First start up - Viking Waiex N49YX

[Waiex 49]

Rolled the Waiex out of the hangar today and did the first start of the Viking engine.

I was very impressed by how quickly it started up and how nicely it runs.

Here is a link to the video:

https://youtu.be/xAdFEZUyIgI

[fastj22]

Exciting! Odd seeing an engine run without a prop, but I guess the redrive eliminates that need. Look forward to your flight reports.

[Waiex 49]

The Viking has a flywheel and can run without the prop.

[Bryan Cotton]

Cool!

[WaiexN143NM]

Hi don,
Congrats on engine start. Look forward to you getting back in the air and see you at Rio Linda this year!
WaiexN143NM
Michael Radtke

[rizzz]

Well done Don,
Hope you get her back in the air soon.
Will you be required to put the aircraft back into "Phase 1 Testing" with a completely different engine on it now?

[Waiex 49]

Hi Michael,
Thank you for the kind words.
Depending on the demands of home and work life, I hope to get airborne in April. The big push is to make it to the Rio Linda Sonex fly-in this year.
I spoke to the local FAA and I will have to send them a letter telling them that I installed the new engine and requesting a Phase 1 test area. When they approve I will have to do five hours in Pase 1 testing before the plane returns to normal operations.
By the way, I really like your plane and the engine you built for it. Great stuff!

Don

[rizzz]

Thanks Don,
I'm really enjoying finally flying my bird.

5 hours is nothing, you'll be able to knock that off in a weekend :D

[N111YX]

Nice work, Don. Good to see once again the airplane that I did my first "Waiex solo" in...:)

[Waiex 49]

Hi Kip,
As you know, N49YX was skillfully built and a total blast to fly.
I just never had any luck with the AeroVee and after a thrilling dead stick landing I decided to go with the Viking.
I'm really looking forward to getting it back in the air.
Got one of your tail wheel brackets installed on it!
Best regards,
Don