The Jabiru nest

Bundaberg’s other famous export

The allure of a new aircraft on the ramp is undeniable. Yet beyond the highly glossed finish and the impressive array of avionics, each aircraft represents the complex co-ordination of personnel and production processes. A closer look at Jabiru’s Bundaberg facility illustrates just what is required to make the bird fly.

In the Beginning.

sprouting wings Laying up fibreglass cloth for
a Jabiru wing. (Jabiru)

When Jabiru set out more than 20 years ago to develop and enhance affordable flying throughout the world, they logically started with a lone prototype. Initially seeking to develop a highly efficient, composite designed, light aircraft, they selected a lightweight Italian engine as the powerplant. As luck would have it, just after their first aircraft was type-certificated in Australia, the Italian engine manufacturer ceased production. As a consequence, Jabiru set about entering the lightweight engine market as well.

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