History:

The prototype of the Fuji FA-200 was flown for the first time on 12 August 1965, the first production Aero Subaru following three years later on 4 December 1968. The Subaru was unusual in Australia as it was the only Japanese designed-and-built light aircraft to be imported. About 20 registrations were allotted to the type on the Australian register.

The first Japanese four-seat light cabin monoplane to be built in substantial numbers after World War II, the type was fully aerobatic with two persons on board. It was built in two basic models, the FA-200-160 with the 119 kw (160 hp) Lycoming O-320-D2A engine, and the FA-200-180 with the 134 kw (180 hp) Lycoming IO-360-B1B engine. A special variant, known as the FA-203S, was built in Japan for STOL research by the National Aerospace Laboratory. This aircraft had leading-edge slats and full-span trailing-edge ‘flaperons’.

The Subaru fuselage was of all-metal semi-monocoque structure, with an all-metal wing with a single main spar, all-metal riveted ailerons and single-slotted flaps. A tricycle non-retractable undercarriage was fitted with oleo-pneumatic shock absorbers and hydraulic disc brakes on the wheels. Accommodation was provided for four, in pairs, in an enclosed cabin, with a large rearward-sliding canopy, and a baggage compartment of 40 kg (88 lb) in the FA-200-160 and 80 kg (176 lb) in the FA-200-180. In Japan the aircraft was licensed in the normal category with four persons; utility category with three; and aerobatic category with two.

‘Subaru’ was the Japanese name for the Pleiades group of six stars in the constellation of Taurus. This represented the six companies in Japan which merged to form the conglomerate of Fuji Heavy Industries. More than 300 Subarus were built. Main users in Australia were the Royal Aero Club of South Australia, and the Canberra Aero Club, ACT.

Aircraft registered in Australia have included: VH-FJA (c/n FA200-11 – ex JA3378); VH-FJB (c/n FA200-10 – ex JA3376); VH-FJC¹ (c/n FA200-2 – ex JA3335) which registration was not taken up as it was lost without trace in the sea near Amboina Island on delivery; and VH-FJC² (c/n FA200-14) which originally had the c/n FA200-11 recorded but was changed in March 1969, this aircraft crashing into trees near Hahndorf, SA on 31 October 1969.

VH-FJE (c/n FA200-13); VH-FJG (c/n FA200-16) which crashed on 5 June 1971 and was rebuilt; VH-FJH (c/n FA200-18) which crashed at Jandakot, WA on 17 September 1972 and was rebuilt; VH-FJI (c/n FA200-29) which crashed at Strathalbyn, SA on 10 June 1984; VH-FJJ (c/n FA200-19); VH-FJK (c/n FA200-17) which crashed into the sea off Cape Otway, VIC on 24 December 1969; VH-FJL (c/n FA200-22); VH-FJM (c/n FA200-28); VH-FJN (c/n FA200-44) which crashed at Beulah, VIC on 14 August 1989; VH-FJU (c/n FA200-36); VH-FJV (c/n FA200-26); VH-BWZ (c/n FA200-35) which was registered in November 1971 and in June 1986 became VH-FJZ; VH-FJX (c/n FA200-37); and VH-FJY (c/n FA200-34).  Eleven have survived on the Australian Civil Aircraft Register.