Activity Stream
Activity Stream
-
akflyer added a post in a topic Installing finger strainers on Catalina fiberglass tank? Options?
I think the plugging of the finger strainers was not so much from the tank sealer in big pieces, but from the fibers in the tank delaminating when you put moonshine in the tank,. Those hairs plugged off a few finger strainers and bad things happened. Guess what, you take the finger strainers out and those hairs just get lodged someplace else. So far, I have not had this issue but we don't have moonshine in the gas up here either. I am comfortable not using finger strainers where as others are not.
If you can, spend the money on a fuel flow meter. This is the VERY first indicator that your having an inflight fuel restriction! It has saved my ass a couple times when I noticed fuel flow getting lower and lower. I was able to hit the electric back up pump and keep the engine running long enough to get to a suitable lake and set it down for a filter swap. If I didn't have that fuel flow meter I would have flown along fat dumb and happy till the engine quit over some terrain that would have led to a heli flight and total loss of the plane.
-
0
-
-
akflyer added a post in a topic Fat Avid weight and balance
at -5 the stick forces get a lot heavier. I hate flying mine with the flaperons reflexed, I like the light stick forces and sporty feel. You may try strapping a 5 pound divers weight to the tail spring and see if that helps. I really like mine at the rear edge of the CG range, and actually fly behind the published range 99% of the time. When I am at 18" I fly with the elevator trim pretty much neutral but fore or aft of that I use appropriate trim. I rarely look at the indicator on the dash as part of my preflight is walking around the elevator and noting the trim position. The tab does not make it real heavy stick forces one way or the other that would cause loss of control on take off if the tab was at either extreme.
-
0
-
-
akflyer added a post in a topic Super disappointed with AC Spruce Transaction
Good to hear!
I have fought with spruce a few times. The first time I ordered a sheet of lexan they rolled it up and shipped it to me for around 55 bucks. I tried to order again and they wanted 170 for shipping. I have run the numbers on the size and its still showing around 60 bucks for USPS Priority mail, but they wont ship it for that. I think 100 bucks handling to spend 45 seconds rolling a sheet and taping it is kinda outrageous. Oh well, I guess that's what we get for living up here in the "sticks".
-
0
-
-
marksires added a post in a topic Howdy from Maine
Ha, if a 10 year old had been running them they'd have probably work great!
Mark
-
0
-
-
tcj added a post in a topic Installing finger strainers on Catalina fiberglass tank? Options?
Reports of tank sealer pealing off in the fiberglass tanks is the reason I installed finger strainers. A small flake of sealer has a good chance of covering the fuel port without a finger strainer. I check them each year at annual inspection and have found no debris. My tanks are 20 years old and came with the Kitfox factory sealer applied. It is still tight and looks like new. I'll keep the finger strainers in.
-
0
-
-
.jpg.4b33961872f0355d5e844f76433b74f3.thumb.jpg.9e3553a256b702f9ca668642dbf33570.jpg)
ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Super disappointed with AC Spruce Transaction
I did call back and talk to higher management yesterday. They had good notes and were doing something about it from the shop to their supplier. I was pleasantly surprised at how proactive they were and what they already had documented when I talked to customer service manager. Quite extensive notes already. There were some mis communications between the shop and the customer service rep I spoke with initally. The call was worth it and put my mind at ease.
Aircraft Spruce has always been so good (except for shipping costs). I think they still are.
-
1
-
-
EDMO added a post in a topic Fat Avid weight and balance
How about adjusting your flaps for - say -5 degrees?
EDMO
-
0
-
-
marshawk added a post in a topic Fat Avid weight and balance
Im pretty sure the flaps are fully retracted and at degrees-3 when fully off, there is 2 adjustment holes for the horizontal stab but im in the lowest hole right now, was thinking also of try to drill one more hole lower but not sure theres enough room for that. Just figure that it must be something else since there a few avids with the soob flying and not seeming to have this problem. I will probably try the trim tab but would like to figure out the problem ,in case its just the angle of my cowl. In level flight it diffently has a nose down attitude
-
0
-
-
EDMO added a post in a topic Installing finger strainers on Catalina fiberglass tank? Options?
Your are correct - and they work well in aluminum tanks - but there have been cases where the FS have clogged up by stuff from the fiberglass tanks. Shit happens! Guess if you made them twice as long, you would cut the chance of that by 50%?
EDMO
-
0
-
-
tcj added a post in a topic Installing finger strainers on Catalina fiberglass tank? Options?
I sense some confusion on the purpose of finger strainers. The purpose of finger strainers is to prevent a large object from plugging the fuel tank outlet port or getting into the fuel line of fuel valve. They are a large mesh that will let small debris pass on to be caught by the fuel filter where you can see it or remove the filter to check without draining the tank. Finger strainers are removed at annual inspection time to check for large debris.
-
0
-
-
lostman added a post in a topic Fat Avid weight and balance
I agree with trying a piece of aluminum as a trim tab. It's an easy fix to see what's going on. I'm very curious of the progress on this. As with any changes on an aircraft it's sometimes hard to know what little change might make a big impact. That's why I try very hard to only make one change at a time.
-
0
-
-
EDMO added a post in a topic Installing finger strainers on Catalina fiberglass tank? Options?
If you have a finger strainer plugged up, the only solution is to drain the tank. Leni does not use them. He uses a clear glass filter with replaceable inserts between the tank shut-off valve and the header. Just shut off the hose, remove filter element and clean or replace it, and keep on flying. Works for him?
EDMO
-
0
-
-
dynomike added a post in a topic Sling seat rear tube cable
I used giant zipties .(I steal them from the hvac guys) basically they held the seat back while I laced the bottom.im 6 2 also and that was the way I fit,seat all the way back and down as far as possible
-
0
-
-
lostman added a post in a topic Installing finger strainers on Catalina fiberglass tank? Options?
When I picked up the Avid last month I was talking to John Larsen about this thread. It seems I also picked up somewhere around four new finger strainers for the plane in the spare parts I got with it. After asking him about where they came from he said they are common thing up there at the tractor supply stores. Something to check into I guess. I didn't see any part numbers on the ones I have but when I sort through it all I'll see what I can come up with. Maybe I'll find a part number in there somewhere, I believe one or two were still in a little bag.
-
0
-
-
lostman added a post in a topic Winter Rivers Tour
That's awesome! One of these years I will get up that way to do some flying. Not sure I'll make it in the Avid but sure want to! Those pictures are great. The flying I did last weekend over the snow covered Rockies sure made me wish I had some skis so I could check out a few places while I was overflying. I just don't see conditions for them most of the time so I'm not sure they would be worth it where I typically am flying.
Randy out of curiosity, did you fly the plane without the muffler or have you always had it on there? The Stratus engine I'm running isn't too terribly loud but I think it could be baffled down a little more. It's just running the Stratus baffle under the engine. It sure is a strange sounding Soob!
-
0
-
-
lostman added a post in a topic Airventure 2014
If someone else is buying I'll be there! Actually I'm all for a luncheon though. We are starting to get serious about figuring out when we'll be there and everything as well. Of course it all hinges on getting the control system on Pursang sorted out now that I'm home with it.
-
0
-
-
Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Fat Avid weight and balance
1. Are your flaps fully retracted?
2. Can you adjust the position of the front mount bolt for the horizontal stabilizer?
-
0
-
-
EDMO added a post in a topic Fat Avid weight and balance
Rivet a small trimtab to the elevator and bend it down slightly and try flying with it.
EDMO
-
0
-
-
marshawk added a post in a topic Fat Avid weight and balance
Well I got my horizontal stabilizer straight and it helped quite a bit but still needing back pressure on the stick to fly level, I am wondering if the kitfox cowl I fit on has to much downward tendancy, my computer with the pictures of the plane packed it in so waiting to get it fix so I can't post any new pictures but if you look at the pics in the previous post let me know what you guys think. I was wondering if its a bad idea to fly the plane without the cowl on it, that way I could tell if my theory is correct,just not sure if there would be any problems doing this for a short flight
-
0
-
-
IFMT added a post in a topic Super disappointed with AC Spruce Transaction
Dholly said it eloquently . Everyone is accepting to much s#@T. Make it cheaper. Regulate me to death. Give me a job and over pay me. Wait a minute! You owe me! The modern world is real weird. I do buy some limited items from spruce. Be sure you know what you are ordering. I bought some "3/8" bungee and it was not at all what I expected. Not life altering but still a waste. Old time value has been replaced with crap. B
-
0
-
-
herman pahls added a post in a topic tail wheel springs
Thanks for the tail wheel spring info..
The consensus seems to be the Kitfox 3 leaf so I will order one.
I also store my Kitfox wings folded and the Matco 8" tailwheel leverages the spring more than the stock Maule 6" wheel.
Herman
-
0
-
-
Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Airventure 2014
Seeing as how I haven't heard a peep from Brett about an Avid luncheon at Airventure this year, what say we put one together ourselves, with whomever is in attendance??
Waddya say?
Maybe at Wendt's? Doug's buying...
-
0
-
-
dholly added a post in a topic Howdy from Maine
Gents - please don't misinterpret my registration comment as criticism. I know you guys are waging a battle against the bad guys and my hat is off for your efforts. It sure is nice to come learn and share, or even blow off a little steam with like minded nut jobs after a long day. I think I found Jason's site a few years back after the dust up at the SPA, it didn't help that their forum was a frustrating mess. Actually, I think the same 10 y.o. was running the EAA forums back then too. ;-)
-
0
-
-
Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Airventure 2014
Also, the trams that travel the grounds are your friend.
-
0
-
-
marksires added a post in a topic Airventure 2014
No vehicles inside the airshow grounds, but in the Campgrounds pretty much everything is ok - bikes, motorcycles, golf carts, ATV's. Anything with a motor the driver has to have a valid drivers license to use. If you are flying in and camping with the plane, I don't think you can use a bike in that area. Which is sensible, I wouldn't really want a bunch of other folks riding around my plane.
The shuttle buses are pretty good, as long as a rainstorm doesn't pop up (and it always does), then the waits are long.
Mark
-
0
-