Photograph:
Jabiru J-120 24-7415 (c/n 053) at Bowylie, NSW in March 2011 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Australia
Description:
Two-seat light sport aircraft
Power Plant:
One 60 kw (80 hp) Jabiru 2200 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.26 m (27 ft)
- Length: 5.77 m (18 ft 9 in)
- Height: 2.01 m 6 ft 7 in)
- Wing area: 7.9 m² (85 sq ft)
- Never exceed speed: 270 km/h (168 mph)
- Max manoeuvring speed: 191 km/h (119 mph)
- Cruising speed: 185 km/h (115 mph)
- Stalling speed full flap: 87 km/h (54 mph)
- Stalling speed clean: 94 km/h (59 mph)
- Rate of climb at sea level: 152 m/min (500 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 3,048 m (10,000 ft)
- Take-off run to clear 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 400 m (1,312 ft)
- Landing run to clear 15 m (50 ft) obstacle: 300 m (984 ft)
- Fuel capacity: 65 litres (14.29 Imp gals)
- Range at 75% power, no reserve: 796 km (495 miles)
- Endurance at 75% power: 4.3 hrs
- Empty weight: 296 kg (649 lb)
- Useful load: 206 kg (451 lb)
- Loaded weight: 500 kg (1,102 lb)
History:
The Jabiru J-120 was one of a range of light aircraft designed in Australia and built by Jabiru Aircraft Pty Ltd at its facility at Bundaberg in Queensland for the recreational aviation market in Australia. More than 1,600 Jabirus have been sold in Australia and around the world, and production has continued. The J-120 has been marketed as a ‘no frills – no options’ light aircraft and has become popular on the sport aircraft market.
It is thought to be an attractive package for flying schools to contemplate when looking for an easy to fly, cheap, locally produced and reliable aircraft with quick availability of spares. The machine in appearance was very much like the LSA-55 Jabiru, which was the first of the range to be made available to the aero club and training markets. After some criticisms of that model by operators, the Company made a number of alterations to the aircraft, including lengthening the nose, the rudder and the tail section. This model was slightly shorter than the J-160.
Power was provided by the Jabiru 2200B engine providing 60 kw (80 hp), this being a four-cylinder four-stroke unit driving a two-blade fixed pitch wooden/composite propeller 1.52 m (60 in) in diameter.