Activity Stream

Activity Stream



  1. akflyer added a post in a topic My Avid (model C+)   

    go fly it off the snow, if there is packed snow or ice on the runway you wont even notice if the gear is out of alignment  
     
      A lot of the guys don't seem to mind the narrow gear.  I run big tires so I hated it.  The wide gear makes it a piece of cake on the ground.
     

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  2. marksires added a post in a topic My Avid (model C+)   

    No wide gear - standard out of the kit gear on this one.   I plan to check the wheel alignment if it ever warms up around here.  We got an inch of snow yesterday, which may not be  much for you Alaska folks, but it is too late for that stuff in the middle of Illinois!
    Mark
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  3. akflyer added a post in a topic My Avid (model C+)   

    If it is squirrely on those tires, check the wheel alignment.  It should be easy to land with those tires.  I cant tell from the picture, but do you have the wide gear on it?  if not, that is about the single biggest improvement that you can do for it!
     

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  4. EDMO added a post in a topic Empty weights   

    The J3 is right at 800, and flies fine with a 1200 gw limit!   It flew with the C-65, but a LOT better with C-90.
    EDMO
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  5. Luked added a post in a topic Empty weights   

     
    Which engine does he have?
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  6. Luked added a post in a topic Tricycle gear information   

    Hi Chris,
     
    I actually removed it shortly after taking those pictures. I know some would prefer to leave it. There were several reasons I wanted to remove it though. For one, I wanted to save a little weight. I also want to change the front structure a little to add a seventh motor mount point at the bottom edge of the firewall. Also, I didn't like the way the socket hangs down below the bottom of the plane in front.
     
    In the end, I think it may decrease the value a little, but my plane will never be worth that much anyway. For one, it's going to have a non-standard engine. I'm really building it for my own fun, and cheap flying. I won't have that much into it when I'm done. If I ever sell it, I probably won't even get all of that back, but that's okay as long as it serves it's purpose while I have it.
     
    Luke D.
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  7. marksires added a post in a topic My Avid (model C+)   

    It's a 1989 kit, mostly a Model C.  The original builders were in their 70's when they started it, and finished it in 1991.  They had always wanted to build a plane, and decided they had better get it done!.  It was generally well built.  They ground looped it at some point, and rebuilt the tail with the round style tail that I think started with the MkIV.  They didn't install any elevator trim, however.  It has 582, original gray head.  It only has about 100 hours total - I did get it overhauled when I bought it 5 years ago since it had been sitting in that hangar for over 10 years.  Runs great.  I installed a com radio and transponder after I bought it.
     
    One of the builders names was Charles Lindbergh, so guess who's name went first as the manufacturer on the web site?
     
    Runs great, flys pretty good, the few times I've been up with an instructor.  It is very much a handful on asphalt landing, so I've not yet had the courage to take it up myself.  I also have a Cherokee 235, so I get to fly even though I'm chicken.
     
    I also rebuilt the brake pedals to have the Matco recommended 2.5 to 1 geometry, installed a master switch, and various other minor updates and fixes.
     
    The fabric is going to get redone this summer.  I'll install some sort of elevator trim while I'm doing that.  If I can find the parts, I'll convert it to trigear, to make it more manageable on the asphalt runways I have available.  The fabric has 24 years of hangar rash, repairs to various penetrations, etc, and is getting a little stretchy.  I haven't decided on a new paint job yet, but just replicating this current one the best plan I have so far.
     
    I might want to talk to you about those floats Jim.  I really would like to find some amphib floats - that would solve my float itch and the nosegear itch at the same time, but the cost is pretty high for those.
     
    Empty weight on the data plate is 450, and they upped the gross to 1050 - they were both big guys, I don't know how they both got into the cockpit to be honest.  I'm an FAA standard passenger, and the instructor I fly with is about the same, so with the two of us and full fuel/oil it is about 900-950 lbs, and it takes off like a scalded cat.  The first take off was quite a surprise.  I was used to 'traditional' Pipers, Cessna's, etc.  Push the power in, check the gauges, then sit back and wait for speed to get high enough to take off.  In this one, it was push the power in, FLY THE DARN PLANE!
     
    Mark
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  8. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Tricycle gear information   

    Why did remove that structure? It adds tremendous value to your plane. I see you said "before I removed it" but if that was a typo and you haven't removed it yet I urge you not to. You never know if the guy you may end up selling the plane to might want to convert it to Tricycle gear. Those weldments are a huge bonus if your plane came with one (not all Avids did) and add considerably to the resale value.
     
    Just sayin.....
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  9. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Brakes for use with ABW 26" tires   

    The only AWB tires I thing you want to consider for the Avid are the light sport 26's or 29's. Any of the other AWB offerings will be way too heavy. Just one guys opinion. I don't think you could go wrong with either of those though.
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  10. akflyer added a post in a topic Brakes for use with ABW 26" tires   

    Ron,  I am pretty sure those are the 30" in the pictures.  They left a much smaller footprint in the sand at that same spot than my 26" good years did.  I am hoping to see how the 30" look on my Avid later this week.  I just have to get the skis pulled off and get them bolted on.
     
    If your running an 0320 look for an 82X41 or an 81X42 prop.  The pull you will get with it to get you out of tight spots is well worth cruising a little slower.
     

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  11. C5Engineer added a post in a topic The end of the Pursang   

    I have spoken to Lostman and both him and his wife are okay. The investigation is still ongoing so please don't speculate about causes or the end result. The FAA is known to frequent message boards after an incident for information. Thanks for your cooperation. Joey
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  12. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Avidfoxflyers Oshkosh BBQ   

    Has anyone spoken to Brett? At all?
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  13. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Empty weights   

    My buddy's Avid-Kitfox hybrid weighs 670.
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  14. Trackwelder added a topic in Avid fox flyers pics and vids   

    The end of the Pursang

    http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2014/04/12/plane-lands-on-golf-course--at-stillmeadow-country-club/7637085/ just saw the vid sounds like they walked away.
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  15. akflyer added a post in a topic Avidfoxflyers Oshkosh BBQ   

    I like the way you think Randy! I will check the work schedule, but I think I may be off on the 28th, it will be close.


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  16. RDavidson added a post in a topic Brakes for use with ABW 26" tires   

    Randy,
    I just re-read your post...those are 26" tires in your pic. Sorry I got confused there for a minute.
    Your 26s look great, well proportioned.
    So, I'm going to use 26s as a minimum, but I think I'll probably go with the 30s, sounds like they will do what I want them to.
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  17. RDavidson added a post in a topic Brakes for use with ABW 26" tires   

    Ed, that sounds good, let me do a little research to get smart on those. I understand what you are saying with the thicker disc. I'm sure that the good braking trade off is a little more weight added, but sounds like it could be worth it.

    Randy and Joey, thanks again for your input! I'm going with 30s since I haven't bought the 26s yet and since my gear is the same length and height as Randy's.
    Randy your plane looks great! I love those tires! I hope you don't mind me stealing all of your ideas? I have copied your gear, want the same tires and I even looked at the boat seats in cabelas that you have in your plane! I feel like an internet stalker! Ha!

    Thanks again guys!
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  18. SuberAvid added a post in a topic Brakes for use with ABW 26" tires   

    26's will be good but your Magnum could easily handle bigger tires.  The trade off between the 26's on my Avid+ and the 30's is about 4 to 5 mph in cruise.  It depends of what you want to do.  If you already have the 26's then just use them.  If you haven't bought them yet then you may want to go bigger if your main mission is to never touch pavement and to spend as much time as possible exploring new landing spots.  I am on the 5th set of tires for my plane; they keep getting bigger.  26's are very good but 30's are more for fun for me than real need, (they will just about land in water without leaving a print though).  If you plan to land in 6" to 8" rocks with occasional larger ones I would recomend the bigger tires.
     
    Like Joey said, air pressure plays a big part.  At 5 psi they can roll over a lot of stuff without damaging your plane and also barely leave a footprint in real loose sand so you don't have to worry about getting back out of it.


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  19. Luked added a post in a topic Empty weights   

    Hey Randy,

    When I started this thread, I was actually thinking, I hope this doesn't come off like I was saying the lightest planes are better than other planes. I just wanted to get a feel for what kind of weight I should realistically shoot for with my engine choice. Mine won't be the lightest either

    For the record, your plane is one of my favorite Avids. It just looks like a bush plane, and it's demonstrated that it's plenty capable.
     
    Luke D.
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  20. Luked added a post in a topic Tricycle to taildragger   

    Well, that's that. Removing the nose gear structure was very easy. Now it remains to be seen how hard it will be to add some tubes back in. Start to finish was about 20 minutes,and I was taking my time. I used a sawzall, and it worked great. Very little work with the grinder will be needed,and I think the structure is in very usable condition.

    The only tubes that are significantly shortened are the cross tube at the base of the socket, and the one from the top of the socket to the top of the seat truss. It's yours to use Mark if you want it. Here are pics. You should be able to remove the stubs left from my cross tubes, and remove a small chunk from the middle of yours. Should fit right in. The one to the seat truss would probably just be easiest to replace.

    First cut.














    The "after" picture. One other reason I wanted to do this is to add an additional motor mount point at the bottom of the firewall in the center. I noticed that Kitfox does this as well.


    Here's the socket structure (3.7 lb. as pictured).

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  21. SuberAvid added a post in a topic Empty weights   

    This is a contest I don't want to be the winner of but afraid mine is...maybe at least until Ed gets his flying
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  22. SuberAvid added a post in a topic Avidfoxflyers Oshkosh BBQ   

    Leni,
     
    We should do an honorary Oshkosh Alaska AFF BBQ up here during that time; July 28 - Aug 3.  Are you back home by then?  We just need to pick a spot we all can meet.  We could do it at my hangar or closer to Soldotna if that works better for most folks?
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  23. Av8r3400 added a topic in Avid fox flyers pics and vids   

    Come fly with me…
    Produced by a friend of mine from my raw video...
     

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  24. Luked added a topic in Files and Forms   

    Tricycle gear information
    Here is a diagram of the tricycle structure that was in my MK-IV, and some pictures before I removed it. Sorry for the poor picture quality. I had to use an ipad to take them.
     
    The dimensions are as accurate as I could measure them. If you want to use this to make a tricycle gear, you can double check the dimensions the dimensions that already exist on your plane to see how they compare to those on the diagram.
     
    Avid Flyer MK-IV tricycle gear dimensions revised.pdf
    (note: I had some dimensions that were wrong on the first version of this. Please use the file ending in "revised")
     









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  25. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic My Avid (model C+)   

    Those floats look like a set I have up here in Mn.  I don't plan to use them myself......  Jim Chuk
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