Edge Performance EP912STi High Altitude Boost Tuning

#edgeperformanceas #acmeaero #gravityknightflying
Mostly me blabbing, but ride along on a short flight to 18k while dialing in the boost. Even with a fixed pitch prop (which requires the boost to be tapered off), this thing just rips at high altitudes!

[@GravityKnightFlying]

And just to clarify, this turbo/engine combo is probably capable of 25-30k + altitude with a constant speed prop, maybe more? I was just out of pitch up that high! And legally limited to stay under 18k. Plus even down at 31.5”, it would still blow through 18,000 as that is 100+ hp... it would sure be fun to see how high it could go!

[@gapster46]

You just need to find an instrument rated pilot that has a tail wheel endorsement, file IFR, sit in the back seat and video it.

[@briand3837]

Thanks for the MSL and DA plus the manifold pressure. It really helps me to appreciate the conditions you are flying in as well as what a great machine you fly. Really impressive!!

[@earthrootshealing2666]

Rocket Scientist Jedi Lessons I See !!!!!!!!!!

[@challenger2ultralightadventure]

"How much power do you need"? Well why don't we ask Mike Patey? LOL Great video, enjoyed learning a few things. Cheers from Winnipeg.

[@ednesbit2988]

again i love these videos i started taking flying lessons then covid hit im 64 and i was raised in aviation my dad had a stearman and a j-3 cub thats what i got to fly in wen i was growing up i have my harley my wakeboard boat all my dirt toys and the big toyhauler and just the last couple of years wanted to learn how to fly so here we are lol waiting for my instructor to open back up and yes im in california unfortunatly lol

[@GravityKnightFlying]

sorry to hear you are in Cali! I once lived there (born in fort bragg, lived in the redwoods). and while it was a neat place to grow up.... its well.... changed.... hang in there, hopefully you will be back at it before too long and on to some adventures 👍

[@thomasmurray1807]

Next video would be great. One of my goals in flying the back country is learning the tricks. Great job.

[@KGFlyer55]

Great idea for a video on back country flying considerations

[@stanbearup9200]

I found this video very interesting. Your Edge Performance modified Rotax 914 is leaps and bounds more intriguing than the typical Rotax 914, and so much more advanced than most typical light aircraft power plants. I'm a huge fan of your engine and your S7S, and will anxiously be awaiting your "winter project". Please keep your videos coming, and keep up the great work!

[@GravityKnightFlying]

Hey thanks Stan! appreciate the kind words and motivation!

[@GATOROC1]

Another great video, and yes please on the vids regarding decision making in off-airport landings!

[@prof.heinous191]

Definitely go for your 'Winter Project!'

[@flexairz]

Do the video about off-airport landings, that would be very interesting!

[@jimhuskyflying]

I would be interested in your off airport landing knowledge. I thoroughly enjoy your videos.

[@GravityKnightFlying]

thanks Jim!

[@tree356]

Off airport landings!💪🏼

[@ginginthing]

I see some guys running the electric props in their Kit Foxes. Guess if I did the kind of flying you do from extreme high altitude air fields down to sea level, I'd shoot at getting a cs prop. They are pricey though. $8700 for an Airmaster 3 blade on a Edge performance 912. Your plane would really come alive with one of those props. Maybe some day.

[@portnuefflyer]

Yes but they don't help making short as possible landings at all, they hurt it, as in extra weight on the nose. Most of the high performance mods hurt landing performance, due to extra weight, often forward of the CG, sad but true!

[@GravityKnightFlying]

It would be amazing to see what it would do with a CS prop up high! But yea, the cost and nose weight is just a little too much of a negative to do it. I'd really like to swing a large 2 blade if given the choice (80-82"). But there are some possible concerns with pulsation and the crank and gearbox stuff with the high power edge engine that probably make a 3 blade a better idea...

[@ricktoberfest]

If you watch the videos of Trent Palmer right after he got his 915, you can kinda see how the extra weight out front bugs him. His landings definitely took awhile to get back to the same stol level he had before.

[@portnuefflyer]

@@ricktoberfest Bingo!

[@Jim_Austin]

Very complicated… Too much for my simple mind, but still interesting. Impressive altitude performance.

[@gapster46]

I resemble that remark.

[@superduper1917]

Where is this footage from? Looks like a serenity playground!

[@kevinsavas7173]

I would love to hear your thoughts on off airport landings. 2021 I will be looking to purchase my first plane. I haven't started training yet because I don't want to rent a plane $$$$$. I have been undecided about nose verses tail dragger. Ultimately my wife and I will be be building a tail dragger S21 but I want something that's done and flying that we can do our training in also. I would hate for one of us to ground loop a tail dragger while training. I believe you said in one of your videos to train in a nose wheel plane. Learn to fly without the complications of a tail dragger. Something like that... Like I said I would love to hear your thoughts. Have a great day.

[@GravityKnightFlying]

Thats a great question!... there are arguments to be made both ways of course. I was told I was a natural- solo'd at like 7 hrs or so etc. and looking back I am quite glad I didn't learn in a TW right off the bat.. it seemed challenging enough in a nose wheel. I should have transitioned over a lot sooner, TW's are a blast.. but the initial 100-200hrs in a nosedragger is not a bad idea in my opinion. At the same time... it really depends on the taildragger you are flying... the S7 is pretty forgiving. Some of them are far more of a handful and I would definitely not want to start there. Tailwheels remind me of a boat. In a nosedragger you have crisp direct steering (unless a castering nosewheel). But a tailwheel feels more like a boat, where there is a little delay and it's not direct, it feels like more of a fluid coupling between your feet and the ground. Just takes a bit to get used to that feeling and then it clicks and you start to move forward with it.

[@tinolino58]

Tell me: is the S7 better than the STI in high altitude flying? For example the Alps, where we operate at 12-16000 ft? Payload is about 550 lbs.

[@GravityKnightFlying]

Great question. I have never flown a Kitfox STi, so not the best judge here. From what I gather, the kitfox is a little heavier, but also has a higher gross weight (later, series 7, STi wing etc.). I want to say the RANS S7 will land a little slower, but that may not be true. I can say the RANS does well up high. 550lb payload is very doable in the RANS. The kitfox is going to need just a bit more power to lift more weight, but they are good airplanes from what I've seen. I have some buddies in UT with super nice Kitfox's and this same Edge engine... I'm really hoping to do some flying with them this next year, and then we could also compare some flight characteristics etc.

[@ginginthing]

I don't think the nose weight should be that much of a factor compared to the huge gain from the cs prop. Probably 15-18 # nose weight gain over your prop. That would take a 7 # lead in the tail. Net wt gain about 25# worse case.

[@stephengloor8451]

Pity you don’t have timing in those maps. Can the ECU do the ignition as well?

[@GravityKnightFlying]

agreed! the ECU is capable in general, but not utilized due to the funky dual cdi ignition the rotax uses. however, edge is coming out shortly with some special ignition boxes to replace the factory ones that allow for some timing set points up through the range. they will be tuned separately from the main ecu, and won't be fully adjustable to the level the ecu would allow, but will give some great benefits on a turbo motor, and will probably start much better too.. very excited for this! could be some efficiency gains to be made in cruise too..

[@gapster46]

At 9:14 a CHT of 80?? Even your EGT of 1349 looks a little low.

[@GravityKnightFlying]

The instrument won't let me rename that CHT channel, it's actually the intercooler outlet temp. I set the tune for EGTs of about 1480 in cruise.. WOT on the high boost map runs about 1420... that was WOT, but low boost map.. a little rich in that spot still up high (It's actually a leaner air fuel ratio than wide open on the high boost map, but could be leaned out more since it's not super high boost). It does run a little richer up high - not like a carburetor would, but there is a bit of variance in big altitude swings I've noticed. Somewhat because tuning that MAP at low altitude, is a far different RPM than tuning it up that high. So it would require more time up high to tweak the higher rpms....Good catch

[@HookedOnUtah]

Great video! Did I see you wearing O2 for being over 14K as PIC.... :O

[@GravityKnightFlying]

oh of courseI had it on!! :)

[@gapster46]

Every one is different, but I like a little 02 if I’m going to spend any time above 9k, but I live at sea level.

[@pushingbus1]

What was the cruise?

[@tinolino58]

Question from Europe: Where is your airfield? 6660 ft altitude...

[@GravityKnightFlying]

Colorado, east of the rockies about 25 miles, My strip is in the middle of nowhere at about 6650ft. Nearest airport there is 6450ft. 5V4