Jabiru

[142YX]

I just had the pleasure of hanging out with Pete and Ben Krotje for two days while taking the Jabiru engine maintenance seminar in Shelbyville TN last month. When asked, they gave me a rendition of Camit story very similar to what is stated in that note from Jabiru founder Rod Stiff. Apparently, those in the know had seen this comming for a while (although i am surprised that it actually happened lest than one month later).

Camit drastically overextended itself and suffered the consequences. Very interestingly, while the terms of their contract allowed Camit to manufacture and sell entire engines, they were supposed to have done so under the Jabiru name.. and the entire CAE 3300 thing was in violation of that agreement. Rod appears to have been the bigger person here and allowed it to continue although he could have sued. What was made very clear was that Jabiru has been for years, sourcing all of the parts for the Jabiru 3300 from many different manufactures. There doesn't seem to be any fear that this will effect the continued production nor the support of the 3300. Jabiru is close to releasing their cast block version of the engine.. and they appear to be in good standings business wise.

I had no loyalties or allegiances prior to last month, but after seeing the operation in Shelbyville and hearing both sides of that Jabiru/Camit story.. I can say i have a new found appreciation and trust in Jabiru both technically as a solid engine, from a business perspective that they will be around for a long while. The operation in Shelbyville is spot on and we are lucky to have business owners with that mindset as our USA POC for everything Jabiru. Sonex has always just been the middle men on the engine sale. They still shipped from Shelbyville direct.

I don't understand the details of why Sonex chose to deal for Camit and not Jabiru.. that makes me a little sad.

Continue to give your business to Ben and Pete at Jabiru USA and we will all enjoy many years of great service and support on the engines we operate.

[samiam]

I still think this is interesting in that it is coming right on the heels of the Sonex switch from Jabiru to CAMit. I'm a legacy "A" model builder with a 3300 mount, so I just have to hope that this engine continues to be manufactured and supported. I have several years of work to do before buying a power plant though, and I expect the dust will settle over this issue in the coming months.

[fastj22]

I always wondered how CAMit got away with producing a competing product (copy, albeit refined) to Jabiru and not face some lawsuit. It seems that Rod Stiff of Jabiru knew the viability of a heavily debt burdened CAMit and instead of litigating, just waited for the inevitable. Pretty smart on Jabiru's part actually. Why get tied up in costly litigation when your competitor won't make it anyways. There are lots of machine shops who can take Jabiru's designs and produce quality parts (hopefully he doesn't outsource them to China!). The volume isn't high so I doubt much disruption to their sales.
I certainly would like to see Ian pop back up producing quality add on parts. Like Rotec does. I hope he lands on his feet. I met him at OSH two years ago and he was a very nice man.

[LarryEWaiex121]

John,

Would be nice for support to arise from the ashes for us Camit owners that have no dog in the hunt between Rod and Ian.
Most of us owners simply saw a much improved product being offered with SUPPORT for both Camit and Jabiru owners.
As I've stated many times, I have no argument with Pete or anyone at Jabiru USA. They helped me many times with my Jabiru when I was running that engine. But make no mistake about how much Ian supported(Jab/Camit Group) both his own creation and dove in head first to help Jabiru customers also.
He gambled, he lost. Us Camit owners gambled and got great engines with possibly no support; forever?
To the best of my knowledge none of his customers paid for engines they didn't receive? Much different from many manufactureres in the past that took customers deposits and skipped. Creditor's knew their exposure going in, so for them, it was simply business.
The flying picture in the U.S. (can't speak for around the world) is already challenged in so many ways. The pilot population is getting older, kids have no interest in either building OR flying airplanes. To put another nail in the coffin of the fun flyer crowd does little to levitate the cause for all.
Time will tell whether us Camit folks get a lifeline or we're orphaned for life? Meanwhile, I'm having a hoot flying my Waiex and enjoying the ride.

Larry
Waiex121YX, Camit 3300

[fastj22]

I sincerely doubt we will ever see a resurrection of the CAMit engine production. If it is indeed true that Jabiru held their fire on litigation, I really doubt they will refrain if there is any effort to produce it again. And no investor is going to put up money with such a lawsuit potential. I do hope that the recent problems Jabiru has endured with CASA has shook Jabiru to the core and improve their customer relations and product reliability. I really like my engine. But I have an old solid lifter model. I think the new ones are doing fine though.

[DCASonex]

Was told Ian had 50% of the IP rights to the Jabiru design which he helped develop. Hardly makes his engine a ripoff of Jabiru. The victor gets to write history their way. Does seem like new Jabiru engines will be mostly from China. Certainly going to do all I can to insure my CAMit engine lasts as long as I do.

David A.

[Concorde]

Hi Mark.
Is Sonex going to have Fire wall forward kit and support for UL 260is ,beside just the motor mount for the legacy Sonex ?
How about the new Jabiru 3310 or maybe the Rotax 912 ?
Thanks for your help.
Ben

[fastj22]

Hi Mark.
Is Sonex going to have Fire wall forward kit and support for UL 260is ,beside just the motor mount for the legacy Sonex ?
How about the new Jabiru 3310 or maybe the Rotax 912 ?
Thanks for your help.
Ben

I've heard rumors of the Jabiru 3310, but can't find anything on it. Is this really happening?

[Concorde]

According to Pete it should be out in February , will see !

[mike20sm]

Hi Mark.
Is Sonex going to have Fire wall forward kit and support for UL 260is ,beside just the motor mount for the legacy Sonex ?
How about the new Jabiru 3310 or maybe the Rotax 912 ?
Thanks for your help.
Ben

I'm curious about this too. I've got a legacy kit that I wanted to put a UL engine on.