Activity Stream

Activity Stream



  1. Kekkuli added a topic in Avid Model IV   

    Fuel gauge
    Hello guys,

    What kind of solutions you've got for fuel metering in your Avids?

    Here in Finland it is required to have fuel indication of both (wing) tanks if they have a separate feed...

    I have a Avid Flyer with tanks made from fiberglas (one in each wing root).

    I tought first to add a sight gauge but how to build tank fitting (and be sure that it won't leak ).

    From Spruce I found something called fuel flow elbow and a rubber fitting for it (so that having a hole and that rubber fitting placed in it
    and that fuel flow elbow to it?)? I think I'm missing something here... Sounds a little err... not too secure...

    Any help much appreciated,

    Regards,
    Keijo
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  2. dholly added a post in a topic Flight Controls   

    Willis- sorry, nothing here either as I haven't got around to it yet. One note though, if you are going to 'sleeve' it, I think you might need a larger i.d. (see post #18 in this thread). Wicks was the only source for the larger i.d. tubing back then, ACS did not have it.
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  3. jackak added a post in a topic Flight Controls   



    Willis,
    I haven't cut the final holes through the fabric or belly pan yet. Just open it up enough to allow the ends with the clamp through so you can do the install & if needed you can open it up a bit more with a razor blade. You want it to be a pretty tight fit, so you keep out as much exhaust as possible, but not so tight that the cords might be chafed. Also try to figure out a way to seal the opening with some kind of flexible material after the install is done to keep the hole sealed as good as you can. Randy uses some kind of material that looks like that stuff people use on the back of their trucks to keep rocks from hitting their trailer, the hairy looking stuff, it seems to work pretty good. If anyone has a successful way of sealing the bungie cut-out I'd sure be interested in hearing about it. I was thinking about just using some soft rubber to cover the front side of the bungie that would be fastened to the aluminum belly-pan. Maybe glue in something behind the gear to seal the back side. I hope my thoughts help.
    Jack
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  4. Bandit added a post in a topic Plastic Tanks   

    I did have a issue with the nylon hose clamps I tried. After a few hours they seemed to loosen up, which caused the fuel line to work lose. Replaced those with the stainless steel clamps. I started to get a small leak with these to, so I turned the clamp a bit and tightened them more. As of last week no leaking. I'll try to check it this weekend.
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  5. marshawk added a post in a topic Flight Controls   

    Thanks for checking Jack,Unfortunately I live in a small town,I checked around with no luck,I'll phone aircraft spruce and see if they handle it.On a side note ,would you happen to have a picture of your bungee cord set up. I'm wondering if the previous owner allowed enough room for all the bungee wraps needed to pass threw the fabric but I don't want to widen the hole if it's not needed.


    Thanks again for any help
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  6. jackak added a post in a topic Flight Controls   



    Willis,
    I checked my scrap bin and couldn't find any tubing. It seems like I got mine from a local metal fabrication shop when I had the work done. Don't forget the small tube on the inside of the column. I had both done at the same time to ensure they were both lengthened the same amount.

    Jack
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  7. marshawk added a post in a topic Flight Controls   

    Hi guys ,would any of you's have a extra 3 1/2" length of the 1.375 x.049 tube for adding on to my control column, seem to have that too short thing happening here too. I didn't have a caliper for measuring but I imagine it would be the same diameter as eveyone else .It came out of a heavy hauler C model. If someone has a piece they want to get rid of ,I would be happy to pay for it plus the shipping and handling.

    Thanks Willis
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  8. dholly added a post in a topic Plastic Tanks   

    Mark - how about a long term update on your install, ie. any probs or leaks at the bulkhead fittings between tanks? thnx
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  9. Trackwelder added a post in a topic Go Kart to Matco Brakes   



    I am sorry to here about the truck, I would be just about ready to give up if mine went too. I had another visit with the surgeon and he reduced my lifting capacity to just 5 pounds, with no sitting standing or walking for more than 5 minutes at a time, and I am getting desperate to get back in the air, it got so bad I went down to the local airport hoping to grab some airtime with another pilot, I was even willing to split fuel, perfectweather and not a plane in 12 hours. I Know this is off topic but hopefully things start getting better for you and just to make it totally clear I don't want anything from anyone if I can't get it on my own.
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  10. dholly added a post in a topic Rotax 912 engine mount for Avid Flyer   

    Well at this point I may have a local guy make me a one-off mount, something I've tried to avoid because it means I have to go buy an engine. The one I'm most likely to copy is used in the Aerotrek. Their 912 install is very compact and clean looking, and keeps the radiators and oil cooler under cowl. I called Bob Rollison about purchasing a cowl almost two years ago and he refused to sell even one bolt to a non-owner. Told him I'd sign whatever liability release his corporate attorneys provided but he just did the big FU flip-off. Man, this "potential liability" shit is taken to such an extreme by some people, I doubt anyone could pry an engine mount or other FWF parts from his cold, dead hands.

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  11. dholly added a post in a topic Avid Fat Bastard   

    No bungees yet, just some pretty red zip ties. And you are correct about the covers, hope they're working out for ya!
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  12. marshawk added a post in a topic Avid Fat Bastard   

    Thanks for checking up on that Doug, have you put on your bungee cords yet? Hey just read your parts list from your KF3 and pretty sure I bought your covers off you for my kitfox 2 ,small world


    Willis
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  13. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Rotax 912 engine mount for Avid Flyer   

    The "Airdale" mount is similar but not exactly the same as that. That is the current mount that Brett is supplying. The "ring" type mount in your second pic would never work in an Avid. It won't fit.

    Dave is a fabricator extraordinaire and did rework parts of the mount to fit his application. He is building his own exhaust system.
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  14. dholly added a post in a topic Rotax 912 engine mount for Avid Flyer   

    Thanks Larry. I loaded the pic fine but resized as it was too large. Maybe that will help if you try again. In any event, it sounds like Dave has the 'old' version as shown in the pic with the ring on the portion that bolts to the firewall as opposed to the ring on the engine. Do you happen to know if his mount required that any tubes be bent for exhaust clearance?
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  15. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Rotax 912 engine mount for Avid Flyer   

    Doug--

    Q1 My friend Dave is building his Avid/Kitfox hybrid. He's using the Avid 912 mount from Airdale. It is almost the same as my Kitfox IV mounts: A dynafocal ring with four arms coming off which bolt to the motor. (your first photo will not download)

    Q2 Got nothing for you, now. Maybe I can get Dave to take some measurements for you, or I can give you his email and you can contact him directly...

    Q3 Nada.
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  16. dholly added a topic in Avid Flyer General Hangar   

    Rotax 912 engine mount for Avid Flyer
    Ok, I need to fit a cowl to keep my project moving. Can anyone help with these questions?

    Here's what I know... At one time Avid offered a dynafocal style ring mount for Rotax 912, which is shown in the following 1992 drawing.



    I have heard through the rumor mill, sometime in mid-1990's when Reiner Hoffman of Stratus Subaru was designing an engine mount for use with his engine on the Avid, he may have also re-designed the 912 ring mount for Avid. Here's a post from Steve Winder in the Yahoo Group archives that would seem to support the theory:


    Here is the standard Rotax engine mounting ring:



    So...

    Q1.) If you have, had or ever saw a 912 install in an Avid, was it the original Avid/Old Kitfox type mount (shown in the 1992 drawing from Avid, at top), or a new firewall mount that accepts the standard Rotax engine mounting ring?

    Q2.) Does anyone have the pertinent measures of either of these 912 Avid mount options ie., back of prop flange to firewall, thrust line, offset etc.?

    Q3.) Does anyone have the pertinent measures of the 912 KITFOX 5-6 mount options (to confirm a KF 5-6 smooth cowl for 912 is long enough and thrust line compatible for use on my Avid+, as width, windshield curve and rake work good)?

    Thanks, any info appreciated.
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  17. dholly added a post in a topic Avid Fat Bastard   

    Willis-

    I spoke w/ Brett last night and asked him to check on the Airdale Flyer cowl fitment for us. He did receive your email but has been out of town for the past week and is just catching up on orders and email.
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  18. ybfcsqs added a post in a topic Go Kart to Matco Brakes   



    Thanks Mike, I'm fileing all this good stuff for when I can get my ship righted. It's taking me a little time to sort things out right now, but I'll be back swinging ASAP. You guys are the best and I am very appreciative. Thanks so much for your interest. Be well .. Jim
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  19. saskavid added a post in a topic Go Kart to Matco Brakes   


    Here is some more info on the brake mod to read up on.
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  20. marshawk added a post in a topic Avid Fat Bastard   

    Thanks Doug and Jack for all the info, it really helps when looking at all the options.We managed to unfold the wings today after a friend dropped by and found the front hole on the pilot side wing actually lines up and would be able to put the bolt threw. The passenger side not so lucky its probably about a 1/4" from lining up. We didn't do any measurements but by eye they looked to be straight across from each other. I have a laser that maybe I can rig up to check accurately.
    Doug I hear ya on looking over the nose of your kitfox ,I fly a kitfox 11 with big nose too, I just hope a deer doesn't decide to cross my path someday once the tail drops down on it.
    Does anyone happen to have a picture of there bungee cord landing gear wraps for there Avid . I just put new ones on the kitfox and it was pretty simple but the Avid seems to start and end in the same area and not a lot of room for all the wraps needed.I'm not sure if the previous owner made the hole in the fabric big enough since he wasn't planning on using bungees.


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  21. dholly added a post in a topic Avid Fat Bastard   

    Hi Jack,

    I will let you and Randy help with the spar pins, unfortunately I keep forgetting exactly what issues you guys ran into. I do wonder if Willis doesn't already have plastic tanks? I noticed his caps and they certainly aren't the oem, but they don't look like the wingtanks.com or the Rocky Mountain Wings caps either. Wonder what's under the skin?
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  22. jackak added a post in a topic Avid Fat Bastard   

    Willis & Doug,

    A word of caution, I decided to replace the steel doublers on my wings when the holes wouldn't line up, the problem was that when I attempted to gain access to the rivets on the aft side of the spar I actually had to cut into the tank to see them. If you want to insert the new style roto-molded tanks, no big deal, but if your tanks are solid, I'd really give consideration to the method Randy described. Just be sure before starting, that you really examine closely where the rivet heads are located. Another thing that needs to be considered is, can you pick up the existing rivet holes if you decide to drill out the old doublers and move them to give you the alignment you're after? Most of mine were close, but on some I ended up drilling out to 3/16" rivets to prevent having wallowed out holes. Also, when heating your carry-through, make sure you don't exceed 1100deg.F, beyond that 4130 looses its strength. The welder that did mine had a temp stick that told him when he was close to the critical temperature.

    Good luck,

    Jack
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  23. dholly added a post in a topic Avid Fat Bastard   

    Nice pics, looks like a lot has been done. You can right-click on a photo in your Picture Album and see if it opens a short cut menu that gives a reduce size option there. It will add a smaller size copy to your album that you can attach to your post here and leave the original intact. 800x600 Medium size for landscape photos works good.
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  24. dholly added a post in a topic Avid Fat Bastard   

    Willis,

    Since I have the entire Avid Plus kit and built new wings, I didn't have the retrofit issues you Fat Avid fuse up-graders had with spar pin alignment. FWIW, if it's close, I'd be tempted to make new spar doublers and Hysol and rivet them in using the existing rivet holes. Then make up a spar pin hole alignment tool and drill the new doublers to match your pin bushings. Russ was kind enough to drop his off when I drilled mine and it worked perfectly (see the thread here on "Setting wings to fuselage"). I think this is advisable in any event, because you really want to make sure the sweep, dihedral and twist are spot on.

    Re: the cowls... the Avid Plus and Airdale cowls are different, as are the Avid C and Mk-IV cowls. The Avid Plus cowl looks very similar to the Avid Mk-IV cowl, in fact, it was the basis as explained to me by Steve Winder in an email some time ago:


    I've attached a pic Vince sent me of his Avid Plus so you can see. One thing to keep in mind is that cowl was on a 912 powered plane and might be too narrow for the wider Sube. Also, the pic of the green and white Airdale Flyer on the Co.'s website shows rectangular air inlets, however, pics of cowls of a couple Airdale Flyers I've found on the internet show round inlets. Maybe one was for Sube and the other Rotax? Best check with Brett about the version(s) he currently produces if interested.

    With regard to the model 5-6 cowls available from Kitfox, there are both 'smooth' and 'round' cowl versions specifically for Sube, Cont, Lyc and Rotax. While the width is approx. the same as our Avid Plus fuse, they vary in length, width, thrust line and windshield curve/rake to accommodate the different engine widths and engine mount scenarios. Again, depending on the different engine mount (Sube vs. Rotax) and fuselage (Avid vs. Kitfox) combination, those are at least a few choices for you to check out. They might not be a direct bolt-on like the Mk-IV based Avid Plus cowl (dated-looking, IMHO), but they do offer something different with the least mount of fitting fabrication required. Personally, as mentioned earlier, I prefer the KF 5-6 smooth cowl for 912. Just seems to look the most aerodynamic and up-to-date, plus it actually tapers lower at the nose for better forward visibility in flight and on the ground. After looking around the nose of my KF 3, this is important to me on my Avid Plus TD.

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  25. ybfcsqs added a post in a topic Go Kart to Matco Brakes   



    Trackwelder, it's really funny how certain things really grow in importance over the years. Guess what, just wrecked my truck, no tools. Life goes on but sometimes it seems to be a little 'much'. Take care good man ... Jim
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