AUSTRALIAN, NEW Zealand, South Korean and US civil aviation authorities have approved the Queensland, Australia-built Jabiru for kitplane construction. The all-composite Jabiru has already received type certification in Australia and New Zealand in the general-aviation and ultralight categories, and had its European debut at the UK's Popular Flying Association's Cranfield rally on 5-7 July.
The manufacturer, which designed its own 45kW (60hp) engine for use on the aircraft and other ultralights, has now switched to a 60kW in-house-designed and built engine of the same 56kg weight.
Joint managing director Phil Ainsworth says that South Korea has approved in-country kit construction for resale, a process which has attracted considerable interest from other Asian countries. Under general-aviation certification, the Jabiru is already in widespread Australian use as a basic trainer.
Source: Flight International