Kitfox 7 Apex Build Episode 1 Kitfox Apex Build Is A GO

[@mojonickle]

Oh man. I just did this last week with a 7SS. Drove it from eastern Indiana back to Colorado in one day. You are far wiser than me for choosing to break it up over a couple of days.

[@loriley347]

Brings back memories of picking up My flood damaged unfinished kitfox 4 speedster from Sacramento 23 years ago in 1997. I ended up shipping it to New Zealand where l,m still flying it today. The rotax 912 still starts first time And runs like a new one

[@jakob3856]

Does Kitfox ship direct to New Zealand?

[@chestereckler8380]

im 78 years old and use to fly172s. i live in KY and have been watching you and cowboys .flight chops and trent and the others forever. i still really like the kitfox and would love to fly in one they look great and versatile If i were alittle younger i would love to build one its right up my ally.much luck stay safe im watching you looking forward to this build

[@BowenAero]

Thank you Chester. The builder I bought my first Kitfox from was 82 and sold me the unfinished Kitfox so he could start his 5th build, RV7. You should consider it.

[@tmshaffer]

Those times with your dad are great memories

[@ScottPalmerair]

Looking forward to the build and flying next to it soon.

[@motoys4me]

Scott Palmer next to it? Probably behind it. 😊

[@andrewfraser4347]

Great you got the opportunity to have your dad on the trip, spend as much time as you can as it doesn’t last forever. Looking forward to seeing the build.

[@angeloaugustus1016]

I guess Im kinda off topic but does anybody know of a good site to stream newly released tv shows online ?

[@milanahmad1685]

@Angelo Augustus Meh try flixportal. you can find it on google:) -milan

[@angeloaugustus1016]

@Milan Ahmad Thank you, signed up and it seems like they got a lot of movies there =) I appreciate it !

[@milanahmad1685]

@Angelo Augustus No problem =)

[@lancedelozier5308]

Nice! Loved this video because my buddy and I just flew from Sacramento to Dallas (Were from Yuba City). We got a Uhaul and drove to Waco. We picked up and hauled a Kitfox STI series 7 home from Waco to Yuba City. 2 full days of driving and an amazing experience! I’m sure we will see you around Northern California soon enough! I’m going to watch all of your videos on this build! Awesome!!

[@lelanwilliams1445]

Bout to be the best kitfox owner builder video set out there. I’m almost as excited as you are.

[@earthsciteach]

What a kick in the gut that storm was! I'm excited to follow your build! I've wanted a kitfox since I was a kid.

[@desertfox3860]

I watched this 2 years ago and then the whole series. It sure doesn't seem like it was a 2 year build. It's nice to see it in the air now.

[@MrCarpediempilot]

So great! Can’t wait. Great you got to go with your Dad!

[@mattgrause8021]

As someone who is looking into building a Kitfox in the future, the more videos and details the better!

[@californiakayaker]

I think I've watched you fly over my place on Cloverdale . Love KitFoxes.

[@ActinOut]

Airplanes, surfboards, kayaks ... can definitely relate. Thanks for creating the series on your build.

[@FlyingCooper]

Great Video! Love that your dad went with you! This will be forever a memory! Thanks for sharing!

[@f2air]

Loved this video. Awesome family road trip and exciting build ahead. Will be following for sure.

[@carolswatches]

Excited for you... Please, if you can, don't skip on any of the build. Fast forward (like you did in this one) if you have to to save time. Looking forward to seeing you progress every step of the way!

[@darrinboring2366]

Thanks for taking us along!

[@justme-n-gracie]

"massive snowstorm"... lol only to people in the lower lattitudes! will be fun watching this build. You're right I'm sure, that many will want the Apex conversion for the performance. THe drive up 395 IS nice! But not so much when there's winter bad weather.

[@pappybo49]

I’m excited for you. I can’t wait for all the videos to follow. I’ll be watching, you can bet!

[@michaelguy7168]

Really excited to see your project take shape. I like your decisions, something I would like to build. Looking forward to seeing engine mod.

[@1vester1]

Still nice in Texas 55 deg... Berrr cold !!! Looks like you had a good road trip nice.

[@kevinsavas7173]

I'm super excited to see you build this!

[@danielledykgraaf6483]

Great video sir. Good luck with your project. Just subscribed. My brother and i were fishing bass out of his pond and talking aircraft while casting when i mentioned why no one is using 4 stroke snowmobile engines in light sport aircraft...then he told me about you!... So here i am.... An aviation junky looking for my new fix after plane savvveerrrs wrapped up.

[@texasfly9925]

Thanks for the informative videos! Keep them coming.....especially all the details of the engine....good and bad!!

[@rixtrix11]

Watching this build, especially firewall forward!

[@davidbuckles7557]

Excited about the build Bryan! Also pumped to see that hat. I saw you on Reach’s pilot video and then watched this and realized it was the same guy in both videos! Haha I hope to be flying for Reach in the near future! Also super excited for the Apex!

[@BowenAero]

Send me an email at [e-mail] with your contact info. I may be able to help you out with that.

[@gerritdykgraaf2570]

Wow, am really looking forward to seeing your work in progress!! Am a true follower bud!!

[@albatross9873]

Following along. Great build project!!

[@dougbourdo2589]

Thrilled for you. I can imagine your excitement.

[@TenorDad]

That was smart going through the southern route, up Hwy 99. I-80 would have been a snowy nightmare. Love that song at 13:58. What is it?!

[@BowenAero]

Tony, the song is DuDa by Ian Post (Gran Torino)

[@JeffGillis1]

Looking forward to watch video on you built!

[@outcold1982]

Very cool project! Can’t wait to see how that Apex engine performs.

[@BowenAero]

Me too. I sure hope it is an improvement over my current Kitfox.

[@outcold1982]

Project Kitfox I’m sure it will be. My parents live in Chico they lucked out with the snow. Just crazy weather out there this year. Are you a Reach pilot?

[@BowenAero]

Yes I am, based in Redding.

[@outcold1982]

Project Kitfox very cool, I’m a regional pilot and fly out of Chicago ORD. I always thought flying for Reach would be a great job.

[@BowenAero]

It has changed a lot after AMGH bought out the McDonalds. I have been here for a long time so I know how good it use to be, but over all I haven't found a reason to leave yet.

[@randyvanvliet226]

That bird is going to be a monster for STOL drag races, for normally aspirated. Can you make enough HP at Dead Cow at elevation to beat Trent's 141 HP turbo 915iS. We will see. 150 HP at sea level, variable pitch CS prop, and, and, and. Going to be fun going along for the ride on this build. Subscribed and notifications and liked.

[@kylekendall1587]

Nice Brian! I don't think it was a coincidence that the yellow Kitfox flyer flew the yellow Penske home! Looking forward to the project build!

[@martinbraatz]

lookn forward from Australia to seeing how your project pans out. just for interest we have the opposite of you ,one end of australia has drought while in the top end floods wiping out land as far as you can see. keep up the videos. watching with much anticipation

[@mikejones-dt8vj]

Grew up about 35 miles west of Bakersfield, great place to be from.

[@colincenge]

Looks like a great find!

[@KlingonCaptain]

Last week I binged a carbon cub build. This week I'm going to binge your build. I'm interested in seeing what the differences are. Besides the whole rivets vs. rib stitching.

[@markperkins5664]

First your decision to go with an Apex! ✅ Now I’m pumped to see you went with another Kitfox. Can’t wait to see the results. (It will be a great comparison to Steve’s new Highlander. YeeHaw! 😏) I just met with a guy in Charleston, who’s about 6 weeks into his build. He’s unsure what to power it with, so I told him about your plans for the Apex. I just snagged my Apex two weeks ago, so am eagerly awaiting your videos. Glad to see no structural damage to your home, but that’s a lot of clean-up for you. Amazing how much damage snow and ice can do.

[@aaronokimoore]

Awesome! Looking forward to the build!

[@keithrogers5832]

Keep up with the good work I'll be watching, I'm seeing more people going with the Apex I guess I'll have to look into it and see why.

[@gorgly123]

I have a prop in the Redding prop shop (American Propeller) and they were closed most of last week because of power outage. Supposed to get it back tomorrow.

[@CurtisDrew1]

Wow you and your Dad drove right by my house in Texas. My house backs up to 7ts0 Airport. New Fairview.

[@CBLounge2112]

Hello from Carson City, glad I found your channel!!

[@slamsshenanigans2296]

Super excited for you Brian! Wish I had the space to be starting the same

[@JDRTRM]

I am an Yamaha Apex owner . Around 10,000-12,000 mi you will need to do a valve adjustment. Yamaha says around 25,000mi but this is not true . Letting you know Incase you run across the engine warm up stumble stall idle issue , this means some valves are tight ,. This is going in aircraft so as for miles it will be different for you.

[@ericmuetterties1984]

Just flew into Benton last Thursday. Saw telephone lines down at airport. My buddy told me about all the storm damage. Nice FBO owner. Looks like a fun project! Maybe I should see if I can fit in a Kitfox since I bent mine when I landed Thursday at home :-(

[@BowenAero]

Sorry to hear that Eric. I hope it is fixable.

[@evo2379]

I saw that kit for sale on barnstormers. I’m excited for you.

[@hughboyle]

Brian, congrats on your new Kitfox 7 purchase. This is going to be a great build. Very curious as to the firewall forward costs including the Apex engine as it compares to other offerings. Best of luck on the build, can't wait to see the build progress and flight performance.

[@BowenAero]

Hugh, the cost will vary based on the upgrades to the engine. You can get the actual engine for $2000 and up, the gearbox is $3500, propeller $1500, then you have the cost of making or having made the intake and exhaust and the engine mount. Than there is all the other items like engine monitors and fuel pumps, electrical and fuel systems. I am planning on $10-12K for the engine setup compare that to the $5K firewall forward cost for a Rotax plus the cost of the engine and the propeller and it is a considerable savings to go with the APEX.

[@maleficentcop2752]

If you haven't already you might look up "PowerModz" they seem to have the magic wand when it come to getting power out of the engine you're using..... Looking forward to this build...👍👍👍

[@MBlackman64]

Looking forward to seeing this build!

[@Jack-ne8vm]

Ideal shop/garage!

[@raider6511]

I went to the Light Sport EXPO in Sebring in Feb and a company called TQ-Avionics was there. They had 2 1/4 inch radios and transponders. It fits in round or square holes.. Think they would work great in a Kitfox. Light and don't take up much room. Check them out.

[@BowenAero]

Thanks, I will check them out

[@raider6511]

ok, glad to help.

[@johnfife3062]

Quick! Put the Apex back in the sled and shred! Inspired by your project. Rock on.

[@WayneFlower]

Brian- Really enjoy your videos, and am excited to watch your build come together since you have so much time and experience with the Kitfox already. I know you are excited about the motor, but please don't skimp on the airframe details as you build. I know I will find it very interesting if you can share a bit about the choices you make along the way. I value your opinions due to your background with these planes. Very cool!

[@MrJolppy]

I can't wait to see the build

[@kenhurley4441]

Yep you got a lot of snow. My oldest brother Jerry lives in Redding. 8-10" of snow.

[@kenhurley4441]

My niece is a teacher at Manzanita Elementry in Redding. Snow days last week!

[@BowenAero]

We are just a bit higher on the west side and got 14" of snow, but it was so wet and heavy that it did a lot of damage to the trees. Redding landscaping was not designed for snow loads.

[@valkyriesride129]

Excited for this build! Thank you!!!

[@j.walker3498]

I get a biggo Texan grin when it takes 2 days to drive it.

[@daisybeagle6259]

Had to laugh seeing your wife helping to carry the fuse! Mine would’ve said bugger off!

[@BowenAero]

Well she was close to saying the same. LOL

[@mopar92]

Awesome. I knew you weren’t going to pull the lycoming from the current fox. This will be interesting.

[@BowenAero]

My Lycoming Kitfox is to good of an example that a Lycoming works well in a Kitfox, I didn't want to take that away from it. Its the most trouble free engine I have ever had, which says a lot. The new Fox will have all the improvements that address the small things about my current Fox that bug me and I will be able to pick the paint scheme.

[@flyingmaniac3827]

a kitfox ok , as for the cowling the solution is on what gear box or planetary gear and belt system you have il make a difference where the shaft ling is and shift the hole thing but it fit and it's tight on my cub, there is quite a few tutorial on the engine mount online ,will fallow along for sure men , that's a exiting build , thanks for sharing.

[@BowenAero]

Can you post some links to the tutorials for engine mounts, I'm coming up with very little when searching. I want to find solid info on setting the clock angle to contract turning tendencies.

[@flyingmaniac3827]

@@BowenAero i can even do better then that if you give me a way to contact you so that i can garter all info on propeller ,gear system and more i can do the engine offset and send you a cad of the engine mount redy for tubes cutting , engine mount ifos is kind of scatter and incomplete, normal Apex mount is experimental territory.

[@flyingmaniac3827]

@@BowenAero i can even do better then that if you give me a way to contact you so that i can garter all info on propeller ,gear system and more i can do the engine offset and send you a cad of the engine mount redy for tubes cutting , engine mount ifos is kind of scatter and incomplete, normal Apex mount is experimental territory.

[@Suprdave123]

Good shit Bryan! You'll sell those Mounts...I want one.

[@johnfriesen7276]

Can’t wait for more videos

[@kevinl416]

This is going to be awesome!!!

[@tirasnewman1]

I can't wait to see what kind of performance you get out of this plane! I just want it to takeoff shorter and climb out faster than the Freedom Fox :)

[@BowenAero]

Me too, I really want it to accelerate faster so I can give him a good run in the STOL Drags at RENO.

[@f2air]

@@BowenAero Don't forget about deceleration!

[@dave_bob]

Nice find.

[@ViaggioBR]

Nice! Congratulations from Brazil!!

[@thomasvester1390]

Can't wait to follow along!

[@rb3baize482]

Wow Brian you were in my back yard lol. Your going up 287 Texas road house . Pretty cool now I know why you haven’t looked at your airspeed instrument sorry about snow put the Motor back in snowmobile and go. Just joking sorry for all the extra work.

[@TheFancyNomad]

Your videos are so helpful

[@mrdavis6076]

Haha I'm from the redding area as well. So jealous!

[@2003Harleyguy]

Subbed up! More, more, more! How about a build list in the description as you go.

[@tdurbinl]

Looking good

[@RumblestripDotNet]

I believe you said in a different video that you were thinking of turboing the APEX motor, why not just start with the Sidewinder engine? It's already a 1000cc turbo. Looking forward to watching this come together.

[@BowenAero]

A great idea, except they are much more expensive right now and there is not a gearbox solution for them yet. I do think they will be a popular engine for this application in the future.

[@reniusowen5392]

Looking foreword to following you're build. Would like to build a Kit Fox, but not at my age. Last time I piloted a tail dragger was over 52 years ago. That said, if you need any assistance, with the build, look me up in the Igo phone book and leave a message as I too will be cleaning the property up for the next several months.

[@BowenAero]

Renius thank you for the offer. I hope the storm isn't causing you too much damage.

[@thomasmurray1807]

Can wait to see the preformence from the Apex keep us posted. Side note; I'm one month away from finishing by build. SS 7- 233 Lycoming- STi wing- monster shock gear- T3 . This is my second Kitfox SS build. Any questions give me a e-mail

[@BowenAero]

I like that set up. Send me pictures to [e-mail]. Where are you located?

[@casimirkulikowski5949]

I have that exact same hat that you first see at 1:20

[@deep6thisdeep6this92]

barstow to mohave ca? most unpleasant drive i've ever had. BTW, good luck on your project. subscribed and eagerly awaiting updates.... :)

[@sthomas1018]

Great video btw. Thanks for sharing.

[@t.hangar]

Thanks for sharing all this great info! I’m also looking at the apex engine possibility and was wondering what are you doing for engine mount? Thanks

[@BowenAero]

I am working with a few other Apex builders to see if we can come up with a reproducible design.

[@KowboyUSA]

Living the dream.

[@BlueBaron3339]

Took some "Googling" to figure what the heck was going on. Suddenly - or so it felt - I was watching you remove the engine from a SNOWMOBILE. Lots of intricate details too. Save one. What in blazes are you going to do with it once it's removed? I *thought* I'd been following your videos right along too. Seems I must have missed one or two 😉 Guess I'll see what this is all about. Looking forward to it!

[@BowenAero]

Not sure what to do with the sled carcass. Probably try and part it out on Ebay.

[@popsisone]

Show the link to look at and possibly order a kit

[@BowenAero]

www.kitfoxaircraft.com/index.php/aircraft-kits/kitfox-s7-super-sport

[@kenhurley4441]

What engine are you gonna install? Flagstaff, 6,909' Yep snow!

[@BowenAero]

So the engine is going to be a Yamaha Genesis 998cc 4-stroke, which is from a Yamaha APEX snowmobile. 4 stroke fuel injected 150hp and I will be using a gearbox specifically designed for the engine made by Skytrax.

[@k.cjones2582]

How are you going to connect the rmp and engine monitoring to the planes electronic display for the apex? I relize you may not be there yet, I was just thinking about what all was going to happen there and havent seen anything anywhere else on that topic.

[@BowenAero]

GRT EMS 4000

[@RegianePereiradeAraujo]

good night, what paints do you use to paint the fabric parts so there are no cracks?

[@BowenAero]

Poly brush then Poly spray and then Poly tone.

[@RegianePereiradeAraujo]

@@BowenAero Thanks

[@ralfmatters448]

loved the music

[@tomintexas817]

You got a pretty kick ass dad to drop everything and ride shotgun

[@BowenAero]

Yes I do. He is is amazing.

[@inthesky9876]

Looking forward to this!! Maybe this is my ignorance with converting snowmachine engines to airplane engines, but I’m curious about why you chose the Apex over say the Genesis 998 Turbo. Same displacement but 180 horses. Does the three cylinder mess with CG and mounting at all?

[@BowenAero]

Everyone is looking at that engine, it has potential, however there is no gearbox solution for it. The APEX has a very nicely designed and tested gearbox from Skytrax that makes it the better choice now. If someone figures out a gearbox for the sidewinder engine than it would also be a good option.

[@inthesky9876]

Do you know which one is lighter? Thanks so much for your insight! I’m really excited to watch this!

[@BowenAero]

@@inthesky9876 I don't know the weight on the sidewinder engine, but the firewall forward weight on the APEX with everything including gearbox and prop should be 178lbs. The basic engine is 130.9lbs.

[@inthesky9876]

Project Kitfox oh wow that’s amazingly light!

[@alaskanstoneguys]

What year of apex did you choose?? Does it have the fuel injection or did you go with the carbs??

[@BowenAero]

I went with a 2006 which is the first year with fuel injection.

[@sthomas1018]

Can’t wait to see what you use for a throttle body, wiring harness and gear box. Are you doing any mods to the Apex internally?

[@BowenAero]

Still waiting to see how some of the development goes with Edge Performance and a couple other after market suppliers. I would like to turbo the engine with 4-8 pounds of boost to get 180-200hp and have it adjustable to normalize that hp at altitude.

[@sthomas1018]

I’m doing the same.

[@BowenAero]

You know Tricia Larson, we were neighbors when we lived in Albany just a year and a half ago.

[@sthomas1018]

She is my sister. I’m with her now. She says she is coming to see you this weekend

[@UncouthedChurlishness]

Dude, I live in Corinth! Nice.

[@dedwin8930]

Exciting!!

[@AkPacerPilot]

I’m thinking about doing a kitfox and I’m curious about using the APEX motor. Can this motor run on 100 low lead?

[@BowenAero]

Yes, but you would want to change the oil much more often and watch for lead fowling.

[@AkPacerPilot]

Project Kitfox thank you!

[@86309]

What is your garage size, after doing this what as far as facilities do you think is minimum? I’m just starting my organizing for build.

[@BowenAero]

It’s a 3 car with a side shop area. It filed up fast.

[@MotoFlightGuy]

This is gonna be awesome! Are there any Foxes currently flying with the Apex? Or will you be one of the first?

[@BowenAero]

There are a couple using the RX1, the carburetor version of the APEX. I am not aware of any flying with the APEX yet, but there are several being built.

[@QuequeParodi]

looking for kitfox plans, to build one from scratch, can any one help me ?

[@scottstroh3946]

Hey Brian- I have a custom metal fab shop located a mile from O60. We specialize in custom Stainless and aluminum fabrication for the food and beverage industries. 4130 chromoly is a great material to work with. Powder coat shop we use id at KUKI. Happy to help out if your looking into making a reproducible Apex motor mount system. If at all interested hit me up.

[@BowenAero]

Scott thanks for the offer, I'll keep you in mind.