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Re: Waiex Build Status and Completion Photos

PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 2:45 pm
by N111YX
Sweeet..I'm seeing some real progress from you all during the winter months. Keep it up and we'll have a YX Air Force by summer...:)

Re: Waiex Build Status and Completion Photos

PostPosted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 9:37 pm
by 142YX
Any guess as to how many YX's are complete and flying these days?

Re: Waiex Build Status and Completion Photos

PostPosted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 2:07 am
by MichaelFarley56
I thought someone had estimated around 40-50 or so total, but I'm not sure if that's still accurate or not. I would also be interested in knowing...

Re: Waiex Build Status and Completion Photos

PostPosted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:47 pm
by N111YX
I estimated that mine was about the 35th to fly in May, 2010. I'd say 40-50 is pretty accurate. That figure somewhat mirrors the slightly less than 1/3 "completion/sold" ratio of the Sonex. The Waiex ratio my be closer to 1/3 as no one builds from plans and thus most will finish their project quicker than the Sonex...

Re: Waiex Build Status and Completion Photos

PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 2:49 am
by MichaelFarley56
Hello Everyone,

Today seemed like another milestone sort of day in the build of Waiex #0056, so I wanted to post a few quick pictures...

First off, I found some nice covers for the flap and brake handles:
Image

As I'm hoping to weigh the plane this week yesterday was spent reinstalling the cowling and wheel pants, and today was spent fitting the gear leg fairings:
Image

I couldn't think of any reason to keep the aft fuselage skin off, so it was riveted on and the mixer cover plate was installed:
Image

By the time all was finished it was dark but I wanted at least one picture of the fully assembled plane:
Image

So now I need to weigh the plane, make some pushrod exit fairings, install the data plate and give the FAA a call to set up my inspection. Hopefully that can happen in a few weeks. Oh yeah, I guess I should also start some tailwheel training :?

Re: Waiex Build Status and Completion Photos

PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 3:50 am
by 142YX
N111YX wrote:I estimated that mine was about the 35th to fly in May, 2010. I'd say 40-50 is pretty accurate. That figure somewhat mirrors the slightly less than 1/3 "completion/sold" ratio of the Sonex. The Waiex ratio my be closer to 1/3 as no one builds from plans and thus most will finish their project quicker than the Sonex...


these are the numbers from Wikipedia.. can't speak for their accuracy...

as of December 2011:
311 Sonex
1 Onex
33 Waiex
7 Xenos

Re: Waiex Build Status and Completion Photos

PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 3:53 am
by 142YX
Looks great Michael! Hope to be where you are sooner rather than later

Re: Waiex Build Status and Completion Photos

PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 12:06 pm
by N111YX
Looks great, Mike!

You might consider making a new flap handle to allow 3 flap positions. The "full flap" setting is difficult to set in flight becasue of the drag and that's pretty much all it is...lot's of drag with very little reduction in stall speed.

Your mileage may vary...:)

Re: Waiex Build Status and Completion Photos

PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 12:10 pm
by N111YX
I'm guessing that those figures are from the "completions" section on the Sonex site. I have learned that there are many out there who don't report their first flight... 8-)

OK, so I'm bored today and did some research...

The FAA website shows 60 registered Waiex's.
-42 have an airworthiness date
-16 are registered but have no airworthiness date
-2 are "unusable or unknown"




142YX wrote:
N111YX wrote:I estimated that mine was about the 35th to fly in May, 2010. I'd say 40-50 is pretty accurate. That figure somewhat mirrors the slightly less than 1/3 "completion/sold" ratio of the Sonex. The Waiex ratio my be closer to 1/3 as no one builds from plans and thus most will finish their project quicker than the Sonex...


these are the numbers from Wikipedia.. can't speak for their accuracy...

as of December 2011:
311 Sonex
1 Onex
33 Waiex
7 Xenos

Re: Waiex Build Status and Completion Photos

PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 1:31 pm
by MichaelFarley56
N111YX wrote:Looks great, Mike!

You might consider making a new flap handle to allow 3 flap positions. The "full flap" setting is difficult to set in flight becasue of the drag and that's pretty much all it is...lot's of drag with very little reduction in stall speed.

Your mileage may vary...:)


That's a good idea Kip...I remember you mentioning this at Crossville this year. Actually, I was thinking (give me your input here) about taking the existing handle and simply cutting out a third notch in between the other two. There's plenty of blank material there to give me another detent position. If I can take my Dremel with a cutting wheel and cut out that notch it should be a quick and easy way to add that additional flap setting.