300+ HP Yamaha Bushplane Under 800lbs: Wild West Aircraft Walkaround

Have you ever seen a yamaha bushplane with 300 horsepower that weighs under 800 lbs? In this video, we sit down with STOL legend Steve Henry from Wild West Aircraft to do a complete walkaround of his highly modified, competition-winning Just Aircraft Highlander. We break down everything that makes this custom bushplane a STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) monster, starting with the heart of the beast: an Edge Performance Apex 300 Yamaha engine that spins at 11,000 RPM. Steve shares his practical flying tips and common-sense modifications that any builder can add to their own kit, including Shock Monster landing gear, leading-edge cuffs, custom slats, and freeze-style ailerons for better control. You'll learn how he manages 70 inches of manifold pressure on takeoff and why he incorporates unique features like an adjustable nitrogen tail shock, hydraulic flap dumps, and a 4-gallon header tank for backcountry safety. Whether you are an experimental aircraft builder, an aspiring bush pilot, or just a student pilot dreaming of off-airport adventures, this inside look proves that a reliable, usable airplane can still deliver mind-blowing performance. 00:15 The 300HP Yamaha Apex engine & gearbox 03:55 Takeoff performance & manifold pressure 05:32 Cheater strings for STOL competitions 06:04 Custom wings, slats, & leading-edge cuffs 08:43 Flap modifications & gust locks 09:20 Freeze-style ailerons to reduce adverse yaw 09:49 Tailwheel suspension & adjustable nitrogen shock 14:18 Interior setup, flight testing tech & hydraulic flaps 18:57 Header tanks, fuel burn, and bush flying safety Ready to build the skills you need to become a confident and capable pilot? Enroll in one of our comprehensive online ground school courses today: 🎓 Private Pilot Course Start your journey and master the fundamentals of flying: https://privatecourse.fly8ma.com/priv... 🧑‍✈️ CFI Courses (Certified Flight Instructor) Perfect for current and future instructors looking to teach with confidence: https://privatecourse.fly8ma.com/cfi-... 🛫 IFR Courses (Instrument Flight Rules) Learn to fly safely and confidently in the clouds: https://privatecourse.fly8ma.com/ifr-... 🚀 Commercial Pilot Course (CPL) Advance your career and fly at a professional level: https://privatecourse.fly8ma.com/cpl-... #YamahaBushplane #STOL #Bushplane #FlightTraining #ExperimentalAircraft #JustAircraft #StudentPilot #AviationEducation #PilotLife #Fly8MA