Activity Stream
Activity Stream
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SuberAvid added a post in a topic Fat Avid Update
Hi Leni,
I have run the engine and it has had its share of bugs. I set it up on test standand ran it but I couldn't get a stable tach reading and didn't have a good throttle set up for it. I was had both steam gauges and the MGL guages hooked to it; it took a while to get the MGL guages programed correctly and the water sensor probe was not reading correctly compared to the steam guage. It turned out to be the sensor probe and I got another one that read correctly. Then I messed with the tach for a long time calling RAM Engines where I got the dual ignition distributer and MGL, trying a bunch of different resistors, etc. and hooked up a tiny tach to it as well but it couldn't get a stable reading either. Also, I didn't have enough ir flow through the radiators to run it too long at a time. I ended up sending the distributor back and got a diferent one with a different set of ignition modules. Also had a slight water leak out of the brand new water pump so I replaced that with another new one. Meanwhile I installed the engine on the airframe and now the tach reading is good but it started running rough and I noticed a slight drip out of one if the head bolts so replaced the head gasket and determined that the head bolts that the motor mounts anchor to were no longer at proper torque. It seems the paint on them flowed out when the engine heated up and created the problem. Got it all put back together again now but have not started it again; will wait for warmer weather. I plan to do a lot of ground run ups with the tow bar on until I am satisfied I have all of the bugs worked out.
I have been watching the engine discussion; I don't disagree that it would be nice to have the $18 - 20K for a 912 but I just don't have that $ and I wanted to try a 100hp 4-stroke. I will see if it is worth the effort and what the performance ends up like. I guess this is why these birds are called Experimental.
I got a 72" 3 blade ground adjustable Warp Drive prop for it. I have a 70" Warp on my Avid so I am pretty familiar with it.
My airframe had the same problem as Jack's with the wing attach points. I built a jig off my Avid fusalage and heated and bent the forward carry through tubes to fit the jig. They didn't have to move real far; one about 1/8" and one about 3/16". After talking to Steve Windner he didn't think it was that big a deal but I welded in tabs as well just to bring back my comfort level.
I will plan to meet up with you when you are back in town if you decide to fly out to Fish Lake /Willow/Wolf Lake area. I hope to have the new starter for the Avid by next week and be back in the air. Are you planning on going out there on the weekend, 1/23/10?
Randy
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akflyer added a post in a topic Another reason I like two strokes
well.... all is not better.. on many fronts one of the vids will show a couple idiots trying to defy a physics law that says two objects cant occupy the same space at the same time... Captn Morgans and Crown Royal tried to prove otherwise. I now have a stupid boot on my leg and not much use of my left ankle Oh well, it was a hell of a party, and a great weekend anyway. now to get my leg good enough to push on a rudder pedal in the next week and a half and I will be happy
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Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Another reason I like two strokes
Welcome back Leni, hope all is getting better...
Looking forward to the vids.
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akflyer added a post in a topic Another reason I like two strokes
no choke on mine.. starts on the 1st or 2nd pull every time. Gotta love EFI. Will get my newyears vids edited and posted up in the next couple days.
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akflyer added a post in a topic Fat Avid Update
Looking good Randy!
Have you run the engine yet? what prop you planning on running? Did you have to bend you wing attach points at the fuse like Jack did? Do you think the crimping of the tube is detrimental? I would be tempted to put a gusset of some sort on it to get the strength back in that area....
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Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Hitler pissed over NW airlines missing airport
I really liked the one where
is delayed...-
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C5Engineer added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar
Another reason I like two strokesThis is posted by Dave. He has a lot of Kitfox vids on Youtube. Lots of funny and crazy stuff. Check out his latest vid... Third pull start covered in snow after sitting for a year using nothing but the choke.....Try this in your oil cooled 4-stroke.
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C5Engineer added a topic in Jokes
Hitler pissed over NW airlines missing airportClick for a good laugh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0_9TIi76a4
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SuberAvid added a topic in Avid fox flyers pics and vids
Fat Avid UpdateWell I will give this a try. For those interested in the Fat Avids, here are some fairly recent pictures of my project. Hope to have this flying this summer 2010.
Randy
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C5Engineer added a post in a topic New home for 279AF
It might be a II..the tail looked like the original one but I could be wrong. Were the early KFs undercambered like the Avids? I bet that thing is a total pig with that NSI on it. My airplane weighed close to 700lbs empty when we found it with that NSI on it. That engine is 200# plus ready to run because it's got a big redrive on it. I think my Dad is going to run it on his CH701 he's building.
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akflyer added a post in a topic New home for 279AF
Congrats on the new hangar! looks like a sweet place to have your toys....
You sure that is a model I ?? the doors look like they are atleast model II and it looks like a speed wing too from the angle you are showing.
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Av8r3400 added a post in a topic VW engine in an Avid/Fox
There's currently a 912 UL (80 hp) for sale on Team Kitfox which is at TBO (1500 hr), but is only $2700.
Depending how mechanically inclined you are I know these can be inspected and without machine work go far beyond TBO.
Subaru is just to heavy to be a viable choice. Any install over 200# makes these planes nose heavy, poor performers.
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Av8r3400 added a post in a topic New home for 279AF
Congrats, Joey! That 40 hour phase I will be gone in no time, now!!
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horsepower added a post in a topic VW engine in an Avid/Fox
I think I would consider contacting Preceptor Aircraft,they use the VW in most of their aircraft.The advertised performance isnt to shabby.Im building a Super Skyraider and really considered the VW but went with the 582 instead.The Preceptor Super Pup has an empty weight of 450 and a gross of 1050.You have probably already researched it but just incase you havent it may be worth your while.Randy
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Trackwelder added a post in a topic VW engine in an Avid/Fox
I presentlyhave the 582 , but am looking at a Fat Avid Conversion, really looking for practical information on VW redrive but it doesn't appear to be ou there For the money a continental 0-200 or lycoming 235 seems to be winning but if I can find the info I hate to give up on the VW
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horsepower added a post in a topic VW engine in an Avid/Fox
I agree Joey,I did a lot of research before choosing the 582 and it gets right down to power/weight ratio.The VW I believe is a good engine but they are more suited to a faster less dragier type of plane like a Sonex.The size of the prop has its limitations because of the direct drive and the RPMs it turns.I was told a good running 503 will out perform a VW and 912s are totally ridicoulas now.If I were rich I would have a 912 but one has to settle for something practicle or we may as well all be flying certified aircraft.Im hoping my 582 will be safe and I spent extra for some decent gauges to keep it in its operating ranges.If it does quit me I guess I,ll say damn I wished I would have bought a 912. Randy
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C5Engineer added a post in a topic VW engine in an Avid/Fox
I'd be more nervous behind a Soob, VW, or Geo than I ever would be behind a two stroke Rotax. Go fly in a light one with a competent pilot that has a 582 and then do the same in one that weighs 100lbs more from engine alone that is using an auto conversion and then decide. These airplanes lose 4 feet per minute of climb for every pound you add to them. To do their mission properly they need to be light. I don't know what the conditions were in that video but I get off the ground faster with my 65hp at gross than he did solo.
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Russ. added a post in a topic New home for 279AF
Sounds like you lucked out. Good luck with your new home. Always good to hear of a HAPPY ENDING. Russ.
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napierm added a post in a topic VW engine in an Avid/Fox
VW's have limitations but this guy seem to have some success:
Not a 912 to be sure but not bad.
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C5Engineer added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar
New home for 279AFThe guy I'm currently sharing my hangar with is moving and recently informed me he was turning the hangar back over to the city on the 1st of Feb. The drive out there sucks and after him banging up my airplane I was ready for a change anyhow. I put up an ad at the airport that is closer to my house. They are super anal about their county hangars and do not allow people to share and there is a 5 year waiting list. BUT..they have a bunch of privately owned corporate hangars. One guy owns half of them and he called me up and offered me a spot on one of his lifts and the price was right. I'll have to pull out a Grumman and lower mine down to go fly. I didn't think I was going to get a spot at all let alone one that let me keep my wings unfolded so I'm pretty stoked. The best part is I'm now 9 miles from house to hangar and it takes 12 minutes where before I was 22 miles and 40 minutes away. Heres a sneak peak of the hangar...I'm moving up in the world
Lots of cool stuff in this hangar. The owner really hooked me up. He gave me a spot for my work bench and full access to all the tools in the hangar.
This is a Model I Kitfox with an NSI Soob on it. That's the same engine my plane had on it when my Dad first found it. Good engine but a boat anchor on these planes because of the weight. Sounds like this one has not flown in a long time. Pretty sad. I guess the owner paid huge bucks to have it custom built...what a waste of a good airplane. I will be on the same exact type of lift as this one.
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flattie45 added a post in a topic VW engine in an Avid/Fox
Here are a couple of addresses if one is interested in Geo/Suzuki conversions:
www.nessaaircraft.net/
www.airtrikes.net/engines.shtml
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Bandit added a post in a topic Hello?
Had 4 days off last weekend to fly but the -26 below every morning put a damper on that. The forecast for this weekend is a whole lot warmer. Can't wait to fly. Daylight hours are getting longer now, should have time to fly after work now. Hope to mount my camera in my plane to get some videos.
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Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Wiring
The only reason to prefer crimped joints to soldered joints is the flexibility. Soldered joints are more prone to cracking and failing where flexing may occur from motion or vibration. Additionally, when these joint do fail, they often have very rigid and jagged edges which can poke through protective tape or shrink tubing potentially causing shorts and fire hazards.
IMO - I would say the best in-line splice or joint would be a crimped, uninsulated butt connector with a flexible shrink tubing over it.
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jackak added a post in a topic VW engine in an Avid/Fox
Another option is the suzuki/geo engine. check out the flygeo_uncensored Yahoo group site. Some good info there. Not many have been installed in Avids or Kitfox. With the geo you would need/want to use a redrive.
Jack
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C5Engineer added a post in a topic Wiring
I would like to think that soldering and heat shrinking is about the best way to do wiring and I don't want anything but the best for my plane. Almost everything on mine is soldered minus the last few things I did which was adding two 12V outlets and my fuel flow gauge. I crimped them only because I was being lazy and in a hurry. They work fine too just like my soldered stuff. If I was building and had things all apart and accessible I would solder all the way....thats just me though.
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