American Legend Aircraft Offers 120-HP Jabiru Engine

[sj]

SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS, JUNE 21, 2006 -- American Legend Aircraft Company announced today the availability of an optional Jabiru 120-horsepower engine for its Legend Cub. The Legend Cub is a certified light-sport aircraft. The newly announced Jabiru engine option offers Legend Cub owners numerous performance advantages.

The Legend Cub was inspired and designed with the classic Cub in mind. A strut-supported high-wing aircraft, the Legend Cub is a modern re-creation of this classic. One major difference between the two is that the new Legend Cub is built utilizing today's state-of-the-art materials and methods. In keeping with this philosophy, American Legend has introduced a modern engine option for its popular Legend Cub. The advanced-technology Jabiru engine now offers Legend Cub owners an array of performance benefits.

After an extended testing program, many of the performance benefits of the Jabiru-equipped Legend Cub have been validated: more useful load, shorter takeoff distance, and faster climb. The 120-horsepower Jabiru 3300A Aero Engine is a 6-cylinder workhorse. What makes it unique is its lightweight aluminum block and precision machined construction. The results are high time between overhaul, affordable parts, and low maintenance costs. When coupled with the Legend Cub, the Jabiru engine provides a lower fuel burn, smoother, quieter, and higher performing powerplant option for American Legend customers.

Gerald Ward, customer for the first production Jabiru-equipped Legend Cub, commented on the aircraft, "I was a fan of the Jabiru engine about a year ago when I put my deposit down on a Legend Cub. I was willing to take a back seat to get this motor and gave up my early delivery position. Now that my Legend Cub is nearing completion I'm very excited about the trip to Texas to take delivery." Ward added, "I've flown a friend's J-3 Cub, but wasn't too keen about having to take the back seat then. With my new Legend Cub, the option of flying solo from the front seat is especially appealing."

The combination of the Legend Cub and Jabiru engine translates into classic, flying fun with contemporary technical prowess. The Legend Cub's open cockpit, tandem seating exemplifies recreational flying. The Jabiru 3300A engine expands the limits of performance with today's technology.

Jabiru has been producing engines in Australia for more than 14 years. American Legend Aircraft Company manufactures and assembles the Legend Cub in the U.S.A. The Jabiru-equipped Legend Cub provides an extremely appealing recreational aircraft choice.

American Legend Aircraft Company is a manufacturer of recreational aircraft that meet Light-Sport Aircraft certification requirements. The American Legend Cub is two-place design derived from the classic Cub. A variety of options are available including choice of interior, avionics, wheels, floats, lighting, propellers, and more. The Legend Cub is bringing back the enjoyment and economics of general aviation aircraft to today's flying enthusiasts.

For further information on the Jabiru-equipped Legend Cub, contact American Legend Aircraft Company at 1810 Piper Lane, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482; call 903-885-7000; or log on to www.legend.aero.

– Legend Cub –

 

[StPat]

I thought Light Sport was limited to 100 HP?

 

[gdafoe]

I was thinking it was 180hp but I can't find any hp restriction.


From the EAA web site-

Light-Sport Aircraft:

The FAA defines a light-sport aircraft as an aircraft, other than a helicopter or powered-lift that, since its original certification, has continued to meet the following:

Maximum gross takeoff weight—1,320 lbs, or 1,430 lbs for seaplanes.
Lighter-than-air maximum gross weight—660 lbs (300 kg.)
Maximum stall speed—51 mph (45 knots)
Maximum speed in level flight with maximum continuous power (Vh)—138 mph (120 knots)
Single or two-seat aircraft only
Single, reciprocating engine (if powered), including rotary or diesel engines
Fixed or ground-adjustable propeller
Unpressurized cabin
Fixed landing gear, except for an aircraft intended for operation on water or a glider
Can be manufactured and sold ready-to-fly under a new Special Light-Sport aircraft certification category. Aircraft must meet industry consensus standards. Aircraft under this certification may be used for sport and recreation, flight training, and aircraft rental.
Can be licensed Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) if kit- or plans-built. Aircraft under this certification may be used only for sport and recreation and flight instruction for the owner of the aircraft.
Can be licensed Experimental Light-Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) if the aircraft has previously been operated as an ultralight but does not meet the FAR Part 103 definition of an ultralight vehicle. These aircraft must be transitioned to E-LSA category no later than January 31, 2008.
Will have FAA registration—N-number.
Aircraft category and class includes: Airplane (Land/Sea), Gyroplane, Airship, Balloon, Weight-Shift-Control ("Trike" Land/Sea), and Powered Parachute.
U.S. or foreign manufacture of light-sport aircraft is authorized.
Aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate that meet above specifications may be flown by sport pilots. However, the aircraft must remain in standard category and cannot be changed to light-sport aircraft category. Holders of a sport pilot certificate may fly an aircraft with a standard airworthiness certificate if it meets the definition of a light-sport aircraft.
May be operated at night if the aircraft is equipped per FAR 91.205, if such operations are allowed by the aircraft's operating limitations and the pilot holds at least a Private Pilot certificate and a minimum of a third-class medical.

 

[Chuck-Fairfax]

One of the strange but good things about the sport aircraft definition is that the airplane can have as much horsepower as you want, it just can't exceed 120 knots in level flight at maximum continuous power. That opens up all sorts of interesting possibilites for experimental aircraft. Keep it under 1320 pounds, watch the stall speed and max level flight speed, and you could build something with a really high powered engine that would go practically straight up, just so long as there was enough drag to keep it below 120K level, or perhaps the high power is just for a limited period, say 2 minutes, and then you have to cut it way back. I am waiting to see what wild aircraft some creative experimental guys come up with!
Me, I'm sticking to my 65hp J-3.
Drivers licenses work.
Chuck Shaw

 

[bobnall]

I just looked at the Legend Cub website...there is no mention of this engine there and nothing on pricing. Any idea what the cost is as compared to the O-200? This could be an interesting option for those of us that are getting tired of physicals when our flying activity is for recreational purposes only.

-Bob

 

[Nathan K. Hammond]

The driving concern behind LSA was Energy. I.E. how much kinetic energy is availible. They are trying to prevent LSA pilots from cruising around in a Lancair Jetprop, which could plow a pretty big hole in the ground. Learned that from an aviation attorney at a flyin last weekend.

How could a 6 cylinder on a cub be considered a classic??

nkh

 

[StPat]

I guess I made the (mistaken) assumption that LSA was limited to 100HP from seeing most of the new entrants (at least on this side of the pond) were using O200 or Rotax 512, I did hear that Murphy is looking to put the Rotac radial in one of their designs but have not been able to confirm this.

 

[CarlM]

Asked at Oshkosh, pricing is the same with Jabaru 3300 or Cont O-200.

 

[oboyett]

Jab

It's quite a bit lighter package and it has significantly more power. I am usualy climbing long before I get to full power.
Oran