Australia’s most popular LSA trainer has been improved and updated to the J170-D model. With its stout landing gear, stable handling, and fuel economy of less than 4 gallons per hour in daily use, the J170-D is designed with flight training in mind.
The 80-horsepower, direct-drive, 4-cylinder Jabiru 2200 engine is a miser. It offers a frugal 4 gallons per hour fuel burn, and features the latest Jabiru safety enhancements.
The J170-D is a terrific bargain. Other LSA suitable for training can be double the price, and spare parts can be difficult to obtain. In contrast, parts for the J170-D airframe and engine and are readily available from a large inventory of parts maintained in the US.
Any A&P or LSRM can service the 2,000 hour TBO engine, and all the service manuals are available online, at no charge. Simple, as it should be.
Hummingbird Aviation is a full-service flight school near Minneapolis, Minnesota, that has offered Sport Pilot training with a Jabiru J170-SP for several years. The company recently added a second J170-SP to its fleet and its first aircraft has surpassed 2,000 hours of total time. Hummingbird’s chief flight instructor, Chris Cooper, states “We are very happy with the 170 as a trainer. It’s tough and economical, and it fits the mission of an LSA trainer very well. The students enjoy flying it. We are considering adding a third aircraft the future.”
Wing Loading @ 1320 lbs….……..………12.8 lbs/sq ft
Cabin Width …………..…………….………..…………. 45″
Aircraft Empty Weight (typical)………………780 lbs
Maximum Gross Weight..….…….….………….1320 lbs
Load Factor………..…+4.0/-2.0 G (+7.0/ -3.5 G tested)
Engine……………….…..Jabiru 2200 4-cylinder, 80hp
Engine Horsepower.…….…….…..……80 @ 3300 rpm
Climb Rate @ 1320 lbs (avg)…..…….…………500 fpm
Cruise Speed ………………….…….….…….….100 KTAS
VNE (never exceed).….…….………….………..140 KIAS
VA (maneuvering speed)……………………….90 KIAS
Stall Speed, Full Flaps………………….….……40 KCAS
Stall Speed, Flaps Up…………..……………….45 KCAS
Glide Ratio (engine idle) …………………………….. 12:1
Service Ceiling……..………………..….………..12,000 ft
Max Crosswind Component…………………….14 kts
Avg. Fuel Consumption………….………………4.5 gph
Fuel Capacity/Type………….…..…………36 gal/100LL
Airframe Construction………..Fiberglass Composite