Honda Engines on a Twin Engine Aircraft KIT?

I was thinking of these Honda engines...

Hondajet_HA-420_%E2%80%98M-HNDA%E2%80%99_%2835507038531%29.jpg
 
Does the fact that an engine manufacturer is building a twin say anything about the perceived reliability of the engine?

To be honest if I was going to fly an airplane with Viking engines I would probably want at least 4.
 
My facebook feed has been polluted by that paper airplane in all sorts of AI-generated color schemes for the past month. I'd actually be interested in an e-ab twin that was not a velocity, but I don't think this one is it yet. I'm looking forward to peeking at it at Osh
 
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there was article (loosely used term, the owner didn't really seem to want to share,or the articles author just didn't know what to ask) in Sport Aviation last year Iirc where a guy made a twin out of an RV. not sure the motors used.
 
pfarber said:
there was article (loosely used term, the owner didn't really seem to want to share,or the articles author just didn't know what to ask) in Sport Aviation last year Iirc where a guy made a twin out of an RV. not sure the motors used.
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Twin jag... Modified RV 6. Used corvair engines
 
I actually like Aircams. :) I was hoping to pop by their setup at Osh this year if they have one.
 
Seems also like a great way to get inexpensive multi time for those aspiring to ATP stardom.
 
WDD said:
Seems also like a great way to get inexpensive multi time for those aspiring to ATP stardom.
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Unfortunately, Aircams (other than the fuel burn) are ridiculously expensive. So whatever you save on gas, the up-front and insurance costs beat the fuel savings and more out of you.
 
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One of our neighbors just got an Aircam. He gets home from work, flying in the flight levels at 500 knots and hops in his Aircam. Looks like quite a plane. He can be at pattern altitude well before the departure end of our 3100 foot runway.
 
ateamer said:
One of our neighbors just got an Aircam. He gets home from work, flying in the flight levels at 500 knots and hops in his Aircam. Looks like quite a plane. He can be at pattern altitude well before the departure end of our 3100 foot runway.
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AIrcam is based at Sebring, so we share the pattern with them during contests and practices. Seems like a really cool platform.
 
Honestly kinda cool seeing Honda engines used that way. Modern auto engines are way more capable than a lot of people give them credit for.
 
Racerx said:
Twin jag... Modified RV 6. Used corvair engines
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The article was so light on details it was infuriating. Ditto for the article on the guy that hand build an 80% P-38. It could be the owners are not 'interview savvy' but the EAA/SA reporter should have the brains to guide them along. I mean dude hand made a P-38 and the article was lighter than a knats fart.
 
pfarber said:
The article was so light on details it was infuriating. Ditto for the article on the guy that hand build an 80% P-38. It could be the owners are not 'interview savvy' but the EAA/SA reporter should have the brains to guide them along. I mean dude hand made a P-38 and the article was lighter than a knats fart.
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The guy that built the scaled down P-38 passed away. The fellow that brought it to KOSH is a shirt tail relative and probably couldn't answer many technical questions. It does have a pair of 210 Hp Continental engines, so this is not an underpowered toy. There is a detailed story about the plane in the July 2024 Kitplanes magazine. Here's a link: https://www.kitplanes.com/off-the-scale/
 
kyleb said:
Unfortunately, Aircams (other than the fuel burn) are ridiculously expensive. So whatever you save on gas, the up-front and insurance costs beat the fuel savings and more out of you.
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Really? I am seeing 150K+ for even the most ragged out and hated-at twin trainers out there. Aircams don't seem way outta that line.

I can see insurance sneezing at them. I'm tempted to get a quote for grins now. I always pause for those things on barnstormers.
 
schmookeeg said:
Really? I am seeing 150K+ for even the most ragged out and hated-at twin trainers out there. Aircams don't seem way outta that line.

I can see insurance sneezing at them. I'm tempted to get a quote for grins now. I always pause for those things on barnstormers.
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Aircams seem way overpriced to me for what they are.
 
schmookeeg said:
Really? I am seeing 150K+ for even the most ragged out and hated-at twin trainers out there. Aircams don't seem way outta that line.

I can see insurance sneezing at them. I'm tempted to get a quote for grins now. I always pause for those things on barnstormers.
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Theres an aircam with 11 hours for 260k on tap
 
Aircam is a niche aircraft, a professional tool. It was designed for low altitude photography over jungle canopy and wetlands. It was not designed for general or light sport aviation and is not priced for that market.
 
Ed Haywood said:
Aircam is a niche aircraft, a professional tool. It was designed for low altitude photography over jungle canopy and wetlands. It was not designed for general or light sport aviation and is not priced for that market.
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Yep. And apparently the kit is expensive and difficult to build. But non-pros are buying building and flying them for entertainment. A guy has one at the next field up the road. I think he’s coming to the realization that it has more short field performance than he’ll ever need and less performance everywhere else. And expensive. I wouldn’t be surprised if he traded it for an experimental Cub of some sort.
 
kyleb said:
Yep. And apparently the kit is expensive and difficult to build. But non-pros are buying building and flying them for entertainment. A guy has one at the next field up the road. I think he’s coming to the realization that it has more short field performance than he’ll ever need and less performance everywhere else. And expensive. I wouldn’t be surprised if he traded it for an experimental Cub of some sort.
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I think it's a really cool plane. If I were monitoring uncontacted tribes in the Amazon, counting gorillas in the Congo, or mapping pythons in the Everglades, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Or if I just wanted a really groovy plane to screw around in because I loved flying and wanted something nobody else has.

But for hamburger runs, visiting family, and business trips, it's probably the worst thing you could possibly get. Unless you live in the Congo.
 
Ed Haywood said:
I think it's a really cool plane. If I were monitoring uncontacted tribes in the Amazon, counting gorillas in the Congo, or mapping pythons in the Everglades, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Or if I just wanted a really groovy plane to screw around in because I loved flying and wanted something nobody else has.

But for hamburger runs, visiting family, and business trips, it's probably the worst thing you could possibly get. Unless you live in the Congo.
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I think that's why they appeal to me. They're SO specific at what they do.

They ARE overpriced for what is basically a canoe under a big dumb wing acting as a shelf for a pair of rotaxes. But I still admire the focus. :)
 
schmookeeg said:
My facebook feed has been polluted by that paper airplane in all sorts of AI-generated color schemes for the past month. I'd actually be interested in an e-ab twin that was not a velocity, but I don't think this one is it yet. I'm looking forward to peeking at it at Osh
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Why not a Velocity V-Twin?

Tim
 
tspear said:
Why not a Velocity V-Twin?

Tim
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I'm sure this is completely my issue -- but I found the cockpit claustrophobic, not unlike the PA30 we owned. I think the center keel section has a lot to do with it -- so no place to rotate legs and a bit of a confined seating by the center console/bridge -- like a small toyota. Not enjoyable for me, and it triggers a visceral "I'm trapped here" response. I like being able to sit diagonal on my long XC legs :)

Admittedly it has been awhile since I checked one out (2015?) Maybe they've improved. I will poke in again at Osh this year.

I Love the V-Twin on paper. Like, mucho mucho. :D I just did not care for the cabin and left their booth disappointed. I think the single velocity (not XL) got it right.
 
WDD said:
Seems also like a great way to get inexpensive multi time for those aspiring to ATP stardom.
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Lancer.jpeg
I have this picture, a Wikipedia article on the Lancer, and a roll of Wag-Aero Sport Trainer plans. I just need a DER. :cool:
 
schmookeeg said:
I'm sure this is completely my issue -- but I found the cockpit claustrophobic, not unlike the PA30 we owned. I think the center keel section has a lot to do with it -- so no place to rotate legs and a bit of a confined seating by the center console/bridge -- like a small toyota. Not enjoyable for me, and it triggers a visceral "I'm trapped here" response. I like being able to sit diagonal on my long XC legs :)

Admittedly it has been awhile since I checked one out (2015?) Maybe they've improved. I will poke in again at Osh this year.

I Love the V-Twin on paper. Like, mucho mucho. :D I just did not care for the cabin and left their booth disappointed. I think the single velocity (not XL) got it right.
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Yup, makes sense.
I flew in the demo, a year or two ago, and sat in an XL for sale. I can easily see what you state. For me though, both had so much leg room, I would never have a need to sit sideways. Compounded by the fact, I fly with my wife most of the time, I do not think she would appreciate me resting my legs on her lap :D
I really like the concept/plane of the V-Twin in so many ways. But what I am willing to pay/do and what I want will very likely diverge.

Tim
 
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