Activity Stream

Activity Stream



  1. thebriman added a post in a topic desser 27" tundra   

    I want!  I have a set of the Kitfox douglas wheels to use, just wondering if a single caliper is enough per side, Im thinking not....
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  2. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Pics of N577MD   

    503 power?
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  3. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Pics of N577MD   

    Can you post some closer shots of your muffler and cooler system??
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  4. MarkD added a topic in Avid fox flyers pics and vids   

    Pics of N577MD
    So I said I would post some pictures of my just recently re-acquired Model C.  Here ya go:
    The first is how I found it after 10 years, then some wing damage repair, then some beauty shots.
     


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  5. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Overhaul time!   

    Perfect timing from DynoMike. I think I'll hold off for a little while and finish up my 3 other major projects I have going right now and then do a full research project to see what the weight difference would be and if my current brake set up and 3/4 axles could handle those monsters.
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  6. C5Engineer added a post in a topic NLappos new bird   

    Nick spent some time with a CFI the past week and is now headed to the East coast in his new bird.
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  7. EDMO added a post in a topic Source for flaperon bushings? Or stock material suggestions?   

      The softest metal gets the wear - do you want your aluminum flaperon spar tube to wear away?
    I think the Polyethylene is the best bet, and probably lubes better than oilite and may be cheaper?
    As Dean said, "This is real expensive stuff" - Like cutting up milk bottles, mustard dispensers, white medicine bottles, plastic coffee canisters, whatever you throw in the trash that has a 2 inside the small recycle triangle, and doesn't crack - I guess!
    EDMO
    But, I am almost positive that you can buy them somewhere...I found some UHMW bushings in Grainger catalog,
    but a softer Polyethylene could be used, like HDPE which is standard grade...I don't see why nylon or even Teflon PTFE couldn't be used too, and may be there.   "This aint rocket science!"
    I was looking for some with 1" ID, and some with 1.5" ID.
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  8. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic New Guy   

    Once you go Grove, you'll never bungee again...

    http://www.groveaircraft.com/landing_gear.html




    (and welcome to the AvidFox nuthouse.)
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  9. Avid Bob added a post in a topic Source for flaperon bushings? Or stock material suggestions?   

    What about using oil lite bronze bushings
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  10. EDMO added a post in a topic desser 27" tundra   

    Chris,
         Wasn't the 21-800-6 about $150?   I notice the 22-850-6 is $225 ?
    Guessing the difference wouldn't be worth $75 each?  Both are 4 ply and about 10 lbs.
    Guess I will try to wear out my 19-600-6  4 ply 7lbs supply unless I start landing in the swamps...
    but, I still have "Big Tire" envy and love his paint job....My wife says, "Its OK to look - Just don't touch!"
    EDMO
    I just checked - the 21-800 ribbed are only $110 - The "Buffed" smooth are more....I could buy a set, and start selling my 600's.....Hmm....
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  11. akflyer added a post in a topic desser 27" tundra   

    That is one beautiful sexy bird!  11th commandment, though shalt not covet thy fellow forum members airplane... well guess I can add that one to the list of rules I have broken!
     

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  12. akflyer added a post in a topic New Guy   

    By the way, welcome to the forum!  Glad to see an old bird being put back in the air!!
     

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  13. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic New Guy   

    If your plane doesn't already have it, it's a good idea to fill in the seat truss with plywood, or if you have it uncovered, do it with .040 steel. Also, I've bought the bungee (shock) cord from Aircraft Spruce several times. Way cheaper than trying to buy it factory made with the huge aluminum clamps on the ends. Jim Chuk

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  14. MarkD added a post in a topic New Guy   

    Thanks for the comments, Sketch is great, printed out and in the research file. I will definitely be adding the internal tube for additional support.
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  15. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic desser 27" tundra   

    Just looked again. they say 22 inch (maybe, my 21 ribbed arent quite 21) but they weigh in at only 10lb which is a lot less unsprung weight.
     
    ......But they don't look as cool and prolly won't suck up terrain like 27 inches will!
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  16. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic desser 27" tundra   

    This is what I thought U were talking about. 21 inch smooth tread 6 inch wheel. Hadn't seen the new 27 inch for 8 inch wheels.
     
    http://www.desser.com/store/products/850%252d6-4-PLY-AERO-CLASSIC-SMOOTH-TUNDRA-.html
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  17. akflyer added a post in a topic New Guy   

     
    here is a quick sketch I have posted a few times.
     

    gear leg.pdf
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  18. Dusty added a post in a topic New Guy   

    U tube has a video of a Bungee replacement
    (How to install airplane bungee EASY- no pussys kitfox aircraft)
    I have done a few like this it is surprisingly easy.
    Yes definitely check the uc leg or reinforce it ,a break would ruin your day!
    Safety straps ,My opinion is to install them long enough to keep your prop out if the dirt- just,
    As too short will harm your truss( my ac had evidence of this)
    Have fun ,great to see another return to flying
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  19. MarkD added a post in a topic New Guy   

    OK, research project now in progress! Gear mods, I'll start figuring out what mod to perform next winter on the gear. I do not think I need anything taller or a whole lot wider and I do not want to add weight if I can help it.
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  20. MarkD added a post in a topic New Guy   

    I remember from building in '98, '99 time frame that I had acquired new bungee that was the MIL-SPEC cord. Recent inspection does not reveal any apparent degradation but it is 15 years old.
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  21. akflyer added a post in a topic New Guy   

    I have preached modifying the Avid and Kitfox bungee gear A LOT!  Where the tube is that the bungee wraps around cut the tab off the end and slip another tube inside there.  The gear fails at the toe of the weld and you loose the safety cable and the bungee!  By putting the tube inside that area, the crack from the weld will not propagate into the inside tube and it will give you time to catch a cracked weld on a good preflight before you fold the gear and find yourself hanging upside down by the shoulder harness... Been there done that!  I have seen it happen on several avids and kit foxes and took the ride in one of them..
     

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  22. MarkD added a post in a topic New Guy   

    I have the recommended safety cables installed but I'm thinking of doubling up just to be sure till I can get around to replacing the bungee.  I suppose if I grease it on every time the bungee should never get a work out.
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  23. EDMO added a post in a topic New Guy   

    Joey,
          Wasn't there something posted about modifying Avid gear to be more like Kitfox on the bungee ends - and reinforcement where ends break - safety cables?
    EDMO
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  24. C5Engineer added a post in a topic desser 27" tundra   

    Chris these are the tires I was talking about when we were on the phone Sunday. There's a link in my first reply in the thread. 8" wheel $395 a tire. You can also google Desser 27"
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  25. C5Engineer added a post in a topic New Guy   

    Welcome to the forum! Thanks for sharing your story. Its a shame how many of these birds just sit around. Sounds like you about ready to get her back in the air where she belongs. Here is some info I dug out of my tech files that came from Steve at Airdale a while back regarding bungees. I used this technique when I did mine. Still not a fun task but makes it a lot easier when you don't have to try and stretch for the last loop because you went too loose on the first couple. Hope it helps. Looking forward to your latest first flight story and some pictures of your bird. I'm currently doing some exhaust and cowl work myself so I may need to pick your brain a little.
     
    The LATEST bungees that AVID Made --post 1993 were different than
    earlier types. Mainly because the empty weight and gross weight
    INCREASED.
    We in the Uk, found that the earlier bungees, a kind of SILVERY Outer
    with Black flecks in them, were commercial Bungee cord as found in
    sports stores etc. and very very weak / inconsistent in "stretchiness"
    The book /manual just stated something like put as many wraps on as
    you could get...not good---some people managed 6 others 8 and some
    even 9--the more wraps the LESS stretch till finally no stretch and
    then solid gear- heavy landing no stretch so they bent and broke the
    seat truss, propeller, wing tip flaperon etc $$$$
    We found that the OLD cord was too lightweight to comply with landing
    gear loads and we found that a Mil Spec cord met all the requirment
    necessary---- Kitfoxes went the same way!!
    After 1993 Avid used Mil spec cord TOTALLY--we have done so ALL the time.
    This cord is a Beigeish Outer Cottony braid with colored flecks in
    it--the color could be just one color or maybe two--this is a date
    code of manufacture so varies from batch to batch.
    On all Avids, with these cords, the wraps are 7 and Seven only--you
    cannot physically get more than 7--it just won't stretch that far.
    (It is 8 full wraps on OUR WIDE Gear)
    The way to wrap the bungee is to measure the overall length first.
    Loop to Loop...should be around 90"
    Divide this number by 7 (approx 13") (= number of wraps)
    Start at one end of bungee and use a pencil/marker and measure/mark
    6.5" ' ish
    Then mark again at 19.5", 32.5", 45.5" and so on till end.
    Last mark will be abouit 6.5" 'ish from loop
    To install use two people... or Adult + Child
    Put child inside cockpit and have them feed the cord thru the gap.
    2nd person underneath..Hook cord on peg in cockpit and feed down thru gap.
    Pull to first mark on bottom of gearleg..easy----about 3/8" stretch
    put thumb on mark on gear leg--feed back up thru gap and get helper to
    loop around seat truss and feed end back.
    Pull end thru and get second mark on gear leg---
    Thumb on 2nd mark and then feed back up again
    Continues until you have all marks in line on bottom of gear leg and
    hook the final leg back onto other side of peg--
    This is easiest way to do it, does not need some WWF guy to stretch
    and hold in place AND gives EVEN tension in the cord...
    Works every time...
    Should be similar with Kfoxes --but cord lengths different and maybe #
    of wraps..
    Best regards,
    Steve at Airdale..
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