Jabiru Aircraft
Pilot Operating Handbook
Model J230-D
Revision:
6
28/2/2020
Page 15
1.1 ABOUT THE JABIRU J230-D
Jabiru Aircraft have been built in Bundaberg, Australia since t
he early 1990’s. The original was a
small 2 seat aircraft powered by a 2-stroke engine; it had limited range, basic equipment and little
room to spare in the cabin. But this aircraft introduced the Jabiru ideal to the world
– an aircraft
which was light and efficient with good handling, good performance and excellent occupant
protection. An aircraft which met all these goals while using modern technology to be cost effective
to own and operate and to introduce newcomers to aviation
– people who always thought that
aviation was beyond their reach. Since the time of those first aircraft, Jabiru Aircraft have evolved
dramatically. The current Jabiru models are all far more powerful, spacious and better equipped
than their ancestor while still meeting the Jabiru Ideal.
The Jabiru J230-D is the largest factory-complete model offered for sale by Jabiru Australia
today. It is a large aircraft, still with 2 seats but with a comfortable, airy cabin. The crew have
plenty of space to stretch out while surrounded by windows with panoramic views
– the high wing
allowing excellent visibility in all directions. The interior of the cabin is neatly upholstered and
behind the crew seats is a huge baggage area which can be accessed on the ground via a cargo
door for easier loading. In addition to being comfortable, the J230-D is an excellent performer. The
aircraft makes a great cross-country machine with cruise speeds of up to two-miles-a-minute (120
Knots, True Airspeed), an endurance of around 5 hours and handling which is smooth and
stable. The large, efficient wing easily carries heavy loads and the powerful engine is smooth and
quiet so that the crew can fly for hours without fatigue from noise and vibration. At the same time
the J230-D is a popular training aircraft - it is easy and fun to fly, forgiving of learner-pilot mistakes
and the side-by-
side seating makes the instructor’s job easy.
On the ground the J230-D is also an excellent performer
– it is a brilliantly simple design which
allows maintenance to be carried out quickly and easily to get the aircraft back into the air as soon
as possible. The same Jabiru 3300 engine which provides powerful performance in the air is also
light, simple, easy to maintain and so quiet that people living near the airport barely hear it. The
composite construction allows the aircraft to be both light and very strong
– with the J230-D being
designed to an ultimate factor of 8g / -4g.
The fibreglass structure won’t rust or corrode,
has an almost infinite fatigue life and like all Jabirus, the J230-D has been designed with a very
strong cabin structure to provide a safety cell for its crew.
Today’s J230-D is the latest design of an aircraft model which has been a popular choice with
owners for over 10 years. The design is thoroughly proven and thoroughly tested
– both by Jabiru
test pilots and demanding customers all over the world. It can be extensively customised and
thanks to the wide range of interior options, instrument systems and other optional extras every
Jabiru J230-D is unique. Most importantly, the J230-D still embodies the original Jabiru Ideal and
continues to show people who never thought they could have an aircraft of their own that anything
is possible.
