Jabiru Aircraft has published their response to the operational restrictions proposed by CASA.
The company issued a statement on Wednesday outlining their view on limitations that would prevent Jabiru-powered aircraft from being used for solo training and carrying passengers.
“The proposed instrument concerning operating limitations for Jabiru powered aircraft should be withdrawn immediately and without reservation,” the Jabiru statement said.
"At an operational level we are having regular talks with CASA and the RA-Aus to improve communications and develop better methods and processes for managing the relationship between Regulator, Administrator and Manufacturer. At heart we all want a vibrant, active and safe recreational aviation sector and Jabiru are committed to doing what we can to achieve this.
"At a technical level Jabiru’s engineers and staff are liaising with their CASA contacts and are making steady progress working through the items on the technical agenda. For many obvious reasons Jabiru does not conduct R&D in public nor publish every internal engineering report, however in the last 12 months 153 drawing revisions have been made along with revisions to many operating, maintenance, technical and overhaul manuals.
"Three Service Letters or Bulletins (or their LSA category equivalents) have been published and 25 people have visited Jabiru for maintenance training. All of this work has been carried out with the one goal of improving the reliability and ultimately the safety of our products.
"At a grass-roots level we have contacted many operating flying schools, asking them for information which will help us gather essential data to assess the currency of their configuration. This information will form a very important tool for us and we strongly urge people to take the time to provide the information as fully as possible. We are also appealing to people to keep flying and enjoying their aircraft!
"Overall, Jabiru is moving forward and embarking on a program of positive changes. You will see regular technical and engineering updates for engines and airframes. Jabiru conducts engine maintenance courses and we will run more courses, more often. Communications at all levels will be improved."
The period for public consultation on the proposed restrictions expired yesterday. CASA now needs to decide whether or not to impose the restrictions.