Today I took another look at the Jabiru 3300, 120 hp engine and really liked what I saw. I was comparing it to the stylish radial engine, the Rotec R-2800. I like the fact that it is only $17,500 new and sold in a town not far from where I live now here in Tennessee. It includes all the accessories including mounting for that price. They also sell the front cowling/nose bowls for the engine (they show an engine mounting process for a on a 701 or 750 on their website: http://www.jabiru.net.au/). Their support seems to be great for novice builders like myself, even giving classes on the engine and installation. I like the fact that it is air cooled, no radiator that carries more coolant weight, and its weight is just 180 lbs. (81 kg.) and incl. Exhaust, Carburetor, Starter Motor, Alternator & Ignition System & Accessory pack. It packs an extra 10 horsepower, lighter, cheaper and doesn’t require special cowl modifications over the Rotec 2800. It would give me better streamlining, as you don’t have to build a special cowl for the engine like the Rotec R-2600 and cost about $5,000 less. It will be easier to find a qualified mechanic to do general maintenance on it and would probably be easier to get TBO for. The only problem I have is the carburetor issue as I believe in fuel injection for reliability, but I believe I can get fuel injection for the Jabiru from Rotec which makes the TBI-40-S fuel injector for only an additional $765.00. For me this device would be worth it in fuel economy savings and dependability. It’s a direct drive engine so it doesn’t need any special gearing down which would save me the extra weight of a PSRU. After I just wrote all its pluses down here, I think the pendulum just swung over to Jabiru from Rotec. I must have a thing for Australian engines.

Jay P.