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Permalink Reply by Tim Juhl on January 21, 2015 at 12:39pm

I'm confused.  I thought CAMit made the engines for Jabiru.  A look at their webpage shows the 2200's and 3300's that we are all familiar with.

Tim

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Permalink Reply by Chris Hoare on January 21, 2015 at 4:56pm

They had a stake in jabiru but they would not listen to there concerns so they have gone it alone and do the hole construction ans assembly themselves with there upgraded parts.
They have been give the go ahead to retrofit into aircraft so they can fly over populated areas.

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Permalink Reply by John Austin on January 21, 2015 at 5:49pm

A little background ... as I understand it, CAMit was the actual manufacturer of engines for Jabiru to Jabiru's specifications (don't know if they still do or not?). The Jabiru-brand engine in Australia is analogous to a "certified engine" in the USA. However, when Jabiru engines are imported to the US, they are experimental and not FAA certified. CAMit now manufactures an updated and improved engine based off the Jabiru design and they call it the "CAMit Aero Engine," which, as I understand it, is experimental in Australia and the US ... clear as mud, correct? Some of the improved CAMit parts will retrofit to Jabiru engines - alternator, rocker bushings, etc. I used CAMit stainless exhaust seals (work great!) and CAMit CHT sensor shrouds (for more accurate CHT's) on my Jabiru 3300. I've found customer support from Ian Bent at CAMit excellent and for that matter, customer support from Pete Krojte at Jabiru USA excellent, also!  Chris, being a native from "down under," probably knows better than me and if I've got any of my facts wrong, don't hesitate to correct me!

There are some restrictions on Jabiru engines in Australia because of a "higher rate" of engine problems.  Apparently Jabiru engines (and Jabiru aircraft) are frequently used in flight schools there and accumulate a lot of hours. This seems to have been a haphazard restriction in that the data was very carelessly assembled and not very specific. Typically in the US, when there is a serious problem with an engine, the FAA issues an A.D. and delineates a specific run of serial numbers for a specific model of engine.  The restrictions in Australia were wholesale and not specific - very curious. Even more interesting, some of the engine problems like broken flywheel bolts have not been seen in the US unless there were extenuating circumstances like a prop strike or misaligned prop bolt holes (according to Pete at Jab USA). I've got a Jab 3300 that's a relatively late-production engine and so far, have 280+ hrs with no major problems. I think they've continually refined the engine over the years and now have a reliable engine.  The CAMit engine looks attractive (for the US) if they indeed establish a US distributor and support.

The word I hear is that CAMit is looking for a USA distributor, so the US will likely be hearing a lot more about them. That would be great if it happens as the shipping for small, individual orders is expensive and a US distributor would likely get shipments in bulk and have better pricing (wishful thinking?).  

Not affiliated with either company, but a happy customer of both!

John

N750A

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Permalink Reply by Tim Juhl on January 21, 2015 at 6:26pm

John,

Does Pete work with CAMit or is he restricted by some agreement with Jabiru?

Tim

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Permalink Reply by John Austin on January 21, 2015 at 6:49pm

Tim,

As far as I know, Pete is exclusively a Jabiru distributor. Of course, I have no idea if that is an exclusive arrangement. The couple of parts I've bought from CAMit have been direct sales to me from CAMit in Australia. Ian Bent is the CEO and personally has promptly and thoroughly answered every question I've sent him - very impressive! Also, a tip - if ordering from CAMit, their website tends to overestimate shipping costs, but if you email them, they'll give you a realistic number (shipping from Oz ain't cheap!). 

John

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Permalink Reply by Tim Juhl on January 22, 2015 at 4:06pm

I've dealt with Ian and ordered their muffler seal kit for my 3300A.  They're good people and I wish them well.  There is a mention of the Jabiru mess in the back of the latest EAA Experimenter  http://www.zenith.aero/photo/photo/show?id=2606393%3APhoto%3A408450...

Tim

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Permalink Reply by Ian McClelland on January 21, 2015 at 10:23pm

I believe the Australian CASA instrument is applicable to all jabiru and Jabiru licensed engine suppliers. I would imagine CAMiT would be a licensed supplier.  The process will hopefully result in benefits to all Jabiru Engine operators!

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Permalink Reply by Chris Hoare on January 22, 2015 at 1:36am

A directive has been given that they are not classed by casa as the same ,Ian has been working with casa over the last few years to get his own certification And to solve the problems they were having.
As off yesterday the all was given the for instillation into aircraft that fly over populated areas he said.

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