Activity Stream

Activity Stream



  1. Dusty added a post in a topic belly radiator   

    NZ is maybe a bit cooler than US,we run ours tight against the floor.KNZ has an aluminium radiator mounted under the rudder pedals(due to the luggage pod)were the hot air from the muffler spills out ,the only time I see above 65c is on a long taxi with the wind behind
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  2. RDavidson added a post in a topic Lexan/plexi protective sticky paper removal   

    Doug, I bet you are right...the skylight is the same as other Avid/Kitfoxes. The turtledeck is it's own support structure, so it might have more rigidity with thickness, then again it might be harder to bend the 90 degree sides the thicker it is too?

    Ed, the boot cowl is a rigid structure once Fiberglassed, but the downsides are...no removable cowl making it impossible to get to things from below like brake lines, fuel lines, bottom of the control assembly or anything that falls out of your pockets. Also, the recepticals for your engine cowl are impossible to get to without cutting a hole in your fiberglass if one gets loose or falls off. Something to think about...

    Jim,
    The crack in my windshield looks like it happened when he was drilling it...easy enough to do, especially if you are using a normal drill bit.
    I'm going to live with it for now...this project has turned into a real money pit! Big time money pit with the engine and panel left!
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  3. dholly added a post in a topic Trim system and header tank   

    Here's the Aerotrek bungee trim assist 'system'.

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  4. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Lexan/plexi protective sticky paper removal   

    When I was putting in the windshield in my Kitfox 4 project, I was using the Aeroplastic windshield that came with the project. Had it up in place, and when I lifter one corner about a half an inch, I heard this little "plink" sound. Nice little crack on the windshield about where the front spar would attach to the fuselage. So much for that windshield. There was also a 4' X 4' piece of .090 lexan with the kit, and that is what I made the windshield out of. I've heard of others having the Aeroplastic windshields crack also like mine did. I think there may be some stress in some of them to crack so easy while others are no problem at all. I didn't think about stop drilling it, but figured I didn't want to use it at all if it cracked that easy. Jim Chuk
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  5. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Trim system and header tank   

    Hey Bandit, I like the simple trim system you have.  I've looped  a 1/4" bungee around the seat truss and the joystick.  Pulling the bungee up the stick stretched the bungee which pulled the stick back.  I do like yours though.  As far as the header tank vent goes, I would say you have one with the push drain on the top of it.  Once you let the air out it should stay out unless you run out of gas.   I had a valve on my vent line, and would vent the header tank in preflight, and then close the valve.  Jim Chuk
    PS  Just looked again at your picture, do you have anything stopping the joy sticks from going so far forward that the elevator push-pull tube touches the cross tube and causes a bending action on the elevator control tube/ heim joint?  I'm sure there was an AD on that.
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  6. EDMO added a post in a topic Lexan/plexi protective sticky paper removal   

    I love that fiberglass forward fuselage cover, whatever they call it - Boot cowl? - Kitfox don't have it. I wish I could get one for mine. Wondering if I could make similar our of aluminum? Wonder if the fiberglas guy has the molds for it - Avid might fit mine?
    EDMO
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  7. dholly added a post in a topic Lexan/plexi protective sticky paper removal   

    Ron - I wouldn't go so far as to say the Magnum skylight and t-deck window inserts are critical structural components. Sure the .125" might be most appropriate for a rode hard put away wet bush plane, but I don't think using .060" -.090" there would pose a problem if you were looking to save some weight or $$$. More than strong enough for the doors anyways, there are tons of kit planes using it.
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  8. RDavidson added a post in a topic Lexan/plexi protective sticky paper removal   

    Oh Ya, I don't have bubble doors, but as you can see in the second to last pic, there is a straight line bent into the window of the door.
    Sorry, I should have posted these pics first.

    Ron
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  9. RDavidson added a post in a topic Lexan/plexi protective sticky paper removal   

    Yes, I do have the windshield and yes it is moulded, not flat. I am not replacing it yet...it does have a crack on the left side that the PO drill stopped. I think the windshield is interchangeable, but don't take that as fact.
    The doors are a frame with a framed window on the top half, but they are completely polycarbonate covered. I think I could go with a smaller thickness on everything except the skylight and turttledeck.
    Here are some pics

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  10. EDMO added a post in a topic Trim system and header tank   

    My Kitfox has a similar spring connected to the elevator tube - I figured it was in case a bolt breaks, the elevator would be sprung to an up position - guess it makes stick force lighter too.I have seen trim tab drawings with a spring attached - if a cable breaks, the spring pulls the tab down which brings the elevator up.
    EDMo
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  11. Bandit added a post in a topic Trim system and header tank   

    The spring is connected to the trim control not the flaperons. I can only get up trim with this system. To get down trim I use the flaperons. It doesn't take much. Yes, the trim lever and spring pull the elevator to the up position, just like a elevator trim tab, but much simpler.
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  12. EDMO added a post in a topic Trim system and header tank   

    Bandit,
    Can you explain your trim system? I am totally in the dark about the complex controls of both the Avids and Kitfoxes.
    I am guessing that this 50-cent spring takes the pressure off of your control stick when you pull flaps on, the same thing that complicated and expensive trim tabs and associated cables, servos, with the added drag, are supposed to do -
    KISS at its best!
    Thanks,
    EDMO
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  13. Bandit added a topic in Technical tasks   

    Trim system and header tank
    Here is my trim system. Total cost 50 cents. No sense for a complicated trim system. This is how my header tank is plumbed. A header tank is no different than a big piece of gas line. No reason to vent it. The gas caps do have to be vented though.


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  14. EDMO added a post in a topic belly radiator   

    Leni says it works better 2" down, and he is in a cold climate.
    I know you are striving to make your KF1 a better plane, so I will mention that the elevator pivot tube rear bolt was wearing out too fast, so they changed from a fork on the rear of the tube and went to a rod end - the strap that it connects to was changed to a fork. I can get a photo of the improved version if you need it.
    Also, the little short pivoting fulcrum that connects to the elevator tube on the front has a (3/16?) small bolt that it pivots on, and this should be inspected for wear yearly.
    EDMO
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  15. TJay added a post in a topic belly radiator   

    No sir I have one. I just didn't know if that was a necessary upgrade, you wouldn't think it would take much to cool a little 582.
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  16. EDMO added a post in a topic belly radiator   

    AkFlyer says it works better 2" down. Do you need one? I have one.
    EDMO
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  17. TJay added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    belly radiator
    Is it necessary to mount the belly radiator 2 inches off the underside of the plane or can they be tight against when cooling a 582?
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  18. EDMO added a post in a topic FLAPERON SPAR TUBES?   

    Robert,
    I can tell you tomorrow. I have a cut end of one in the shop - Just guessing, I would say 3/4" x .065 wall. You could make your extension out of 7/8 x 062 so it would slip over the old tube and get riveted at both ends.
    I believe PVC pipe is used for the bearings??
    The flaperons are about 9" wide, so you would need about 18" flashing to make them.
    EDMO
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  19. EDMO added a post in a topic Lexan/plexi protective sticky paper removal   

    Larry,
    If I understand Ron correctly, he has the WS for the Magnum from the factory - don't have to buy or make it. I guess molded WS are better, but more $$$ too. I don't have a choice on mine, since no one makes a WS for Kitfox that is 6 inches taller than stock.
    Jim,
    I can check my manual, but I think the Magnum calls for windows in the doors.
    EDMO
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  20. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Lexan/plexi protective sticky paper removal   

     
    I don't doubt that at all, Ed.
     
    If it were me, I'd still give them a call.  They make all sorts of windshields and I wouldn't doubt they have a mold for the Magnum.
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  21. EDMO added a post in a topic Lexan/plexi protective sticky paper removal   

    Larry,I doubt that the Kitfox WS would fit the wider, bigger, Magnum.
    Jim,
    I know that for this forum, the consensus for the light planes is "keep everything light", but when you are building an 800lb+ EW plane with 1700 GW, the 1/8 Lexan should not matter. I plan to use it and put windows in the doors on Foxy.
    The J3, Luscombe 8A/F and the 415C Ercoupe are all 800 EW and 1200 GW, and fly just fine with 1/8 windows.
    EDMO
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  22. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Lexan/plexi protective sticky paper removal   

    Food for thought:  The Kitfox IV molded windshield from LP Aeroplastics fits the C and Mark IV Avid windshield frames just as well, if not better, than it fits the Kitfox IV.
     
    For clarity, longevity, resistance to fuel you can't beat them.
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  23. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic FS: Motor Mount, Spinners, Oil tank, Radiator, Fuselage   

    I'm pretty sure I have a new unused 6" Maule tailwheel I would part with.  Let me know if you are interested.  Jim Chuk
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  24. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Lexan/plexi protective sticky paper removal   

    I would wonder why you want heavy lexan if/where it's not needed. Unless your doors are a lot bigger than on a regular Avid, why do they need to be thicker than .060? I can see if they are a bubble door that just fastens around the perimeter of the door frame, but if it attaches in the center, what is the span that way? Maybe 14" if my memory is right. I've never slipped hard enough to have the window bow in, don't know if it's possible. I'm sure one would want a bit thicker window if it was moveable or hinged out, but they don't do that on a regular Avid. I know the .060 lexan windshield starts to bow in at 95-100 MPH, so I'm going to go up one thickness for that from now on. Ron, looking at your avatar picture, the windshield on your plane looks just like a regular Avid. Can you post a picture showing how it is different? Thanks, Jim Chuk
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  25. EDMO added a post in a topic Lexan/plexi protective sticky paper removal   

    I have some small windows from a factory certified plane, and they are about 1/4" thick.
    We used .118 on the J3 and Ercoupe windows and sunroof.
    I don't think I would go thinner than 1/8" on the doors either - Your Magnum can handle the weight.
    Grey would be better than clear, but I was thinking dark green or dark bronze would look good on your yellow bird.
    EDMO
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