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Activity Stream



  1. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   

    Thanks for the answers!

    I am now the proud owner of a 1994 Kitfox IV-1200 powered by a 582 Rotax with Injection (100:1 so premixing still necessary).

    Flies awesome, climbs awesome and slips like a Banshee. The first flight yesterday was the most fun I have had in awhile.

    Funner then my buddies Citabria or his J3. The STOL capabilities with two pilots is actually the best I have flown so far.

    We throttled up on the numbers and were way off the ground by the touchdown markers with a slight tailwind.

    I got all the logs for everything and they are incredibly comprehensive, nothing has been left out.

    The engine is original and has been rebuilt every 300 hours by the manufacturer with no issues.
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  2. dholly added a post in a topic Making new Conform Foam seats   

    Joey - Like you, I figure anything will be better than my old cushions! What firmness and thickness did you use? The following is copied from one of the links in the original post:



    Introduction: Glider flights may require the pilot to sit for many hours in a cramped cockpit that allows little movement. Experiments were undertaken to evaluate the performance of different seat cushions in a glider simulator. Methods: Subjects were male glider pilots with a maximum height of 1.85 m (6.07 ft) who participated in simulated glider flights lasting 1.5 h. A pressure-mapping device was used to determine cushion performance. By analyzing 15 subjects we calculated the pressure threshold for comfort, above which fidgeting provided objective evidence of discomfort. To determine cushion performance relative to that threshold, 20 other pilots then sat on 5 different viscoelastic foam cushions in the simulator. Results: The time-averaged peak pressure below which no discomfort-induced fidgeting occurred was 8.8 kPa (1.28 psi). The highest peak pressure at which discomfort could be relieved by fidgeting was 11.0 kPa (1.6 psi). Of the five cushions tested, pressure remained below the discomfort threshold for almost all subjects for only one type of cushion. Discussion: The best-performing cushion had a layered structure made up of approximately 25 mm of Confor C47 (green) foam with an overlay of approximately 13 mm of Confor C45 (blue foam). The other types of energy-absorbing cushions tested, either with or without a softer top layer, are unlikely to provide comfortable seating solutions for most pilots. We conclude that satisfactory cushions are available for this application and that they can be objectively evaluated using this technique.

    After I read that the green (firm) Conform foam is really hard in cool Wx, I changed my layers for what I hope will be a more appropriate and comfortable mix here in the northeast. Mostly what I really want though is the extremely high energy-absorption characteristics to help protect my ass (back, really) from a hard landing. When you move beyond the comfort studies, energy impact studies have shown Conform Foam dramatically reduces the likelihood of back injury if used in adequate thicknesses. At 2" thick, in the firmness layering I used, it is not quite optimum for my weight. Never the less, these cushions will offer significantly better safety characteristics than I had so $50 well spent IMHO!
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  3. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Dean Wilson's latest creation   



    Is this Mr. Roy? Your attachment didn't work. Email me at kc135joey at hotmail dot com and I can post them for you. I have heard about that plane and I am curious to see the wing.
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  4. 6320012s added a post in a topic Orange AVID Actually Flys   

    Great feeling to see it fly!! Enjoy!!!!
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  5. Emory Bored added a post in a topic my new power plant   

    I just love the way this outfit operates. Over on BCP as you know Leni some of these guys are paying $15,000 for propellors, What in the heck do a pair of 36" AKbushwheels cost? The whole maryann I mean, like with double puck Clevelands and new wheels? Or how about $30,000 to put IO-520 cylinders on your O-470. Sheesh, you add all that up and pretty soon you're talking about real money!

    I don't think you'll have any problem getting #450 prop yank out of 140hp. I've seen number just under #500 for a Continental O-200 with a warp drive.


    Looking forward to seeing this thing go

    Dan
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  6. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Buuilding wings for model 2   

    I have a set, but I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them. Thinking maybe when I rebuild the wings I would sell them togeather. Might let them go sooner though? Take care, Jim Chuk


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  7. Logtrucker added a post in a topic Dean Wilson's latest creation   

    Nice pictures of Dean's sail boat Joey, and you probably know about his very latest. He had the 40 horse cont. from his first airplane (T. Craft) overhauled and started building an airplane to fit it. Started cutting tubing 1/25/12 Here's some of the progress pics. --If I can figure out how to do it.
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  8. JustNorm added a post in a topic Mecury Power Tune   



    I think Rotax says to decarbon every 150 hrs. It really depends on the amount of running you do in a short time and type of oil used. Sounds like the Mercury power tune is a nice alternative.
    Norm
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  9. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Making new Conform Foam seats   

    Very nice Doug! I redid the pilots half of my sling seat with two layers of the Conform foam. Just glued it to the old yellow stuff and sewed it back up. Made a night and day difference from the 20 year old coach cushion foam was in there. Figured the weight penalty wasn't worth doing the entire seat since I rarely fly with a passenger and when I do it's not for very long. The only negative I've had with it is when it's cold that foam is hard as a rock until it takes the shape of your butt.
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  10. C5Engineer added a post in a topic C Drive Gear Oil   

    I'm running Royal Purple 85-140 as well. It's a bit spendy but you can do two changes with with one quart...that's 200 hrs of flying. No reason to run cheap stuff in something that your butt is attached to!
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  11. Av8r_Sed added a post in a topic Making new Conform Foam seats   

    I'm very impressed with the shaping and finish you've achieved so far. Now you've got a sideline business to fall back on. Are you going to sew the cushions yourself too?
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  12. Av8r_Sed added a post in a topic C Drive Gear Oil   

    I use Amsoil 80W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube. Works fine. I don't have any experience with the Suzuki product.
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  13. lv2plyguitar added a post in a topic C Drive Gear Oil   


    Would you say that a suzuki 80 - 90w is okay?
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  14. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic C Drive Gear Oil   

    I use synthetic 85/140 that I got from the local "men's" store. (Like a Farm And Fleet) The synthetic doesn't get real stiff in cold temps. Take care, Jim Chuk


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  15. lv2plyguitar added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    C Drive Gear Oil
    Do any of you have a recommendation for 90 w oil for the c drive that is readily available.

    THanks
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  16. avidchh added a post in a topic Buuilding wings for model 2   

    I'm still interested in finding a set of used but straight flaperons for an "Avid C HH" if anyone has or knows of a set around.
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  17. dholly added a post in a topic Making new Conform Foam seats   

    Hi Jim - like you I am blessed with a very patient wife, although, she did kick me out of the Living room.

    I was able to try the die grinder on one seat cushion last night and was amazed at how easy it was to sculpt the foam. You would think a rough grit would grab the foam, and it does to some extent if you don't keep the correct angle to the work piece, but it works really well.



    Then I wrapped a finer grit sandpaper around a longer scrap piece of T&G flooring for a final smoothing by hand. Easy, peasy and you can see the result below. Spent only about 10min. on this phase, with some waiting for the compressor to cycle. So far, so good!



    Larry - if you count up those extra long, square foam pieces, I have (3) 2-1/2" X 2" X 37" pieces which is enough to do side bolsters on both seat and back cushions, and (1) 1-1/2" X 2" X 37" that is destined for a lumbar support. At least, that is the plan. If I play my cards right and cut straight, that last piece should be enough to make (2) 3/4" X 4" X 18" lumbar supports which should be just about perfect. The Oregon Aero site says that a 3/4" thick lumbar support is sufficient to naturally roll your hips forward into the proper spinal position, but any thicker becomes noticeable and intrusive. Remember, it's really not there for any kind of 'support', it's there to roll the hips forward. There is a small lumbar hump molded into the seat pan which should come through a thin back cushion, and there will also be a thin 1/8"-1/4" layer of non-technical foam over the cushions I am making now which is necessary to form the pleating in the center. Hoping that works out good.



    Instead of leaving them straight alone their entire length, I plan on sculpting the seat cushion bolsters to the outside edge toward the front, idea being that it should help prevent your legs from being forced together in the rather uncomfortable 'nutcrusher' position.



    Pretty good use of materials so far, here's the total waste after cutting the seat and back cushions.


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  18. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Making new Conform Foam seats   

    Just wondering Doug, was the wife out of town when you turned the kitchen into your workshop? LOL. Looks like you are going to have some nice seats when you get done. I may copy some of your ideas. Take care, Jim Chuk


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  19. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Making new Conform Foam seats   

    I would highly suggest sculpting in some lumbar support...
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  20. akflyer added a post in a topic Making new Conform Foam seats   

    damn, that is going to be one comfy seat! A friend had the seats in her Cherokee six done and WOW did that make a difference!
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  21. akflyer added a post in a topic Mecury Power Tune   

    I get it at the local motor sports shop. You just fire the engine up and spray it into the carbs till it starts choking down. Let it recover, then hit it again till the black crap stops running out the exhaust. WARNING, you will be blowing some SERIOUS black crap out the exhaust so dont do this over your nice clean paved driveway. This works wonders on old boat motors or any two stroke engine. I just picked up another can before I left so I should do a little demo video when I get home.

    Make sure you run the engine for a bit (5-10 minutes) after you get done cleaning it to make sure you get all the solvents and crap (power tune) out of the engine and get it fully coated in good clean oil again.

    I just googled it and you can get it at West Marine along with a host of other online shops... shipping may be an issue as its in an aerosol can.


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  22. 1avidflyer added a topic in Avid Flyer General Hangar   

    Mecury Power Tune
    Hi Leni, in a recent post of yours, you said you use Mecury Power Tune every 100 hrs. to get rid of the carbon in your engine. Can you tell me more about that product, and how you use it. My hour meter is showing 51 hrs. since I rebuilt the 582 last Sept. and I'm thinking about Rotax's saying to decarbon every 50 hrs. Thanks, Jim Chuk
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  23. akflyer added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   


    I like the oil injection. As Chris stated, it gives you around 70:1 at an idle, then at WOT its 50:1. I know Joey has been running his using Amsoil at 100:1 with good results, but I am old school and would rather spend money on plugs and oil and use lots of it as it does more than just lube pistons. I like my bearings wet, but thats just me.

    I have been getting right around 25 hrs before the plugs need to be changed. I run my oil mixture SLIGHTLY rich just because of the temps I fly and what it can do to EGT's.. again, a little extra oil is alot better than hanging upside down in a tree in the middle of nowhere.

    No additives used here. The Citgo oil I have been using burns nice and clean and I have not needed to tear one down yet due to sticking rings. Every 100 hrs or so I use Mercury Power Tune on it and it cleans out all the carbon in the engine! I had one that was getting gunked up pretty bad (was using penzoil air cooled oil) so we ran a can of the power tuned through it. Then we tore it down and could not find one spec of carbon in the engine anywhere!

    Spark plugs.. USE NGK 3691 plugs. That is the BR8ES SOLID CAP plugs. I just picked up a set of iriduim plugs I will be trying next week to see how long they last. Gap is .016-.018 but my engine likes it closer to the .016 side. I set them at a tight .016 and they are fine till the next change.

    Keep an eye on the RV oil bottle to make sure your water pump seals are holding well (only on the grey head unless it has had the ceramic seal upgrade).

    I HATE auto compensating carbs. They SUCK on snowmachines and they suck even worse on airplanes. You can make a mixture control like Chris made and shows directions for, or get the same basic setup from Greensky.


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  24. Guest added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   



  25. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   

    So guys, I know we briefly discussed Rotax 2-strokes. I've done alot of independent research also but I want to hear from the guys who really know the 582 and its innerworkings.

    Here's the skinny I'm looking for:

    Oil injection systems? Love them? Hate them? Why? Is it easily removed? How do you determine how much oil is actually flowing (40:1, 50:1, 100:1)?

    I personally feel that mixing your own gas/oil is better, one less system to fail and less weight. As long as you don't forget

    Spark plug changes every 25-50 hours? Best plugs? Gapping?

    I've read 25 hours is normal for the spark plug changes.

    What should compression be?

    Any good fuel additives to keep these things clean? Zmax, Amsoil, Redline?

    Anything else to look for? Clean on a regular basis? Oil/Lube?

    Are these Bing Altitude Compensating Carbs worth a damn?

    I hear they tend to have air leaks, haha
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