JABIRU AIRCRAFT PTY LTD

Jabiru formed 1988 by Rodney Stiff and Phil Ainsworth to produce Jabiru LSA 55/2K, but branched into engine design and manufacture when Italian-built KFM engine, which powered this variant, was withdrawn from market. Now produces 1,600 and 2,200 cc flat-four and 3,300 cc flat-six engines for its own and other manufacturers' aircraft. A factory-built SLA version of Jabiru, the UL 450, was launched in 2000. The company and aircraft are named for Australia's sole indigenous stork. Production averages 100 aircraft and 360 engines per year. A prototype of a four-seat Jabiru, the J400, first flew in March 2001 and customer deliveries began almost immediately.