Jabiru Aircraft
Pilot Operating Handbook
Model J170-D
JP-FM-13
Revision:
0
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28 Feb 2020
Page 7-65
7.2 AIRFRAME
The fuselage, engine cowlings, wings, empennage, main undercarriage legs and all control
surfaces are constructed of fibreglass-epoxy resin composite. The nose leg, engine mount and
wing struts are the only large structural elements made from metal. The aircraft uses a tricycle,
nose-wheel undercarriage layout and is equipped with wheel spats (fairings) as standard
equipment.
Main fuel tanks are built into the wings while a smaller header tank is fitted behind the sound curtain
at the rear of the cabin.
7.3 FLIGHT CONTROLS
The J170-D is equipped with conventional 3-axis controls; Ailerons, Rudder & Elevator. The
aircraft is also equipped with wing flaps to reduce landing speed.
The ailerons are a differential design (they move upwards around twice as much as down) to
reduce adverse yaw
– the tendency for the aircraft to want to turn right while banking left.
The wing flaps are a slotted design to provide maximum lift for minimum drag. Flaps are driven
electrically via a switch on the instrument panel.
The aircraft uses a steerable nose wheel for ground operations
– the rudder pedals are
permanently connected to the nose leg so that it moves in concert. Main wheel brakes (non
differential) with a lockable park brake are provided.
The aircraft is equipped with an elevator trim system to minimise pilot loads in different modes of
flight. The system works by applying spring loads to the elevator control, holding it in place. The
trim is very positive and if necessary the aircraft can be landed using the trim as the primary pitch
control.
7.4 INSTRUMENT PANEL
The J170-D may be customised with several different instrument panels. The primary instruments
are fitted in front of the pilot while radio equipment is located centrally. A typical layout is shown
below
– note that several optional instruments are fitted to this particular aircraft. While the type,
number and arrangement of the instruments in a given aircraft will vary the general arrangement
will be as shown:
•
Throttles at either side of the panel
•
Radio, transponder, GPS & fuel gauges near the centre of the panel
•
Ignitions & start switches located in front of the pilot
•
Pull controls for carburettor heat, cabin heat & choke in the centre of the panel at the
bottom.
•
Compass on top of the panel or on the wing carry-through beam above the windscreen.
•
Switch for the electric flaps in the centre of the panel near the bottom (USA instrument
panel has a flap switch at each side of the panel above the throttle).
•
“No Smoking” & “No Intentional Spins” placards on panel face.
