Rodney Stiff

July 30, 2009 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin  - You could say Rodney Stiff of Queensland, Australia, was a man on a mission.

He started designing the first Jabiru aircraft in 1988 with a goal— to design and produce a composite aircraft that was highly efficient, airworthy, and affordable to purchase and maintain so more people could enjoy the sport. The result is a series of aircraft that not only are affordable, but also are strong and have good flight characteristics and plenty of performance, said Stiff’s daughter, Sue Woods.

Jabiru aircraft also have plenty of baggage space, she said, and all are powered by the Jabiru engine, designed specifically by Stiff for the aircraft. In addition, the Jabiru engine is used to power many other types of aircraft, and the engine and aircraft are exported to 60 countries.

For his pioneering work with Jabiru aircraft including certification in Australia and in the United States, Stiff will receive the August Raspet Memorial Award at 6:15 p.m. today at the Homebuilders Dinner at the Nature Center Pavilion.

Stiff was excited to hear about the award, and in particular to have his name included with so many eminent aircraft designers, Woods said.

The Jabiru product range includes Jabiru factory manufactured aircraft, experimental kits, and aircraft engines. A range of propellers, designed to complement Jabiru engines, is being developed.

At peak production, Jabiru produces airframes at the rate of 20 per month and engines at the rate of 90 per month. Jabiru has delivered more than 1,670 airframes and 6,500-plus engines, Woods said.