Motor theft& the scum of the earth

[ianhogg]

I pass this on to our group as I hope the vermin responsable are not the type to browse here.
A couple of weeks ago we had some visitors to our flying club at kirkbride.Some needed fuel so I drove them to the gas station to get it leaving the rest to have a good look around the contents of my hangar like you do!.
Probably totally unconnected the following saturday persons unknown broke into the hangar right next to a new Xair we are building and stole a brand new Jabiru 2.2 off the front of it.
they also went with a honda generator but that was it.
They didnt want tools radios the engine mount or the brand new standard exhaust stood next to the a/c.
This makes me suspect that it was thieved to order as a replacement motor for someone with an existing tired jabiru
Probably though not definatly with connections to the North east of england. According to the police the thieves show all the sighns of not being new to the game and you never now might get a liking for this profitable new pastime!!.
The bad news for us is that it looks like insurance isnt going to
cough which leaves us about 5k out of pocket.
What can you do?
The engine is one of the new shape slash cut head models. not
many here yet. Its number is22A707 though this may be welded out and restamped as thet probably know car thieves.It hasnt got the cooling ram ducts however or a new undershot exhaust
and was modified for a job at the factory so the police will be able to identify it. So if someone in your area with a Jab with the old round head motor suddenly has a new slash head engine but old
cowls and exhaust or even some !!!!!!!! flies in with a re engined thruster (This would use the upshot exhausts they took)
You dont have to get involved ,Just mail me at cumbrian ultralights or contact cumbria police on 01900602422 and quote log no 132-B-1205
and help me nail the !!!!s remember you could be next

[Holdposition]

Real sorry to hear your story and details noted Ian, if any news comes my way will do the honourable thing..........shoot the bastards.

Think given time this plant might turn up, but proving it etc another story, hope you nail them.

[pilotwolf]

This is probably a silly suggestion that you have already thought of but...

I assume they flew in - are you a towered field? Have you checked to find if a flight plan was filed or the local atc remember the flight to enable you to trace them and their home field.

Secondly what about pictures from the garage CCTV? Or if they paid by card then could they not be traced from that...

Assuming that there is a connection between the two incidents...

Good Luck in finding them.

[ianhogg]

I have to be carefull not to libel anyone here as there is no direct proof as yet to link anyone to the theft though I know in my own mindthat there is a connection between our "visitors" and my visit the next week by the thieves. The police were given all the regs of fly in visitors though nothing has come of it, silly to think it would really!
I suppose the thing that really pisses me off (apart from being
5 thosand pounds out of pocket ) is that someone (a flyer at that)
is quite happy to use a stolen to order engine. If he does get to read this he may want to reflect on the following.
1. this is not a white collar crime , we are out of pocket on this and we will not forget .This is a small sport and when the engine surfaces(and it will eventually) Your flying days will be over sunshine.
2.You and your mates have allready had the effect that our airfield at kirkbride is no longer the simple and trusting place it was. My hangar is alarmed with an autodial now, it is no longer open to all visitors as it was and unfortunatly our clubhouse floor is no longer there to kip on in extremis as it used to be.You and your type are no longer welcome here.

If you fly in the north east of england and visit us here and are one of the vast majority of decent folk, you are welcome as allways .it is just taking me a while to regain my faith in human nature
PIP PIP.

[A and C]

I am very sorry to hear of this theft and in the course of my dutys as a PFA inspector I will keep a look out for this engine and or parts that may have come from it.

It would give me great pleasure to see the people who stole your engine before the courts.

[Low-Pass]

Don't really know that section of the industry or the regs are about maintenance of Jabiru 2.2 engines but maybe a notice in the engineers forum might have a few more people keeping their eyes open for it?

Also wondered if it's the sort of thing that people would be keen to export

My sympathies and I hope you get them.

Cheers, LP

[a pilot]

In the usa a few engine thefts were considered for certain type of BOATS,i THINK THEY WERE LYCOMING,just another idea.