Activity Stream

Activity Stream



  1. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Classic IV Restoration   

    I haven't been doing much over the later part of the summer.  I've just been too damn busy.  I did instal the new gear legs yesterday due to the sale of the old one.  Here's a shot of the plane sitting in the paint booth now.  
     
    It's 60" from the ground to the spinner...

    • 0


  2. akflyer added a post in a topic Phat Tires   

    Hmmm, my buddy Sid has some 30" air streaks we had on the 12... I have dual spacers for my Matcos already... Hmmmm.... Phat tire fly off soon?? I'm sure the floats will be coming off next hitch in and I will be on wheels till we get some good snow. That will give me the push I need to mount the new master cylinders too.


    • 0


  3. akflyer added a post in a topic Weighing Bondo?   

    If I remember right, the light bondo sands and shapes a lot easier than the regular. When I was doing my wing it had some dents n dings in the aluminum leading eadge. I used the kitty hair bondo so it had a little strength to it also. I used the light bondo to form the fairings for my nav lights on the wing tips after building most of it up with the kitty hair bondo.
    • 0


  4. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Weighing Bondo?   

    Man I can't wait to retire where the most pressing thing on my plate for the day is weighing bondo........Thanks for making me laugh Ed as I sit here at a desk in front of THREE computer monitors.
    • 0


  5. C5Engineer added a post in a topic New member looking at a Avid Model B   

    Here is the plane he's looking at.
     
    $12,500 • WAY BELOW MARKET • LSA -N-numbered -tricyle gear - rotax 582 g/h - 65 hrs on engine - hydraulic brakes - cockpit cover- i fly 700 gps- intercom - vertex handheld radio -Tiny Tach - MicroTim (electronic altimeter) - gas totalizer - two new mains tires and tubes -with one spare - elt - new 15 ah gell cell battrey - annual good till 3/14 - runs and flys great at 80 mph at max gross - forced to sell due to medical isssues .
     


     
     
    Looks like a decent little plane. It appears they went with a belly radiator only and got rid of the side radiator that they had orginally. I'll be hitting you up for some pictures if you buy it. I want to do the same thing. I'd also like to know how they set up that red knob in the middle of the panel. I'm assuming that is for pitch trim. I've seen that knob before and I know it's a spring tensioner set up but that's all I know about it. The tiny tach and fuel flow computer are good additions that many of us haved added. It also looks like the brake pedals were modified and it has hydraulic brakes. The B model originally had mechanical drum go kart brakes that were worthless. It's got an Ivo prop which runs really smooth and is super simple to ground adjust to change the pitch settings. It looks like it only has a wing tank in one wing. The B model orginally had a tank behind the instrument panel. I can't tell from the pics if this one has one. It's probably a 14 gallon tank in the wing, which will give you a 2 hour range with a healthy reserve.  I'm using a hand held mounted in the same place on my plane and it works just fine with an external antenna. I run it through a PTT and Pilot USA 2 place intercom system. My entire radio and intercom system was about $300. One thing to make sure of is that it is the STOL(Undercambered Wing) and not the Speed Wing. I'd say if it's sound mechanically,the fabric is good, and it's the STOL wing you'd have yourself a decent little bird there for that price.
     
    My B model has the 7/8" struts and the Heavy Hauler Wing and it has a GW of 1085 on the data plate. No where on any of the FAA paperwork is a gross weight number published. It was simply a number that the engineers came up and the manufactures followed for liablilty reasons. If it'll take off and safely fly at 1300lbs there's nothing that says you can't do that. Probably not a smart idea.....But the gross weights are not set in stone like on a certified. Let us know if you have any other questions to ask.
    • 0


  6. EDMO added a post in a topic New member looking at a Avid Model B   

    Jim, What do you know about the struts on the B and C models? I know that when Kitfox went from 950 on the model 2, to 1050 on model 3, they changed the struts from 3/4 to 7/8 for the same spars, although they probably didn't have to.EDMO
    P.S. I believe Leni has stated that the FAA does not put a Gross Weight on AB planes?
    I don't know anything about that.
    • 0


  7. EDMO added a topic in Technical tasks   

    Weighing Bondo?
    Maybe I aint too very smart, but I didn't just fall off of the turnip truck - So somebody explain this to me:
    I ran out of "Lightweight" Bondo, and needed a little bit to finish my leading edge, so I went to Wally World and looked for a can. They were out of the "Light" and only had the regular, so I bought a can, figuring with the little amount I was going to use that weight would not matter.
    Upon returning home, I compared the weights listed on the different cans - And they were exactly the same!
    The cans also had the same amount in them originally.
    Somebody tell me how, if you put 1 pound of "Lightweight" Bondo on one side of a balance scale, and 1 pound of regular Bondo on the other side, that the "Lightweight" pound is going to be lighter?
    Maybe Bondo is just full of HOT AIR?
    EDMO
    • 6 replies
    • 1,060 views


  8. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic New member looking at a Avid Model B   

    I think lots of guys have flown their B models at heavier than 911 lb.  John Miller who is on the "other" Avid site has 4000 hrs on his B avid and flys it at 1050.  The wing and fuselage was tested to 5.7 Gs with no problem or deformation by the factory.  To change the weight legally, you need to put the plane back into phase 1 and fly it and test it at the higher gross weight.  Should get FAA aproval for it first.  Call you local FSDO and talk to them. Jim Chuk Just punched some numbers into the calculator, and 4.9 Gs at 1050 lbs would be just a little less load than the factory put on their wing shown in the picture.  911 X 5.7 = 5192    1050 X 4.9 = 5145 

    • 0


  9. DirtRiderDave added a post in a topic Phat Tires   

    Thanks to SuberAvid posting those pics, I had to bite the bullet and buy the 26" Airstreaks. I hope to get my bird looking that good someday soon!
    • 0


  10. wfletch added a post in a topic New member looking at a Avid Model B   

    Thanks for info on trailers, if I go full-timing I'm sure I will go with a enclosed trailer.
     
    Wayne
    • 0


  11. wfletch added a post in a topic New member looking at a Avid Model B   

    The Avid model B I'm looking at is on tri-gear now and taildragger main gear with it.
    Yes I have gone fast and now want to go slow and have fun. 
    All airplanes are fun- just different
    Can somebody tell the gross weight can be increased from 911 to 1050?
     
    Wayne
    • 0


  12. SuberAvid added a post in a topic New member looking at a Avid Model B   

    Welcome to the Forum Wayne.  I always get a kick out of guys who are commercial or military pilots who "discover" the joys of flying the Avid/Kitfox planes.  They are completely on the other end of the spectrum from the go fast - airport to airport planes, but for recreational fun, when it is more about enjoying the flying than jus getting there; you can't beat these planes!  They are a blast to fly low and slow and a great off airport platform, plus very cheap to own and operate in comparison to most certified planes.  As you state, being able to trailer them is a great advantage that even most of the owners don't utilize on a regular basis.  I would love to do what you are considering with your RV and trailering the airplane.  I have trailered mine a few times for some long distances and it worked fine, but be sure to set up the trailer well to support and carry the plane; typically they are loaded tail first with a ramp to elevate the tail so they are almost wings level.  A purpose built trailer with built in ramps, tie down points and tire straps, a boat winch, etc. will make it most convenient.  Be sure to use the factory wing supports for the folded wings and lock your control surfaces with padded sandwiched 1x's.  My big problems were keeping all the padding in place .  The other thing is keeping water (rain and spray) out of the plane with the wings folded since the turtle deck is removed.  I fabricated a cover to fit in place and it worked pretty well but would want to design something faster and easier for a regular use situation.  Best of all would be to build an enclosed trailer but it would need to be custom built because the width of the plane is just over 8' with the wings folded.  You could get it in within the 8'6" standard width limit if you designed it real well with thin walls but pad them well so you don't get hangar rash.  If you think about all these things while you are building or setting up a trailer you should have a blast touring around the country and seeing it from the air wherever you decide to stop.
    • 0


  13. EDMO added a post in a topic New member looking at a Avid Model B   

    Wayne,
    What kind of tri-gear plane are you looking at?
    Your writing is fine - just need more details - Keep it coming.
    EDMO
    • 0


  14. SuberAvid added a post in a topic Happy Birthday to Leni and Mark   

    Happy Birthday you guys (sorry I am late on this).  Best wishes for another year of fun, families, and flying.
    • 0


  15. wfletch added a post in a topic New member looking at a Avid Model B   

    I would like to thank everyone who commented on my request for info on the Model B Avid. I'm going to look at a tricycle gear airplane tomorrow. I am considering it because we  travel alot in our motorhome and I miss the flying. I think this airplane might be a good starter airplane, I might switch to a bigger Kitfox or Highlander in the future. 
    The airplane I'm looking at is listed on Barnstormers now.
    I have a very open mind about the whole idea and looking for advice.
    I live on an airpark in AZ. now, but am considering  RVing fulltime. I am a CFI and retired Corporate pilot.
    Sorry if it sounds like I'm rambling, I'm not much of a writer.
     
    Thanks again,
    Wayne
    • 0


  16. EDMO added a post in a topic replacement wing tanks!   

    I have heard bad things about Kreem - Lots better things about Caswell - and one builder on here said he opened up his tanks and brushed on a coat of vinylester epoxy. If I have a leak, I will fix it before flying with it - if that takes new tanks, we'll mortgage the farm, or do something else.
    EDMO
    • 0


  17. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic replacement wing tanks!   

    My tanks are the "old" resin.  They were "kreem" coated from the factory.  I am absolutely neurotic about not allowing ethanol contamination into the tanks because I know it could kill me.  Period.  Yes, that serious.  I scope the tanks several times a year to check the Kreem condition.  The first time I see anything come loose, the wings get opened up and the tanks replaced.  Period.  End of story.
     
    I will be putting new Kitfox tanks in the Mangy project because I don't trust internal coatings.  Any flaw in the coating will allow the ethanol behind and bang it's done.  A purpose designed tank coating (like Kreem) is meant to flow while liquid.  I don't see how you will get full coverage inside the tank trying to coat it with epoxy.
     
    If you're going to run 100LL only, no worries.  If you are planning on any mo-gas, I personally wouldn't even consider installing old tanks in a new build.
     
    IMO, building a plane is not the place to cut corners to save a few bucks.  Especially in the relm of safety.
    • 0


  18. EDMO added a post in a topic replacement wing tanks!   

    Yes, and I have 5 of the old 12 gallon FG tanks for 2 planes!
    I can either find real-mogas, or $6 100LL and use TCP to get the lead out.
    I wonder if you need to sand or blast the inside of the old tanks to coat them with the vinylester epoxy to make them "moonshine resistant"?
    EDMO
    • 0


  19. EDMO added a post in a topic Avid A wings on a KF 3???   

    That's a big difference Jim - As best that I know, there is a difference in the crossover tubes that affects Gross Weight, along with struts and longerons - Just look at the Kitfox 1,2,3, and early 4, with the different gross weights and the same spars.Since he has the Kitfox 3 fuselage and the 1050 weight was for that with the 7/8 struts, then the Avid wings would probably be OK, but he would have a slightly higher wing loading - I could figure that out, but it would not be too much difference. This would actually give him MORE safety factor in rough air.
    I cant verify this, but someone posted that Dean Wilson flew the Avid at 1500 GW, but didn't say which model. I know the KF 3 struts were tested to 15 G's before a rod end failed - that would be about 15 THOUSAND POUNDS, more or less. I would think that the 3/4 struts would be OK for the 1050 GW - They would probably test out at 10,000 lbs, or so?
    Most everything built is designed with a 150% safety factor - just something to consider.
    EDMO
    P.S. Just for curiosity, I did the wing loadings:
    Kitfox wings = 32 ft. span x 4.25 chord = 136 sq.ft at 1050 lbs. = 7.7 lbs/sq.ft.
    Avid wings = 29 ft. span x 4.25 chord = 123.25 sf at 1050 lbs. = 8.5 lbs/sf
    of course these loadings are not constant across the wing - about 3/4 of the total lift is between the fuselage and the strut attachments.
    ED
    • 0


  20. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic replacement wing tanks!   

    Large roto-molded polyethylene tanks are EXPENSIVE to tool and produce.  They do not have the needed structural stability for the wing bay that they occupy, serving as drag-antidrag support for the wing root.
     
    FIberglass is strong, light, functional and CHEAP to produce.  Until the government mandated food be used as fuel, they were just fine.  This ethanol contaminated fuel began destroying the resins used in the earlier tanks, causing the problem.
     
    The new resins used by Kitfox and Airdale (the same tank manufacturer, BTW) are "resistant" to ethanol contamination erosion.  The Lawyers prevent them from being "proof" to ethanol.
    • 0


  21. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Avid A wings on a KF 3???   

    Just a heads up, the gross weight of an Avid A was around 760 lbs. The B was listed at 911 lb.   Not sure if the wings were the limiting factor on that though.  The strut attachments are different from the Kitfox to the Avid as well.  Jim
    • 0


  22. EDMO added a post in a topic replacement wing tanks!   

    I figured it was just poor design - Denny or Skystar should have gone with the plastic before selling thousands with fg tanks - Kitfox invested in plastic header tanks - why not wing tanks too?EDMO
    • 0


  23. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic replacement wing tanks!   

    Ed, Piper wings don't flex and move like the Avid/Kitfox wings are designed to do. That is why metal tanks crack in this application.

    Avid and Kitfox both tried metal tanks and failed. If they worked, don't you think that more people would be using them in the 30+ year history of the design?
    • 0


  24. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Happy Birthday to Leni and Mark   

    Another excuse for a TWO-DAY drunk fest!

    Whoo-Hooo!!
    • 0


  25. EDMO added a post in a topic replacement wing tanks!   

    Yes - guess I should have Piper make them - Or the welder that the FAA goes to here to build and fix their tanks both on planes and those terrible vibrating ugly noisy things! And buy some Caswell?EDMO
    • 0