Activity Stream

Activity Stream



  1. Luked added a post in a topic Luke's MK IV Project   

    I made a little bit of progress forward yesterday. I welded the wing attach bosses into the spar carry throughs. This was very time consuming because they have to be exactly the right distance apart (equal to the lower strut attach points), parrallel with each other, and perpendicular to the carry through tube. I haven't trimmed anything to length yet, or welded and caps on yet.
     
    Here are some of the tubes in the jig I built.

     
    Here are some close ups

     
    Here they are after welding. I sprayed some "Zero Rust" paint on them to stop flash rust.

     
    This is the new torch setup I got for this job.

     
    Small steps, but it's fun.
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  2. Luked added a post in a topic Phase I flight testing   

    Good job Robert! It's nice to see another Avid take to the skies. Thanks for posting pics.
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  3. EDMO added a topic in Avid and Kitfox parts Suppliers   

    PLASTIC STRUT FAIRINGS?
    I have been looking thru my GRAINGER catalog at sheet plastics - someone with engineering expertise in this area might be helpful.
    After considering all types of material, including aluminum sheet, fiberglass wrap over wood/foam, the lexan sheet that Joey suggested,  I think that possibly the easiest material to make the fairings out of might be PVC sheet, which you can get in 1/16" (.062") thickness, easy to cut and bend, and the trailing edges can just be glued together with PVC Cement.  I didn't find a weight listed for this to compare with aluminum.  I was hoping to find PVC sheet in 1mm (.040") but don't know if anyone sells it in metric sizes.  I guess the 1mm Finnish plywood I used on my extended leading edges could be used for this and save weight, but then you have to varnish / paint it which adds the weight back.
    I cant see paying Kitfox a fortune for something that is so simple to make - If we just come up with the right material. 
    I could mold some with fiberglass on J3 struts, but that is so messy (and itchy!) to work with.
    After I get my struts finished, I just might be the guinea-pig on this.
    Anyone have other ideas?
    EDMO
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    • 7,148 views


  4. thebriman added a post in a topic Creating an Airplane Kit, by John M. Larsen in Kitplanes Oct. 03   

    Thanks for posting this Ed! 
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  5. birddog486 added a post in a topic Phase I flight testing   

    Congrats Robert,
     
    I assume you have the same wing I built which can be considered an extended aerobat speedwing. I'm curious on your stall speed and how much washout you built into the wing also whats your empty weight on that beauty
     
    Travis
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  6. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Phase I flight testing   

    Exciting times! The extended wings I have seen have the flaperon missing on the fuse end and then they run out to the tips. Kitfox doesn't use the wood fairing for stiffening and yes the plastic they sell will add 10lbs but it makes a huge performance difference as others have mentioned.
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  7. EDMO added a post in a topic Phase I flight testing   

    Robert,
          Wouldn't it be feasible to just make a spacer to take care of that 1/4" gap??
    EDMO
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  8. akflyer added a post in a topic Phase I flight testing   

    Looks great and glad your ahving fun flying it!
     
    FWIW, there is a service bulletin that Avid put out on the wood fairings.. the directive basically says it has come to thier attention that some builders have left the fairings off and that they should be installed in the next 25 hrs.. this is for negative loads, not positive.  So as long as your not doing any outside snaps, you should be fine.  I picked up 250 FPM climb when I put the fairings on mine.  I went to 1" lift struts so I could use the KF snap on fairings, but they are HEAVY!  I would make some out of .020 aluminum for the 1" struts to save weight!
     

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  9. High Country added a post in a topic Phase I flight testing   

    that sounds like a good idea Ed problem is I built them off of an old print and it wound up being that the 1st rib was set aprox 1/4" further out than it should have been and the rest were measured off of it making the gap at the outer end 1/4" shorter so the hinges don't line up. I planning to just make a whole new set later and will probably use the symmetrical design Kitfox has gone to. also want to shorten up the arms that the push pull cables attach to so I have less stick movement for more flapperon movement. this will all come in time for now they seem to be working just fine
     
    -Robert-
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  10. EDMO added a post in a topic Phase I flight testing   

    Robert,
           Your flaperons would be more efficient if you could just add some tube at the root end and move them out the extra bay for now.
    EDMO
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  11. High Country added a post in a topic Phase I flight testing   

    Jim- I've heard it both ways regard the structural integrity of the lift struts with vs w/o the wood fairings I'm going to change them soon to either 7/8 or 1" and will Fair them then just wanted to start flying it in the mean time. the rib tails were plated with aluminum all the way up into the webbing of the ribs for reinforcement. 
     
    Mike- the Flapperons are short because I used heavy hauler spars (3' longer) and HH / specs but used speed wing rib profile and have not yet extended the flapperons to match it. I did add the rib tail out there for extending them in the future though. 
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  12. EDMO added a post in a topic Phase I flight testing   

    Congrats Robert,
          Bird looks good, and must fly good too - many more adventurous hours ahead for you.
    Jim,
          The rib ends look like the speedwing rib ends, and they are heavier than the stol rib ends - but I could be wrong.
    EDMO
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  13. dynomike added a post in a topic Phase I flight testing   

    looks great in the air .looks like you have shorter flaperons.
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  14. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Phase I flight testing   

    Looks real nice.  Would mention one thing though, I think there was an AD or at least a strong suggestion to put the wood fairings on the lift struts to stiffen them.  On Kitfoxs, some have reported 10 - 12 MPH increase in speed with the struts faired.  One question, was something added to the rib tails that the flaperon hinges on?  They look a bit different than others I've seen.  Jim Chuk
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  15. High Country added a topic in Avid fox flyers pics and vids   

    Phase I flight testing
    Well after two weeks of flight testing I'm at 28.XX hrs on the hobbs and have been having a blast. I'm seeing 1000 fpm at 60 mph climb out with myself and full fuel and 500 fpm with full fuel and 185 lbs strapped in the right seat. Average cruise is 75 mph but I don't have any fairings or gap seals anywhere so I expect that to increase as I clean it up. Fuel burn has been right at 4gal/hr which is better than I expected. here are a couple pics of my adventures so far. 
    • 15 replies
    • 1,477 views


  16. marshawk added a post in a topic Creating an Airplane Kit, by John M. Larsen in Kitplanes Oct. 03   

    Interesting article Ed ,thanks for posting it
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  17. EDMO added a topic in Fat Avids, Avid Plus and Airdale   

    Creating an Airplane Kit, by John M. Larsen in Kitplanes Oct. 03
    Posting 3 pages of article about design of the Pursang / Airdale and Mk IV.
    EDMO



    • 2 replies
    • 1,530 views


  18. EDMO added a post in a topic John Larsen's article found in October 2003 Kitplanes mag.   

    Kenneth,
           If I can get my daughter to help, I will post the 3 or so pages of John Larsen's Kitplanes article on here - I only have part 1 of it, but it is interesting info on the Pursang/Airdale.
           Are you making any progress on your new plane?   Mine has been on hold for a couple of weeks because of:
      1.  Toilet seal failed, and bathroom floor had to be replaced, and ceiling tile in basement ruined.
          2.   Bathroom sink drain came loose and ruined ceiling tile in basement.
          3.   Got a flue shot and came down with fever and chills, now feel like an elephant sat on me.
          4.   Furnace keeps going out - had technicians look at it twice in last week - still going out and will be down to 35F here tonight - Gas company wont send anyone out until Monday.
          5.   Wife has a long list of "Honey-Do's" (but isn't that always the case!)    
    EDMO
          I posted John's article, "Creating an Airplane Kit", in the Avid section / Fat Avid, Airdale, etc.  3 pages - hope you can read it.
    EDMO
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  19. Boat added a topic in Local Fly in's   

    3rd Annual Boonville Salute to Veterans Fly-In
    Sunday, November 9th
    This is our time to honor all who have served , and are serving our country in military service with a fly-in demonstrating our support and appreciation for the freedom we enjoy, thanks to them. We encourage all pilots to put a vet on board your plane and fly them to this event so we can honor them.

    We'll have a great burger barbecue with all the trimmings and dessert hosted by EAA Chapter 1027 and the Boonville wing of the Chapter 1027 with Cap'n Kirk Wilder and the Boonville group. We hope to see you all there , with a vet accompanying you if you can. The event is from 11AM to 3 PM. Boonville airport (D83) weather update the morning of the event will be available from Cap'n Kirk at 707-895-2949.
    • 1 reply
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  20. lostman added a post in a topic John Larsen's article found in October 2003 Kitplanes mag.   

    I don't think I have that article. When I purchased Pursang from John he let me go through his computer and I took every article I could find that he had on it. Who knows what all I have since I haven't ever gone through it all. I copied them all onto a DVD. Now to just remember where I put it....
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  21. lostman added a post in a topic High Sierra Fly-in trip report   

    Yet another cool video Joey! Thanks for the trip report. I always enjoy these.
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  22. dynomike added a post in a topic High Sierra Fly-in trip report   

    good video, sorry to hear of the departed. that's one of the see bees from my neck of the woods .hangered at sand point id, then got a video of him landing at Sullivan lake washinton the next day. awesome performance
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  23. dholly added a post in a topic Avid (model B) Parts for sale   

    Greg - I want my left wing tank back!
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  24. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Avid Fiberglass Parts Source   

    Hi all,  well I got my cowl from Ron (All Pro Composites in Montana)  today, actually 1 1/2 cowls.  Complete Jabiru Avid cowl, and the bottom of a MK cowl.  Prices are very reasonable in my opinion.   I did have to wait for a long time, but that's not a negative on Ron.  I told him I was in no rush, whenever he got to them would be fine.  Well don't know how long they will sit on the shelf, hope to get real busy on that plane this winter.  At any rate, one more piece of the puzzle is at hand.  Jim Chuk
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  25. EDMO added a post in a topic High Sierra Fly-in trip report   

    2nds on Cool Video Joey,  and nice tribute.
    Sorry some young lives were ended too soon.
    I think I remember years ago when the guy started to put the Vet engine in the SeaBee - believe it was for sale at one time?  I think there was an article in the EAA rag at the time.
    EDMO
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