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Activity Stream



  1. akflyer added a post in a topic High Sierra Fly-in trip report   

    cool video Joey!  Nice tribute at the end as well.  Pretty cool to see the laker and seabee show up to a BCP type flyin.  I bet that vette powered bee was pretty cool.
     

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  2. allonsye added a post in a topic Avid / Kitfox Accident Causes and Rates   

    John - appears that the worst issue for the 582 for you was the sound. Otherwise appears it more reliable than the 4strokes you operated. Thanks for sharing...........btw, sorry about your accident. Please do tell for teachable moment sake.
    P.
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  3. wolves200 added a post in a topic Avid / Kitfox Accident Causes and Rates   

    man! that sucks, even the most experienced pilots --- sorry to hear that John, but I think like the rest of us I Would like to hear more about your accident!!
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  4. C5Engineer added a post in a topic High Sierra Fly-in trip report   

    Short video from the Fly In
     

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  5. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Avid / Kitfox Accident Causes and Rates   

    Wow John,  so sorry to hear your plane got wrecked.  It probably had more hours on it than any other Avid.  Hope you had good insurance.   It can't replace your baby, but might help you get something to take it's place.  Jim Chuk
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  6. EDMO added a post in a topic Avid / Kitfox Accident Causes and Rates   

    Nice Post John,
             However, you left out the reason you totaled the Avid.
    Thanks,
    EDMO
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  7. skypics added a post in a topic Avid / Kitfox Accident Causes and Rates   

    FYI
     
    I had 4283 hours on my Jabiru 2200 at the time of my recent crash...not an engine issue.
     
    I have had 5 engines on my Avid B STOL since 1990.
     
    It had a 532 rope start when I bought it. Then 2 each 582s which I had on it for 2400 hours with no major issues. Finally I got tired of the 2-stroke sound, water plumbing and fuel burn and went to a Jabiru 2200. 
     
    The Jab had to have the valve guides replaced on warranty at 200 hours. Then at 585 hours it sucked an exhaust valve and I dead sticked back to the airport. This was a bad design issue when Jabiru went from straight lifter to hyd lifters.
     
    NOTE: On 4 strokes, if you have badly worn guides replace the valves also, not just the guides.
     
    The replacement Jabiru had all the upgrades to address the hyd lifter change and the engine had 1030 hours on it when I totaled the aircraft.
     
    My friends all have Rotax 912s and all have had issues as well. One of the biggest differences is the cost of replacement parts for Rotax vs Jabiru with Rotax part running 3-4 times more expensive.
     
    That said there are different benefits in the Rotax and Jab.
     
    ROTAX: You can run a longer prop for better climb. They use less oil although you can't use common aircraft oil. The can and do run high EGTs with no issue because the water keeps the heads cooler. Recommended TBO runs 1500 hours, but they typically go over that time.  You have to "burp: the engine to check the oil.
     
    Jabiru: Lighter weight. Less complicated using mostly off-the-shelf items like distributors and rotors that can be purchased from NAPA. The use regular aircraft oil. Cruise at 2800-3000 RPM as opposed to 5400-5600 RPM so sounds more mellow. Parts are based on the Aussie dollar as opposed to the Euro. Easy to work on and less complicated with no water hoses, radiators, over flow bottles, etc. Direct drive so no gear box or Spraug clutches. Fewer moving parts. Recommented top ovehaul is 1000 hours.
     
    That said, all brands of engines have failed, including jet engines. Conts and Lycs have over 70 years of issues and engineering improvement. Rotaxes and Jabs will go through some engineering iterations and over time become more robust.
     
    My friends like their engines and I like mine although we do have some healthy discussions on which is the best.
     
    Religion, politics and aircraft engines.
     
    John M
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  8. allonsye added a post in a topic Over heating on Rotax 670   

    Good, glad you're onto a permanent solution. Did you address cowl issues already as well?
     
    Aside from that, what do you think of the 670?  I was chatting with Rick about it - he really loves this thing. How's it been working for you you?  I'm interested in it but have a few concerns.
     
    cheers:)
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  9. 959 added a post in a topic Over heating on Rotax 670   

    I put electrical fans 1 each on the radiators.
    Just a stop gab till I get the new radiator built.
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  10. EDMO added a post in a topic AK 670 Powered Kitfox on Barnstormers   

    If that was a 4-cycle, I would be on your ass more to get it finished - I really hope you have a winner 2-stroke.
    EDMO
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  11. akflyer added a post in a topic AK 670 Powered Kitfox on Barnstormers   

    Ed,
    That is providing that I get off my ass and get the damn thing done... I am tired of tripping over it in the garage though and I do have the Avid at the house now so maybe I will get moving on it again when I get home in 3 weeks.
     

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  12. akflyer added a post in a topic High Sierra Fly-in trip report   

    Cool pics mr!  I'm glad you went and talked to someone, I know the details but wont put them online.. maybe with some good luck I will get down there and hit this fly in myself in the 180 in the next year or two.
     
    Keep posting up pics mr!
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  13. marshawk added a post in a topic High Sierra Fly-in trip report   

    Awesome pictures and so sorry to hear about your friends
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  14. allonsye added a post in a topic AK 670 Powered Kitfox on Barnstormers   

    Good feedback here.
     
    I'm w/you on this Joey.  I recall an expression something like "the flame that burn the brightest, burns the fastest".
     
    I think I'm going to go w/the RR gray 582 rebuild for reliability sake.   Though I must say Rick really loves that 670 and pushing it.
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  15. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic High Sierra Fly-in trip report   

    Those are beautiful photos, Joey.  There is some amazing countryside in your neck of the woods.
     
     
    I'm so sorry for the tragedy and my heart goes out to all who are involved.  What we choose to do as a pastime has risks.  Sometimes these risks catch up to us.
     
    A wise man know when to seek help.  Joey, you are wise beyond your years.  Be strong.
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  16. EDMO added a post in a topic AK 670 Powered Kitfox on Barnstormers   

    Wait until Leni is ready to ship a 800 engine, then you can have VTOL and lightspeed....Maybe go to Valdez and Win!
    EdMO
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  17. horsepower added a post in a topic High Sierra Fly-in trip report   

    Heard about it Joey,sorry you had to witness that.Thoughts and prayers go out to the families.Glad you made it home ok and thanks for putting on the good pics for us.Hang in there buddy.Randy
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  18. C5Engineer added a post in a topic AK 670 Powered Kitfox on Barnstormers   

    Yes but after many discussions with folks who have been doing this far longer than me I realized I would rather fly and have a reliable engine than screw around with the 670. I am sure takeoff and climb would be awesome but in the grand scheme of things that's a very small chunk of your overall flght. I am not buying the longer tbo time due to lower power settings theory. That's like putting a 500hp engine in your muscle car and saying I get 15 mpg because I never rev the engine above 2500rpm. I am not gonna spend 6k and countless hours of work to cruise at the same speed.
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  19. allonsye added a post in a topic AK 670 Powered Kitfox on Barnstormers   

    So........is a concensus been arrived at on this engine in the Avid -- needs more time and trial?
     
    Cons:
    Questionable of RAVE valve reliability operating in upside down configuration Space issues w/appropriate/new exhaust system Pros:
    Essentially a 582 with 15 more hp. Longer TBO if run aT lower rpm settings. (450 hrs - based on Rotax 1500g of fuel burn formula). Cruise at lower rpm than 582 I was interested in this engine but I'm not interested in install headaches nor RAVE issues.  Not worth the price of admission as someone else said.
     
    I was hoping Marv would check in/contribute on this since he has one and had some overheating issues.
     
    http://www.avidfoxflyers.com/index.php?/topic/2933-over-heating-on-rotax-670/
     
    Rich Mendler was pursuing this until he bailed and sold his KF last year.
     
    Joey, weren't you thinking about the 670 but went with a Rotax Rick 582 build instead.
     
    P.
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  20. C5Engineer added a post in a topic High Sierra Fly-in trip report   

    Coolest camera rig EVER!
     

     

     

     

     

     
    What a suckey life this guy has...
     

     
    Corvette powered Seaplane
     

     

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  21. C5Engineer added a post in a topic High Sierra Fly-in trip report   

    3SGS

     
    A variation of Wild Horses
     

     

     
    Somewhere in Nevada...the landing possibilities are endless
     

     
    Steve Henry
     

     

     

     
    BEAVER
     

     
    Rob

     

     
     

     

     
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  22. C5Engineer added a topic in Avid fox flyers pics and vids   

    High Sierra Fly-in trip report
    In the midst of a tragedy I am doing my best to remember the fun parts of the fly in so thought I would type this up. I left Friday morning at first light for the Three Shot Gun Shells lake bed to the East of Minden Nevada. It was 145NM for me. I made the trip in just under 2 hours and made it up to 11,500 ft with 28 gallons on board and about 60 lbs of other gear. This plane never stops amazing me.
     
    I flew several times on Friday and also Friday evening. Saturday morning we blasted out early and I lost count after 25 landings by 830 am. No idea how many places or times I landed during the day.
     
    Sunday morning I experienced the most horrific sight I've ever seen when I looked up to see the remains of Toms 170 and Tylers Savannah falling to the earth. I was one of the first responders and what we found was something no aviator should ever have to see. Please pray for the families and everyone there as they all went through a terrible tragedy. I've been so affected by this event that I decided to seek out professional help. The flight home was a somber one with plenty of time to reflect. It only took me 1.6 to get home as I was running 110-115 over the ground at 10.5. I think Tom and Tyler were helping me out some. About 30 miles out I picked up the AWOS and learned that we had a 31 kt cross wind going on. I shot one approach and at 800 ft I was totally sideways with a ground speed of 16 mph so I broke it off and diverted to Napa about 20 miles away and landed and had my wife come and pick me up. I went over yesterday and brought the plane home.
     
    I took 230 pics but here are a few of the better ones











    Toms 170 next to Robs on the right



    Thanks Grant for taking the time to show me what my camera can do...this was shot in pitch black




    Too many horses




     
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  23. EDMO added a post in a topic New Guy from Ontario, Canada   

    ABF,
        A late "Welcome Aboard" - Very interesting assortment of planes photos - My best design book was "Design of the Aeroplane" by Darrol Stinton, a test pilot and engineer in England.  Perhaps you know about him.
    Regards,
    EDMO
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  24. Greg Hart added a post in a topic Avid (model B) Parts for sale   

    Sold on October 14th.
    Many thanks to Avid Fox Flyers!
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  25. Luked added a post in a topic Can't find fuselage structural diagram   

    Yeah, I already bought the 1" x .035" tubing a while back when I started thinking about these changes. I really hated to add the weight, but these are fairly short pieces, and it's not much different than the 7/8" x .035". Also, I figured if I'm putting in new pieces, I might as well use what KF used.
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