Yamma-Fox

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Everything posted by Yamma-Fox



  1. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic A different film from Fred...   

    So you edit out the camera and stick, OK. 
    But how in the world does it give a 15 ft "off the wingtip" view??   
    How can it see the around the tip of the wingtip?
    Dang!
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  2. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic A different film from Fred...   

    That is SWEET!
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  3. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Yamaha Apex Skytrax Adapters   

    Prelim guestimates on the EP Apex "EPeX" are outta my budget! 
    An internally beefed up EPeX set up with big boost and HP will likely go north of $30k I'd bet.  But it'd be worth every penny if you wanted big power  because they basically do a major overhaul with top of the line internals and then their turbo and ecu is built to (experimental) aviation standards (as opposed to snowmo turbos) with built in protections to save the motor and get you home in case of detected detonation - overboost - overtemp (egt) - ect.
    But really, wouldn't even $35k for say a 250 HP zero-timed Apex look pretty good next to an even more expensive 142 HP 915?
    All that said, "MOST" people converting the apex are happy with the 150 stock NA motor.  Those doing that get everything done for under $10k in most cases:
    $2500-3000 for a motor with all acessories from Jim Hensel (our top rated engine supplier) or DIY buying a used sled and canabalizing it.  (Shop a 2006-2010 Apex)  Contact Jim Hensel:  +16073298676
    $3500 for the Skytrax adapter-gearbox.  Contact Teal Jenkins   +16237340185
    $500 for the wire harness conversion (developed by Steve Henry and built by Ian Bange) Contact Ian Bange via Facebook: Precision Aviation Products (see pic below)
    $1000 in incidentals
    $1500 for a custom fit header (if not DIY).  Contact GP Headers:  https://www.gpheaders.com/products/custom-headers/
    $900 for a Luga prop.
     

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  4. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Don't need no flying lessons   

    Natural progression in redneck way of thought:
    Polar Bear Challenge... CHECK, Next?
    Tide Pod Challlenge.....  CHECK, Next?
    Challenger Challenge....  CHHHEEEcck,(gulp), "Naw I wasn't scared, wanna go for a ride?"
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  5. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Yamaha Apex Skytrax Adapters   

    Yep the 300 HP testbed is great to do some overload testing!  I really like the idea of that.  Assuming it does well there it would give some real comfort zone for running in that 180-220 HP range.
    And for reference, the 300 is on OEM bore (998cc) and the stock crank as well.  The OEM crank is even used in the 600 HP Apex drag racing sleds.
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  6. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Yamaha Apex Skytrax Adapters   

    ^^  Hope you are right!  What you say makes sense.
    But I wouldn't entirely blame EP for seeking a premium for the big power they are offering in the EPeX.  220 - 300HP at a smidge less than 200 lbs total installed weight is pretty unheard of and probably worth a few bucks to the kind of people who really want that much power.
    In terms of $/HP I think they would have grounds to look for a bigger margin.
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  7. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Don't need no flying lessons   

    Yeah well that was a long time ago...   I'm getting WAY better now.  

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  8. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Yamaha Apex Skytrax Adapters   

    EDGE PERFORMANCE is about to spin up this gearbox on their 300 HP Aviation Apex.
    This be an awesome test to prove out the entire setup, check for any weak links, and see if there is anything that needs beefing up or limits that need to be set.
    The last 2 pics are physical comparisons of the Apex and the EP Rotax 912
     





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  9. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Guy Jumps Out Of Kitfox Before It Crashes And Walks Away   

    My favorite comment:
    "Hauser said Patton was planning to fly his plane to Minnesota and then drive it from there down to Guatemala."
    Apparently the freeways leading out of Minnesota are wider than those in Colorado.Or maybe they have special airplane lanes"

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  10. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Best ground loop explanation I've seen   

    Yep, kind of like vance says, after my "learning day" I now always come down and in my head chant "go-around... go-around" if for the slightest reason things dont seem good.
    That has saved me from other loops and would have saved me that first day as well.
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  11. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Best ground loop explanation I've seen   

    Got two on my first day of TW training!  
    Tailwheel caster (click out) and springs were rigged REALLY bad, went to caster just after touchdown.... something anyone with some experience could handle,  but not me on the first day!  Got that (and my mind) set right and pressed on.
    10 years later and waiting for the next opportunity to have my ass handed to me again LOL!
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  12. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Friendly thrust competition   

    That's why I was gonna do my pull on floats...  because to win competitions I have learned the best way is to get every advantage in my corner.....
     
     Or just cheat.
     

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  13. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Friendly thrust competition   

    Am I invited? 
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  14. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic E-Tec or Polaris 800 conversions   

    My vote for a 2smoke would be the 600 etec.  It really has the best track record and durability history.   120 HP but Id derate it to 100 max and 80 continuous.
    Biggest obstacle there is (as mentioned) the provisioning for an adapter and gearbox.
    IMO the 800 and even 850 etec just havent proven out well enough for use in the air.  They have been "good" at best in sleds and I think Leni is right: among 800s the Arctic Cat motor has the best reputation.
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  15. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic E-Tec or Polaris 800 conversions   

    With that said, my dream motor in a "light" KF or Avid would be the 2cyl 4s Rotax 600ACE.  It is small, reasonably light, high tech EFI, direct drive, and derated at 7300 rpm and 60 HP in the sled.  That derate is to meet BAT noise and emissions standards that are required for snowmo use in Yellowstone Park and other places.
    I run one and it is my favorite snowmo motor ever...  ultra quiet, ultra efficient (ACE stands for Advanced Combustion Efficiency), has a broad powerband with nice linear broad torque curve, and time proven reliable (out since 2010).  People ride them until the sled falls apart around the flawlessly running motors (25,000+ miles)
    A little exhaust tuning and it can pump out the upper 60HP range at about 7800 rpm.  That's where I run mine and it just purrs along at WOT for miles and miles and miles on end trying to keep up with higher HP sleds. 
    I totally believe and would bet my butt (in a plane) that it would do 65 HP continuously for thousands of hours with no worries.   Remember that the 500cc 2cyl 4s Yamaha Phazer reliably puts out 80 HP, and the 600ACE does well with turbo at 90-120 HP, so 65HP seems in contrast to be childs play.
    Teal has his hands full but I wish we could clone him and inspire the clone to make up a Integrated gearbox-adapter for the 600ACE!


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  16. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic So, I got my BasicMed exam...   

    DDDude hate to tell you this...  nobody has bratwurst sized fingers..
     
    .
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  17. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Yamaha Apex Skytrax Adapters   

    Teal doesn't check in here as often as I do so I'll tell ya what he told me.   Edge should hopefully  be spinning up the turbo apex with this gearbox and a prop in Feb.   They will push it hard (300 HP) and test the heck out  of it.
    Assuming success I think Teal would be ready to release the gearbox shortly thereafter.... so my SWAG guess would be late winter - early spring.
    Below is the latest / updated gearbox design:
     
     

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  18. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic low low mile Yamaha RX1s   

    Yeah I had to get over that too!
    I am definitely not the smartest or most experienced guy here in this forum, but I might posssibly be the one who has researched, investigated, networked, and talked to the most people about this yamaha thing.
    And in all that research I have found the C / E gearboxes to be mega "overachievers".  They definitely have an incredibly good track record on the Yamaha engines.
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  19. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Yamaha Apex Skytrax Adapters   

    Due an update here.  Teal has made a few upgrades to the original design, to include a larger oil reservoir, an oil level sight guage, and helical gears.
    And bigger news (for anyone that has missed it) is that Edge Performance is working with Teal on a full zero timed Apex with beefed up internals and their fully automated aviation grade Turbo.
    Edge should be testing a prototype here within the next two months and Steve Henry is planning to be the launch customer.
    HP in testing will be in the 250-300 range.  Production units are planned to go out in a detuned range of 180-230 or so.
    For reference, the Apex is run up to 600 HP in the snowmobile drag racing world.  Basically, Edge is planning to do all the internal upgrades (as seen in the pic below and website link) that are used for the 600 HP race sleds, but send it out to only run it in the 180-230 range for aircraft use.
    http://www.powerbygns.com/Products.html  
    Follow the Edge Performance build in the FB post here (click the "veiw on facebook" link)
     
     
     

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  20. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Yamaha Apex Skytrax Adapters   

    Reference post above, here is Thomas H's (Edge Performance) comments on the project:
    It’s Yamaha time. I’ll try and keep this post alive as we progress. 
    Step one is to tear down the engine and inspect and measure the internals. Ultrasonic clean and bead blast all parts. Send off all steel parts for tumbling and cadmium/zinc plating. 
    Next, install forged pistons and rods, new bearings, ARP studs and MLS head gasket. 
    Make a mil-spec Raychem DR-25 motorsport harness and adapt the Apex engine to our ECU. 
    Make a 4-into-1, S321 turbo manifold and fit a Garrett turbo. Thinking either GT2860R or GT3071R. We’ll see how bald we dare to be. 
    Fit Teal’s Sky-Trax PSRU 
    Run it like we stole it on the test bench and dyno. Gain data and numbers. 
    * Maybe do a full head job with full radius cut valve seats, grind the valves, and possibly a 5-axis CNC porting job. Needed, NO! Would it be cool, YES !



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  21. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Yamaha Apex Skytrax Adapters   

    Looks like Teal answered your question, but I wanted to add that with Steve Henry on your side you have a totally unfair advantage over the rest of us if you end up going Yamaha! 
    If his headers, motor mount, and other fabricated parts would have bolted up and fit my KF like they would on a Just firewall I woulda bought them in a second!
     
    Also FYI below is Steve Henry's weight worksheet for his new plane with this Skytrax Apex adapter (note the weight includes the radiator)
     

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  22. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic MY AVID Mk4 RX-1...build   

    They come in 165-180 with everthing less prop and radiator.
    Below is Steve Henry's weight worksheet for his new Apex and it includes the radiator.
     

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  23. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Scimitar Propellers   

    My deal with Roman direct went well too.  Long wait but good deal.
    Those props are a work of art.
    And I shoulda hired Fred to come over to do my engine swap with the same method used in the video above.
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  24. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic World War One Pilot skills demonstrated. Real footage.   

    I really don't know what the big deal is.  I typically do a top rudder knife edge approach at 100 feet when my engine is shut off.

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  25. Yamma-Fox added a post in a topic Repairs & Mods: custom cowl, new gear,etc   

    "Damn... I made that!"
    Grabbing a beer and saying that  to ourselves is part of the reason we are all so nuts about this money sucking - grown up kids hobby!  
    Nice job!
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