I am currently building my Highlander purchased through Steve. He is always available to answer calls, texts, emails to help with questions during the build. Thanks for doing a thorough interview.
I got the pleasure of meeting Steve last year at his home airport, and he was nice enough to take me flying in his yellow rocket. All I could says is, holly crap that plan is fun. Thanks Steve
Great interview /video. My favorite one that Steve has is the dead stick take off in the mountains. He definitely knows his aircraft. Take care, Be safe
All us Rotax 912 pilots were just finally getting the legacy engine guys educated on how it ISN'T a "snowmachine engine," and then the Apex comes along!
Interesting to me that he said he likes Matco breaks as well as the Berengers. I have Matcos and hate them. Leak bad inside and out. Don't hold at all. And at best are good only for parking. I've just learned how to fly as if without breaks. Would love to learn how to "set them up right" as he said.
This fellow is living the life that I wanted, knowing what I know now at 70 years. Don't get me wrong my sojourn this time has been pretty good but flying that plane the way he does is the ice cream on the cake.
I think this plane was in Willows, CA. A few months back. I live close to the little airport and I heard this strange awesome sound from a plane? Turned around looked out and seen this yellow ripper headed out! Amazing sound no mistaking it.
Steve- This is Danny Stockdaile, Retired USAF. I love these little planes and would like to learn how tofly. The price for license is outrageous. What’s the best way to get license for this type aircraft? Thanks in advance, Danny
1) private pilot certificate 2) join or start a flying club 3) one of the flight instructors might teach for free 4) buy books your local flight school recommends or ask the FAA study and pass the written exam go do it 5) You might start with gliders, contact Soaring Society of America for the nearest club. The club people will give you a ride. 6) join the EAA, call them for the nearest Chapter, A group might be interested in building Steves kit, They, the local builders usually share building shops and tools EAA = Experimental Aircraft Association.
@@arturoeugster7228 Good way to start, Gliders also called Sailplanes . For power certificate you need a medical test, third class, but not for gliders, just a written declaration you write , certifying your health. This you carry with you.
@@Arturo-lapaz Hola, En el aeropuerto, El Alto , he visto que tu estabas volando el avión de García Mesa creo "Militar 009" El Pilatus Porter á turbina en la dirección de Oruro, volando a baja altura sobre el salar de Uyuni , con tu hermano para investiguar un projecto de energía acumulada en agua salada. En la tarde he visto el aterrizaje, con ese viento era impresionante. algo después del B-17, que gotaba aceite.
I really like Steve and everything he’s done on this setup! He’s always more than happy to give info too. I have dreamt of the turbo Yamaha and making them work! I love his no nonsense, dare I say, “spartan” approach! He’s local to me and I wish I could get involved and get one of his plane’s…. K.I.s.s. Kit!
Shock straps at the 2 points of connection at the underside of the front landing gear should have a solid horizontal strut welded to the other shock strap about 1.5 “ below the skin of the skin of the plane. Then it completes the triangle of strength. Landing hard on one gear can over stress ... this could help on a bad landing day. :-)
Great interview! Love the AoA increase capability from the TW/nitrogen setup! Steve is always innovating new ideas, and a great guy to boot! Thanks for putting this together! -Todd
Yeah right 300 hp up against a 800 hp engine with nitrous, sounds even to me. No one can build another scrappy but this plane is doable for some people.
I was thinking 'yeah right!' when I saw the title of this video, thinking Draco (when it flies again) or Scrappy would eat this plane for breakfast, but that was a very respectable short take off performance, and definitely up there with Draco. Scrappy should be something else entirely. 800hp and that fat air boat propeller and we've even heard about the wing design now. Nothing is going to compete with that.
i have been really wanting to go up in one of these STOL planes to feel exactly what a short take off is. ive been watching many videos on STOL comps' and holy shit these thing are crazy
Can you please write the type of Yamaha engine you use? By the term "under 800 lbs" what did you mean? The weight of engine itself or the whole engine package(with heat exchangers, reduction gearbox etc) Please write the gearbox type also. Many thanks in advance, Emmanouel.
This is a Yamaha (Apex) RX-1 998cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke, DOHC, in-line 4-cylinder, 5-valve N/A ,150hp engine . They turbo charge this puppy to get 300hp (Peak) , like he said he cruise around 7000rpm to 8000rpm so about 75% of the available power. Don't expect a 2000hr TBO on this one but I bet he can past the 1000hr in normal condition, Now I wonder how long he can last in STOL competition! They sure push their engine to the limit all the time! We will see! Fingers cross! :-)
remember at 12000 feet the true airspeed is 1.2 times the indicated, which determines the approach. the higher true airspeed will increase your roll out by a factor 1.44 , corresponding to the higher energy you need to convert into heat, hot brakes don't do so swell.
According to Kievprop web site their 3 blade propellers are rated for up to 140 hp. Seems not so safe to drive it with a 300+ hp engine. They write also that the propellers are allowed to be used only with geared motors like Rotax. The Yamaha is of course geared but does someone have an idea why you can not use it with direct drive? The max speed of props are 3000 rpm so why can you use it with like O-200 engine?
Bush planes don't have the utility of a jetski, They can haul a whole moose, your buddy and camp out 400nm to a lake or strip and back. That's a competition machine. Like a dragster instead of a F350.
@@craigbielsky115 a stuffed one? Considering 2 people camp and the fuel required doesn't even fit in it's wings and you;re already at/over gross, it's going to have a tough time putting yet another 5-800lbs in.
@@z987k YOU DO UNDERSTAND WITH A PLANE WE CAN FLY IN AND OUT MULTIPLE TIME WHILE YOUR GETTING HUNG UP ON SANDBARS AND GRAVEL FLATS AND DODGING BEARS THAT WANT YOUR ASS.....
@@craigbielsky115 no you can't because a) you can't carry the fuel to get there AND back b) you can't carry what is required in and out. c) the performance deteriorates significantly when it's not completely empty. Performance with and empty airplane is meaningless. Performance at gross is what is required. I flew a highlander for a while. It was the worst do actual work airplane I've ever seen. Great for STOL comps. I'm sure it's equally useless as all the other LSA size stuff, so it's not unique in that, it's just not a plane that meets any of the definitions of a bush plane before the STOL comp craze. Bush planes do work, they're not overpriced toys.
Why do taildraggers do not have some kind of crashbar under the prop. So that if it goes nose-over the prop can not hit the ground ? (I only fly in sims so maybe this is not a real world problem)
It is a real world problem too Tim and I think the current status is that pilots have to learn not to tip it over, yet sometimes they do. I've never seen a steady stick out the front of a tailwheel plane but maybe someone's done it to save some $. I could see it being useful while one was learning how to judge brake pressure and throttle control
This is great for STOL capability, but if I wanted to go somewhere with it, I think sitting behind an engine that is doing 8 or 9000 rpm would eventually get real tiring. Am I wrong or is it not as bad as it sounds?
I am currently building my Highlander purchased through Steve. He is always available to answer calls, texts, emails to help with questions during the build. Thanks for doing a thorough interview.
Hey you should do a vlog of your build, it would be awesome to watch you.
Сколько стоит набор?
He is the Mike Patey for the masses 🤘🏼🤘🏼
Yes but i love Mike aviation, not only Draco Scrappy is finished.
@@kanartech oh yeah, cant wait to see the new projects mike's cooking up
Best interview I’ve seen with Steve and his highlander. Great
very kind man.. of course he will do great things, be safe steve.
to the reporter: best interview with Steve I've ever seen.
I got the pleasure of meeting Steve last year at his home airport, and he was nice enough to take me flying in his yellow rocket. All I could says is, holly crap that plan is fun. Thanks Steve
Envy that😉
Nice to see our Ukrainian propeller on Steve's plane. Now he has installed an even more powerful motor and a 4-bladed propeller.
Great interview /video.
My favorite one that Steve has is the dead stick take off in the mountains. He definitely knows his aircraft.
Take care,
Be safe
All us Rotax 912 pilots were just finally getting the legacy engine guys educated on how it ISN'T a "snowmachine engine," and then the Apex comes along!
lol
I flew the 2Cycles around for years. Never once had an issue.
So what is this Yamaha sourced from? A snow machine? Or is it purpose built for A/C?
@@gregjons4644 pretty sure its a snowmobile engine
It wasn’t a snowmobile engine in the beginning but from a motorcycle.
Helicopter pilot: Muh rotorcraft cost me $500k, but I can spot land.
300HP bushplane pilot: Cool story bro.
Then the cheaper ($120k)safari 400 shows up with a person in the other seat, full tanks, their gear for the weekend and uses 0ft.
@@z987k The Safari has a cargo hold? Where?
@Hector Lian lol.
Such a rookie move to have two throwaway accounts to talk to one another about a scam.
Killed me
Interesting to me that he said he likes Matco breaks as well as the Berengers.
I have Matcos and hate them. Leak bad inside and out. Don't hold at all. And at best are good only for parking. I've just learned how to fly as if without breaks.
Would love to learn how to "set them up right" as he said.
Min take-off distance: Yes
Min landing distance: Definitely yes
This fellow is living the life that I wanted, knowing what I know now at 70 years. Don't get me wrong my sojourn this time has been pretty good but flying that plane the way he does is the ice cream on the cake.
That’s what I like to hear and see, the man said I am not sponsored by them I just really like these props. Now that is an honest review.
Wow 😯 Truly awesome landing and take off at the beginning 👏
Cool cowboy engineering and livin’ the life. Best of rving and flying
I think this plane was in Willows, CA. A few months back. I live close to the little airport and I heard this strange awesome sound from a plane? Turned around looked out and seen this yellow ripper headed out! Amazing sound no mistaking it.
Steve's awesome. The lowering tail wheel suspension system is so cool (11:07). Congrats to you and Steph on your 1st places too ;-)
Thanks!!!
I’ve always enjoyed watching Steve work his airplane. Well done covering some of the finer details with him. Now I want to build one even more!
Fantastic! That slip to bleed off speed is so beautiful!
Thank you. This is a great interview and review. Well done to you both.
Awesome airplane Steve!!! A big thanks to John for making this video!!! 300HP! That will get the job done!
It's pretty impressive!
Steve- This is Danny Stockdaile, Retired USAF. I love these little planes and would like to learn how tofly. The price for license is outrageous. What’s the best way to get license for this type aircraft?
Thanks in advance,
Danny
1) private pilot certificate
2) join or start a flying club
3) one of the flight instructors might teach for free
4) buy books your local flight school recommends or ask the FAA
study and pass the written exam
go do it
5) You might start with gliders, contact Soaring Society of America for the nearest club.
The club people will give you a ride.
6) join the EAA, call them for the nearest Chapter, A group might be interested in building Steves kit, They, the local builders usually share building shops and tools
EAA = Experimental Aircraft Association.
@@arturoeugster7228 Good way to start, Gliders also called Sailplanes .
For power certificate you need a medical test, third class, but not for gliders, just a written declaration you write , certifying your health. This you carry with you.
@@Arturo-lapaz Hola, En el aeropuerto, El Alto , he visto que tu estabas volando el avión de García Mesa creo "Militar 009"
El Pilatus Porter á turbina en la dirección de Oruro, volando a baja altura sobre el salar de Uyuni , con tu hermano para investiguar un projecto de energía acumulada en agua salada.
En la tarde he visto el aterrizaje, con ese viento era impresionante. algo después del B-17, que gotaba aceite.
It is recommended to install a protective tube for the rudder cable located in the luggage compartment.
I really like Steve and everything he’s done on this setup! He’s always more than happy to give info too. I have dreamt of the turbo Yamaha and making them work! I love his no nonsense, dare I say, “spartan” approach! He’s local to me and I wish I could get involved and get one of his plane’s…. K.I.s.s. Kit!
Would love to hear steve talking about the Highlander vs the Super Stol flying each and how much effect the weight has
Gotta love that 6 feet take-off!!
Awesome video thanks so much, yamaha engines are the best in the world and durable thats quality , awesome God bless you guys 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
Shock straps at the 2 points of connection at the underside of the front landing gear should have a solid horizontal strut welded to the other shock strap about 1.5 “ below the skin of the skin of the plane. Then it completes the triangle of strength. Landing hard on one gear can over stress ... this could help on a bad landing day. :-)
That epex makes me want to turn my 912 into a boat anchor!
great idea to use the cel to record instruments - for future reference - don't forget to monitor for the NOW.
great vid! so cool they are putting Yamaha engines into planes! =)
Time for some more modern technology!
Hey hey hey:) Rotax was used for ski-doo also😮
Great interview! Love the AoA increase capability from the TW/nitrogen setup! Steve is always innovating new ideas, and a great guy to boot! Thanks for putting this together! -Todd
I would like to know more about this engine! Displacement, turbo size engine managment.
Great video. This will be my first airplane
it was cool meeting you guys at Somerton.
Man, what a plane. So fine !
Great vlog great guy nice plane thanks for sharing with us cheers
Excellent interview
Thanks!
Awesome video, I hope to see this airplane someday
What’s your fuel mileage, very nice plane. Looking at different kits including Kit Fox👍🏻Great job
As a followup comment-- I bet I am not alone in wanting to see a matchup with Mike Patey in SCRAPPY!!!!
Yeah right 300 hp up against a 800 hp engine with nitrous, sounds even to me. No one can build another scrappy but this plane is doable for some people.
@@ohwell2790 I wasn't suggesting a race.. Just some fun flying!
I was thinking 'yeah right!' when I saw the title of this video, thinking Draco (when it flies again) or Scrappy would eat this plane for breakfast, but that was a very respectable short take off performance, and definitely up there with Draco. Scrappy should be something else entirely. 800hp and that fat air boat propeller and we've even heard about the wing design now. Nothing is going to compete with that.
@@ohwell2790 1,000.000 vs 100,000 13 liter vs 1.8 litre
@@ohwell2790 It's all about power to weight ratio and Scrappy's engine alone weighs as much as this entire aircraft.
it take off in a few feet what a plane great build
Real people are the best.
Enjoyed the interview
i have been really wanting to go up in one of these STOL planes to feel exactly what a short take off is. ive been watching many videos on STOL comps' and holy shit these thing are crazy
Come up to Alaska for a flight lesson!
if i can this summer i will lol either that or would you fly out to minnesota? ive got some land out here that you could easilly set down on 🤣
@@TriggK4T ALASKA TO MINNESOTA ........just let that sink in a minute.............2500 mi one way....@ 100mph...........lol
@@craigbielsky115 lol would be one hell of a trip thats for sure 🤣
Hearing people discuss how to increase drag is probably not a conversation most pilots will ever want to hear but hey!
I fly powered paraglider, but if I flew planes that is the one I'd like to get. Subbed
Eu também
Would this be well suited as a glider tow?
Great airplane Steve.
flat out!
RPM is where its at!! wow!
Can you please write the type of Yamaha engine you use? By the term "under 800 lbs" what did you mean? The weight of engine itself or the whole engine package(with heat exchangers, reduction gearbox etc) Please write the gearbox type also. Many thanks in advance, Emmanouel.
Thanks to both of you
what is the maximum speed of this 300 strong plane?
This is a Yamaha (Apex) RX-1 998cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke, DOHC, in-line 4-cylinder, 5-valve N/A ,150hp engine . They turbo charge this puppy to get 300hp (Peak) , like he said he cruise around 7000rpm to 8000rpm so about 75% of the available power. Don't expect a 2000hr TBO on this one but I bet he can past the 1000hr in normal condition, Now I wonder how long he can last in STOL competition! They sure push their engine to the limit all the time! We will see! Fingers cross! :-)
I'd be impressed if you can operate this like a cont. 550 and still get 4 digits of use tims
@@josephc.9520 My TBO "expectation" was for the 150hp stock Yamaha Apex engine. Only an act of God can help the turbocharged version getting 4 digits!
really like this very free with info and seems practical. Question wondering if ever consider landing on rocky mountain peaks at 12-14,000 ft?
remember at 12000 feet the true airspeed is 1.2 times the indicated, which determines the approach. the higher true airspeed will increase your roll out by a factor 1.44 , corresponding to the higher energy you need to convert into heat, hot brakes don't do so swell.
Hey, Steve; "What's this little thing here"?
Steve; "Intermediary Ignition Regulator".
"GOTCHA"
What the....that thing just levitated off the ground! This guy should do a shoot with Mike Patey in Scrappy!
That looks like a fun time.
Would have been nice to see the engine and get more info on it.
That plane is insane, holy crap
How much is one of these entire kits?
1,000,005
@@craigbielsky115 lol. That last $5 makes the difference does it?
Best I can do is tree-fiddy.
@@ETraylor3 I THINK HE SAID..105.000
@@craigbielsky115 oh, ok, thank you! I thought you were joking around saying a Million and 5 dollars.
Valdez 2021 contender
According to Kievprop web site their 3 blade propellers are rated for up to 140 hp. Seems not so safe to drive it with a 300+ hp engine. They write also that the propellers are allowed to be used only with geared motors like Rotax. The Yamaha is of course geared but does someone have an idea why you can not use it with direct drive? The max speed of props are 3000 rpm so why can you use it with like O-200 engine?
I'm thinking it has something to do with the torque.
It's the torque pulses. Direct drive engines drive the prop with a bit of a jerking motion, which puts a huge amount of strain on the prop.
Это не Киевпроп, а NRprop
good professional interview
Stunning cam. What are you using to record ... Fantastic
Kindly need a contact number for ordering a new highlander.
boa tarde sou do Brasil pretendo fazer vc nao pode me mandar a planta do teu aviao para mim este aviao e muito bom
how much?
You can check out the price list at www.wildwestaircraft.com/
Gotcha
I think is the best airplane
OOOf props gonna be hard to come by for a while
Why a Highlander and not a Super Stol?
Have to ask Steve that one
Such a nice guy!
how much does a 300hp yamaha engine run?
Just got a quote.
300hp: 32,500
200hp: 26,500
Mike Patey has joined the chat...
But for real you've got one hell of an awesome plane!!
looks like a third hand would come in handy taking off or landing
Steve is such a badass
That was awesome. Where was it?
Yuma AZ this past weekend 👍
@@fly8ma.comflighttraining199 Thanks.
So, did you get him? It wasn't quite clear.
Nice 👍
good luck getting that prop now in 2022
Excellent review of the aircraft and pilot, but too many "gotcha-ya's".
Bush planes don't have the utility of a jetski, They can haul a whole moose, your buddy and camp out 400nm to a lake or strip and back. That's a competition machine. Like a dragster instead of a F350.
it can fly a whole moose out no problem
@@craigbielsky115 a stuffed one? Considering 2 people camp and the fuel required doesn't even fit in it's wings and you;re already at/over gross, it's going to have a tough time putting yet another 5-800lbs in.
@@z987k NO...... THE MOOSE FLYS THE PLANE ALONE ..........
@@z987k YOU DO UNDERSTAND WITH A PLANE WE CAN FLY IN AND OUT MULTIPLE TIME WHILE YOUR GETTING HUNG UP ON SANDBARS AND GRAVEL FLATS AND DODGING BEARS THAT WANT YOUR ASS.....
@@craigbielsky115 no you can't because a) you can't carry the fuel to get there AND back b) you can't carry what is required in and out. c) the performance deteriorates significantly when it's not completely empty. Performance with and empty airplane is meaningless. Performance at gross is what is required.
I flew a highlander for a while. It was the worst do actual work airplane I've ever seen. Great for STOL comps. I'm sure it's equally useless as all the other LSA size stuff, so it's not unique in that, it's just not a plane that meets any of the definitions of a bush plane before the STOL comp craze. Bush planes do work, they're not overpriced toys.
Why do taildraggers do not have some kind of crashbar under the prop. So that if it goes nose-over the prop can not hit the ground ? (I only fly in sims so maybe this is not a real world problem)
It is a real world problem too Tim and I think the current status is that pilots have to learn not to tip it over, yet sometimes they do. I've never seen a steady stick out the front of a tailwheel plane but maybe someone's done it to save some $. I could see it being useful while one was learning how to judge brake pressure and throttle control
Imagine being this good and that cool but then using RPMs. Dayum
This is great for STOL capability, but if I wanted to go somewhere with it, I think sitting behind an engine that is doing 8 or 9000 rpm would eventually get real tiring. Am I wrong or is it not as bad as it sounds?
So could you slap one of these motors in a Taylorcraft?! 😂
That’d be epic
Gottcha
I’ve had my lifetimes worth of “gottchas” all rolled up in one UA-cam video.
"Gotcha!"
Count how many gotcha’s
drink when he says "i do" "i did"
Gotcha. lol. Love that plane.
Awesome!
Not sure any engine is supposed to live hours on end @ 8000 rpm
I think he said he cruises at 7
@@myotherusername9224 WHEN REDLINE IS 11,000 .....6 OR 7 T IS NOTHING
I wouldn't be surprised if the motor took off and left the airplane sitting on the runway. lol
Nice but how long is the engine expected to last?
Time will tell! I'm excited to see these guys keep running and proving them!
The way the skis and jet skis are going. Bet the heads already cracked
This guy: points at a F-16
“It’s a stock highlander”
I think Mikes new plane, Scrappy, will out preform this
Till he gets a crosswind.
Totally different build.
Until you realise the money he spent on Scrappy
@@josephc.9520 True
Gotcha , Gotcha , Gotcha , Gotcha , Gotcha , Gotcha , ..............
" GOTCHA "