Making great progress! Quite the project, wish I had the time and space to do something like this (working on fixing this). Learning a lot from you so keep up the good work!
I’m seriously considering a Highlander build and just binge watched all your build videos. Looking forward to seeing more progress. A big concern for me is that the build manual seems to be lacking for someone who isn’t very experienced with this. The forum that Just Aircraft links to doesn’t seem very active for Just Aircraft builds; so support is a concern for me.
Now I'm not sure but when i was on wild west aircraft website, he talked about, it was part of the apex package deal converting a engine for aircraft use. it may be you have to buy the aircraft kit before he would do that but maybe if you sent him the engine he could do it or get you the parts , you would know more then me, this was more FYI..... great job so far, keep them coming>>>>
Steve offers a firewall forward kit and also a naturally aspirated apex engine from a used sled. He should have prices there on what his products and services cost. I have a price breakdown of what he offers if you cant find it.
I just stumbled upon your videos, great content. Did you continue with the project? Finish it? Any updates would be great, and I’m going to subscribe with the hopes that you maybe find your way back to posting updates.
Hey Kevin. Just toured the Just Aircraft factory this week with Troy. Looking at the Highlander, remote possibility that I’ll consider the STOL but for now going with the Highlander. Hope to see more video of the build. All in all, do you find the build easy, has there been frustration along the build with issues?
The parts and quality of everything is great. Some of the build manual isn't very clear. But the factory is quick to help me out with any questions. So far the build is going smoothly. I will have more videos on the build. I have been busy with other things lately.
Thanks again Kevin for the update, take your time - do it right, are the bell crank bronze bushings standard with the highlander kit or is that your modification? & are those the standard fuel tanks that come with the kit? sorry for the questions, am following your progress with great interest Cheers Glenn - Down Under.
Dont be sorry for the questions. They are some of the best feedback I get from viewers now. The 13 gallon aluminum wing tanks now come standard with the highlander kit, they used to be an option. The bronze bushings and bell cranks/hinges are all stock from the factory. What I am modifying about them is where I place them on the trailing edge, since I stretched my wing and flaps.
Two quick questions; first, do you use the counter sync punch to make your rivets flush? If so, how much extra work is it to counter sync all rivets on the aircraft to create a smooth aluminum exoskeleton? Is it common to them use a bondo type product to fill any dimples and the sand before primer and paint? Second, as you have a wood and metal wing and body that will be covered with fabric or more likely Oretex 6000, but I've seen some builders spray all internal aluminum sheeting and parts with the objective of protecting internal of the aircraft from moisture and mildew that will form due to weather as well as altitude. Alternatively I've seem builders just go straight at it and clique/rivet aluminum to aluminum or aluminum to chromoly and call it a day, paint exterior and that the end of it. What are you thoughts on taking the extra time to spray all internal parts that are not wood?
Countersinking the rivet is a good way to get rid of drag on an aircraft skin. The highlander doesnt have too many rivets directly under where the fabric will be so its not a big dead to countersink what is there. It is more time consuming and I found it difficult to keep the depth of the countersink cut uniform with the rest. I do have super fill from poly fiber, it is basically a lightweight body filler. I can use it to fill in minor imperfections or feather edging parts that lay on top of other parts. I dont think I will use much or any of it. I am much more concerned about not adding any extra weight to the build. This is going to be a competition plane not a show plane. My opinion is all wood and steel parts need a proper protective coating and I just leave aluminum as is. There are also other guidelines to consider. Like it is not good practice to let a bare steel part touch a bare aluminum part. There should be a coat of paint or epoxy in between, otherwise it can promote corrosion. In the highlander an example would be the steel lift strut and jury strut brackets that are fastened to the aluminum wing spars. With the highlander almost all of these will be epoxied as well as riveted for the permanent fastening, and the epoxy creates a barrier between the two dissimilar metals. The paint or powder coat is usually sanded off of the steel parts to help the epoxy a better "bite" into the material. All of my steel parts are epoxy primed and then top coated in black, all of my wood parts will have a 2 part poly fiber wood varnish, my aluminum parts will be left as is.
![Natanael Cano x Nueva H - Amapola [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/6Q4mnRD5jCw/mqdefault.jpg)
Are you still working away ? I like your videos and detail... I feel they are more in detail and represent on what to actually expect
Making great progress! Quite the project, wish I had the time and space to do something like this (working on fixing this). Learning a lot from you so keep up the good work!
Great. Organization is everything.
I’m seriously considering a Highlander build and just binge watched all your build videos. Looking forward to seeing more progress.
A big concern for me is that the build manual seems to be lacking for someone who isn’t very experienced with this. The forum that Just Aircraft links to doesn’t seem very active for Just Aircraft builds; so support is a concern for me.
Thanks for the update.
Now I'm not sure but when i was on wild west aircraft website, he talked about, it was part of the apex package deal converting a engine for aircraft use. it may be you have to buy the aircraft kit before he would do that but maybe if you sent him the engine he could do it or get you the parts , you would know more then me, this was more FYI..... great job so far, keep them coming>>>>
Steve offers a firewall forward kit and also a naturally aspirated apex engine from a used sled. He should have prices there on what his products and services cost. I have a price breakdown of what he offers if you cant find it.
Any progress on the build? It would be great to see an update video.
Not yet, been busy at work
@@kevincamp189 Understandable, just curious I like your videos over some others.
@@PilotHogg I'm going to try to get back into it soon with winter approaching. I wont be able to fly as much.
Great video!
I just stumbled upon your videos, great content. Did you continue with the project? Finish it? Any updates would be great, and I’m going to subscribe with the hopes that you maybe find your way back to posting updates.
I'm interested in your 5" wheels, tires and brakes from your Belite kit. Thanks.
When are you covering with oratex? Thanks
Any updates ?
Hey Kevin. Just toured the Just Aircraft factory this week with Troy. Looking at the Highlander, remote possibility that I’ll consider the STOL but for now going with the Highlander. Hope to see more video of the build. All in all, do you find the build easy, has there been frustration along the build with issues?
The parts and quality of everything is great. Some of the build manual isn't very clear. But the factory is quick to help me out with any questions. So far the build is going smoothly. I will have more videos on the build. I have been busy with other things lately.
Thanks again Kevin for the update, take your time - do it right, are the bell crank bronze bushings standard with the highlander kit or is that your modification? & are those the standard fuel tanks that come with the kit? sorry for the questions, am following your progress with great interest
Cheers Glenn - Down Under.
Dont be sorry for the questions. They are some of the best feedback I get from viewers now. The 13 gallon aluminum wing tanks now come standard with the highlander kit, they used to be an option. The bronze bushings and bell cranks/hinges are all stock from the factory. What I am modifying about them is where I place them on the trailing edge, since I stretched my wing and flaps.
The ribs are made of wood? Do you put finishing on them? Love your shop!
Yes they are wood. They will get a 2 part urethane varnish to seal them .
Are you building from plans?
I am doing a kit build not a plans build. Just Aircraft does not supply any plans with the kit. Only a build manual.
Two quick questions; first, do you use the counter sync punch to make your rivets flush? If so, how much extra work is it to counter sync all rivets on the aircraft to create a smooth aluminum exoskeleton? Is it common to them use a bondo type product to fill any dimples and the sand before primer and paint?
Second, as you have a wood and metal wing and body that will be covered with fabric or more likely Oretex 6000, but I've seen some builders spray all internal aluminum sheeting and parts with the objective of protecting internal of the aircraft from moisture and mildew that will form due to weather as well as altitude. Alternatively I've seem builders just go straight at it and clique/rivet aluminum to aluminum or aluminum to chromoly and call it a day, paint exterior and that the end of it. What are you thoughts on taking the extra time to spray all internal parts that are not wood?
Countersinking the rivet is a good way to get rid of drag on an aircraft skin. The highlander doesnt have too many rivets directly under where the fabric will be so its not a big dead to countersink what is there. It is more time consuming and I found it difficult to keep the depth of the countersink cut uniform with the rest. I do have super fill from poly fiber, it is basically a lightweight body filler. I can use it to fill in minor imperfections or feather edging parts that lay on top of other parts. I dont think I will use much or any of it. I am much more concerned about not adding any extra weight to the build. This is going to be a competition plane not a show plane.
My opinion is all wood and steel parts need a proper protective coating and I just leave aluminum as is. There are also other guidelines to consider. Like it is not good practice to let a bare steel part touch a bare aluminum part. There should be a coat of paint or epoxy in between, otherwise it can promote corrosion. In the highlander an example would be the steel lift strut and jury strut brackets that are fastened to the aluminum wing spars. With the highlander almost all of these will be epoxied as well as riveted for the permanent fastening, and the epoxy creates a barrier between the two dissimilar metals. The paint or powder coat is usually sanded off of the steel parts to help the epoxy a better "bite" into the material. All of my steel parts are epoxy primed and then top coated in black, all of my wood parts will have a 2 part poly fiber wood varnish, my aluminum parts will be left as is.
Apex Apex!