Activity Stream

Activity Stream



  1. AvidJack added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    What radiator are you using?  I'm going with a uls in my build, and am looking at the (ugly) mods to make the larger radiator fit in the fairing.  Mind you, I'm in Texas (105 today), so it may be a no brainer (maybe run the heater in summer, to bleed off extra heat (like I had to do in my old buick (convertible!) 215 V8..?), but ..  Which way did you go?
    Looking good! 
    Jack, Austin, TX
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  2. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    Wow. I get 100 lightly loaded with a 912S in my fat avid and that is at like 5400 RPM. More like 85-90 at gross when it is hot out.
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  3. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    Thanks Chris.  It should do pretty good.  I was flying my 80 HP Kitfox 4 this evening, and I was doing right at 95 mph at about 5150 rpm.  Verified that with the GPS flying both ways down a road.  I imagine the 100 HP should pick up 10-15 mph more at the same rpm.  JImChuk
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  4. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    Nice Jim! That will be a real ripper when you finish it up! If being that close doesn't fire you up I don't know what will! 
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  5. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Another broken flaperon hanger   

    Nice repair!
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  6. sndye117 added a post in a topic Another broken flaperon hanger   

     I hand stitched the seam on the top and bottom of the wing which helped draw the fabric tight across the rib, then did the rib stitches (hidden modified seine knot). I laid a piece of 4" tape over that and another over the trailing edge seam, so there was 2" overlap on all the cut fabric edges. Then  I laid the old tape back down over everything to help hide the rough edges of the repair. I was able to iron out most of the wrinkles and tighten up the fabric with an iron set to 250F. After applying 3 coats of silver, some sanding, and a top coat, it all blended together very nicely!   Finally got to fly it yesterday!


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  7. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    Well it's been quite a while since I posted anything about the Kitfox 4 build. I have been working on it a little.  Started the engine for the first time a couple of days ago.  Did it more for motivation, I was pretty sure it was going to run.  Maybe the boost of adrenaline will take me to the finish line.  JImChuk
    New Kitfox 4 first engine start - YouTube
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  8. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Getting the film off of (old) flaperons?   

    Glad you found something that works. I did not mean a LOT of heat. Sometimes just bringing a film or decal up to a "hot to the touch" will allow it to peel where almost nothing else will. Boat decals and license plat tabs come to mind.
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  9. Buckchop added a post in a topic Propeller protection tape   

    Man i better start reading the dates on the posts. Hahahahaaa thanks Jim. 
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  10. meglin added a topic in Technical tasks   

    About the benefits and harms of covers
    Dear friends and colleagues!
    Due to the fact that quite a lot of our propellers are in operation in your country, I will allow myself to remind about one important rule.
    I do not know how much it is accepted in your country. In our country it is accepted automatically and without reminding. This rule is related to the storage of aircraft in the open air.
    So: after every precipitation any covers must be removed and dried. At the same time, the aircraft unit itself is ventilated and dried. If it is necessary to speed up drying, it is desirable to turn the covers out.
    This applies to any airplane unit as well as to the propeller. It turns out that many operators do not do this. It rains, and the equipment literally sours in water for many days. At the same time, the safety of the equipment under the covers does not improve, but significantly worsens! Ventilation is impeded and corrosion develops.
    Covers are designed to protect against UV light, accidental scratches, dust and dirt, from direct water ingress. But after rain, they aggravate the situation by making ventilation more difficult.
    In the case of a propeller, the lower blades literally float in water after a heavy rain. The dense outer fabric prevents the water from evaporating quickly. The soft inner fabric is excellent at absorbing moisture and retaining it for a long time.
    We know that rainwater contains impurities and is an electrolyte. The epoxy surface layer, while chemically resistant, can gradually discolor and cause unnecessary issues. We have supplied thousands of propellers but have already had two similar recalls. That is why I took the liberty of reminding myself of this rule.
    Please pardon my English.

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  11. AvidJack added a post in a topic Getting the film off of (old) flaperons?   

    I thought about a heat gun, but didn't want to impact the foam internals, if they were made like the avid flaperons.  Oddly, I've found that the spray can of Klean Strip Premium Stripper works much better than glopping on the liquid of the same brand, 2 coats vs 4. On the bright? side, I've just about whipped one flaperon, after 10 hours.  Popsicle sticks make good scrapers, my lexan scraper didn't hold up to the stripper very well, dulling quickly.  And, it's definatly something to avoid doing unless you tend towards ocd,  pulling off thin strips, slowly to avoid breaking, by thin strip. My film was "shattered" by the years. Every now and then I get lucky and get a big chunk. Finish with purple scotchbright and wd40 to get the last of the adhesive off.  I'll have to clean that off before priming. Temps inside the hangar hit 100 before noon, and using a fan for ventilation makes the stripper dry out too quickly, kinda like a convection oven.
    Did go a lot better than getting the paper film off of the catalina lexan.  I guess they don't think about long duration issues when they slap those "protections" on.
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  12. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Getting the film off of (old) flaperons?   

    is it a peel-off coating? Have you tried heat? Just a thought.
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  13. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Propeller protection tape   

    I never got much interest in it, so never got the roll of tape.  JImChuk
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  14. Buckchop added a post in a topic Propeller protection tape   

    hey Jim count me in for a set of those tapes. How many sets will u have to sell off ur roll i may take two sets.  Thanks Bucky. 
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  15. Buckchop added a post in a topic Propeller protection tape   

    yes we know stainless steel is the best Meglin, that is what the SS means in the conversation. 
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  16. meglin added a post in a topic Jabiru 2200 Prop Recommendation for C model   

    Friends, a 63.8" diameter 2-blade saber blade propeller is great for the Jabiru 2200.  The diameter is slightly larger than recommended, but it increases thrust and the arrow-shaped tip mitigates wave crisis. Engine loads are extremely high, so the blades are made of a particularly strong pure carbon fiber. American pilots suggested calling them "Eagle Wings". Production now lasts approximately 4 weeks, delivery approximately 3 weeks.


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  17. meglin added a post in a topic Propeller protection tape   

    The best band is made of stainless steel!

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  18. meglin added a post in a topic Wanted: 3 blade prop for 582   

    For the US, another convenient delivery channel has emerged - Meest Express. They deliver very inexpensively first to New Jersey and then to individual recipients' addresses.
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  19. 1avidflyer added a topic in Kitfox II   

    Kitfox 2 wings
    Hi all,  the last Kitfox 1s, and the Kitfox 2 model were built with a wing spar that was not a tube but rather an extrusion.  It was the same diameter as the tubes, used in other models but it had a full length center piece that stiffened the tube.  I'm guessing they were more expensive than the tube and stiffener that Kitfox stayed with on the model 3 and since.  But likely they were stiffer, and may not have flexed as much.  All this is leading up to the question.  Has anyone rebuilt a Kitfox 2 wing and replaced the front spar with a standard tube and stiffener while retaining the older style extrusion spar in the rear of the wing?  Here is a view of those spars as was used in the Kitfox 2.  Thanks,  JImChuk

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  20. 1avidflyer added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    NR prop bolt holes to tight
    Hi all,  I remember someone posted here or on TK about having this same issue.  I looked in the archives but couldn't find that topic though.  I'm sending NR an email also, but sometimes they are slow to reply.  On my new Kitfox 4 build, I was going to hang my NR prop on it yesterday so I could do the oil purge.  The holes in the prop hub for the drive lugs are too tight.  I could push one drive lug in about 1/16" with my thumb, If I had forced the prop on with the bolts, it would take a big hammer to ever get it off.  I didn't have this issue on my first NR prop that I'm running on my other Kitfox, I got this one two years ago, and it's been hanging on the wall ever since.  I got my first NR about 6 months before this one.  Thanks for any comments.  (I've installed lots of props over the last 23 yrs, so I don't think I'm doing anything wrong on it)  Anyone else have to deal with this?  JImChuk
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  21. Gerry Visel added a post in a topic Gearbox Clutch   

    I did not have one on my Challenger's 503, and was constantly replacing starter brushes.  If the battery was at all down, the inertia load from trying to swing the prop caused load on the starter to burn out brush leads.  
    My new Avid's 582 has a clutch, and I was a bit worried about the starter location, buried in a box cut through the firewall, where I'd need to pull the engine to fix it.  The clutch in the gearbox almost completely addresses that, as starts were like starting my lawnmower.  By removing the prop inertia load during engine start, it just starts and runs.
    But I was able to get home more than once with the Challenger by hand propping, which I cannot do with this puppy.
    Gerry Visel
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  22. arks added a post in a topic Eastern Pa. Here!   

    Thank you, Jim. Reading thru the forum, it looks like a nice group here and it’s great how much information is shared!
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  23. AvidJack added a post in a topic Getting the film off of (old) flaperons?   

    Read a few internet reviews, and picked up:
    Goof Off Pro Strength,  and 2 Minute Remover  (both top listed on the internet. so, of course..)     Neither of which did a darn thing.  First is a liquid, second a gel.  nada.
    Also picked up a spray can (also comes as a liquid) of Klean Strip Premium Stripper..  And this works pretty well, softening and bubbling up, making it possible to remove with my custom lexan scraper.  I think I'll go with that- there is one thing.. they say let it sit for 15 minutes, and they also say best under 85 degrees.  If you let it sit more than 20 minutes when the temp is 105 in the hangar, you waited too long. You've both softened the film, AND the adhesive, and it sticks right back down under the bubble.. I'll hit it again earlier in the morning.
    Thanks for the pointers.  I tried just about everything in the search boxes, but not protective coating.    Jack
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  24. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Eastern Pa. Here!   

    Welcome to the group.  There are Catalinas popping up occasionally.    Keep an eye on barnstormers for one place.  From time to time one shows up on here.   JImChuk
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  25. arks added a topic in Introduce yourself   

    Eastern Pa. Here!
    Just got approved by the moderators so here’s my intro!
    I'm recently retired and in the process of earning my PPL. I actually flew as a teenager (soloed at 16) but never got my ticket. It’s nice to finally have the free time needed. Eventually I’d like to buy an aircraft but may go Light Sport or ultralight, not sure. One thing I REALLY like are amphibians! I live near the Chesapeake Bay and have enjoyed boating it for many years.
    Looking around, I’ve discovered a few prospects, including the SeaRey, Icon (both$$$$), Adventura, Challenger (w/ floats) Excalibur, etc. BUT the Avid Catalina looks very interesting. I wish they were still manufacturing kits but that’s the way it goes. I realize to land on water another rating is required but that won’t stop me from buying one and using it at the airport until the rating is obtained. My flying will consist of local flights with the longest being maybe 150 miles to visit family, so I’d be content with a slower plane, but it must be 2 place for my princess!
     
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