F_I_2015_02_17_23_

42 | Flight International | 17-23 February 2015 flightglobal.com

AUSTRALIA

SPECIAL REPORT

TWO OF Australia’s other niche

manufacturers, Jabiru Aircraft and

Seabird Aviation had their own

developments in 2014.

In December, Australian regula-

tor CASA imposed precautionary

operating restrictions on aircraft

equipped with Jabiru Aircraft

engines due to reliability issues.

Privately-owned Bundaberg,

Queensland-based Jabiru

manufactures four-cylinder 2200cc

and six-cylinder 3300cc engines

which are fitted to about 1,300

aircraft operating in Australia,

including its own light aircraft.

The move followed “a high num-

ber of Jabiru engine failures and

power loss incidents, some of

which resulted in aircraft forced

landings”, CASA said. The regulator

says more than 45 Jabiru engine

failures or in-flight engine incidents

were reported in 2014. Issues

include failures of through bolts,

flywheel bolts and valve train as-

semblies, as well as cylinder crack-

ing – encountered primarily by

aircraft used for flying training.

STAKEHOLDERS

CASA says it is currently working

with Jabiru and other stakeholders

to identify the causes and to imple-

ment appropriate solutions, investi-

gating design and mechanical

issues, how aircraft are flown and

maintenance-related issues.

CASA imposed the limitations in

late December, having released a

draft consultation in November, to

which it received 630 responses.

The regulator modified its origi-

nal proposal but the limitations,

which remain in place up to June,

restrict flights to day time under

visual flight rules, require aircraft to

be flown so they can at all times

glide clear of a populous area,

require passengers and trainee

pilots flying solo to sign a state-

ment saying they are aware of and

accept the risk of an engine failure

and require trainee pilots to have

recently and successfully complet-

ed engine failure exercises before

solo flights.

Jabiru has disputed CASA’s

findings and says the action has

“severely damaged” its reputation

internationally. “It will change

recreational aviation in Australia

long-term. It is a clear sign that

CASA now wants to take control of

this segment of aviation. This extra

oversight by CASA has already de-

terred many from the recreational

aviation market,” says Sue Woods,

business manager.

The industry body representing

Australia’s ultralight, recreational

and light sport aircraft sectors,

Recreational Aviation Australia

(RA-Aus) expressed “serious con-

cern” and accused CASA of

“ misconduct” over the issue.

“While we concede that the

actions taken are in relation to the

reliability of Jabiru engines and

agree that said engines display

markedly lower reliability figures

than competitor engines, it is our

belief that irreparable damage has

been caused to the already fragile

Australian aviation industry as a

result of the regulator’s actions,”

RA-Aus says.

MAINTENANCE

The manufacturer says data

provided to CASA indicates 40 en-

gine incidents in 2014, including

12 stoppages in-flight which re-

quired forced landings, with no seri-

ous injuries or fatalities, out of

nearly 41,800 flying hours and

92,700 flights in Australia.

Woods says it will run more train-

ing courses for Jabiru owners and

maintainers to try to lift the stand-

ard of maintenance and is continu-

ing research and development to

make the engines more robust.

Meanwhile, former Australian

manufacturer Seabird Aviation was

acquired last year by Seeker

America, subsidiary of US aero-

space company CSI Aviation. The

former Hervey Bay, Queensland

manufacturer had spent 30-plus

years developing and establishing

a global market for its fixed-wing

Seeker patrol and surveillance air-

craft. The aircraft was manufac-

tured in Hervey Bay, with licensed

production in Jordan at Seabird

Aviation Jordan (which has since

closed), and sold 12 aircraft in

Australia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Jordan,

the United Arab Emirates, the

United States, South Africa and

Tanzania, under founder Don

Adams and then son Peter.

The family company spent dec-

ades trying to grow the business,

but sold it last year, recognising

that new investment was needed to

make it successful. At the time of

the purchase, Albuquerque-based

Seeker America said production

would eventually move to North

America. Seeker Aircraft America

president and chief executive of-

ficer David Pohlman now says:

“Manufacture of the Seeker aircraft

will be done in Australia for the im-

mediate future. When demand ex-

ceeds the capacity of the Australian

facility, we will grow capacity else-

where. In this scenario, Seabird will

produce parts and major sub-as-

semblies for the aircraft at the facil-

ity in Hervey Bay.”

The company will focus sales

activities on North and Latin

America, he adds. ■

MANUFACTURING EMMA KELLY PERTH

ACQUISITION AND AUTHORITIES TAKE THEIR TOLL ON AUSTRALIA’S INDUSTRY

was launched in 2011, with first flight in
May 2012 and originally aiming for 2013 cer-
tification. The aircraft is still in development
and “well on track”, says Dauplaise, adding
that the aircraft is “stable and predictable”,
but declining to put a date on certification.
“The certification process is lengthy,” he says,
conceding that the programme is not on its
original schedule.
The aircraft will receive Australian certifi-
cation first, but the manufacturer is trying to
do as much work as possible for US Federal
Aviation Administration certification as well.

Dauplaise says there is “tremendous inter-

est” in the aircraft, especially in North Ameri-

ca. As a result, the manufacturer has high

hopes of the Airvan 10 exceeding the success

of the Airvan 8, with 30-40 aircraft deliveries

a year forecast. Just as GippsAero/Mahindra

did with the Airvan 8, the Airvan 10 will un-

dergo constant development.

The Airvan 10, along with the Airvan 8,

will be flying and on display in the static park

at this year’s Australian International Air-

show to be held at Avalon Airport, Victoria,

from 24 February-1 March.

❯❯

“Irreparable damage

has been caused to

the already fragile

Australian aviation

industry by the

regulator’s actions”

RA-AUS

Mahindra is less forthcoming about the

former Nomad programme. GippsAero

purchased the type certificate for the former

Australian government aircraft from Boeing

Australia in May 2008, with the intention of

upgrading it with new engines, propellers,

empennage and a glass cockpit and

relaunching it as the 18-seat GA18. When

Mahindra purchased the Australian

manufacturer, it confirmed its intention to

continue with the programme, planning to

bring it to market within two years. The

manufacturer has since focused develop-

Seabird

The Seeker patrol type is now owned by an American company