Start here
A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Aircraft and simulator background
The J160 is a strut-braced high-wing aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear and two seats, intended for training and recreation. Its Jabiru 2200 four-cylinder engine accompanies electrically operated flaps.
Jabiru J160
IRIS Simulations / Orbx · Read more ↗Central stick and spring trim
The manual describes Teleflex push-pull primary controls operated from a common central stick. Cable-operated elevator trim loads springs against a friction lock; nose-up trim raises the elevator. The electric flaps have their own actuation, separate from the manual primary controls.
Jabiru J160
IRIS Simulations / Orbx · Read more ↗J160 and J170 package context
Wing and weight distinguish the J160 and J170. Option A and Option B denote avionics choices. The archived AFM identifies v2.0.0, while the product page lists 1.5.6; those are retained as separate document and product versions.
Jabiru J160
IRIS Simulations / Orbx · Read more ↗Meet Jabiru J160
The J160 is a strut-braced high-wing aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear and two seats, intended for training and recreation. Its Jabiru 2200 four-cylinder engine accompanies electrically operated flaps.
IRIS's shared J160/J170 manual describes a common central stick and Teleflex push-pull primary controls. The J160 and J170 differ in wing and weight; the package offers Option A and Option B avionics arrangements.
Jabiru J160
Aircraft type designators
No type designator selected for this reference.
History & design
An Australian aircraft and engine programme
Jabiru was founded in Bundaberg in 1988 to develop a light composite aircraft. When the original engine supplier stopped aircraft-engine production, the company developed its own powerplant. Its later 2200 engine and airframe programmes grew together, establishing the background to the J160 family.
Jabiru Aircraft · Our journey ↗Manufacturer history; early company and engine development
The J160C milestone
The manufacturer records J160C type certification in December 2005 during a period of expanding international approvals and production. This is a specific milestone for the J160C, rather than a statement that every later kit or light-sport model carries the same approval.
Jabiru Aircraft · Our journey ↗Manufacturer timeline; December 2005 J160C
Systems & details
Central stick and spring trim
The manual describes Teleflex push-pull primary controls operated from a common central stick. Cable-operated elevator trim loads springs against a friction lock; nose-up trim raises the elevator. The electric flaps have their own actuation, separate from the manual primary controls.
J160 and J170 package context
Wing and weight distinguish the J160 and J170. Option A and Option B denote avionics choices. The archived AFM identifies v2.0.0, while the product page lists 1.5.6; those are retained as separate document and product versions.
In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
MSFS 2020IRIS Simulations Jabiru J160
IRIS Simulations · Released
IRIS Simulations Jabiru J160
IRIS Simulations · Released
Manuals & resources
Find your next read
Choose a topic for a short introduction and a link to the original source. Simulator references identify the developer and edition they cover.
Developer manual
Jabiru J160 — IRIS Simulations / Orbx referenceJabiru J160
PDF1,11-14,21,32-33
IRIS Simulations / Orbx · Read the source ↗Developer documentation
Jabiru J160 — IRIS Simulations referenceJabiru J160
Aircraft-specific product description and compatibility requirements
IRIS Simulations · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Developer manual
Jabiru J160 — IRIS Simulations / Orbx referenceIRIS Simulations / Orbx · PDF1,11-14,21,32-33Developer documentation
Jabiru J160 — IRIS Simulations referenceIRIS Simulations · Aircraft-specific product description and compatibility requirementsAircraft reference
Our journeyJabiru Aircraft · Reviewed public summary; original privately archived 2026-10-12Built-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261011-v3 · 2 profile choices
IRIS Simulations Jabiru J160
IRIS Simulations · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020
A two-seat high-wing light aircraft with a central stick and push-pull controls.
Jabiru J160
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024 · X-Plane 12
A two-seat high-wing light aircraft with a central stick and push-pull controls.
IRIS Simulations Jabiru J160
A two-seat high-wing light aircraft with a central stick and push-pull controls.
Aircraft and simulator scope
- IRIS Simulations Jabiru J160 · IRIS Simulations · MSFS 2020 · Add-on starting point
The simulator model and controls
IRIS Simulations Jabiru J160 is the selected IRIS Simulations configuration.
How this profile feels
Spring resistance builds with the selected airspeed response. A separate aerodynamic term adds speed-dependent control load.
Valid trim provides the configured pressure relief. Autopilot following is off.
Aircraft and configuration
The J160 is a strut-braced high-wing aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear and two seats, intended for training and recreation. Its Jabiru 2200 four-cylinder engine accompanies electrically operated flaps.
Central stick and spring trim
The manual describes Teleflex push-pull primary controls operated from a common central stick. Cable-operated elevator trim loads springs against a friction lock; nose-up trim raises the elevator. The electric flaps have their own actuation, separate from the manual primary controls.
J160 and J170 package context
Wing and weight distinguish the J160 and J170. Option A and Option B denote avionics choices. The archived AFM identifies v2.0.0, while the product page lists 1.5.6; those are retained as separate document and product versions.
About the values
Strengths are normalized hardware-feel settings. They set the effect balance; hand force depends on the device and its limits. The IAS reference is a tuning value.
Documentary review and sources
These decisions describe the documentary basis and remaining gaps for this revision. Aircraft documentation and a starting setting describe different kinds of evidence.
Aircraft and variant
InheritedIRIS Simulations Jabiru J160 is the selected IRIS Simulations configuration.
Flight controls
InheritedA two-seat high-wing light aircraft with a central stick and push-pull controls.
Trim
InheritedThe manual describes Teleflex push-pull primary controls operated from a common central stick. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0.
Autopilot and stability
InheritedAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Equipment
InheritedThe J160 is a strut-braced high-wing aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear and two seats, intended for training and recreation. Its Jabiru 2200 four-cylinder engine accompanies electrically operated flaps.
Speeds and limits
InheritedThe indicated-speed references set the profile response scale; they are separate from aircraft operating limits.
Simulator integration
InheritedThe profile targets msfs2020. Add-on-specific controls use only the supported references configured by this profile.
Force-feedback settings
InheritedThe settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
Starting settings and their rationale
These configured values are starting estimates. The explanations describe what each setting controls; physical validation appears separately below.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.74 | What it controls and whyPrimary controls: Teleflex push-pull. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 45 KIAS. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 100 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value100 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value45 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.72 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1.0 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
All 44 starting settings and their rationale
The settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.74 | What it controls and whyPrimary controls: Teleflex push-pull. The baseline spring is 0.74. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 45 KIAS. |
| Spring deadband | Starting value0.04 | What it controls and whySets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.8 with an indicated-speed reference of 100 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| QBlend Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it. |
| QSpring Minimum Factor | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whySets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength. |
| QSpring Start Knots | Starting value10 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value45 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value100 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening gain | Starting value0.15 | What it controls and whyThe high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.15. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 45 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening limit | Starting value5 | What it controls and whyLimits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.72 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.72 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1.0 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Elevator Authority | Starting value0.3 | What it controls and whyThe manual describes Teleflex push-pull primary controls operated from a common central stick. Pitch authority 0.3 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0. |
| Aileron Authority | Starting value0 | What it controls and whyScales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response. |
| Force Trim Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyEnables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification. |
| GLoad Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it. |
| Rate Damping Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot follow authority | Starting value0.1 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Autopilot neutral hold strength | Starting value0.6 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions. |
| Gain | Starting value0.35 | What it controls and whySets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate. |
| Maximum flap index | Starting value3 | What it controls and whySets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Minimum flap index | Starting value2 | What it controls and whySets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate. |
| Shaker Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment. |
| Stick shaker amplitude | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.4 | What it controls and whySets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration. |
| Gain | Starting value0.25 | What it controls and whySets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact. |
| Gain | Starting value0.65 | What it controls and whySets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
Limits and open questions
- Publisher AFM says v2.0.0 while product page lists1.5.6; preserve both. OptionB AP modes and display targets are not servo demand. DX11 support does not establish MSFS2024 compatibility.
- Nominal forces, damping and speed references are estimates. Physical and installed-aircraft acceptance deferred.
- Custom failures, mixed-axis gearing and AP servo following remain unqualified.
Physical validation
No physical force validation is recorded in this public catalogue for this revision. Documentary review and software checks do not establish how a particular device feels.
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