The main suspension rods have been increased in diameter, and the axles increased to a 990 lbs load limit per axle. The engine mount has been raised, which has allowed the strengthening of the tail section by allowing the lower boom tubes to plug into the main frame rather than be bracketed on. Slipstream is the first manufacturer of light sport aircraft in the U.S. to offer the Yamaha "Genesis Extreme" four stroke engine. The engine has been used for over a decade now by Yamaha in their motorcycles, watercraft and snowmobiles, and has developed a reputation of power and reliability. The engine is being offered in both three and a four cylinder liquid cooled versions, in both wet sump and dry sump. The three cylinder version produces 120 HP and weighs in with redrive and exhaust system at 145 lbs. The four cylinder liquid cooled version which is fuel injected produces 150 horsepower. Slipstream expects to have the three cylinder version up and flying by the end of August 2005. Since the engine puts out more horsepower than a Rotax 912 and is quite a bit lighter performance on the Genesis is expected to substantially better using the Yamaha engine. Testing to date has shown the Yamaha Genesis to be very smooth and extremely quiet. The 3 to 1 belt reduction drive system being developed by Slipstream has a continuous rating of 190 horsepower. The three cylinder engine produces 100 HP at 7,000 rpm and 120 HP at top rpm of 8600. While each cylinder only has one spark plug, each spark plug is controlled by it's own CDI ignition unit. |