Arion Aircraft of Shelbyville, Tennessee has been appointed as the North American importer and distributor for Jabiru Engines, FWF Kits and Jabiru Parts. Arion Aircraft will be the exclusive importer and will market the full line engines and parts manufactured in Australia by Jabiru Aircraft Pty, Ltd.
Jabiru Aircraft Pty Ltd, based in Australia, has sold over 2,000 aircraft and over 6,000 engines world-wide since 1988, with Jabiru engines powering many of the most popular experimental aircraft in America. Pete Krotje, owner of Jabiru North America stated: “Arion Aircraft has been a Jabiru Service Center for many years. Their experience makes this a perfect fit to advance the sales of Jabiru brand power products throughout North America. I’m eagerly looking forward to the energy and creativity that Nick Otterback and Arion Aircraft will bring to the Jabiru engine fleet in North America.”
“Arion Aircraft has assumed all North American sales and marketing activities for the Jabiru Engine product line at our Shelbyville, Tennessee location at Shelbyville Municipal Airport (KSYI). All new engine and parts inquiries and orders will be directed, fulfilled and delivered through Arion Aircraft.” commented Nick Otterback, Owner of Arion Aircraft. “This complements our existing kit and LSA aircraft manufacturing business. The majority of the nearly 200 kit and LSA aircraft we’ve produced are powered by Jabiru engines giving us substantial experience with the Jabiru product line. We will continue to offer repair and maintenance services for Jabiru engines as well as Jabiru Aplanes from the former Jabiru North America location (next door to Arion Aircraft) at KSYI. We’re really excited about Jabiru’s new Gen IV engine and the benefits it will offer amateur builders. I’m pleased that Pete Krotje will be helping out with Jabiru technical support as we transition into the Jabiru business.”
Pete Krotje, who is retiring, and Jabiru North America has been the Jabiru importer for North America for 19 years and was a founding member of Arion Aircraft, LLC. Nick Otterback is the chief designer of the Lightning airplane and has worked with Pete for 15 years in the Jabiru and Arion Aircraft businesses.
