SkyTrax Gear Box Installation

[@susanjohnson6754]

Brian, Thank you for this detailed video! Steve Henry just finished building mr a turn key Apex Firewall Forward system. Watching this vid will help me understand Teal’s gearbox for future maintenance. Teal should include a link to this vid as part of his accessories package. Again thank you for taking the time to document your progress. Bruce Johnson Highlander N121FG

[@albatross9873]

Brett from Webb City here - If your shop wasn't messy it means your not working hard enough. :) Nice vid. Gearbox looks beefy enough. Motor mount turned out nice as well. I'm getting ready to order my avionics and finishing the wings before covering. All the best Bryan. :)

[@CHELLIE2408]

Hi, An old trick I learned years ago, glue the Gasket on the Gearbox or any part that will go on a engine, only on one side that will be removed with Gasgacinch and the other side of the gasket that will be sealed to the engine with silicone gasket sealer, Reason being, the gasket will stay on the part glued with Gasgacinch, The Gasket will come off completely and most of the time will be undamaged, and will be reusable many times, if glued back on with silicone glue. To Reiterate , the gasket glued on with Gasgacinch is Permanently glued on and does not need to be removed and can be reused if not damaged. I use this trick with my cars when replacing water pumps etc. the gasket stays with the old worn out parts and the engine is gasket free because of the silicone sealer that was used.

[@GrantOakes]

Nice, clean video showing how simple this PSRU is to install. Great job!

[@100bjj5]

Thanks for posting these videos. I'm planning on installing an Apex on an Avid heavy hauler and appreciate you sharing your expierence.

[@A10Cobra]

These videos are excellent. I will be doing a similar build with the Apex. I see low mileage Apex motors quite often. I haven’t settled on kitfox or highlander, but the plane will be one or the other. Thank you for documenting your build!

[@randallharmsen5802]

The gearbox looks very well made to handle the horsepower. Just a thought that I have used on o rings to keep them in place was grease. Cleans up easy if some oozes out the casing. Looking good Brian. Hey don’t worry about the mess, that happens when your building.

[@sumrica]

Thanks for the update. Enjoyed hanging out with you.

[@kennethperian4370]

Nice job Brian showing telling, looking like it will be a great flyer for you. Well see ya next time see ya bye bye.

[@rogerjohnson378]

O-ring split should be at the top of the box dab a little rtv on for good measure.

[@brent1041]

Awesome! Can’t wait till I’m ready to pick up an Apex and order up my own gearbox

[@peterkelly8953]

Unit looks very well designed & manufactured. Perhaps the steady bracket bolts could be lock wired?

[@mikewelch3903]

I like that suggestion.

[@markperkins5664]

Thank you for taking the time to show us how it’s done. Enjoying your build. Keep it up!

[@davidrobins4025]

Excellent detail provided in your installation video. Thank you.

[@91rss]

the laquer thinner at Home depot etc is mostly MEK BTW, but acetone is good, doesnt smell as bad, and NEVER use either without gloves on.

[@av8or971]

I have not had a chance to look.. But i would love to know where you source everything needed. If i build a kitfox, i am probably going to afford this way much better, and so that i dont have to research everything that is already done, a detail what is needed would be GREAT

[@07HDFatboy]

Why did not put the ends of the o-ring at the top of the gear box, and put a little RTV on the ends? Less chance of a leak.

[@hunt4fish]

Cool, it's coming! Messy shop eh? mans' gotta do what a mans' gotta do...looking forward.....cheers

[@highlanderfreelancer4553]

I rode the snowmobile that had that engine it was fast ridiculous fast .

[@justinninke6405]

Agreed, had an Apex and really want a Kitfox with the Apex motor.

[@NearlyNativeNursery]

thanks for the How to mount gear box. You do very good how to videos. I greatly appreciate your putting the time in producing these videos. I Hope to build a Highlander in a few years if all goes well with retirement?

[@charleskuss8538]

Thanks for making this video. Using a Yamaha engine for aircraft is new to me. One question. Why did you put rags in the exhaust ports, but not the intake ports?? Murphy's Law says that stray nuts, bolts & other hardware has an affinity for falling into the intake system. Very dangerous to leave those ports open.

[@desertfox3860]

Very nice, it's coming along!

[@KyleMoses]

Looking good Bryan!

[@sierraromeo]

Surprised the box is not installed with drilled head bolts and safety wired. Is there room to install a 90 degree 1/8 NPT street elbo(for temp sensor) to avoid gearbox removing in the future?

[@johnfife3062]

The brass rod was a good idea.

[@johnkunz2018]

I learned a trick in A&P school to keep the motor from turning while you torque on the crankshaft. You remove one sparkplug and insert a length of cotton rope inside the cylinder. When you torque against it the Piston is protected by the soft rope. Clear as mud?

[@CurtisDrew1]

Works good as long as you pick the cylinder that has the valves closed on a firing cycle.

[@johnkunz2018]

@@CurtisDrew1 ya, I forgot to say rotate cylinder towards top dead center. Thanks.

[@slamsshenanigans2296]

Dude, I'm excited for you!

[@steveerickson4175]

Great Video, with this setup, Apex, Skytrax Gearbox and engine mount from Ken Brown does it fix under the standard Rotax cowl as provided by Kitfox? My Kitfox delivery is still over a year away but I want to get the engine together now.

[@BowenAero]

So far it looks like it will fit under the stock cowling.

[@MrJolppy]

Is there a video of you making the bracket for the Apex motor to fit in the kit Fox because I would like to see that

[@BowenAero]

Do you mean the engine mount? I will provide more info on that, but a friend made the mount so I don't have very much video of it.

[@maleficentcop2752]

I would have like to see the install of the mount, & mounting the engine... if you have that footage...👍 Really enjoying this build thx for the extra effort in recording it...!!!

[@bernardocelerino8856]

Hi. In your 23:03 time you talk about your engine mount made by Ken Brown. I just want to duplicate your job. You said " Chromoid" is the material? What size? Where did you get the part shown in 8:35 time ? (Is that the full SkyTrax gear box?)

[@BowenAero]

4130 Chromoly

[@mikewelch3903]

Brian, do you know the engine mount “torque and pitch angles” that your friend designed?

[@michaelchauvin7245]

Do you know if it is possible to install an inflight adjustable prop. with the skytrax, from either Duc propeller or airmaster ?

[@BowenAero]

It is something we have talked about. The freewheeling in the prop may create some issues

[@scottfitzgerald5423]

Nice! “Subliminal” ending made me laugh.

[@michaelchauvin7245]

Brian, I've started on my kit ss7 a few months ago, I've got my 2006 apex engine. Can you tell me if Dave Brown sells any engine mounts like the one he made for you ?

[@BowenAero]

Ken Brown and his company is Vector in Reno

[@codybrown9998]

Is that engine mount going to be for sale in the future?

[@BowenAero]

It is now from BD Turnkey Engines bdturnkeyengines.com/

[@AkPacerPilot]

Awesome! It’s really cool seeing this project come together. I can’t wait to see how the APEX preforms! What’s the total weight of APEX and gearbox? Also what’s the horsepower going to look like?

[@BowenAero]

Looking at about 175-180 lbs firewall forward. It put out 161 hp on the Dyno.

[@AkPacerPilot]

Project Kitfox thank you, that’s sounding pretty sweet. Keep up the good work!!

[@maxsu8795]

What kind and how much lubricant oil should go to the gear box? Thanks.

[@normalname]

Who built engine mount for you?

[@BowenAero]

Ken Brown

[@TimberTramp]

I’d look for a piston stop that will physically block the piston v. Wedging a brass rod in there. Go to a Yamaha dealer and talk to the mechanic and they can help you out

[@BowenAero]

Good idea, of course I’m too impatient for that but good to pass on to those preparing to do the install.

[@crazyflyer618]

Thanks for the video ,it will help the rest of us.Keep them coming. Have you done any weight and balance calculations in regard to your battery being mounted up front rather then somewhere else .

[@BowenAero]

The Apex and Rotax setup should be a lousy the same for CG

[@kausirkhan6173]

Yah brother I really following you always and please give me a idea about the gearbox how I collect please tell me this about the gearbox how I fand this gearbox

[@BowenAero]

It is from Skytrax

[@beardedaviator3880]

Have you modified the engine or plan to? If so, what has been done?

[@BowenAero]

So far just the electronics and fuel mapping.

[@beardedaviator3880]

@@BowenAero Thanks for the info, I just subscribed to your channel. Im very interested in your build because I've decided to do the same build, I'm placing my order for a kitfox sti next month and already located several apex donor sleds. Please keep the videos coming and looking forward to gaining alot of knowledge from you. Also what's your thoughts on the turbo model apex, Thanks Cliff.

[@kr6dr]

The brass piece between the gears was a bad idea. It creates a tremendous force pushing the gears apart. The proper way is to hold the ring gear (where the starter engages).

[@AaronButte]

Are you planning on including any videos of your covering process? It looks like you're using polyfiber, do you have any opinions on Oratex?

[@BowenAero]

Working on that now. The tail feathers are just about done and starting on the wings

[@mmeyers111]

What will be the new engines horsepower and how much did the gear reduction unit cost? How does it compare with the Rotax reduction drive?

[@BowenAero]

The stock engine with a re-tune of the fuel map, Dyno results showed about 161 hp. The gear box is from Teal Jenkins Skytrax and the cost is $3500. I don't have a Rotax gear box to compare it too, but the Skytrax gear box is built very well and is being flown on a 300 hp version of the APEX and has over a 100 hours now.

[@mmeyers111]

That's a lot HP for such a light plane. Will you get it certified for 1320 or 1500 pounds?

[@BowenAero]

1550 lbs

[@davidkemp1585]

How much does the engine weigh with gearbox? Does this make a problem for light sport regs?

[@BowenAero]

Just the engine and gear box are about 145 lbs. Firewall forward weight should be 175-180 lbs

[@davidkemp1585]

Thanks!

[@oltimer5544]

Hey Brian, was there any requirement to grease the inside of the shaft seal when you pressed it on to the shaft? Without lubrication wouldn't the shaft wear on the seal? Stinson guy.

[@BowenAero]

It didn't call for any, but maybe a good idea.

[@allywilkeforsenate]

Couldn"t get the inline fuel filter on my push mower today FML.

[@VicariousAir]

Brian, did you mention what you are expecting as far as horse power from the APEX... I'm thinking in 150 - 160 range does that sound about right?

[@BowenAero]

Yes, that is about right.

[@VicariousAir]

@@BowenAero in the STOL Drags, isn't Steve Henry running a Yamaha? Are you going to be pretty evenly matched?

[@rustusandroid]

I can find no information on how much this gearbox costs, or where to buy it.

[@BowenAero]

It is a SkyTrax gearbox made by Teal Jenkins. I believe they are $3750 now.

[@michaelsell6928]

What is the aprox all up flying weight of the engine and it’s components?

[@BowenAero]

Should be about 178-180 lbs. I will let you now specifically when all the components are complete.

[@shanenc90]

Regarding your wheel/brake setup, you mentioned in another vid that you were working with someone on a Model IV. Has that project been completed yet? I may be interested sometime in the not-too-distant future.

[@BowenAero]

Yes. And I have sold 3 more model IV kits since. Real good results.

[@АлександрЦыбин-л3к]

Tell me how much is the gearbox for the Yamaha engine in your USA

[@BowenAero]

$3500

[@MarkN-ji9iv]

Couldn’t really tell from the video, but did you match the ends of the “o” ring at the bottom of the housing? If so, why?

[@BowenAero]

I did. It would be better to do it at the top, but I couldn't get the two ends to stay in the grove at the top.

[@robw4ltz408]

Just been thinking that.

[@NickSmith-sx6fy]

What's the link to be able to purchase the gearbox?

[@BowenAero]

No website yet, Try Teal Jenkins at SKYTRAX ‭[phone]‬

[@maulanamaulana9373]

Adres and price??

[@kausirkhan6173]

Brother which engine you install what is the name that engine

[@BowenAero]

Yamaha APEX

[@redsrandomness]

Where did you get your engith mount from?

[@BowenAero]

A friend designed it with CAD software and then cut all the tubes with a computer aided mill. It was then load tested to 6 G's. He is trying to decide if it is something he wants to make for others.

[@fastmankim1]

@@BowenAero yeah needed for yg2 yg3 yg4

[@Solo_Gaming87]

Can someone save me some research and let me know where I can find that gearbox.

[@marteck319]

The gearbox is an elegant piece of work byTeal Jenkins in Arizona. His phone number is 623-734-0185

[@TheOutdoorMentors]

@@marteck319 can you tell us the cost?

[@ra2ja13]

What engin

[@BowenAero]

Yamaha Apex

[@acengineer737]

The gearbox looks well made. I hate seeing drive belts on aircraft. Why are you using that engine over a rotax?

[@BowenAero]

Stock it has 50hp more for the same weight and has the potential to add additional hp without exceeding the design of the engine. All for a 1/3 the price. Reliability with the examples that are flying seems to be very good. Those are just a few of the reasons. Personally not a fan of Rotax, but that is just me.

[@acengineer737]

Ok cool. Got a 80 HP Rotax engine in my aircraft. Think it's pretty built proof. They seem to go on for ever. Worked on a few C42's used for flight training and they have been very reliable. The engine in my last aircraft was a Jabiur so most things are a step up from those. Rotax are expensive mind you.

[@wayneyd2]

What the fuel burn on that engine?

[@Birddog66]

how much does the gearbox cost?

[@BowenAero]

$3500

[@JuanGomez-zj3xb]

Where can I find one?

[@tinolino58]

This video changed my life... delete it before its changes more peoples life!