Activity Stream
Activity Stream
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6320012s added a post in a topic Lousy ending to a great day
Regarding the seatbelt. I had a 4 point harness, but still banged my head a bit. As I am pondering the chain of events though, I am more seriously thinking the flip may have been the result of a chain of events that started with the right side gear clamp coming loose. The gear clamp was nowhere to be found, and the threads on the bolt were stripped off. Also broken was the brake line. What I have no explanation for is the fact that the swivel end of my rubber brake line was broken off as was the brass adapter that was screwed into the gear. In short, the brake line broke in two places with the adapter part missing. If the gear clamp came loose earlier and the brake line was compromised, application of the brakes would have caused me to veer off the runway. As I think of it, that may be why the left tire is black as if it had been scrubbing against the gravel, and the right is just dusty. Anyway, anybody with Grove Gear might want to check the condition of those bolts on occasion. Could be mine were over torqued. When I dig out the bolts I'll post a picture.
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ZippyB added a post in a topic Lousy ending to a great day
If you do install a new static port, I'd install a three way valve in the static line while you check out your new port. Then you can switch back and forth between the cabin and the new port.
When I bought my Model IV, there was a static port installed on the boot cowl, but it wasn't hooked up. Not long thereafter, while I had the boot cowl off, I checked that the port was clear, then reattached the static line. On my next takeoff, I was fat, dumb and happy a few hundred feet in the air as I cleared the end of the runway. When I pulled my eyes back in the cockpit for a quick instrument scan I nearly laid a brick - the VSI showed several hundred feet per minute DOWN.
After a few seconds of confusion laced with a pinch of terror, I realized what the problem was. If the VSI was that much in error, so was the altimeter, and to a lesser extent, the airspeed. But I couldn't reach the static line to pull it off the outside port. So there I was in a plane I wasn't very familar with at an airport I also wasn't very familar with. Boy, was I happy to get back on the ground that day.
After that, I made a proper, if clunkly, hemisperical-nosed static probe and clamped it to the strut bracing. Using a three way valve to switch between the probe and an open tube under the panel, I decided there wasn't just much difference between the two. (I didn't try that with the door open.)
I've since removed the test probe, but am still considering permanently installing a hemispherical-nosed pitot-static probe. Figuring out how to mount it and drilling another hole in the rear spar (for the static line) slow me down, though.
Anybody else have an installed a pitot-static probe?
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Mendlerr added a post in a topic Newish NooB
Just a couple miles up the road the elevation peaks at 5,945ft. We have very rocky terrain like you guys out west and weather like Alaska. We just have more foliage. Our winters here in western NC are similar to mid to lower Minnesota. Extreme snowfall.
The closest place that resembles here is The Scottish highlands or Munich Germany. We have some small private strips with absolutely gnarly approaches, 32AV being near the top of that list. No mistakes can be made because you can't climb back out.
I am 582 powered.
6a4 is an awesome airport full of mostly home builds and the manager is an awesome guy with a lot of building experience. I would love to have a kitfox/avid fly in here sometime
This is truly an awesome place to visit, the scenery is aww inspiring and there is a brewery everywhere you turn. Haha good times
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Mendlerr added a post in a topic Tires
Will the 8" atv wheels fit the grove gear ? I have a pair of 8" wheels mounted to the original bungee gear in my basement.
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C5Engineer added a post in a topic Tires
I would venture to bet you'd be able to feel every crack in the pavement with those things not to mention the weight penalty. They definately would not be very forgiving. My Avid orignally had 8.00X6 Carlisle Turf tires with tubes. They are $59 a piece on Fleabay and on lots of other sites as well. I made my first few hundred off airport landings with them.
Here they are next to the 21" Nanco's.
First ever off airport landing with 12 hours under my belt in the Avid and 22 in a taildragger.
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lv2plyguitar added a post in a topic Testing Sources
As a new pilot that is one of my fears when in turbulance is the structure of the aircraft. I am not so worried about being tossed around but I do worry about structural failure because I am new to the amatuer built field.
Thanks for your comments thus far. Any written tests or video would be great if someone could direct me to them via a link.
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C5Engineer added a post in a topic I'm not worthy
I sent you a PM Paul
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C5Engineer added a post in a topic Newish NooB
Your not far from Brycekat. Sounds like you have a nice place to fly. I guess I didn't realize there was anywhere above 4000ft on the East Coast. Is your bird 912 powered?
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C5Engineer added a post in a topic Testing Sources
Avid and Kitfox did the sandbag test back in the day. I saw pictures of it at one point in time. As you saw on TKF there is not vertical load on those pins during flight.
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C5Engineer added a post in a topic Prop Problems
Because I would go the cheapest route possible and get the Dynon D-1 which only does GPS groundspeed.
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Mendlerr added a post in a topic Tires
I know and I hate the weight penalty but I really need the larger tires and he was going to let me take me for $225. They are certified too!
I would really like 21's but I don't know where everyone is buying them for $200. The best I have found is through desser for $350 tires and tubes
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EDMO added a post in a topic Tires
the only two things I know about 6 ply, is that they are a little heavier, and the book calls for more air pressure than the 4 ply - don't really understand that, but stiffer and heavier is not good for light birds, IMO. You can fly with most anything - 8.50 would work, just a LOT bigger and heavier!EDMO
Unless they are too cheap to resist - like free - Why not spend $100 each for the 21 inch lighter tires?
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EDMO added a post in a topic Lousy ending to a great day
Always sorry to see a good plane all wrinkled, but you walked away OK, and that's what is important - Just one more reason for me to build with Grove gear and nosewheel - but I'm getting to old to fight with TD anymore.EDMO
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Mendlerr added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar
TiresA fellow at the airport has an almost new set of 800x6 6 ply tires. They are condors and have new tubes. They came off his Cessna Skyhawk XP 210hp.
Is 6 ply too much for my lil ole kitfox? I could use the bigger tires, my prop clearance is only 4 inches!
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Mendlerr added a post in a topic Removing 582 oil injection
I just did this. Lockwood Aero will sell you a kit for $14 bucks if you call and ask. Has been working for me so far
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EDMO added a post in a topic Testing Sources
You might be surprised to find out that the 1700 GW Magnum uses the same 1/4 inch strut bolts as the early 850 GW...I was! Guess some engineering type could look up the shear strength of that bolt, and determine that it could hold the weight of a tank!!!!
The 7/8 diameter Kitfox struts were tested to 15G or about 15,000 lbs before a rod-end failed - the spars were not included in the test, being replaced by steel pipes. I posted a copy of the test long ago.
EDMO
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EDMO added a post in a topic Parting out my Avid AF-1
I MIGHT BE interested in the trailer - Where are you located?
EDMO
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Mendlerr added a post in a topic CPS has a new updated site
The new website is awesome
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Mendlerr added a post in a topic Testing Sources
typically the aircraft manufacturer will take the wing, put it in a suspended jig and simply place sandbags or other weights on top until failure. They typically build in a 150% safety factor. In fact I think that is required by law.
So to be rated for +6 g's the wing must have held 9 times its weight or +9G's and then they derate it to 6G's.
Atleast that is how I have always seen it done. I would assume Avid did that when they designed the aircraft but who knows. Not this guy.
Not gonna lie, steep turns scare me a little when you pull the G's in. I don't trust the wing pins, but thats just me
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Mendlerr added a post in a topic UNDERCAMBERED RIB MODIFICATIONS
Allanseye. A new member here just purchased an Avid, a very early model. He came and looked at my Kitfox IV before he purchased his. The builder did something very interesting. He did not reduce the undercamber but instead covered the entire top of the wing in a very very thin sheet of aluminum then wrapped it all in fabric. Apparently his Avid is cruising at 85-90mph which rivals my Kitfox IV. The entire top of the wing is completely smooth. He may have stumbled on something here
Just thought I would share, thought it was very interesting
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FoxDB added a post in a topic UNDERCAMBERED RIB MODIFICATIONS
I am interested in this rib mod. Have you made much progress?
Dave
Mod 1 Kitfox
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Mendlerr added a post in a topic Lousy ending to a great day
I used to build race chassis in small import cars, still kind of do.. I can tell you from personal experience on the track that no 3 point belt will save your life in a car, let alone an airplane.
We build to 5 pt minimum, but nowadays I typically install a 6 or 8pt harness. Submarining under the belt is a huge cause of avoidable death on the track and on the street.
My kitfox has good 4 pt harnesses but I've been thinking about adding the sub belt just for peace of mind.
Another thing to consider, GOOD harnesses are desgined to stretch about 2" on impact, CHEAP harness will not do this. This in turn snaps your collarbones. Ask me how I know. Took 2 years to recover from a buddy wrapping his Factory Five AC Cobra into the wall at Virginia International Raceway while I was riding shotgun, broke my left collarbone pretty badly
Glad your okay
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Mendlerr added a topic in Introduce yourself
Newish NooBHey all, I've been on here for awhile but realized I had never checked in.
Richard Mendler
Banner Elk, North Carolina.
Home Elev. 4,452ft MSL
1994 Kitfox Model IV-1200
Tail # N94JE
HomeBase 6A4
Johnson County, TN
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Mendlerr added a post in a topic Prop Problems
Why just an airspeed indicator? I'm planning on keeping a ball, airspeed, altitude and vsi just as a redundancy for ipad failure. I considered just leaving everything off except for the airspeed but I rethought that decision.
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Mendlerr added a post in a topic Prop Problems
Its just an iPad 2 with Xavion and ForeFlight Pro. Nothing too special. The parts will be here Thursday, they were only $50 through aircraft spruce. I just spent 7 hours stripping the kitfox of everything non-essential on the panel, probably removed 14lbs so far plus all the stuff under the cowling I've taken out.. I also got a lightly used set of 800x6 Condor tires that I'm going to put on the Fox this weekend.
Once it's all done next week I'm going to redo the weight and balance and then watch it sit in the hangar some more, got no time to fly anymore.
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