Thanks for the Video, still have my Top 80 and rotate between the two. My Atom is on a Power to Fly LAF(lite as a feather) both great machines. Just did my 10 hour and the head NUTS were also a bit loose. These little 80's are amazing and cannot imagine flying anything else(regardless of your age) after having those other heavier units, thanks again
Thanks for the comments. I was flying yesterday and really appreciated how light the Maverick felt on my back with almost 8 liters of fuel and a reserve. Also, someone else was flying the Nitro 200 and they're great machines but loud!
They are very similar. Perhaps the Atom 80 is a bit smoother and sure looks nicer-:). Power was very similar with no major difference as far as I could tell. I never had to do any major maintenance on the Top 80 and was always easy to start once I had the priming down. Did replace the carb once and very straightforward. My Atom 80 has a primer bulb which is nice as the closed system seems to contain some of the gas odor BUT I know some people do not like the bulb as it's another thing to break down. I can go either way. I think the noise decibel level is the same but perhaps the Atom 80 has a more "mellow" sound. The Atom 80 was a bit easier to start but neither was much trouble on my back. The Top 80 has been around a long time and there are lots of parts out there. The Atom 80 is now pretty well established and many outfits now carry the parts. I did not have any issues with mine (except for the ignition coil I broke!) but I have heard of some leakage issues, carb issues that needed a fix, as well as muffler brackets breaking but hard to know how common this is. The new version is now available (MY'20). Lastly, the Atom 80 is a bit lighter. If I were to pick the Top 80 it would be as a package with the Miniplane otherwise I would go with the Atom 80 on a lot of the newer units.
You have to use a slim design (7 mm I believe) socket to fit inside the shroud housing covering the bolt. Here is a link to one that would probably work. I use a 1/4" drive socket wrench and the bolt just fits (though snugly) inside the shroud to reach the bolt head. www.sears.com/powerbuilt-1-4inch-drive-6-pt-metric-deep-socket/p-A067118596 Hope this helps!
Good video. What a nifty little engine. What are you averaging on fuel burn per hour ? I wonder how long one of these will go before it needs partial and/or complete overhaul. Typically most of these type motors are fairly well clapped out by the 500hr mark.
I'm getting around 3 liters per hour pretty consistently. At 25 hours there is some minor maintenance and gear oil change but 100 hours is much more involved with carb, head and piston service. At 200 hours there is a lot of replacement recommended. Vittorazi has a pretty complete manual describing the recommendations. Thanks for the comments!
I didn't really touch or disturb the marked bolts but checked the head bolts and everything else that wasn't marked. I typically check the prop bolts after every flight.
What is your weight. I am 71 and fly a 14 year old Fresh Breeze that is over seventy pounds with a gallon of gas. I am 185 pounds, soaking wet, and wonder if the Atom 80 would get me in the air without running half a mile, especially laden with winter clothing. Nice video.
I weigh around 168-170 and fly near sea level and I don't have a problem taking off. Maybe if I was at high altitude? The Spyder wing also helps as it launches easily. There is a Maverick with the Moster 185 and I think it's still pretty light...or the Miniplane with the Moster? Maybe the Air Conception Nitro 200? The problem is that you have take any published weights with a huge grain of salt! Certainly light is nice and there's something about the Maverick that just feels great (and light) on my back.
Hi Lou, i'm interested in this machine, i'm 100kg, i've seen people doing tandems on this, i'm not interested in acro or getting high fast, just lazy flying! What's your opinion about me getting this? Thanks again! Just subbed!
I weight 77 kg and all up I'm about 105 kg. I didn't have a problem with the Atom 80 from around sea level. If you are in a higher launch altitude, weigh more (over around 190 lbs.) or want to do tandems, the poor Atom 80, I'm afraid, would be hard pressed. The Moster would be the better bet but uses more gas and is heavier. The wing will also make a difference!
@@loums52 Thanks, i don't want to do tandems but i've seen a video of someone doing one with the atom 80, i'd be using my epsilon 9, the moster might be the go for me? i'm at about 300m above sea level. Thanks again! Fly safe!
I also get around 9400. I run it a bit rich. I fly at just over sea level most of the time. Ideally, I would love just a wee bit more power for the climbs and if I flew at any high altitude...but it is light and very good on gas.
@@loums52 Thanks for the quick response :) I thought that maybe I didn't get hicher rpm because of the prop, but I beleive you are mounting an Helix 125cm, is it?
Thanks...yes, I noticed that too when I uploaded the video. It sounded OK on my video editor but didn't turn out so well when I watched out. I also hated the quality of the flying video taken on a new action camera I tried this day. Oh, well...Will try better next time!
Thanks for the Video, still have my Top 80 and rotate between the two. My Atom is on a Power to Fly LAF(lite as a feather) both great machines. Just did my 10 hour and the head NUTS were also a bit loose. These little 80's are amazing and cannot imagine flying anything else(regardless of your age) after having those other heavier units, thanks again
Thanks for the comments. I was flying yesterday and really appreciated how light the Maverick felt on my back with almost 8 liters of fuel and a reserve. Also, someone else was flying the Nitro 200 and they're great machines but loud!
Great video Lou. Couldn’t have come at a better time. I’m about to hit the 10hr mark myself. Thanks for the great info.
Thanks... let me know if you have anything to add or something I missed!
I am old and you are only as old as you feel! Stay young at heart!
Absolutely!
They are very similar. Perhaps the Atom 80 is a bit smoother and sure looks nicer-:). Power was very similar with no major difference as far as I could tell. I never had to do any major maintenance on the Top 80 and was always easy to start once I had the priming down. Did replace the carb once and very straightforward. My Atom 80 has a primer bulb which is nice as the closed system seems to contain some of the gas odor BUT I know some people do not like the bulb as it's another thing to break down. I can go either way. I think the noise decibel level is the same but perhaps the Atom 80 has a more "mellow" sound. The Atom 80 was a bit easier to start but neither was much trouble on my back. The Top 80 has been around a long time and there are lots of parts out there. The Atom 80 is now pretty well established and many outfits now carry the parts. I did not have any issues with mine (except for the ignition coil I broke!) but I have heard of some leakage issues, carb issues that needed a fix, as well as muffler brackets breaking but hard to know how common this is. The new version is now available (MY'20). Lastly, the Atom 80 is a bit lighter. If I were to pick the Top 80 it would be as a package with the Miniplane otherwise I would go with the Atom 80 on a lot of the newer units.
Way easier too work on than the top 80 for sure!!
Hey Lou, looking forward to your next maintenance video. I'm at about 38hrs.
I'm just shy of 25 hrs. Soon...
@@loums52 at 25, all I did was plug, gearbox oil...I didn't touch the carb.
My gear oil looked very clean
@@matthewpesce765 thanks!
Turn your volume up please
Most people are trying to get me to shut up! :-) But will do....
10 out of like 150 hours available
Did your Atom 80 motor come with prop washers? My Atom 80 did not and that surprised me.
It did. My friend's also came with the washers. I guess it has been different for different buyers???
Hey Lou, can you tell me how you remove the shroud nuts? I can’t seem to find the right tool to fit in there.
You have to use a slim design (7 mm I believe) socket to fit inside the shroud housing covering the bolt. Here is a link to one that would probably work. I use a 1/4" drive socket wrench and the bolt just fits (though snugly) inside the shroud to reach the bolt head. www.sears.com/powerbuilt-1-4inch-drive-6-pt-metric-deep-socket/p-A067118596 Hope this helps!
@@loums52 thanks for taking the time! I’ll look for one. Also, keep the videos coming!
Good video. What a nifty little engine. What are you averaging on fuel burn per hour ? I wonder how long one of these will go before it needs partial and/or complete overhaul. Typically most of these type motors are fairly well clapped out by the 500hr mark.
I'm getting around 3 liters per hour pretty consistently. At 25 hours there is some minor maintenance and gear oil change but 100 hours is much more involved with carb, head and piston service. At 200 hours there is a lot of replacement recommended. Vittorazi has a pretty complete manual describing the recommendations. Thanks for the comments!
Thanks for the info. It will be interesting to see how the engines does as you continue to build hours.
Do you actually tighten every nut and bolt at 10 hrs? or just check to make sure nothing has loosened by looking at the paint marks?
I didn't really touch or disturb the marked bolts but checked the head bolts and everything else that wasn't marked. I typically check the prop bolts after every flight.
@@loums52 ok, thanks. Do the prop bolts tend to loosen?
@@cptvanier yes, they did on mine.
What is your weight. I am 71 and fly a 14 year old Fresh Breeze that is over seventy pounds with a gallon of gas. I am 185 pounds, soaking wet, and wonder if the Atom 80 would get me in the air without running half a mile, especially laden with winter clothing. Nice video.
I weigh around 168-170 and fly near sea level and I don't have a problem taking off. Maybe if I was at high altitude? The Spyder wing also helps as it launches easily. There is a Maverick with the Moster 185 and I think it's still pretty light...or the Miniplane with the Moster? Maybe the Air Conception Nitro 200? The problem is that you have take any published weights with a huge grain of salt! Certainly light is nice and there's something about the Maverick that just feels great (and light) on my back.
By the way...fantastic even being able to fly the Fresh Breeze at that weight at any age!
Hi Lou, i'm interested in this machine, i'm 100kg, i've seen people doing tandems on this, i'm not interested in acro or getting high fast, just lazy flying! What's your opinion about me getting this? Thanks again! Just subbed!
I weight 77 kg and all up I'm about 105 kg. I didn't have a problem with the Atom 80 from around sea level. If you are in a higher launch altitude, weigh more (over around 190 lbs.) or want to do tandems, the poor Atom 80, I'm afraid, would be hard pressed. The Moster would be the better bet but uses more gas and is heavier. The wing will also make a difference!
@@loums52 Thanks, i don't want to do tandems but i've seen a video of someone doing one with the atom 80, i'd be using my epsilon 9, the moster might be the go for me? i'm at about 300m above sea level. Thanks again! Fly safe!
Hello. How many rpm do you get at max throttle? Manual says max 9800rpm but my atom80 only gets to 9400 at max throttle :(
I also get around 9400. I run it a bit rich. I fly at just over sea level most of the time. Ideally, I would love just a wee bit more power for the climbs and if I flew at any high altitude...but it is light and very good on gas.
@@loums52 Thanks for the quick response :) I thought that maybe I didn't get hicher rpm because of the prop, but I beleive you are mounting an Helix 125cm, is it?
@@neosugus Yes... the 125
10:55 Hundred hour inspection is now done? LOL
Ooops! Only off by a factor of TEN! Thanks for catching that!
@@loums52 LOL cool, Love your vlogs!
Nice video my fellow old man, I don't have a Atom 80 but I watched anyway. Your volume is a bit low I had to turn my volume up all the way.
Thanks...yes, I noticed that too when I uploaded the video. It sounded OK on my video editor but didn't turn out so well when I watched out. I also hated the quality of the flying video taken on a new action camera I tried this day. Oh, well...Will try better next time!