Activity Stream

Activity Stream



  1. Av8r3400 added a topic in Avid fox flyers pics and vids   

    Skis
    Here's a couple of pix of my plane with the new Airdale wheel through skis installed! We (Brett and I) have been working on an install for the Kitfox of these skis. Now to perfect our tail ski design...

    First photo is from Dave's Farm. (No, not either of the Dave's farms from YouTube...)

    Second photo is on the lake next to the Airdale facility (Brett's house.)


    • 11 replies
    • 2,717 views


  2. Jezz added a post in a topic Northwest Airlines flight deck   


    OK, filling it out - I am (amongst other roles) a ramp inspector for the Latvian Aviation Authority. Of course, I can't say if the Antonov just drew the short straw, or if there was a little bias in it being selected for inspection ... but on balance, a very professionally run outfit more or less completely compliant with ICAO requirements. The crew were really hospitable and patient (I wouldn't be surprised if they have a tenancy to get ramp checked everywhere they go).

    The Antonov 124 itself does not have a much bigger footprint than a 747 although the flight deck has a crew of something like 6 to 8 (my Russian isn't up to how the skipper was explaining what his crew do and where they sit so I lost a bit of detail on who sits where), and I have a feeling the hold volume is quite a bit more than the 747. Behind the flight deck there are crew rest cubicles (2 bench seat/beds, table and 3rd fold-down bunk in each cubicle), galley, toilet etc and behind all that an open avionics area (I didn't delve too deeply, I was WAY out of my depth when they took me in there). There is a 2nd "upstairs" bit, aft of the wing - didn't go up there as was already long past having finished my job

    As for the pics. I really don't know how happy the Ukrainians or the skipper who's flight it was would be (not to mention my CAA) of me posting inspection photos on a publicly accessible forum, but if anyone would really like them I am sure I can send one or two non specific ones privately. Just use my mail above if interested.

    Jezz
    • 0


  3. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Northwest Airlines flight deck   

    Cool, Jezz. How did you find yourself in an Antonov 124? I think that story needs a little more filling out...

    If you use the simple program "Paint" in your computer, this will allow easy resizing...


    (Thanks for subscribing to my YouTube, too.)
    • 0


  4. Jezz added a post in a topic Northwest Airlines flight deck   


    First post on the forum, but will keep with this theme....

    That's nothing, you should see the flight deck of the Antonov 124 that I was in last week

    I would post the pictures if only I could shrink them to fit (not to mention not pissing the Ukrainians off by posting them on a forum)! If anyone wants a selection of them, just mail me at jezzbaldwin@hotmail.com and I will mail them to you.
    • 0


  5. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Matco Brake conversion   


    Heard back from the guy that Jack referred me to today. Looks like he's making a pretty slick product. Claims there is a 1/3 better braking capability due to the top halves of the pedals not flexing. He also incorporated that little piece underneath to prevent you from riding the brakes. They cost twice what Brett is asking for the stock parts but I can appreciate how much time goes into building something like that. He said he has 10 hours at least into each set.


    • 0


  6. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Matco Brake conversion   


    25x8x12 would go onto a 12" rim. Really have to do some fab work for a 12" atv rim...
    • 0


  7. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Matco Brake conversion   


    Larry it's slightly wider like the Maule but the way the geometric release works on the Matco I needed even more travel than with my Maule. Their other arms release at 25 degrees and you can remove material to make it release later. I'm going to try it as is and if it's too squirrely I'll start making it release later until I'm comfortable with it. In the grass, dirt, and sand the easier the better but on pavement it could be a real gotcha if it unlocks at speed.

    Does anybody know how many degrees of throw the old straight rudder was supposed to have when it hit the stops? I'm going to have to pull out my manual and check that.

    Here's a link to those tires. If it doesn't work just go to www.rockymountainatv.com and hit tires and wheels on the left side then select ATV tires, show all tires. It's like the second from the bottom. It's a 25X8X12

    http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/productDetail.do?&navType=type&webTypeId=138&navTitle=Tires+and+Wheels&webCatId=8&prodFamilyId=6059#vehicleSelect
    • 0


  8. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Matco Brake conversion   



    Joey,

    How does the width of the Matco tailwheel arms compare to your rudder horn?

    I dug for about a half an hour for that 25" tire and never found it. What size wheel does that one take?
    • 0


  9. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Matco Brake conversion   


    They are the same tires only 4" bigger. Doubt there is much weight difference. These are still ATV tires. I tried to install my 7" Matco TW this weekend but I still could not even get close to releasing it so I ordered their other arms that release at 25 degrees.
    • 0


  10. Bandit added a post in a topic Matco Brake conversion   

    Got my 7" Matco tailwheel today. Hope to get it on this weekend. Sure would like to try those 25 X 8 slicks. I wonder how much weight difference there is from the King Fox?
    • 0


  11. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Matco Brake conversion   

    Though mine have tread on them, the size of 20x7x8 seems to be really good for my application of grass runways and river sandbars.

    Here's the pic of my brake I promised...


    • 0


  12. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Matco Brake conversion   

    I get a lot of parts for my dirt bike from Rocky Mt ATV. I did a quick search and found these bad boys.



    25X8" slick for $80 a piece. I think 21" would be plenty for what I want to do.

    I found the 21X8 Nankang slicks here

    http://www.atvtires.net/productdetail.asp?gn=N800
    • 0


  13. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Matco Brake conversion   

    Thanks a ton for the info Jack. I sent him an email. I also talked to Brett today on the phone and he has all the parts too. Sounds like they are working on an 8" wheel set up.
    • 0


  14. akflyer added a post in a topic New FAA PP licence   


    if you ask for the change from your SS # to a new random number the new certificate is free!


    • 0


  15. Russ. added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    New FAA PP licence
    Hey guys don't forget to apply for new PP license with the FAA. Old paper ones run out next month. Great buy only $2.00. LOL Russ
    • 1 reply
    • 715 views


  16. jackak added a post in a topic Matco Brake conversion   

    Joey,
    The guy that I got the brake pedals from is Michael Schuetz, he goes by "westofthe3rd". His email address is lazysredangus@sasktel.net. He knows a lot about the avid brakes and might help you in working out your fix. He is able to turn down the shaft on the master cylinder if needed to get the proper fit. I'm not sure of his current prices, but the work he does is top notch.

    Jack
    • 0


  17. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Matco Brake conversion   

    Thanks guys! I also saw some traffic a while back where someone changed the geometry of the tabs on their rudder pedals and was able to get way better braking out of the single puck brakes. It seems with the stock set up the mechanical advantage is not there to make the MC's work to their full potenial. I'll dig around and see what I can come up with with over there.

    I flew around in the pattern and the local area after my wife dropped me off to go shopping yesterday. Got in a .7 and 5 landings. I'm getting pretty comfortable landing with power rather than elevator. It's a lot easier to grease it on by controlling sink rate with the engine rather than trying to flare it off. This is on pavement BTW. I tend to be a lot slower and plop it in a bit more when landing on rough stuff. Still makes you smile when you fly one on and the tires don't even chirp. I took a degree of pitch out of the prop yesterday because I had only been getting around 6150 on take off. I gets up to 6350 now and highest I saw was 6600 at 110mph after holding it WFO for a few minutes. I picked up about 200fpm in the climb and noticed only a very slight decrease in cruise speed. Less than 5 hours to go! My last test is to fill the tanks to the brim verify they are 14 gallons and then go fly it and see how it handles, and see how much leaks out. My most aft CG will occur in this config.
    • 0


  18. akflyer added a post in a topic Matco Brake conversion   


    it is easy enough to get a set of Douglas welded ATV wheels in 8". They will probably have to be drilled to meet the bolt pattern. Then you have to rustle up a set of hubs from some old kitfox... hmm... I may have an extra set.. then a set of rotors.. hmm.. may have a set of those too. Then you weld lugs inside the wheel for the rotors to bolt to. That is not a big issue as akflyerbob had a set made. Then you get the matco calipers and masters, a little plumbing and you be ready to stop your plane much better than it will now! I would look into the re-inforced toe brakes that a guy on the yahoo group had been selling. I think Jackak has a set of the pedals that I looked at. Mine and wagonmasters both flex a bit too much when you really try to stand on them.


    • 0


  19. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Matco Brake conversion   


    Yes he has the complete rudder peddle assemblies (W/ mounts for Matco brake parts) for your Avid.

    We were talking today a bit about the wheel situation. I gave him your cell # and he will probably contact you in regard to this, soon. For the record, Kitfox doesn't even support the 8" ATV style wheels any more. Deb McBean (I emailed her for price, etc.) told me to use the 8" Matco wheel. (Yikes $$$!)

    I may look into what it would take to produce these old Kitfox style wheels again as an option... Stand by.
    • 0


  20. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Matco Brake conversion   


    Thanks. Can you confirm whether or not he has all the rudder pedal pieces. Looks like there is more to it than just the toe piece.
    • 0


  21. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic FAA Revisions to Sport Pilot Rule (effective April 2, 2010)   



    Short answer, yes. Steve was instructing in a Quicksilver MXLII, 2-seat ultralight.

    Now he is instructing in his Champ, which btw was the "Outstanding Champ" winner of Airventure 2009. I got to fly it on skis this afternoon!


    HOWEVER-- They do not have anything on floats. That may be the tricky bit... Send me your floats, I'll get the 1200 on them and ready for you.
    • 0


  22. akflyer added a post in a topic Leni and Snowmachine Gang   

    Holy fucker ballz... We started out having a pretty good day Friday.. nice flat light, 9 open water crossings to get back to a very remote riding area. We knew we had to stay off the mountains due to very flat light so we decided to play in the trees.. Was all good till 3 guys in the group took a drop off a rock wall that they did not see coming. First guy went off and did not know he was in the air till the sled ripped out of his hands. #2 saw what happened at the last second and blipped the throttle and jumped clear. At this point both of those sleds are upside down at the bottom.. Then #3 come off, his sled spearing a buddies sled, then he landed on top of the sleds. His left arm was twisted around in a bad way behind his back and head so we knew that arm was fully fucked. he was also complaining of back pain. We got a fire going and half the crew rode out to get help after we set off the SPOT Messenger. While this is going on, the weather was rapidly deteriorating and turned into a full scale blizzard. winds picked up to about 35-40 and it was snowing so hard we could not see past the ski's. The ride out was fun, but we made the 12 mile ride in about an hour or so. We had to take the truck about 13 miles to get cell phone signal and started the rescuers our way. We got back to parking lot and waited for troopers and EMT'S to get there. Life flight declined to fly due to weather (they lost a heli and all on board last year trying to fly in shit like this so they wont fly if the weather is bad here) The trooper heli said fuck you we are not flying. We got the military to say they would bring in the black hawk if we could get a SAT phone on the scene to guide them in and give weather reports at the scene. We loaded up and headed back to the mountains with Cell phone and more gear. At this point, another guy in our group had already taken off with a team of 4 state troopers and EMT. It was about 45 minutes later we were told we needed to ride the SAT phone in.

    We were trying to follow tracks to get in there, but the wind and snow had blown them out and we were riding by braille in an area that on a good day, one of the ridges gives you about 10" from your outside ski to a 400' sheer drop into a jagged rocky river bottom.... ( I looked where we were at daylight the next day and we were within 20' of taking that trip had we not turned around when we did) We got to within a couple miles of them, but had to turn back as it was just not worth us dieing trying to get into these guys. There were 12 guys that spent a long hard night on the mountain in a blizzard trying. We got back to the parking lot and hauled ass to get A arms and shocks and a few other goodies to get the sleds ride-able then went back. With day break, we were able to get back into the them and got a Coast Guard chopper in to get the injured guy out. All in all, it was a fast and furious 30 hrs but all riders and sleds are now home. Just got work that the injured guy has a broken arm, dislocated shoulder, and multiple broken vertebra. He is in good spirits and ready to get healed up and back to riding!

    I think I am ready to go back to work and take a break for a week... those blizzard rides in the mountains took a little out of me.






    Nellie Juan Wreck.wmv
    • 0


  23. dholly added a post in a topic FAA Revisions to Sport Pilot Rule (effective April 2, 2010)   

    I will most definitely keep this in mind, actually not that hard since it may by the -only- option I can come up with. One question though... what do they use for a training aircraft, ie. have they been affected by the Jan. 31, 2010 E-LSA exemption expiration?


    • 0


  24. akflyerbob added a post in a topic Leni and Snowmachine Gang   

    While watching the 10:00 news lastnight there was a
    medavack of a snowmachiner. So I called Leni's # and
    he answered. He was at home and fine but exhausted.
    He said he would post the story today.
    The med flight was one of them.
    Bob
    • 0


  25. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Leni and Snowmachine Gang   

    Holy crap, Bob! Please let us know as you hear...

    Probably can do much for them from way down here but send our best wishes and prayers for their safe return.
    • 0