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Activity Stream



  1. EDMO added a post in a topic Down Drafts & Micro Bursts   

    There are some good glider pilot's books available that will help you study the terrain and weather conditions - you just asked about the worst surprise for a pilot - these have caused large jet passenger planes to crash. Hopefully, none of us will fly into or try to outclimb a thunderstorm, but you cant see the wind all of the time.
    I watched an NTSB film taken from a helicopter that was flying close to an INVISABLE TORNADOE - You couldn't see any sign of it except the trees and grass below being blown around in a circle.
    EDMO
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  2. EDMO added a post in a topic More power than a 582   

    Leni, there was a guy near Nikiski, that made a complete Hi-Vo chain redrive for David Goode - David had it on a boat, before he got his Airdale. If you could locate him, or if I can find his name and address, I'm sure you would have no problem getting him to make an adapter for you, if he is still in business.
    He even shared his drawings with me at no charge.
    I will look for his info.
    EDMO
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  3. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic More power than a 582   

    This will be argued, but the best bang for the buck is still a 912.

    It's supported, economical, reliable, powerful, light, and most of all, light.


    Personally, I've never seen a successful 670 install that was worth the headaches.
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  4. akflyer added a post in a topic Fly In Fishing Alaska   

    There are several areas you can land along the Kustatan river that offer GREAT fishing for silvers.  Get good on the gravel bars and depending on water levels, there are a few bars on Lake Creek that you can land.  Kings should be in there right now, but make sure the area is open!  I think its fly fishing only but I could be wrong, check the regs!  I have a blast fishing Lake Creek with a 5 weight catching everything from Grayling to kings and all species in between.
     
    Most of my fly in fishing spots are for floats... Get those bad boys mounted up, just watch the fiberglass floats on the river rocks !!  I would be more prone to keeping those in the lakes..
     
    Randy can tell you better some of the areas up in the Valley, most of my spots are West of there, but the illiamna area offers mind blowing fishing, it just takes our slow planes a little while to get there!
     

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  5. lv2plyguitar added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Fly In Fishing Alaska
    Leni, Randy, Anybody.
     
    No that I added the cargo pod to my plane, it is anxious to have something in it.  Where are the best fly in salmon fishing areas?
     
    Thanks
    • 9 replies
    • 941 views


  6. akflyer added a post in a topic More power than a 582   

    I am still working on a fuel injected 2 stroke, but the machinist I had working on the adapter plate figured out what I was doing and he dropped the project like a hot rock.. I am looking for another machinist to make the adapter plate for my "airboat" project now.
     
    I am not sure if you could make a shorter mount for the 912 to minimize the nose weight.  You could take the lead out of the tail and put the battery back there too so your not adding dead weight to the plane.
     
    I was told the 670 was spose to be better on the fuel burn than the 582 because it was just kind of "loafing" along and not really working hard.
     
    I really hope to get my project working soon, but it seems to take alot longer to develope than originally thought.
     

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  7. akflyer added a post in a topic Down Drafts & Micro Bursts   

    that is the killer on micro bursts Jeff.. One minute your flying along in clear blue skys, not a breath of wind, the world is a perfect place to be, then wham.. your getting slammed down against the shoulder harness and the VSI is pegged out going the wrong direction.. We are not "spose" to have them up here, but I have hit them more than once!  At that point your just praying you can get to the edge of it before you hit the ground.  Think water fall effect.  It will go straight down in the center to the ground, but on the edges it will be shooting back up like the mist clouds on a good water fall.  The ones I hit I could not outclimb them, full power, nose pointed at the sky and still dropping at 2000+ FPM.  drop the nose and just try to find the edge is all I can say..
     
    The down drafts can be a bit easier to predict if your flying in the mountains.  If your in a pass and the wind is coming across the mountain tops say left to right, your going to want to stay towards the right side of the pass as you will have a down draft on the left side with the winds coming over the top and dropping over the ridge, across the valley floor and probably an updaft on the far side.
     
    There can be quite a bit of thermal activity over the hay fields etc in the plamer / wasilla area.  We use them ALOT to fly the model gliders etc.  Early in the morning, and later in the evening it is normally calm, but during the heat of the day, there can be some serious thermal activity in the area.  Nothing to worry about really, but it can get a bit bumpy with our light planes.
     

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  8. herman pahls added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    More power than a 582
    I need more engine than the 582 offers for my model 2 now that I am dragging 29" Airstreaks around.
    I have already added 9 pounds of lead to the tail so 912 or Subaru will probably not be options.
    I tried the 80 HP Jabiru with mixed results but have heard the 85 HP Jabiru is significantly better.
    I have not heard much about the Rotax 670 lately.
    Have the 670's been working out?
    I heard they are very thirsty.
    Seems like Leni was working on a 2 stroke option.
    Thanks Herman
    • 40 replies
    • 10,161 views


  9. avidchh added a post in a topic HOME DEPOT PROJECT AIRPLANE - U TUBE   

    6000 gross / 10 usefull without fuel. Limited to taxi in the driveway only.
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  10. EDMO added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    HOME DEPOT PROJECT AIRPLANE - U TUBE
    My J3 Buddy called me and said to find this on the internet.
    Crude construction, and looks heavy - but sooo interesting and inventive construction - like the electric box for the stick gimbal. The single spar looks like it will not prevent wing warp, no matter how many stringers he adds to it.
    Betting it weights too much to fly, but worth looking at.
    EDMO
    • 4 replies
    • 1,101 views


  11. lv2plyguitar added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Down Drafts & Micro Bursts
    Leni, Randy,
     
    Is there anyway to forsee a down draft or micro burst before flying into it.  When are weather conditions most likely to produce such conditions?   Your experience with the semi is something I never want to encounter.
    • 4 replies
    • 634 views


  12. lv2plyguitar added a post in a topic Prop Problems   

    If the engine is running normal at all levels it sounds to me like some characteristics with the airflow over the wing.  Like Leni indicated something with the air.  I found out the other day that even an AVID flying slightly above and in front of my AVID can be catastrophic to lift.
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  13. herman pahls added a post in a topic Tailwheel   

    Regarding landing these little Avids and KF's.
    I learned to fly in T- craft and Champs 36 years ago and thought I was a real tail dragger pilot.
    18 years ago I flew my Model 2 Kitfox for the first time, having flown a Champ the day before and almost lost it.
    These airplanes are to be respected since they react quickly to control inputs.
    I have never flown a Pitts, but I am sure they would be another step above in control management.

    I now land much differently than I did in the past when trying to land as short as possible.
    I always wondered why on the extreme backcountry videos why the pilots were doing wheel landings which normally have higher approach speeds.
    I have learned that what looks like a wheel landing is really a modified full stall 3 point landing approach, that as soon as the mains touch you get on the brakes and elevator as needed and the tail wheel never touch's till you are stopped.
    Using this technique I have found that for the first time in all these years and hundreds of hours that I can land my Kitfox shorter than I can take off.
    It does not help that everything I have done to land in short rough strips has added weight but huge amounts of confidence.

    I still use the original Model 2 bungee gear with no issues so far and have considered the after market gears for better Angle of Attack.
    This thread has cautioned me to reconsider because of the mentioned failures.
    I always thought the Grove gear was too heavy to consider so I would like some input from this forum.
    Ed; would you please call me regarding your Grove.
    Thanks Herman Pahls Oregon cell 541-404-6464
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  14. BryceKat added a post in a topic Jeffs AVID Video Knik River Gravel Bar   

    Knick Ass! Way to go Jeff !
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  15. BryceKat added a post in a topic Knik River Gravel Bar Landings   

    Very Cool! Figuratively and literally! Bryce
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  16. lv2plyguitar added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    AVID Flyer Gas Caps
    My gas cap project turned out so nice I wanted to post it in the general box.   Zero fuel on the wings.  I ordered the caps from Aircraft spruce and they are bonded and screwed to the fiberglass tank.  The ram air was added because they are unvented.  I tapped and dyed the hole and tube.  Screwed it in with resin on the threads.  My gas necks were inboard next to the lexan.  That was a disaster so I moved them outboard where they should be.



    • 1 reply
    • 485 views


  17. lv2plyguitar added a post in a topic Picture of New Gas Caps & Installed Org. AVID Cargo Pod   

    Go to aircraft spruce and type in part # 05-01390.  simple install.  Drill hole.  Remove aircraft covering down to fiberglass about an inch or two around hole.  Apply resin to lip of filler neck and resin and screw to the tank.  Then cloth and resin over the neck lip and then apply covering.  You must use the fuel proof resin available at CAC plastics.  Forgot to add that I tapped and dyes the cap for the ram air.  Apply resin to threads to get a good seal.  Used the alumimum weld stick with a propane bottle to weld 1/4 inch hose inside of 3/8.  The 3/8 gave me more material to put threads on to screw it into the top of cap. 
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  18. akflyer added a post in a topic Picture of New Gas Caps & Installed Org. AVID Cargo Pod   

    Jeff,
     
    I am digging those gas caps!  Did you take any pictures of the install?  Can you post the link to the place you got them and the cap itself again?
     
    Thanks
     

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  19. lv2plyguitar added a topic in Avid fox flyers pics and vids   

    Picture of New Gas Caps & Installed Org. AVID Cargo Pod
    I moved my gas caps from inboard to outboard on the fuel tanks and replaced all the lexan.  What a mess having the fill necks next to the lexan.
    Not a drop of gas is on the wings even after 30 to 50 degree turns.
     
     
    Also installed the original AVID made cargo pod manufactured in the early 90's.




    • 2 replies
    • 781 views


  20. akflyer added a post in a topic Jeffs AVID Video Knik River Gravel Bar   

    Sweet! 
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  21. akflyer added a post in a topic Flaperon mount bracket angles   

    Jack, when I did mine on the first wing I used the book measurements and angles and of course, ended up with a binding flaperon.  So I filled in the holes, bolted the flaperon to the wing and used it as my guide for smooth operation just as you are describing.  I would run with it and not worry about it as long as it works without binding or any "caming" over action
     

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  22. jackak added a topic in Technical tasks   

    Flaperon mount bracket angles
    Anyone here who remounted their flaperons after replacing the ends of their long ribs actually end up with the bracket being at 50 degrees to the top of the rib?
     
    When I mounted mine, after getting the flaperon staight, not binding, and reasonable lined with the trailing edge of the wing, the bracket to ribb angle varied from about 54 deg. at the butt, to about 45 deg. at the tip.
    Anone have any experience with this?  See any problem?  With the twist in the wings, I don't see anyway you wouldn't end up with different angles. 
     
    It appears that the hole drilled at the end of the rib extension is the only fairly cosistant placement for the bracket, after that you move them around to get the flaperon straight and moving smoothly.  Am I missing anything?  I'd appreciate your input and results of your alignment when flying your Avid.
     
    Thanks,
     
    Jackak
    • 4 replies
    • 977 views


  23. lv2plyguitar added a topic in Avid fox flyers pics and vids   

    Knik River In-Flight Video
    Randy buzzing my plane over beautiful Knik River Alaska.  What a testimony of Gods mercy and beauty.
     

     
     
    • 0 replies
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  24. lv2plyguitar added a topic in Avid fox flyers pics and vids   

    Jeffs AVID Video Knik River Gravel Bar
    Sorry for the focus.  Need a new camera.  Had lots of fun trying.
     
     

     
    • 2 replies
    • 869 views


  25. akflyer added a post in a topic Knik River Gravel Bar Landings   

    Nice!  That subie sounds pretty darn good! 
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