Activity Stream

Activity Stream



  1. EDMO added a post in a topic Okay, Alaska boys...   

    The problem with buying in Alaska is that all of the untold acres of land is already owned.
    The Federal and State govts own what was left after deeding it to the natives and selling cheap to politicians.
    Natives generally wont sell to a non-native unless they are married to a native.
    There are only about 7 main roads in a state that is 40% as big as the lower 48.
    Many areas are only acessable by plane, boat, snowmachine or dogsled.
    The public has tried, time and again, to move the capitol from the little hole they call Juneau up to the mainland.  Politicians own Juneau, and wont let it happen - they wont let the money be spent, but cost the state a fortune flying back and forth to their investments.  You cant get there by road.
    Building outside of Anchorage or Fairbanks or smaller towns is so costly because of transporting materials - in some places this can only be done a couple of months a year.
    I'm sure I haven't covered all of this subject - lets hear what the other "Alaskans" have to say.
    BTW:  I had hamburgers with my boss, Jim West of Wild West Guns, and about 8 board members of the Native Borough Council one day in Barrow - My bets are that all 8 of the "poor natives" were millionaires from the oil revenue!
    I sold my house in Anchorage for $250,000 on 1/3 acre, and my ex bought one for $300,000 on 1/4 acre, but they are both good houses in the city, where they do have inspectors and permits.
    People in California have sold their little houses for millions, and have driven up prices for Alaska houses, so I hear.
    I don't watch that show, so don't know what you are seeing, but its a different world out in the bush.
    EdMO
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  2. Av8r3400 added a topic in Hardcore Avidfoxflyers   

    Okay, Alaska boys...
    So, I'm watching this show on TV called Buying Alaska.  
     
    Do people actually pay half a million dollars for a rat-nest looking shit-hole with no running water or electricity on a 1/2 acre lot?!?!
     
    Half of the homes [sic] I see on this show wouldn't be legally habitable here….
    • 8 replies
    • 1,506 views


  3. EDMO added a post in a topic Magnums with Airdale Bush Gear   

    Ron,  the photo you posted is exactly what I was talking about - some have used .040 or even .050 and the lightening holes - every thing helps - and it don't add that much weight, but a lot of strength.
    I'm not an engineer, so I cant compare it to plywood, but I would use steel.
    EDMO
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  4. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Magnums with Airdale Bush Gear   

    Hi Ron,  you got the right idea on what I was trying to say about connecting the seat truss to the V.  I just think that by doing that, it strengthens the whole system.  Triangulation is what makes things strong.  Adding the verticle connector strengthens the V by adding the seat truss strength to it.  I think it would relieve some of the stress that is put on the fuselage where the V connects as well.  When the center of the  V is pulled DOWN in a hard landing, it acts to pull the sides of the fuselage togeather.  I've seen some pics of fuselages that were bent up from the bush gear, and you can see how the pressure acted upon them.  When the plane hits hard, the landing gear attachments are pushed up and in, and at the same time, the V is being pulled down which acts to pull the gear attachments togeather.  The pics I saw show how the bottom tube of the seat truss buckled inward next to the edge of the fuselage.   At any rate, that's how I see it, what does others think?    I had the regular Mk IV gear with bungees on my Avid when the seat truss bent.   (Someone before me had welded some tabs on the bottom of the seat truss, and caused a brittle spot on the bottom tube of the seat truss.  On a not real hard landing, it let go and the top tube of the truss bent.  I added the metal to the truss when I rebuilt it)  Hope I made sense with my explanation.  Jim Chuk
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  5. RDavidson added a post in a topic Magnums with Airdale Bush Gear   

    Ed,
    I just found the thread and pics that Av8r3400 posted of his Kitfox, where he reinforced the sides with .032 sheet with 2" lightening holes. I like it a lot! Is this what you were talking about?


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  6. RDavidson added a post in a topic Magnums with Airdale Bush Gear   

    Ed,
    So you think the sides need it to? I thought they would need it, but most of the threads I have read just talk about the seat truss.

    Jim,
    Thanks for the pic, it is truly worth a thousand words.
    So you are saying that you would add a vertical bar from the bottom of the seat truss to the deepest part of the "V", is that right?
    Is that so the upward force would go into the middle of the seat truss?
    I looked at your plane, but can't tell, are you using bungees? It looks like you have a taller gear too?

    I appreciate the input.


    Thanks,
    Ron
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  7. herman pahls added a post in a topic Let's talk flaperon rigging   

    Joey
    When I installed the 20 pound heavier Jabiru several years ago I used the flapperons to trim out the nose down instead of adding tail weight or a trim since the CG was still in range, just further forward and I did not want to add weight.

    The airplane flew terrible in comparison to with the 532 and it took almost 2 years until a Kitfox flyer in Idaho told me on a forum that the flapperons were probably reflexed too much.
    Sure enough he was very correct.
    The bad symptoms that too much reflex caused on my Kitfox was higher stall speed since I did not use flaps at the time, less elevator authority, very heavy aileron stick forces and heavy right wing probably due to unequal flapperon reflex.
    Plus I did not enjoy flying it anymore.
    I am not sure how much this applies to your wanting more elevator but seeing reflex on your post brought back mistake in the past.
    Herman
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  8. Chewie added a post in a topic Avid Catalina, any set of plans or project available for sale?   

    I saw a complete kit available on BS for $10k a couple weeks ago, can't find it now.
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  9. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Vortex Generators on bottom of wing   

     
     
    Amen!  +1
     
    If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
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  10. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Vortex Generators on bottom of wing   

    Just my opinion, but I would get good and used to the plane before I changed a whole lot of things that aren't currently broke.  )  Jim
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  11. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic What do you think?   

    I think with the age on the engine, new seals and a complete inspection are in order.  I had a 582 that had quit on the guy before I got it.  Seemed to run okey afterwords.  When I tore it down you could see the scuffs on the pistons but couldn't see them before it was tore down.  I had to get it bored out to the next size.  The guy mentions that the rings were stuck and he had the heads off.  Did he actually pull the cylinders and do a proper decarbon job?  After he gets the engine gone through, then make sure the filters and carbs are clean .  Stock needle jet and jet needle set maybe 1 step leaner than stock setting, and probably 162 main jets to start with.  CPS has a chart in their catalog that says what settings should be at different altitudes.  Just my 2 cents, after flying behind at least
    a dozen different two strokes, half of them at least my own.  Jim Chuk
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  12. C5Engineer added a post in a topic What do you think?   

    15 years old and only 350 hrs in a hot humid climate......hmmmm guy needs to start over from scratch. Sounds like he's a little too excited to just monkey with random things too. I wouldn't think of flying again after losing 1000 rpm without having any idea why.
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  13. Av8r3400 added a topic in Two Strokes   

    What do you think?
    Quote from TKF:
     
    Hi guys, 

    I've recently acquired a Kitfox 4 and I cant get in the air any long than about 30mins without something going wrong. (makes it quite hard to get my tail wheel endorsement when I cant stay in the air long enough) Its a Rotax 582 Grey Head, approx. 350 hours and 15 years old... never been rebuilt.

    Also keep in mind I'm in the northern end of Australia and our flying conditions here are very humid and hot (38°C) 400ft MSL (3000ft Density Alt)

    1. First flight : the engine would start to drop RPM (500-1000) for no apparent reason at high RPM. Especially after about 15 secs of WOT. High EGT and high Water Temps. I figured it was a fuel issue, cleaned out all the tanks and fuel, changed the coolant to more water based mix and dropped the radiator 3" into the air stream. I also richened up the mixture one clip on the needle.


    2. Second flight : This time I had good EGT temps, Coolant Temps are fantastic... but once again... on a go around at WOT... engine uncommanded drop of 500-1000 RPM only for a short time though. This time I think it might be the fuel pump, so I replaced the gaskets, I also worked out my needle setting should be back on the leaner side due to the higher Density altitude (and slightly dark plugs) and put it back to 1 clip leaner setting and also changed the main jet to one size smaller (leaner). I've also pulled the heads off and noticed my pistons are covered in big flaky bits of crud and the rings are stuck. So, I cleaned it and reassemble.

    3. Third flight : I work out I shouldn't be taking off with the flaps in the spoiler position, the aircraft leaps into the air and everything is running great and I'm starting to have hope. There is also a noticeable increase in performance, yes it was doing 70kts!!!!. 

    After about 10 minutes of circling an abandoned airfield the engine starts to (or at least what I think it doing) misfire! Randomly every 1 or 2 seconds you can feel a kick/thud through the airframe, no drop in RPM. My instructor took over and we headed back to the airfield and by the time we had landed it had gone away.

    I'm at wits end with this engine... my instructor won't get back in it with me until I get a new engine. Why would it be misfiring? Should I keep trying to extend the life of this thing, or just bin it?

    Help.
     
     
    Sounds like the motor is used up to me.  Seals probably dried out and in need of a rebuild.  Thoughts and comments welcome from the oil burners out there….
    • 10 replies
    • 1,864 views


  14. EDMO added a post in a topic Leading Edge Slats   

    Randy,
          I said the 701 had 1mm gap at the trailing edge of the slats - It could have been 1cm, which sounds more reasonable - Someone with a 701 / 801 manual might know.   Chris uses sillymeters on all his drawings, and it don't take much to confuse me.  I can easier relate to either .039 or .394 inches.
    EDMO
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  15. lostman added a post in a topic Vortex Generators on bottom of wing   

    Joey,
     
    I realize this was posted last year but is there any way for you to find out where the VG's were located on John Miller's wing tips? I'd like to know at least an approximate starting point. I'm going to do some testing with them on the long cross country bringing Pursang to the mid-west next month.
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  16. lostman added a post in a topic Leading Edge Slats   

    Randy,
     
    Any more development on this? I'm very curious about it's functionality. Any updates would be great.
    • 0


  17. sioux201 added a post in a topic Liability and Death?   

    Call eaa legal
    It's a great hold harmless contract!!!!!
    • 0


  18. akflyerbob added a post in a topic Avid Catalina, any set of plans or project available for sale?   

    Where are you located
    I have a rebuild in progress I'm going to sell
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  19. EDMO added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Liability and Death?
    2 Questions that most of us don't like to think about - but both important:
    1.  Does the EAA publish a legal statement you can use to limit or cease your liability as a builder if you sell your plane?
    2.  Planes have no title - only owner registration - If a builder or owner should die, then how can their spouse or heirs sell the plane if they are not a registered owner?
    Got any attorneys on here?
    EDMO
    • 2 replies
    • 831 views


  20. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Mark V for sale   

    Please do.  I'm interested to see those.
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  21. lostman added a post in a topic Mark V for sale   

    Another huge step to picking up the Pursang tonight. I bought the ticket for February 11th. Going to be able to finally see it. I'm hoping to get it to Utah the next day since it doesn't have any lights. I'm hoping John will have time for me to pick his brain about everything that day so I have a good detailed knowledge of the build and other elements that aren't written about in the articles he wrote about the build. He also sent me a copy of all five articles that he wrote. Hopefully tomorrow or this weekend I'll find the original thread and add anything that is missing....if I can get my scanner to work.
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  22. Trackwelder added a topic in Avid and Kitfox parts Suppliers   

    Does anyone Make a Stainless Steel Exhaust for a 582?
       I think I know the answer since I am even having trouble locating an exhaust system on the internet , But does anyone make a Stainless steel exhaust system for a 582 powered Avi, if not, who has he best prices on exhaust systems out there.? My pipes are just about ready for replacement and I would like to fin something that will last a while, any information would help
    • 0 replies
    • 1,008 views


  23. wypaul added a post in a topic Nanco 21x12x8 sale $31.80   

    Matco sells them (21 X 6 tires) also.
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  24. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Nanco 21x12x8 sale $31.80   

    Randy you don't still have those modded 9" wheels do you?
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  25. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Nanco 21x12x8 sale $31.80   

    21-800/6 tires are available from Aero Classic. I have them on my plane and they work awesome.

    http://www.desser.com/store/products/21%7B47%7D800%252d6-4-PLY-AERO-CLASSIC-TL%7B47%7DTT-LSA-TUNDRA-TIRE.html
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