared prop will pass. Jeremy ________________________________ Message 13 ____________________________________ Time: 01:43:19 PM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru From: "Don G" --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Don G" Ray, Are there any pics or info on the net on that low wing bird? -------- Don G FireFly#098 http://www.geocities.com/dagger369th/my_firefly.htm Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=23514#23514 ________________________________ Message 14 ____________________________________ Time: 02:13:33 PM PST US From: "John Hauck" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: "John Hauck" CDI ignition, bone | simple... | | | Also as Rick stated, the Jabiru guys machine a gearbox for that engine, | Rotax will have there hands full... | | | Jeremy Unless Jabiru has changed ignition systems, they have a moisture problem. The twin distrubutor CDI is prone to shorting out if they get wet. I had a friend experience this a few years ago at Wallace, NC. Night was dew laden. Everything was soaking wet with dew the next morning when we slithered out of our tents. Time to crank. All Rotax's fired right up. Single Jabiru would not hit a lick. Had to pull the distributor caps and dry out the distributors to get the Jab to run. Unless Jab has upgraded this problem, it would give me some concern for flying into rain, or getting stuck on the ground because the ignition got wet and had to be dried prior to starting. Now..............I am knocking Jabiru. Simply stating what I think to be an important piece of info (fact) on an older Jabiru. If your Jab lives in a nice warm hanger, never has to worry about getting into rain or moisture, then you have no problem. For me, it would present a big problem because I do get caught in less than ideal situations in my day to day flying hobby. Also, if Jabiru has upgraded their ignition systems to improve moisture protection and the possible failure of the system due to moisture, GREAT! If not, they need to look into it. john h ________________________________ Message 15 ____________________________________ Time: 02:29:29 PM PST US From: "John Hauck" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: "John Hauck" || Also as Rick stated, the Jabiru guys machine a gearbox for that | engine, || Rotax will have there hands full... || | | || Jeremy Forgot to comment on the above. Why hasn't Jabiru taken advantage of a gearbox to allow slower turning larger diameter props? Must be some reason they have not come up with a good workable solution. Seems there would be a large market for that type equipment. john h MKIII ________________________________ Message 16 ____________________________________ Time: 03:11:28 PM PST US From: robert bean Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: robert bean When it comes to machining and cosmetics all is not as it appears. If you ever looked at the crank of a Franklin engine it looks like it was made by the flintstones. For some strange reason those same engines have been known to provide a lot of good flying hours. -Don't know how well the subsequent polish versions have fared. -BB, really smooth castings on Suzukis do not archive On 22, Mar 2006, at 3:37 PM, Jeremy Casey wrote: > --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Jeremy Casey" > > > You could not give me the Jabiru engine. Just looking at it and it > looks like it has been machined and manufactured in someones garage. > The technology used in that engine is downright primitive compared to > the Rotax 912-S. Reading reports from owners, the Jabiru has a lot > more problems than the Rotax 912-S. > > There are lots of disadvantages to the Jabiru, and I cant find even one > thing that engine does better than the Rotax. > > > > > Hummmm... let me try to be polite... > > Have you ever seen one? Of the several that I have seen and couple > that > I flew with, I was MIGHTY impressed. For the right airframe they are > great engines...as Rick has already stated the high revs of the engine > kinda dictate the sleeker airframes to let the airspeeds get up where a > short prop is more efficient... > > Now on the "machined in someone's garage" point...al I can say is > "horse > crap" (and I mean that as polite and unoffensive as I can) The Jabiru > engine is so much a work of art from a machinist standpoint I almost > wouldn't know whether to run it or build a glass box to sit it in in my > living room. BEAUTIFUL machining...if you think that is garage work > then you don't know anything about machine work. Absolute CNC machined > perfection...friend of mine that's building a Sonex commented how > little > work it would take to actually polish the case to a mirror shine...what > more you want from an engine? > > As far as the technology is concerned...how many 80hp 4 stroke engines > out there that weight 123 pounds? Give me a break... CDI ignition, > bone > simple...and now they have hydraulic valve lifters...yea I know Rotax > has had that for awhile, they are just balancing "technology" with > "simplicity" and "manufacturability". > > And for the record...I don't own one, don't sell them either > > Also as Rick stated, the Jabiru guys machine a gearbox for that engine, > Rotax will have there hands full... > > The main reason you see 912's on so many production planes is due to > the > gearbox slowing the prop and reducing the noise...most of Europe is so > strict on noise regs that nothing but a geared prop will pass. > > Jeremy > > ________________________________ Message 17 ____________________________________ Time: 03:27:03 PM PST US From: "mike moulai" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: "mike moulai" Jet Pilot, Take it you have not been in this game long then, You say the Jab has more probs than a 912, Maybe in the USA you don't get the Rotax SB's so I will apologize now, but as a Rotax and Jabiru service centre and operator of both on our school A/C I can say with first hand experience that there is bugger all between them in reliability, and the Rotax has a SB almost every other month, they are both very good, serivce intervals on the jab are now as good as the 912 as well as no G-Box maint. Also with first hand exp I can confirm that Our Jab powered Xtra gets off the ground quicker than a 912 powered Classic (tested on same day) for CAA. I would be confident to stake my aircraft on that, the 912 will climb a bit better from about 200 feet onwards though and Jab not quite as fast at full power but I cruise at 80 mph at 2550rpm, 90mph at 2800, and 95 at 2950. Maybe you forgot all the problems the 912 had in the first 5-8 yrs, theJab is well sorted now. Mike Xtra/Jab ----- Original Message ----- From: "JetPilot" Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 5:43 AM Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru > --> Kolb-List message posted by: "JetPilot" > > You could not give me the Jabiru engine. Just looking at it and it looks > like it has been machined and manufactured in someones garage. The > technology used in that engine is downright primitive compared to the > Rotax 912-S. Reading reports from owners, the Jabiru has a lot more > problems than the Rotax 912-S. > > There are lots of disadvantages to the Jabiru, and I cant find even one > thing that engine does better than the Rotax. > > -------- > NO FEAR - If you have no fear you did not go as fast as you could have > !!! > > > Read this topic online here: > > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=23353#23353 > > > ________________________________ Message 18 ____________________________________ Time: 03:38:53 PM PST US From: "mike moulai" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: "mike moulai" John, Yep that is no prob now, I can vouch for that. Mike do not archive ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Hauck" Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 10:13 PM Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru > --> Kolb-List message posted by: "John Hauck" > > CDI ignition, bone > engine, > > > > Unless Jabiru has changed ignition systems, they have a moisture > problem. The twin distrubutor CDI is prone to shorting out if they > get wet. I had a friend experience this a few years ago at Wallace, > NC. Night was dew laden. Everything was soaking wet with dew the > next morning when we slithered out of our tents. Time to crank. All > Rotax's fired right up. Single Jabiru would not hit a lick. Had to > pull the distributor caps and dry out the distributors to get the Jab > to run. > > Unless Jab has upgraded this problem, it would give me some concern > for flying into rain, or getting stuck on the ground because the > ignition got wet and had to be dried prior to starting. > > Now..............I am knocking Jabiru. Simply stating what I think to > be an important piece of info (fact) on an older Jabiru. If your Jab > lives in a nice warm hanger, never has to worry about getting into > rain or moisture, then you have no problem. For me, it would present > a big problem because I do get caught in less than ideal situations in > my day to day flying hobby. > > Also, if Jabiru has upgraded their ignition systems to improve > moisture protection and the possible failure of the system due to > moisture, GREAT! If not, they need to look into it. > > john h > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 19 ____________________________________ Time: 04:18:13 PM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru From: "John Jung" --> Kolb-List message posted by: "John Jung" Mike, Since you have experience with the Jabiru's on a Kolbs, could you answer a question or two? How high above the bottom of the engine mount is the prop shaft? How much is the installed weight on a Kolb? do not archive -------- John Jung Firestar II N6163J Surprise, AZ Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=23555#23555 ________________________________ Message 20 ____________________________________ Time: 04:19:04 PM PST US From: "John Hauck" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: "John Hauck" | John, Yep that is no prob now, I can vouch for that. | | Mike What did Jabiru do to eliminate the moisture problem? Do they still use the twin distributors? or did they go to a sealed system similar to Rotax and other manufacturers? My Suzuki dirt bike ign is sealed, solid state. john h MKIII ________________________________ Message 21 ____________________________________ Time: 04:48:45 PM PST US From: Lamont Taylor Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: Lamont Taylor Link to the jabiru site http://www.arionaircraft.com/ you can also check out the yahoo esqual group for the full details on the 80hp speedster. Lamont Taylor --- Don G wrote: > --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Don G" > > > Ray, > Are there any pics or info on the net on that low > wing bird? > > -------- > Don G > FireFly#098 > > http://www.geocities.com/dagger369th/my_firefly.htm > > > > > Read this topic online here: > > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=23514#23514 > > > > > > > > > > > browse > Subscriptions page, > FAQ, > > Admin. > > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 22 ____________________________________ Time: 05:14:33 PM PST US From: "John Hauck" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: "John Hauck" | Rotax has a SB almost every other month, they are both very good, serivce | intervals on the jab are now as good as the 912 as well as no G-Box maint. Rather have that little bit of gear box maintenance, what is it? check every 600 or 800 hours?? than no gear box. | Also with first hand exp I can confirm that Our Jab powered Xtra gets off | the ground quicker than a 912 powered Classic (tested on same day) for CAA. Musta been piss poor pilot technique on the part of the Classic driver. My old Classic used to eat up John W's Jab powered Kolbra on acceleration, take off distance, and climb. Course all that changed dramatically when John W upgraded to a 912S. | I would be confident to stake my aircraft on that, the 912 will climb a bit | better from about 200 feet onwards though and Jab not quite as fast at full | power but I cruise at 80 mph at 2550rpm, 90mph at 2800, and 95 at 2950. Bring the Xtra on over. Would be happy to do a little one on one competition with you. | Maybe you forgot all the problems the 912 had in the first 5-8 yrs, theJab | is well sorted now. I was flying my 912 back then. Mine was manufactured later part of 1993. I started flying it April 1994. I remember a few updates during that time frame, but don't remember a lot of problems. I know I was doing a lot of flying back then and the old 912 was still humming when I swapped it for the 912ULS at 1,135.0 hours. I remember having some mandatory updates to do on the 912ULS, and she is still humping like a new one at 1,100.0 hours. Both the Jabiru and Rotax 912 series engines are great engines. I believe there is a place for them on Kolbs, but they are not going to perform as well as a gear box engine. john h MKIII ________________________________ Message 23 ____________________________________ Time: 06:02:25 PM PST US From: Charlie England Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: Charlie England John Hauck wrote: >--> Kolb-List message posted by: "John Hauck" > >| engine, >|| Rotax will have there hands full... >|| >| | >|| Jeremy > > >Forgot to comment on the above. > >Why hasn't Jabiru taken advantage of a gearbox to allow slower turning >larger diameter props? > >Must be some reason they have not come up with a good workable >solution. Seems there would be a large market for that type >equipment. > >john h >MKIII > I've never flown one; only seen them occasionally. But I can hazard a guess on why they don't have a gearbox. Their chosen market seems to be the light end of the experimental non-ultralite market; typically faster planes being flown by pilots more accustomed to flying traditional a/c engines. Note the overall original configuration: direct drive, carburetors & dual mags, even though electronic injection/ignition would probably have been cheaper & simpler to build. Believe me, it's very difficult to find a licensed pilot (even one who flies experimentals) who will trust a gearbox on an aircraft engine. Most won't trust *any* alternative engine. Just mention the idea of gearing & you'll get a 3rd hand account of how those Continentals on Cessna 175's always failed & how much it costs to repair Twin Bonanza engines. FWIW... ________________________________ Message 24 ____________________________________ Time: 08:59:02 PM PST US From: "Richard & Martha Neilsen" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Richard & Martha Neilsen" Charlie Making a gear reduction drive for a aircraft engine takes some work to make it work well but Rotax does and the performance gains (power and thrust) are well worth it. The redrive for my VW has plenty of room for improvement but it is still worth it. Rotax makes the 912 series for the same light aircraft you are referring to. I would venture a guess that in a apples to apples fly off a 80HP rotax would blow the doors off a 85HP Jabiru in most any airplane even the fast ones. I'm a licensed pilot and my MKIIIc is a experimental...... Seems like there are a few gear boxes in turbo prop airplanes...... Also there are gear boxes in P51 Mustangs, Spitfires and allot of the big radial engines used in WWII aircraft. These gearbox airplanes only seemed to fall out of the sky when they got shot down. Just because Continental didn't make it work well doesn't mean that it isn't ever going to work well and not be reliable. You also might note that the airplanes I just referred to are a bit faster than that 180MPH Jabiru someone was talking about. If gear box driven props didn't work better at higher speeds the designers wouldn't have used them. Again I think the Jabiru is a great engine it just needs a reduction drive to compete with the rotax 912 series of engines. As always my $.02 worth Rick Neilsen Redrive VW powered MKIIIc ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charlie England" Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 9:00 PM Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Jabiru > I've never flown one; only seen them occasionally. But I can hazard a > guess on why they don't have a gearbox. Their chosen market seems to be > the light end of the experimental non-ultralite market; typically faster > planes being flown by pilots more accustomed to flying traditional a/c > engines. Note the overall original configuration: direct drive, > carburetors & dual mags, even though electronic injection/ignition would > probably have been cheaper & simpler to build. > > Believe me, it's very difficult to find a licensed pilot (even one who > flies experimentals) who will trust a gearbox on an aircraft engine. > Most won't trust *any* alternative engine. Just mention the idea of > gearing & you'll get a 3rd hand account of how those Continentals on > Cessna 175's always failed & how much it costs to repair Twin Bonanza > engines. > > FWIW... > > >