Waiex Walk-Around

[@mik22pik]

Absolutely sharp, the cleanest I seen in a long time, very nice work! The dash must be around $10k alone! Glad you took the time to do to small touches, shows well! Outstanding work, what dreams are made of.. What a gem.

[@apexjunky]

The line of the canopy is always the first reveal of the build quality

[@sganzerlag]

Wow, this is one great looking airplane!! Congratulations!! Nice to see that you still have it and have put over 900 hours on it. Must be a real special feeling to go up in the sky in an airplane you built yourself. Love the orange livery. Best regards from Brasilia, Brazil.

[@kyqx]

Thanks! It has been a great and very practical airplane.

[@sganzerlag]

@@kyqx is your waiex statically stable in the pitch axis? I got to make a several flights in a Monett Moni in the early 90's (here in central Brazil). It was statically unstable in pitch. However, that example had been poorly built and setup imo. I suspect that characteristic had to do with that particular moni. I am a huge fan of the Sonex and Waiex. They look awesome, are affordable to build and fly, and go like stink. Yes the y-tail is sexier, but the moni flights I made kind of make me biased towards the regular-tailed version. Both look great imo.

[@kyqx]

@@sganzerlag The Sonex line are designed to be neutrally stable in pitch. It goes where you point it and stays there. The objective is to be maneuverable and therefore more fun to fly than the standard Cessna. It's ideal for a "sportplane". However, my Waiex becomes slightly unstable in pitch at the aft CG limit. There is a slight acceleration in the direction of input and yes it's not desirable. I only fly in this area with a heavy passenger and light fuel, maybe 1% of the time. Perhaps your Moni was near the aft CG limit?

[@sganzerlag]

@@kyqx got it. That sounds perfectly fine to me. The moni I flew probably had the incidence set wrong on the fixed portion of the v-tail. Because the trim system was a spring and not an aerodynamic tab, having the wrong (negative) incidence angle on the tail would cause this behavior. Like I said, the build workmanship was not good on that Moni and I am pretty sure the problem there was an incorrect incidence angle on the fixed part of the v-tail. That particular Moni had the 30 hp kfm engine and riveted wings. Aside from the aforementioned quirk, it flew well and had good performance. Knowing that the Waiex does not exhibit this particular trait makes me more confident about it being a build / setup issue of that Moni I flew. I also really appreciate you explaining that your Waiex has been a great airplane for all these years and hours. Nice to know that they hold up well. Thanks for sharing your Waiex experience here on YT.

[@kyqx]

@@sganzerlag I'm happy to hear that you enjoy my videos. That's why I made them. I wanted to build a Moni in 1986 but I was too young and had no money. 20 years later, I bought the Moni's older brother!

[@bobmac515]

Beautiful airplane, love the paint!

[@2LoadedDice]

Great video - thanks for taking the time to show us.

[@courage1st]

What a great idea for the pitot system. I think I might add that to my OneX. Pitot on one side and the static on the other side to give it a machine gun look. Beautiful airplane.

[@track1219]

Looks like quality workmanship

[@kyqx]

Thank you. It's 10 years old now and it's been a great airplane.

[@aeromagnumtv1581]

We are in the embryotic stages of designing/building an all electric powered Waiex. Will feature (2) EDF-J power-plants, producing more than a total 300-pounds of static thrust. Goal (short-term), is a true 90-minute flight-time before battery bank change out or quick charge.

[@kyqx]

Thanks! While it's true that one must keep the Jabiru heads cool, the Rotec (NOT Rotac) heads may not always be the best option. Without the heads, I'll never worry about leaks, pumps, liquid level, a re-worked cowl, or the extra weight that would cause me to exceed the firewall-forward limit. But, thats just me...:)

[@MrJohndl]

Fantastic plane man well done!! Damn I want one...

[@ATLRCFlyer]

The orange lightning strikes again...:-) Can't wait to take a ride in it...

[@jacquesvanderwesthuizen1227]

Hi. Great aircraft! I just got myself now a Waiex with 2200 Jabi engine. Question, is that a fuel level switch you have installed at 6:44? If so, where did you get it? I am also looking for a fuel level switch instead of the clear fuel tube gauge..

[@kyqx]

Thanks for the comment. It's a Princeton fuel probe system. You can search within Aircraft Spruce and Specialty to find it. It's been a long time so I don't recall the exact part number. It's worked great for almost 11 years now.

[@jacquesvanderwesthuizen1227]

@@kyqx Thanks a lot! I am going to do a lot of upgrades on my Waiex. New panel (incl MGL iEFIS), Sandia remote transponder, MGL V6 VHF, new wiring, switches, circuit breakers, a paint job (i love the orange you have and I might do the same), nav/strobes, etc... I might also have the Jabi engine updated, as it is a 2nd generation engine with 260hours. I have only done a few hours in the Waiex now, but I am loving it!

[@kyqx]

@@jacquesvanderwesthuizen1227 Great! I just turned over 900 hours in mine and 100,000 miles on my GPS odometer. Lot's of great places and adventures in the past 10 years.

[@pusherpilot]

Awesome Build. Look great! I want to build one.

[@kyqx]

No ballistic chute for the Waiex. There may be one installed in the entire fleet. It was a great day for flying...!

[@scotabot7826]

What a beautiful airplane. I LOVE that color choice! Do you mind telling me the color code, and what paint that is, or if it's a custom blend? Just beautiful! Just realized how old this video is, oh well.

[@kyqx]

Thanks for the compliments. I'm not sure of the exact code but the paint is one of the Ford Mustang PPG colors. There are only a few of these orange types so if you are trying to narrow it down you likely can with a little comparison. Regards...

[@kyqx]

Thanks! I have some great times with this airplane in the last 2.5 years...

[@gunnardavid8427]

I realize it's kinda off topic but does anybody know a good site to stream newly released movies online?

[@kyqx]

I burn about 5.3 gph at 145 mph. I run about 2750 rpm regardless of altitude. I'd guess that at 8,000 it would be leaned out about and down below 5 gph but at the same TAS of 145 mph. Just keep the Jabiru cylinders cool and the problems (if any) are minimal...

[@hjustein]

Beautiful aircraft, I am highly considering building one of these.

[@DannyK426]

loving the videos. Beautiful plane. Would you say the sonex/waiex is a great general purpose LSA? By that i mean, one that is docile enough for new pilots and cross crounty, while nimble enough to keep you occupied while learning aerobatics. (New atlanta LSA student that has been eyeballing the sonex family for quite some time now)

[@kyqx]

@DannyK426 It's a good all around aircraft for evertything that you mentioned. I have few complaints...!

[@DanFrederiksen]

nice build isn't tandem seating more energy efficient and much more cost effective because the plane gets smaller? and isn't it easier to build an all fiberglass?

[@rpellicciotti]

I looked at this airplane at #OSH10. I was very impressed with it. Nice job!

[@kyqx]

So you knew the answers all along! Good luck with your fiberglass Sonex. It will be a first!

[@jtjt210]

Beautiful Waiex. Did I understand correctly that it was running the Jabiru 3300 and also what was the empty weight in the configuration in the video?

[@OzcarMike641]

Looking good man.

[@OzParkPilot]

Ok.. So I need to look into this more then I thought is was purely internal changes ??

[@OzParkPilot]

Really very nice clean build and in my favorite colour to ! Well done ! Could I ask you please, Im thinking of putting the Jabari 3300 in my bird and have heard of some heating issues. That said, Rotac ( NOT rotax ) have some new heads that run much cooler and can give you 136 hp vs 120 hp. It seem a win win here. My mate has just fitted this set up in a Lightning ( yet to fly as its kit built ) and did alot of research. have you looked in to this mod ? Thanks again. She a beut !!!

[@FingerJam12]

Very nice!

[@DanFrederiksen]

be safe :) do you have a ballistic chute for the plane?

[@kyqx]

Looking forward to seeing your aircraft...

[@rickcahill4730]

what kind of fuel burn are you getting at 145MPH with the 3300 Jabiru, and what is your fuel burn at top end at 8,000 feet? Any teething problems with the Jabiru?

[@nisteber]

Do you mind me asking how much this cost you to build total? Also how much to fly hanger, and do you need insurance on the thing?

[@kyqx]

Thanks. That would look good!

[@ATLRCFlyer]

Soon there'll be videos of a Waiex / VariEZE Formation :)

[@Chris9183]

kyqx, I'm interested in your Becker com radio. When I look it up on Aircraftspruce, it mentions something about a wire harness, and it says the wire harness is $180. What is a wire harness and is it required to make this radio work?

[@kyqx]

@rpellicciotti Thank you!

[@kyqx]

I have a Becker Comm radio. It has a flip/flop feature...

[@kyqx]

Interesting. Keep us posted on that!

[@noversibirsk]

Cool Plane man!!!

[@jimlozano5619]

Is this the orange Waiex I saw in Sport Aviation Magazine?

[@kyqx]

Indeed it is.

[@jimlozano5619]

Great looking aircraft. I had to read that article more than once I liked it so much. Well done! @@kyqx

[@kyqx]

Thank you @@jimlozano5619

[@nsheryka]

Looks great!! -Nick building # 142

[@kyqx]

I think that as you learn more about aviation, you'll find that everything is not centered around performance but also practicality. Some desingers prefer metal over glass and and some pilots prefer to fly next to someone. Also, the "glass" sailplanes seem pretty pricey. My metal airplane seems to be very "cost effective" in comparison. That said, I'm going flying...

[@buzzard503]

Kip: Disgustingly beautiful!!!!

[@chaguine4384andrei]

waiex price ready to take off ?

[@JohnVHRC]

not sure why this isn't a sonex?

[@kyqx]

Well, it sort of is. Do you know of the Sonex Aircraft company?

[@JohnVHRC]

kyqx Yep, know exactly what they are, that's why I don't understand why this one isn't one.

[@markrutlidge5427]

JohnVH541 sonnex with a "v" tail

[@kalancosta7650]

@@JohnVHRC it’s is a sonex but it’s called a waiex because of the “y” tell hence the name “y-ex” (how it’s pronounced)

[@TheRealChetManley]

Awesome!

[@TecnamTwin]

I want to Quickbuild a Waiex with the 80hp Aerovee engine which will cost about $40,000. Then I want to add a small lithium battery bank, a 40 hp electric motor, and an upgraded alternator to make it a DIY hybrid of sorts. Because the system horsepower will be 120, the same as the Jabiru 3300, it will still stay within the speed limit for an LSA. I would use the 23lb lighter 85hp Jabiru 2200, but it costs $8,500 more, and that's not worth it.

[@ExploringCabinsandMines]

good job !

[@kyqx]

To be honest, I don't remember the requiremet of the harness. Perhaps an email to Germany can clear it up. Send me a message and I'll send you my wiring diagrams. Also, I love my Beckers!

[@kyqx]

Cool...thanks.

[@DanFrederiksen]

who says it has to be a sonex? and yes I knew the answers. gliders are typically tandem and fiberglass and with good reason.

[@OsceolaLongBeard]

total cost?

[@kyqx]

How about "pinching" some correct grammar? If your question were a bit more coherent, I may be able to provide an answer...

[@mmichaeldonavon]

I think we can give your comment, to the "Skeatesy person", a resounding: "Hear-Hear"!! N6395T

[@9999plato]

Sweet

[@mmichaeldonavon]

A lot!

[@kyqx]

Nope and nope...;)

[@DanFrederiksen]

wrong and wrong : )

[@christopherphillipskeates290]

whats the difference to sonex or are they the same if not how come your got someones elses ideas in australia we pride our selves in coming up with our own ideas instead of pinching some one elses but if your the same aircraft why then a different name .. cant you design a complete aircraft your self .. skeatesy