[Kharon]

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June 17, 2015 Operational Limitations on Jabiru Powered Aircraft CASA 292/12.

7 months of Limitations of Jabiru powered aircraft has had a devastating effect on the Jabiru Aircraft company and its associates throughout the world. The viability of Jabiru Aircraft Pty Ltd has been severely threatened and may not be recoverable if the current limitations are continued. The damage inflicted by the CASA publicity of the Limitations and the “Acknowledgement and Acceptance of Risk -Potential Engine Malfunction during Flight Time” waiver will be near impossible to be reversed. Publicity of any incident since, involving a Jabiru aircraft has referenced the CASA imposed Limitations and reinforced the CASA message. The harm that is being done is immeasurable and we call for it to be brought to an end now. Statistics and data attached to this letter support this call.

Over the past 7 months Jabiru has given CASA an insight into the depth of engineering knowledge and research and development that goes on behind the scenes on a day to day basis at Jabiru. Jabiru has also provided all the engineering documents that were used for the last certifications of modifications through the CASA authorised person Alan Kerr; engine reports for ASTM compliance; reports for engines achieving 1000 hours and numerous tear down reports of engines from reported incidents.

Jabiru has complied with the standards of certification approved by CASA and continues to monitor airworthiness issues for Jabiru aircraft and engines and issue the appropriate service notifications. Already this year there has been a significant decrease in Jabiru engine incidents. It would appear the incident rate is now equal to or less than the Rotax incidents by which we were judged last year and were given as the justification of the operational limitations.

Jabiru recognises that education on operational and maintenance issues is very important and has directed significantly more resources to workshops each month focusing on maintenance and operation. Assistance by CASA and RAA would be appreciated in this area as well as in recovering more evidence from incidences to allow complete investigation.

Jabiru calls for all restrictions to Jabiru powered aircraft be lifted for aircraft that have complied with all the Jabiru service bulletins and letters, operate the aircraft in accordance with the manuals, have performed the maintenance in accordance with the manuals and use trained technicians and where the aircraft do not have unapproved modifications.

Only for those owners and operators of Jabiru powered aircraft that do not wish to comply with the Jabiru requirements, do we support the limitations remaining in place until compliance occurs with all Jabiru service bulletins, letters, manuals and conditions of operation. We object to the present form of ‘waiver’ in any event as we regard it as blatantly misleading of the public.

For Jabiru powered aircraft in the Experimental categories of RAA and SAAA, those organisations are able to assess the risk of owner modifications and apply limitations if required.  Jabiru may be able to assist if technical information is required.

Jabiru Aircraft acknowledges CASA’s primary safety related obligations however the overwhelming body of evidence shows Jabiru Aircraft to be one of the safest aircraft in this category of aircraft on the Australian register based on statistics. Student pilots, passengers and persons on the ground are at no greater risk of injury from a Jabiru Aircraft than any other aircraft. It could be argued from the statistics that in fact there is less chance of risk to these persons in a Jabiru Aircraft

Takes a hungry man to enjoy eating betrayal for main course and wanton destruction for dessert.

Such is life on the slippery pole.