J230 Useable Load.. not ideal?

[CAV0K]

Question for those flying the 230..

 

How are you managing having a pax in regards to useable load? 

 

I've been pondering whether or not I should get signed off on the 230 but not really seeing the advantage beyond an increase in TAS (120kts).

 

The one I have avbl to me has a useable load of 206kg.. I would expect to use 160kg in crew which leaves 46kg for fuel.

 

46kg = 63L of fuel = 2.5hrs of endurance. I prefer to have 60mins of reserve so for planning I have 1.5hrs of flying. This seems not ideal for any lengthy nav? sure I can plan refuelling stops.

 

On the other hand I currently fly a J170 with a useable load of 271kg, minus crew leaves 111kg = max fuel = 8hrs of endurance + 1hr of reserve but cruise at 90kts.

 

Yep the J230 has more cargo space, but wouldn't be utilised as Id be at MTOW.

 

I understand there really isn't much to discuss, fly solo, accept the limited fuel, etc.. but still keen to hear your thoughts.

 

Ive seen plenty of YouTube videos with J230s flying 2 people and it always gets me wondering (and wanting to fly the J230).

 

Thanks!

[skippydiesel]

I hope you get an answer from someone who actually knows Jab's - I am just speculating.

 

As I understand it, the J 230 is the RAA (Max 600 kg, 2 seat) variation of J430  (Max 700 kg, 4 seat). 

 

Seats numbers aside, they are the same aircarft. Only the removal of the seat weight & potential for higher TO weight changes the performance.

 

"The Jabiru J230 and Jabiru J430 share the exact same large fuselage, high-wing composite airframe, 120-horsepower Jabiru 3300 6-cylinder engine, and 120-knot cruise speed, but they differ primarily in seating configuration, weight, certificate & performance ".

Key Differences

• Seating Capacity:
  • J230: A 2-seater aircraft (the rear seats of the 4-seat airframe are removed, leaving a massive rear baggage/cargo compartment).
  • J430: A 4-seater aircraft with rear passenger seating. [1, 2]

• Registration & Licensing:
  • J230: Can be registered as a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) / RAAus (Recreational Aviation Australia) or under VH (General Aviation) rules, meaning it can be flown with a recreational or sport pilot certificate.
  • J430: Requires General Aviation (VH) registration and at least a Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL) or Private Pilot Licence (PPL) issued by CASA. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

• Weights & Payload:
  • J230-D: Empty weight around 390 kg, max takeoff weight (MTOW) typically 700 kg (yielding ~310 kg usable payload).
  • J430-D: Empty weight around 400 kg, MTOW typically 700 kg (yielding ~300 kg usable payload). [1]

• Stall Speed & Climb Rate:
  • Stall Speed (\(V_{S0}\) clean): J230 is 45 kts / J430 is 52 kts.
  • Stall Speed (\(V_{S1}\) full flaps): J230 is 40 kts / J430 is 48 kts."

Your 230 Max TO weight would seem to be well below that claimed by Jabiru.

 

Fuel consumption is a claimed 23-29L/hr. Fuel capacity 135L, giving a range of 675 nm at 5.6 hrs

[CAV0K]

Thanks Skippy, you are correct in that the J230 registered under RAAus is 600kg. the BEW of the J230 I can fly is 394kg.. 600-394=206kg useable. So I don't believe the numbers I put forward are below Jabiru's.

 

It would be great if the J230 could be re-certified for an increase MTOW of 700kg but from my research that's not possible for a factory build.. only avbl to an experimental build J230/430.

[sfGnome]

Just ask RAAus ([email protected]) directly (I find a phone call gets a faster reply than email - Nicola is flat out). If old GA aircraft can be moved to Group G, then why not LSA? 24-xxxx can be converted to 24-xxxxE, so it’s odd that they can become 34-xxxx. I don’t know, but they will.