Activity Stream

Activity Stream



  1. m60vet added a post in a topic Performace   



    Ok, Have 582, wingspan is 30 ft, were speedwing but added the factory option of the 35 1/2 inch extension to each wing. New Power fin three blade prop, set pitch to .025 as per Power Fin, has apx 45 hrs on it now but has alwas been like this, just don't get the slow speed performace that I wanted, wanted short take off and landings but don't get them. Total weight is 1034 so isn't weight. Thought that this might be an ongoing thing with all of them.
    • 0


  2. Russ. added a post in a topic Performace   



    What engine do you have? What wings do you have? Too many unknown facts to help you. We need more info. Russ.
    • 0


  3. racegunz added a post in a topic Rotax question from a newbie   

    No prob. called tiny tach today, the tech had no explaination he just said it's weird that it would be correct at the 90deg setting and if it starts acting up send it back for a replacement.
    • 0


  4. m60vet added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Performace
    I have a Mark IV, it doesn't preform anywhere like the factory spec's say that it will. Can't tell that the flaperions are down in landing, coming in at 80mph,4000rpm and upon landing cutting power to 2000rpm, idle. Take off is apx 70 and stol is 60. Is this normal?? What happened to 40 or is it my plane?
    • 24 replies
    • 3,370 views


  5. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Rotax question from a newbie   


    Got ya.... Didn't mean to sound snooty was just curious
    • 0


  6. racegunz added a post in a topic Rotax question from a newbie   

    Actually the update rate is .5 sec and I am comparing it to the needle tach that I left in for now. Also I would call erratic an up and down reading not trending in a coherent fashion, i.e. swinging 100's of rpm's bothways THAT would be erratic.
    • 0


  7. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Rotax question from a newbie   


    How are you justifying good vs bad readings when you have nothing to compare it to? The tiny tach only updates every few seconds so unless you've been at one power setting for a few seconds it is going to be erratic until it catches up.
    • 0


  8. racegunz added a post in a topic Rotax question from a newbie   

    The new model Tiny tach can be set up for different engines so only one model. The rotax 503 is supposed to fire every 180 deg so you would set the tiny tach to that, mine seems to be correct at the 90 deg setting. I flew today and the tach was consistant and about a grand lower reading than the original, still was reving a little high on climb-out but not erratic. I grounded it right where the stater ground wire is (big lug and copper ground wire) and I got the best reading with three wraps of the red wire on one plug wire. I had my eyes glued to the cht's/egt's and all seemed normal.
    • 0


  9. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Rotax question from a newbie   


    Not sure what you mean by 90 degrees. I only have my red wire wrapped around one plug wire per the instructions and it works fine. Just don't cut off the access wire. What did you use for a ground? On my airplane best climb is 6400 static and cruise is 6200 static. When I'm turning 6500 rpm on my tiny tach my needle tach is pegged at 8 grand! It's totally worthless. They are pretty helpful at Tiny Tach.
    • 0


  10. racegunz added a post in a topic Rotax question from a newbie   

    Okay I installed the tiny tach yesterday and re-pitched my powerfin prop to 11.5 deg. (pretty close to what I had before) I wired the tiny tach like the tech suggested and it read with the original up to about 4k then it started bouncing around,(just like the original) I then re-wrapped it in a different area with less turns and it read too fast? I had it set on 180 deg. which is what I thought was correct. I then wrapped only one plug wire (tiny tach suggested both from one mag) and made sure it was well clear of other wires, set it to 90 deg. and it is now smooth as silk and stays with the original tach until the original freaks out at about 5500. If the new tch is correct and I think it is I was way over pitched. With a static run of 58-59k on the tiny tach I was over 7500 on the original and it was bouncing around as ususal the tiny tach was steady. The only question is why did I have to put it on 90 deg.? a call to tiny tach is in order.
    • 0


  11. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Go Kart to Matco Brakes   

    Well I committed to this project today and yanked my rudder bars and the old mechanical brake cables. I sanded them down today in preparation to weld on the tabs for the master cylinders to attach. I'm going home to Idaho at the end of the week and I'm taking them with me so I can get some help from my Dad. He's a welder/fabricator by trade. I should have them ready to bolt back in and plumb after I get back from vacation. All that will be left then is to finish fairing the gear legs and get them painted and put on the plane. Can't wait to learn to land it again.
    • 0


  12. C5Engineer added a topic in Hangar Talk   

    What was he thinking?
    All the guys in my Hangar are gone on a trip to the Baja of Mexico right now. Occasionally the guy under the lift I'm on parks his car there when he's gone on an overnight trip. He leaves the keys in it so I can move it to lower down my plane. When I showed up to fly yesterday this was sitting under my plane.

    Turbocharged Mazda RX-7





    I wanted to go fly so I checked and the keys were in it. What were they thinking leaving a car like that in a place where a guy in his 20's would have to get in it and move it..hahahaha. Pretty cool little car..... Okay I know what your thinking... I just backed it out and parked it so I could go fly because I didn't even know who's car it was. It must have been a friend of one of the guys who went to Mexico. It was pretty tempting to go do some drifting on the ramp with it though
    • 1 reply
    • 2,166 views


  13. akflyer added a post in a topic Airdale Tail Ski Test   


    Planning on leaving here about 9:30 or 10 in the morning so I should be there around 11:30 or 12:00.


    • 0


  14. SuberAvid added a post in a topic Airdale Tail Ski Test   

    Hi Leni,

    I won't be able to do the overnight but I am trying to clear up some commitments so I can get out there on Sat. When do you think you will arrive out there?

    Randy
    • 0


  15. akflyer added a post in a topic Airdale Tail Ski Test   

    Nice to hear it works great! Brett sent me pics and I was going to order one but I am still on floats. I will get one ordered up for next year for certain. Are you going to make the flying this weekend?
    • 0


  16. SuberAvid added a post in a topic Buying my new Avid   

    Hi Jezz,

    I am not familiar with what you refer to as "venting the tanks" I have never done anything like that. Do you have vented caps on your tanks? If not, it is somnething I would recommend that you add. Mine are just made from drilling a hole in the middle of the caps and epoxying (use fuel resistant) a length of 1/8" ID aluminum tubing into the top of the cap. Run it straight up about 3" and then bend it into the wind about 2". Drill a 1/16" hole in the back of the tube just below the bend so that rain water can blow out the hole rather than run down into the tank as you are flying.

    My fuel plumbing is very simple; a line from each tank through individual valves and filters into the header tank. The header tank has a sump drain in the bottom and the main fuel line to the fuel pump comes out of he side of the header tank. From the pulse pump there are two lines; one to each carb through another set of in line fuel filters. I can run each tank separately or both, and have never had any fuel feed or venting problems. Hope that helps.
    Randy
    • 0


  17. Jezz added a post in a topic Buying my new Avid   

    Hi Guys

    Finally back from 3 weeks bloody hard work (trying to change the way an ICAO Doc is implemented). Top of head is sunburned and now back to -7C in Latvia. At least the daytime temps are up so Spring is just around the corner.

    My baby was delivered for me while I was away the week before last and she is now sitting in an Ultralight field in the UK. I went to the UK earlier this week, pulled her out and ran her for the first time so be prepared, here the questions start!:

    I vented the fuel prior to starting and had the fuel cock set to the right tank at the time. Once she was running I switched to the left tank but got the "Low Fuel" light illuminated so I put the electric pump on - nothing, then I tried venting again now that the left tank was selected and this seemed to cure the problem. I am guessing it is necessary to vent from both lines during pre-flight and that the problem I was having was a vapor lock in the left line, but as I have not had the chance to have a look at the plumbing to date, can one of you guys confirm if this is correct?

    Anyway, that's the main question I have at the moment.

    Unfortunately I didn't manage to fly her, only did an engine run. She was purring like a kitten and begging to be flown, but the 30kt gusts were not begging me to fly her for our first time together

    Question for Joey (or anyone else with a Garmin 196). I have tried to log on to Garmin to update my nav database. I have registered on the site, registered my product, downloaded the software and connected the GPS, but nothing I do will make the computer recognize that the GPS is attached. I don't think it is a problem with the cable (although of course it might be). Just wondering if anyone has experienced a similar problem downloading updates from Garmin and has any advice?

    Happy flying!

    Jezz

    p.s. 5 am and writing this up at home - photos are on works camera so I will try to upload them later today. Didn't take any pics when I had her outside of the hangar because the horizontal rain was none too inviting.
    • 0


  18. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Go Kart to Matco Brakes   


    The bolt inserts were already in the cross bar so I bought the steps from Kitfox. They stick out about an inch...better than nothing.
    • 0


  19. akflyer added a topic in Local Fly in's   

    Fish Creek Lake Flyin
    Hey Guys, I just got this email. Looks like we are going to invade the lodge this weekend. Maybe we can come up with some fun stuff like STOL contest, spot landing etc to have some fun on the lake.








    Welcome to

    Grizzly Joe’s

    1st Annual Spring Fly-In

    Saturday, March 27th and Sunday, March 28th







    Cost is $100 per person and includes lunch on Saturday,

    fabulous steak and shrimp dinner Saturday evening,

    a cozy warm cabin, brunch on Sunday

    and weather permitting, an 8 x 10 photo of your plane with the beautiful Mt. McKinley in the background.

    Lunch and beverages will be available for day guests.




    We’ll have ice fishing equipment available, the sauna will be fired up AND guests will receive a 25% discount on each additional night’s stay with all meals provided.




    Come and join us for the weekend, have a toast to the end of winter and say cheers to spring and the new friends made.







    Grizzly Joe’s Fish Creek Lodge can be located at

    Upper Fish Creek Lakes (see attached map)

    GPS Co-ords N61°57.602 W150°57.839

    Please R.S.V.P. A.S.A.P. to

    grizzlyjoe@alaskafishcreeklodge.com







    Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided, feel free to bring alternative refreshments. We’ll keep it cold for you.

    Sorry, no refunds will be made for cancellations or inclimate weather. We will, however be happy to apply your fee to a future stay on the date of your choice.


    • 4 replies
    • 8,095 views


  20. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Airdale Tail Ski Test   

    Randy--

    That's awesome the ski is working up there in the "real" snow!

    Brett & I did the testing on the prototype of this ski on my Kitfox. We saw the same benefits, but our limited snow quantity was hampering what we could test.

    I'm very glad it is working well. Keep us informed on what else you get into (and out of!) with it.
    • 0


  21. SuberAvid added a topic in Avid and Kitfox parts Suppliers   

    Airdale Tail Ski Test
    Well I got to actually put the new Airdale tailski to the test yesterday. Jack ordered one from Brett and it arrived this weekend so he brought it out to the hangar and had to twist my arm to get me to try it out. I was impressed by the design and quality of it. I got the UHMW plastic bottom cut out, shaped and riveted to the tubing frame that night and installed on Sunday afternoon and headed out to Willow to meet up with a buddy and his SuperCub. Interesting flight as I think it was the first time I have had to use full aleron to the stop and hold it there for 3 or 4 seconds to get wings level after one of the gusts. Also the first time I have seen a 900 fpm updraft for 500'.

    Takeoff on Wolf lake was mostly on ice but it steered well with the wheel penetration. I did a touch and go on a lake on the way over to see if there were any handling issues and it felt good. My friend's runway was groomed and packed with about 4" of fresh snow on top so no real test there but ground handling and steering was superior to the TW with no ski. It turns sharper with the ski on than with just the TW. We headed out about 120 miles west to check out some cabins my buddy was looking at and lit on a few untouched swamps as well as semi-packed areas. My real interest was how it would perform in the untracked areas. The snow was windblown so it had a fairly solid top (but not icy) and it would not support your full weight. It was about up to the crotch when you punched through. We landed and turned a loop to get back in our tracks and stopped. My buddy's Cub without a tail ski but with an AK bushwheel tailwheel had the tail burried to the horiz stab. The tail ski on the Avid was about 6 to 8" deep.

    Now for the test; It made a noticeable difference in my takeoff run. It came up to speed almost like it was on solid snow. Without the tailski I would have been sitting down to the horiz. stab like the Cub. It has always taken a pretty long run to get the tail up and out of the snow enough to start building airspeed. Needless to say I was impressed. It didn't feel like it was struggling to get to the magic 20 mph where tail was out of the snow and the airspeed could build like normal. Instead there was no struggle, great control and a much shorter takoff run, plus great stearing control. I give it a .

    I had one mishap with it that I think was my fault. I forgot to tighten the limit cable links and I set the ski angle pretty flat (cool adjustable ski design) so it would not drag the bottom when I had the plane up on my tow trailer to get it from the hangar to the lake. When I landed back at my buddy's strip I went to turn around in the unpacked snow off of the groomed runway. All of a sudden I could hardly steer and was at full power to keep the plane moving. When I got it to a packed area I investigated and one of the connecting links on the limit cable was missing and the ski had flipped over. The spring was streched but the limit cable was still fine. I put a new link on it, tightened both links this time, trimmed and replaced the spring and reset the angle of the ski for increase the entrance angle; then off to battle the winds toward home.

    I did not think I would ever put a ski on the Avid because I thought it was light enough it would not make any real difference. Now I'm convinced; I have to get one of these. A very good job on the design and construction!

    Randy
    • 7 replies
    • 22,041 views


  22. SuberAvid added a post in a topic Blown tire   

    Joey,

    It sounds like these must be with your old tires still?

    If it sheared the stem it usually is from the tire slipping on the rim. Running low tire pressure and landing on pavement could be the cause. You may want to keep an eye on this if you don't have the option of landing in gravel or grass. If you start to see your stem coming out at an angle you know your tire is begining to slip and you will have to break the bead and slide the tube back in place. Running higher tire pressure will stop the movement but doesn't make your tires rollover the rocks and rough stuff as nice off airport. You could always carry a pump with you and when you go out to play off airport, land and let the air down to where you want it and then pump them back up when you head back to pavement.

    I started carry a patch kit and a bicycle tire pump just in case of a flat for emergency, but that wouldn't help a sheared stem. That could be a tough one in the middle of nowhere.

    Randy
    • 0


  23. SuberAvid added a post in a topic Go Kart to Matco Brakes   

    Joey,

    With your open gear legs you may be able to use the welded in cross tube as a step. One thing I did with steps on my Airdale gear was to cut traction tape to fit the step and stick it on; it helps a lot.

    Randy
    • 0


  24. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Blown tire   


    I didn't have much time to think about much except full opposite rudder and brake. I ended up about 3 feet in the dirt off the side of the runway. I shut off the mags before leaving the pavement and shut off the fuel shortly after that. I replaced my tires and tubes about 2 years ago during the rebuild and 3 weeks ago I replaced that exact tube because I showed up one day and it was flat. I took it back to the same tire shop and they replaced it for free. They told me it had a puncture but the valve stem was totally gone out of the hole in the wheel. I'm pretty sure it sheared the stem because it went flat instantly. No puncture would have done that without a big hole in the tire. They also replaced it all for free and would not let me see the tube afterwards....hmmm Guess that's what you get for having Les Schwab tires work on your crap...hahaha. I was back together about 4 hours after the incident. I logged a 1.8 today and 3 landings with no issues all on pavement.
    • 0


  25. saskavid added a post in a topic Blown tire   



    Joey:
    Yikes!How much butt pucker, or did you even have time?Are your tubes and tires original, or do you know or can even tell?I know for a fact mine are which makes them around 20 years old, and show no cracks or other ill effects. Did you per chance hit something on the runnway causing a puncture or did the tube separate/split? glad to here all is ok?
    Mike
    • 0