Jabiru Engine in Trike

[Tracer]

Hi Guys,

Just thinking out loud here, are there any reasons that there aren't any Jabiru 2200 (80 hp) engines in trikes? If you compare the cost of the Jabi engine to that of the Rotax 912UL, the Jabi is cheaper? (Nope I haven't got the exact figures)

[RV4ker (RIP)]

1 word.

COOLING

[Stephan van Tonder]

Mmm - Rudi runs a jabi in pusher configuration. But yeah maybe a streak is more suitable than a trike for that. 503 is aircooled and worked fine with that belt driven fan - maybe somebody can do the same for a jabi.

[Tracer]

1 word.

COOLING

I was expecting that to be the answer!

Some development on airducts and cowls could probably fix it?

[Rudix]

I don't think it would work too well...

The problem is not cooling, the Jabiru on my pusher Shadow runs cooler than the engine in the Jabiru SP. As long as you used the correct cooling ducts it is easy to keep the engine cool.

I think you might have a performance issue, the Jabiru is a direct drive non geared engine swinging a smallish prop at high RPM, that is great for a fast, clean plane but on a trike you will have less than ideal performance. You will have sluggish acceleration and bad climb performance. Like pulling away in your car in 5th gear.

The Jabiru (and any other direct drive engine) works best in a clean, fast plane.

Fly safe,
Rudi

[Tracer]

Thanks Rudix,

Was wondering how the lack of a gearbox will affect this. Makes sense what you saying though.

[RV4ker (RIP)]

longer U/C legs to give better prop clearance

[justin.schoeman]

Hi Guys,

Just thinking out loud here, are there any reasons that there aren't any Jabiru 2200 (80 hp) engines in trikes? If you compare the cost of the Jabi engine to that of the Rotax 912UL, the Jabi is cheaper? (Nope I haven't got the exact figures)

There is at least one:
http://www.e-mailstrategies.com/ebullet ... /6/art/590

[Tracer]

Yeah, I found this article as well. Interesting comments, however, as he says, not being able to use the 80 hp, probably puts the performance in the same arena as the 582. Good read though.