Sonex-B | Aeromomentum AM15h Start & Operation
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- Опубликовано: 23 апр 2021
- This is a quick video highlighting my install of the Aeromomentum AM15h on a Sonex-B tri-gear. Shout out to Aviation Composites for designing and welding the mount, KK Finishing for powder coating, and Mark/Lili at Aeromomentum for support on the install. #Sonex #N307TW #Aeromomentum #AM15 #KKFinishing #AviationComposites
Sweet! Looks and sounds great, can't wait to see it fly. If I ever swap engines, one of these is on my short list.
I just ordered my own Waiex B kit minus the firewall forward kit. I've been seriously looking into the same engine package. I really hope you keep going with content on your new toy. There seems to be a void of good sonex videos. :)
Check out Gavin's Sonex B build on you tube. Very good.
I'd go with the 130 viking. Its cheaper, more horsepower and a bit more proven design. Plus the prop flange has lugs on it and doesn't rely on the bolts for the torque strength.
@@rustusandroid how much research have you done into the failures of the Viking stuff? I'd suggest looking into how the company(viking) has handled those instances. From what I've seen it doesn't inspire confidence(in the product reliability, nor into the transparency of the company in actually handling issues and improving the product.)
@@mrphyslaw Jan has been open about complaints and posted videos about those "failures". He inspires great confidence about how Viking handles them. And there hasn't been any significant failures to speak of considering the amount of engines that have been sold and the thousands of hours flown. Rotax has a higher per capita "failure" rate by far than Viking, and that is a fact.
Very clean install! Look forward to the finished project 👍
Thanks 👍
Awesome engine!
Thanks for the vid!
Good setup!
Thanks!
Looking forward to seeing what size and type of propeller you install. I'm pretty sure this engine installation requires the prop shaft centerline be placed about 2-inches lower than Jabiru, Rotax, UL Power engines. The AM induction system just sits at least 2 or 3 inches higher above prop centerline. This is a concern I have for going with AM on my Skystar Pulsar III. I apologize for hijacking your video-- right now your project is by far the most exciting and encouraging one around! Thank you for sharing!
I have a 4-bladed 60" on order since February from Luga with an unknown ETA. In the meantime I have a three-bladed 62" from Warp Drive coming this week as well.
I had an aero on my weightshift trike It was great! nice work!
Cool, thanks!
Can you post an update video? This looks like a really good project.
Very nice. Also nice to see a custom panel in a Sonex. Could you make a video about how you enlarged the panel to accommodate the Dynon and the IPad (?) to the right of it?
Thanks for the kind words, I will see if I can get something posted on the panel mods.
Beautiful power plant and all of it makes sense.
Sonex queation: can one build with side sticks should they want?
That’s an item I’d ask Sonex. I don’t think it’s possible without severe modifications. I have the center stick but they just offered a dual stick option for B-Models now.
I like the backlit instrument panel where the switches are mounted! Did you make it or where did you have it made?
I designed them and made them in coordination with a PC simulator company.
I also like your backlit panel. Can you share the details of who made your panel pieces?
Nice! Curious about the upper engine mount and engine g loading, without triangulation. Looks like the top mounts have extreme leverage.
An engineer with Aeromomentum designed it. Best to defer to them for questions like that. I am not certifying this plane for Aerobatics nor do I think the Aeromomentum engine I able to do aerobatics especially with negative G’s.
Love love love this ... One question: There was a Kitfox video saying he had issues with vibrations on the cooler in the front. You?
I haven’t had any vibration issues yet but then again I have less than an hour on it. We will see how it progresses. Seems pretty strong though.
It's shock isolated. Maybe areomomentum addressed that issue. I saw a kitfox where he moved the radiater to the fire wall.
I saw that same video. I have the oil cooler mounted in the same location on my Jabiru 2200 and this Aeromomentum seems to run MUCH more smoothly than any boxer engine.
Thank you for posting a detailed video for the engine, any new update for the engine because I am looking to buy same one?
Thank you.
It runs really well. Check out my taxi test video I just posted the other day. Hoping to be flying by mid-summer.
What propeller did you order?
What length?
How many blades?
Were you able to calculate an expected top cruise speed?
Thanks. I'm very close to placing a deposit on an AM13hHP @ 126hp. It's for a Skystar Pulsar III which is very similar size and weight.
Your project is inspiring!
I have a 4-bladed 60" on order since February from Luga with an unknown ETA. In the meantime I have a three-bladed 62" from Warp Drive coming this week.
looks neat!
what would be the installed weight including the radiator, oil cooler and all other ancillaries?
Just around the 200lb mark.
I like these engines way better then aeroVee never trusted VW engines tinkered with them in the 80's and 90s they always leaked and eventually overheat. Just a fact you don't see air cooled engines still being used today in any application except aircraft. While certified engine builders have worked out all the bugs of air cooled engines they cost 25-50k. The only thing holds me back from the sonex is the location of the fuel tank I know lot of older aircraft stuck the tank behind the engine just seems dangerous to put a tank of fuel behind a hot engine your sitting right behind it.
I recently received my Aeromomentum AM15HP engine also. Very Nice install. Cant I contact you regarding the install?
Absolutely! timothy.wrede@gmail.com
OMG just listen to that ECU-controlled, EFI, high energy electronic ignition, multi-sensor-monitored, precision internal toleranced, high performance, affordable, low maintenance, high reliability, liquid cooled powerplant!!! I am SO DONE with crappy carburetors, low energy ignitions that require spark plug gaps at 0.022", inefficient air cooling, self-destructive EGT and CHT, dangerous exhaust muff cockpit heaters, etc. The only advantage to traditional aviation boxer engines IMO is the form factor is easily accommodated in most aircraft cowls.
Great progress. Question on your engine mount. Did you order from Sonex or was it custom-built for your AM15? Thanks. Let me know when you will accept visitors to your build. Am a potential Waiex purchase.
I was the guinea pig and helped with development using an Aerovee mount that was modified. The guys over at aviationcomposites.net now have all the measurements and can fabricate the AM13/15 mounts for all legacy and B-model Sonex aircraft. Good luck.
@@emsbuff25 Thanks amigo. I hope I get the pleasure of seeing your Sonex someday. Regards, Hugo
@@emsbuff25 this is so good to know! I have the same concern for my Skystar Pulsar III which is very similar in size and weight to the Sonex.
@@HC_Agency my plane is located at KFOK. If you're in the area, let me know, I'll be happy to show you the build.
@@emsbuff25 Thank you sir. Looking forward to seeing some of your updated videos amigo!! Be well.
Hi I was wondering if your Luga came yet? I have been waiting for my Luga 16 months. Did your mount your warp drive prop yet? By the way your sonex looks great!!
Yes it did. Just did a taxi test with it the other day. Very very smooth. Should be flying by mid-summer!
I assume you still have to install a muffler. It must be a southern US airplane, for I do not see hoses for a cabin heater. It is very important for Canadian operations. I started on a Z750 several years ago, and now with the Sonex high wing coming, I might abandon the tail and switch to the Sonex. The Z 750 is just too slow.
Muffler is now on. Not installing a heater core at the moment as I have heated seats. Based out of NY so we get a mix of all the seasons.
great set up. love to hear an update ESPN the AM15. did you weigh the engine yourself? qhat ECU? can you adjust/program it?
You can use a program to modify the ECU but I only modified it to run a small cooling fan based on temp. Mark is the one who tunes it to the engine before it leaves the factory.
@@emsbuff25 Thank you for the info.
Are you going to go with a fixed prop or constant speed? Also curious on what version and specs you are choosing.
62" 3-bladed ground adjustable prop from Warp Drive. Also have a 60" 4-blade ground adjustable prop from Luga on order. We will see which performs better after testing.
Will the AeroMomentum fit under the standard Sonex cowling or will you have to make significant mods or a whole new cowling?
I too am very interested in this. I suppose you haven't gotten to that yet. I'm subbed now and following with huge interest. Am so glad you are blazing the trail for putting this engine on a fast little airframe. Not too much I can learn from the guys putting them on the flying tractors that are so popular today. Those Zeniths have twice the firewall and inferior cowl space of the Sonex and Pulsar.
No it will not. Significant modifications will be made. I will try to document it as best I can when I tackle that hurdle. I did order the Aeromomentum nose bowl that I will attempt to mate to the standard Sonex-B Cowling.
any updates? I'm just getting close to buying an engine for my Dakota Hawk project and was looking closely a the aeromomentum.
What is the verdict, I wanna see you put some hours on it :) ... We are planning on rolling the dice and giving the AM15 the green light for our zenith build. Hope all is going well!
Loving it so far. Just taxi tested it and it was flawless. Will be in the air within the next two months or so. Good luck with the Zenith build!
Hey tim.....just wondering if you got the plane flying and what experience you have had with the am15??
Not yet. Took some time off to work on life stuff. Just taxi tested it the other day and plan on having the first flight by mid-summer!
How much propclearance will you have?
Have you attempted to fit the cowl and estimate how much modification is required?
This is an excellent question. The AM engines have a lower propeller shaft centerline in relation to the too of the induction system, compared to Jabiru, Rotax, UL Power and similar boxer engines. Will be interesting to learn which cowl you started out with and how good/efficient it looks after fitting.
Significant modifications will have to be made. I will try to document it as best I can when I tackle that hurdle. I did order the Aeromomentum nose bowl that I will attempt to mate to the standard Sonex-B Cowling.
Nice. Cost? How was dealing with Aeromomentum?
Just over 16k for everything. E-Mail communication isn't the best. I think that is due to how busy they are. However, I will say that Mark has always picked up the phone when I have called. Everything has been smooth except for trying to get the propeller I ordered from Luga.
What is your FWF all up weight with all fluids ect.? What reinforcements were made to firewall and internal structures if greater than Sonex's recommended 200 lb max FWF weight?
183lbs dry. Just over 200 with prop and fluids. No reinforcements were made, no plans to do so. The plane is so over-engineered that it would only add more weight and complexity. It is a nominal risk I am willing to take.
Are you flying this yet? If you do, how is the performance and fuel burn?
Not yet - should be airborne by mid-summer ‘23
What were the benefits of this engine that made you go with it over the Jabiru? My understanding is the horsepower is basically the same.
Horsepower is similar however I wanted a completely FADEC fuel injected aircraft with a high amperage dedicated alternator. It gives more torque than the Jab and I wanted to try something new.
What about the engine cowling? What does that look like?
I’ll post a new video when I’m done fabricating it.
Feel safer with a 40amp nippondenso alternator on there. 20 amp is kinda low...
It’s a 60amp alternator with this setup.
How long did it take you to complete this much?
Five years but I have a full time job, was in school, and three young kids. Can be done much quicker if you have less life items in the way.
Who did the motor mount?
Rich over at www.aviationcomposites.net
Any update on your sonex?
Life gets in the way so it’s been busy. Back at it strong now. Just taxi tested it and plan on first flight by mid-summer.
That is very exciting!!
Wish I could afford a sonex I already live on an airfield but just cant afford to fly it's sucks
It will happen, I did my build as individual kits and just picking at it. Don't give up on that dream of owning a plane.
@@emsbuff25 Thanks dude im determined one day
Hey man, I was wondering if you had the external engine dimensions. I want to see if one will fit in a reflex lightning bug.
It's got a really small cowling lol.