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Activity Stream
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MarkD added a post in a topic got plane home
OK got pics, I hope they show what I was trying to describe.
The welding looks somewhat amateurish.....the straps are .032" material wraped around the torque tube and up the pedal stem about 1-1/2". Welded with O/A.
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EDMO added a post in a topic got plane home
MarkD,
I agree with your welding theory, the welds cracked on my KF1 on ends of bent tubes when it was wrecked - probably from no annealing. My elevators, and a lot of the mods to my airframe were welded by a FAA Certified Repair Station with O/A gas.
For the record: The FAA does not issue ADs on experimental planes, since they are not made to a "Type Certificate", they would have to issue an AD for each and every plane. The kit manufacturer issues SBs (Service Bulletins) and can label some of them "Mandatory", but since individuals are the final manufacturer of each plane, it is their decision whether to implement it. It would be prudent to check if the original owner complied with any Mandatory SBs.
I still think Kitfox may have a list of SBs on the internet somewhere that could benefit Avid owners. I may have a list of some of them in my old manuals.
This might still be on the old Skystar site.
I know that one SB was issued on the reinforcement of the Kitfox rib tails to meet UK certification standards.
EdMO
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KFfan added a post in a topic got plane home
Some time ago I saw video of a guy making these mods, and others. It may well have been on U tube...
Wasn't on any of the X sites. They just lay pipe
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KFfan added a post in a topic KITFOX ELEVATOR AD MODIFICATION
Thanks Ed
Guessing #359 should not apply?
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MarkD added a post in a topic got plane home
Ed,
I dunno about service bulletin listings, since AVID is no longer a company I have no idea if anyone other than the FORUM folks are even keeping track of problems with older aircraft. I kinda think the FAA is leaving it up to the individual builder, operator, repairman, pilot to maintain the airworthiness of each individual airplane. Because these airplanes are not "Certified" and there is no factory or engineering support I doubt seriously if an AD or SB would ever be issued. The FAA is certainly not going to engineer a fix for anything. Doing so would make them liable for any subsequent failure.
That being said, I think that is what makes this type of information sharing FORUM so valuable to us as pilots and builders. That is also what makes this aviation activity considered by some to be a higher risk endeavor.
I saw your other post of the elevator SB for the KF-1. Interesting that the elevator component would fail in that location....now I have to look more closely at my AVID for a similar issue.
From an engineering analysis perspective, I think that type of failure is due to production methods using wire feed welding and not annealing the joint after the weld process. If these 4130 chrome-moly steel structures were welded using oxy-fuel and under-matched filler material then the effect of the heat affected zone would be less critical. (ie. less prone to cracking due to cyclic stress) However, that would seriously impact production times and cost.
End of Physics and Business lesson for today.....
MarkD
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EDMO added a post in a topic got plane home
MarkD,
I wonder if Kitfox sells a complete copy of all SBs for each model, or for combination, like 1,2,3, maybe including 4? Postings on here help, but they are not complete. I only have a few copies.
The SBs may be posted on the Kitfox site to download, for someone who is puter literate....
EdMO
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MarkD added a post in a topic got plane home
Ed,
Yup, I know what you mean. Sometimes I can't figure out how to do what everyone else finds as simple tasks. I have the original avid manual that came with my "Kit". The Kit I got was owned by 2 others before me and there were many parts missing. It is a good thing I had the manual for part identification. Like I said before I had to scrounge a bunch of stuff. I do not need a copy of the KF manual just yet but I was interested in how others had elected to accomplish repairs or Fixes to problems.
Thanks,
MarkD
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EDMO added a topic in Files and Forms
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EDMO added a post in a topic got plane home
Mark,
You are asking a Neanderthal to fly the space shuttle - I found the Avid manual and ADs in Files and Forms - Donno if any Kitfox manual has ever been posted. I haven't found my copy of the rudder pedal SB yet, but think I posted it at one time. I will post it when I find it. Now posting Kitfox elevator SB in Files and Forms.
EdMO
I have KITFOX 1, 4, and part of 5 manuals - Also Avid Magnum manual, and Aerobat flight maneuvers pages, and a Zenith 701 or 801 manual that I haven't been able to find recently since I moved.
Doug Holly probably has the best library and access to that and photos.
I would copy and mail a copy of anything I have - Just pay actual costs UPS charges me - guessing about $50.
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EDMO added a post in a topic skyraider super
I think there have been many suggestions from Alaska on here to keep it covert...and say it is only GA...
If you should decide to get an IVO IFA, then follow their modifications posted on here before you have problems with the screw shaft and motor on it.
EdMO
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MarkD added a post in a topic got plane home
I have not seen the KF manual, could you share a link?
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EDMO added a post in a topic got plane home
Instead of a strap around the torque tube reinforcing the pedal support tube, Kitfox just added a small triangle between the two on the one side of the upright tube. About the same time as adding triangles at the inboard ends of the elevator pivot tube. I think the strap may be a stronger fix.
I think the drawing from the manual may be in Files and Forms section. If not, I can post it.
EdMO
Doug Holly broke his rudder cable tube at the pedal tube and made a reinforcement change there too and posted photos somewhere on this site.
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MarkD added a post in a topic got plane home
I got temporarily sidetracked last night but I will definitely get some pictures tonight and post them. I ran into the rudder pedal attachment weld issue in 1998 while was building my Avid Model C. It was addressed on the old Avid Flyer website, so long ago I do not remember the now defunct address.
I had acquired some parts off a wrecked MK IV and was "Upgrading" my Model C by adding the hydraulic brakes, rudder pedals and structural portions of the MK IV lower firewall framework. When I acquired the partial kit for the Model C I had to do a bunch of scrounging to complete the airplane so I was looking for any and all information I could get and any parts that were available at the time.
As morbid as it sounds, I was also checking the FAA and NTSB data base for crashes looking for parts. That is when I discovered the rudder pedal failure issue. There were several airplanes (Avids) that were damaged due to "Loss Of Control" (ground loop) on the ground. I do not know if it was ever determined if the broken rudder pedal caused the loss of control or if the pedals we damaged due to the loss of control.
Anyway, there was a fix for the weld failure recommended by several of the active web site members at the time. I do not think AVID ever addressed the issue. This may have been during the time when AVID was struggling.
So while I was busy modifying things with a torch and filler wire I performed the fix on my salvaged rudder pedal assemblies.
I'll get some picture, I promise.
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Cropduster13 added a post in a topic skyraider super
Yes but I need to keep it ELSA. But I think that would help.
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allonsye added a post in a topic got plane home
Please do share pics and tell Mark. I've no idea myself what you're referring to -- never noticed a reference in the pubs in this regard.
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allonsye added a post in a topic got plane home
Having Rick look this engine over is a good idea.
I recently ran mine after acquiring it 18 months ago and going over the whole aircraft. The engine had been overhauled and pickeled at 320 hrs 10-yrs ago. I decided to hang it and see how it operated. Shortly after the 30min break in cycle it lost power as I was doing a high speed taxi on my local runway -- would only turn 3k rpm. I thought it seized. A visual showed no oil left in the injector reservoir. I sent it out to Rick. Turns out the crank seals let go (age I guess) -- otherwise no other damage . Rick also found dirt in the carb mains (likely accounting for the power loss). Rick has a long list of things he addresses on the 582 such as improving lube channels on the rod ends
Your motor likely has the early "small" crank like mine. There are concerns Rick has about this but he can address them w/out having to replace the crank. He overhauled mine and added a vibration damper to the crank. It's on it way to me now with a fresh log book and 2-yr warranty.
Again, I can't stress highly enough having an expert look over your motor, especially given it's age -- definitely worth while.
I'm moving (back) to VA this w/e and the Avid will be in tow for 290mi on a rig I built similar to yours.
BTW - love the panel on yours. Looks very functional.
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TJay added a post in a topic Spar Inserts
Oh Of course there installed Ed and the stock inserts are already riveted in Ha, when I get started on this thing again It is a little drilling first.
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jjbaker added a post in a topic Let's see, non-flying,,, Windows 10?
By the time Microcrap is finished with you guys, you'll watch a 3 minute video before being shown your emails. If you don't want the video, enter your credit card number. Downright amazing idiocy on display with MS stuff. I am running 8.1 and the number of JRT's and Malware issues is mind-boggling. My laptops last no more than 3 years before they smoke off after having worked the whole time (I shut down once a week) and I think my next computer will have some Open Source OS again.
Recently did some troubleshooting (testing what doesn't work means using IE in any version) and noticed that my seaplaneforum.com opens a popup video you have to watch before you can close the window. People might think that popups are used or distributed through the website, instead its the damn browser!!!
There you go making sure people don't get bugged to death with constant flashing ads and Microshit simply does it for you.....
Reminds me of the balloonist who got lost and descended over a city to ask for directions.
He stopped in front of a highrise and yelled to a person standing at the window: "Can you tell me where I am?"
The guy responded: "Yes, you're in a balloon!"
The balloonist nodded and told his passengers: "Okay, we're in Seattle! I know how to get home from here."
The passengers were puzzled. One finally asked: "Sir, excuse me, but how could you tell you're in Seattle?"
Pilot: "That's easy. Shiny highrise building. Ask any question and if the answer is theoretically correct but completely useless its Microsoft's headquarters!"
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dholly added a post in a topic Classic IV Restoration
The elevator is obvious, but from the space between the balances it looked like the HS was widened as well. Optical illusion I guess...
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EDMO added a post in a topic Spar Inserts
I agree Larry - Plywood may have worked - but I wouldn't go that route if I can get aluminum - $600 is cheap insurance compared to a failed wing - but I think you can make them a lot cheaper than that!
TJay, I hope you haven't attached your strut fittings before putting the spar inserts in.....
EdMO
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Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Spar Inserts
Guys. Remember you are building an airplane.
Are the spar inserts somewhere you want to go the cheapest route?
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EDMO added a post in a topic WTB: Kitfox Model IV door frames
Larry,
If you got Kitfox 4 aluminum frames, then please tell or show how they fit your KF3. I think Larry3400 showed a photo of his yellow door frames and the Lexan is bolted all the way thru the frames - this should be better - not riveted like the early steel frames. Check out his Kitfox 4 photos - I think he may have posted them on the "fly-in" section?
Thanks,
EdMO
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Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Let's see, non-flying,,, Windows 10?
Okay. I'll byte. How do you get that crap to update to 8.1? MIne still defaults to the (non) touch screen homepage.
Mind you, I'm posting this through my Mac. Because Mac works, unlike MS.
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LSaupe added a post in a topic WTB: Kitfox Model IV door frames
Purchase a set of door frames today!
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EDMO added a post in a topic Spar Inserts
I wonder what the web thickness is on the Kitfox inserts. I have the original Kitfox spars with the full-length, about .060 extruded web - I think they may be stronger/stiffer than the inserted ones. Again, I have no engineering numbers to prove that.
EdMo
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