Activity Stream
Activity Stream
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dholly added a topic in Fat Avids, Avid Plus and Airdale
Setting wings to fuselage (a.k.a. calculating wing sweep)When I set my wings to the fuselage to locate and drill the front spar pin holes, I ended up with a very slight amount of forward sweep. Using (4) plumb lines on the leading edge, (1) at each wing tip and root, I aligned all (4) plumb lines horizontally and squared wings to the fuse by measuring from tailpost to each tip rib flaperon hinge. Using a homemade blind-hole locating tool (thanks Russ!), I noted that resulted in hole placement about 1/2" from the end of the spar. I felt that looked like insufficient spar material between the hole and the spar end, and a quick measure confirmed the pre-drilled rear spar pin holes had 3/4" clearance from spar ends. When I adjusted to keep the same minimum clearance for the front spar pin holes, I ended up with +1/4" at each wing tip vs. their respective root vertical plumb line. That is where I eventually drilled the front spars and now I'm wondering how to accurately calculate exactly what % that wing sweep actually is. Any clue?
For reference, all Avids, Avid+ and Kitfox I-IV used 0% sweep. The wing sweep came about with the Kitfox Series 5 and 6 aircraft when installing the heavier certified engines (O-200, IO-240 and Lycoming O-235). On a Super Sport Series 7 the FWF moved the engine forward about 5" and Kitfox recommends a 1% forward wing sweep only when utilizing the heavier engine choices… not with the Rotax 912uls power. The SS can be built in the 750 to 800lb empty weight range with the 912, and typically 900lb plus with the Continental or Lycoming…
I did find one potentially helpful comment while searching for info. One SS-7 builder with the forward swept wings said:
A bit confusing but I presume everything is relative to the aircraft centerline. I don't have my root and butt ribs on yet (still need to install wing tanks) but, next time I have the wings folded out and pinned, I'll measure my rib location tape marks on the f/r spars to the center stringer over the cabin and see how it compares.
Anyways, since forward wing sweep does move the center of lift forward and give a different CG envelope, I'm wondering what the net effect will be with my teeny bit of sweep. If I understand correctly it may reduce the baggage compartment load limit ever-so-slightly and, with no baggage and pilot only, may put the CG forward or close to the forward limit if I want my battery up front. Just to make matters more interesting, my Avid+ material does not include a revised W&B, just the standard Mk-IV specs.
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akflyer added a post in a topic Avid rebuild
Have you talked to Dean about the issues? I would think he could let you know how to fix it up. We dont mind flying some pretty ragged stuff up here. As long as it is sound, looks dont make too much of a difference. Knock the edges down and put some silver on it and fly the crap out of it...
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C5Engineer added a post in a topic Avid rebuild
Man I have not been out to the hangar in over a week. The A&P that did my wings closed up his shop and moved about 3 hours away. My $20 an hour labor rate just went bye bye. I am still stuck on what to do with this fuse. I got in touch with some guys from another EAA chapter about an hour away and a few of them expressed some interest in maybe helping but don't know how promising that will be. I'm started to get frustrated. So close yet so far away. I'm going to try and shoot a video and post it up in a few places and see what people think. Anybody have any some encouraging words? The end of summer and the birth of my daughter is fast approaching and I'm still planeless.
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Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Gas tank leaking
That's it. Why not retrofit something like this?
Just thinking out loud, here...
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dholly added a post in a topic Gas tank leaking
turtlepac.com
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Av8r3400 added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar
AirventureWho's going? (I'll be there all week!)
Where and when do you want to meet??
Brett from Airdale is doing his lunch thing on Wednesday at the Seaplane Base. Shall it be there or somewhere else?
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Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Gas tank leaking
With all the grief everyone seems to have with their fiberglass fuel tanks, I wonder if it is possible to construct a "rubber" bladder as a tank liner, similar to the ones used in many of the larger certified planes.
I am definitely not a fan of "sloshing" a tank to try and cover-up the problem and tank replacement seems to be a huge undertaking. The rigid plastic tank liners require you to cut the top (at least) off your tank with arguable structural effects.
Why not just cut a 6" square hole in the top for access to install a bladder and install an access panel over the opening? Seems like a valid option to me.
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Bandit added a post in a topic Gas tank leaking
Just pumped the last of tho proseal in tonight. Let that cure for a couple of days. Then patch the entry holes and put gas back in to check for leaks. Next week I will hit it hard. Sure is a lot of old loose resin inside the tank.
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cajunpilot added a post in a topic Build Pictures
Doug,
I'm glad you are asking these questions. In fact I think strongly its worth a thread of its own. Leni...What do you think can you move it?
On the answer to the questions I will get back to you ...gotta check with the Older member of the Cajun militia.
Toodles from Tigerville USA that's LSU the others are just pretend tigers...who calls themselves War Eagles and tigers...."just ain't natral"
Keep Your Flaps Down
Greg
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dholly added a post in a topic Build Pictures
Looks like a 'Family Affair', keep the pics coming!
What are you using for a builders manual? If Airdale provided you with a Mk-IV manual, what revision date? Are your parts individually bagged, numbered and location described? Do you have a complete set of Pull Sheets?
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dholly added a post in a topic Flight Controls
Hey Greg,
Here ya go. This mixer design is absolute genius IMHO, kudos to Steve Winder or John Larsen or whomever was responsible for the design. I'm very interested in getting everything rigged properly and measuring the differential.
I'm going to post the pics here in the Flight Controls thread for better topic continuity and search function. I'll be watching your Build Pictures thread closely to see just how fast you guys are closing on me. You may be a good source of motivation!
[edit] sorry about the dark pics, must have been working at night
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dholly added a post in a topic Amphib Float Controls
This snip from the old Skystar install instruction manual shows the cable routing.
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cajunpilot added a post in a topic Build Pictures
Powder Coat v/s Corrusion solution- sandblast and repaint (two part epoxy)
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cajunpilot added a post in a topic Build Pictures
Floor Boards project
Another step Terminated...
Cajun Militia
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cajunpilot added a post in a topic Flight Controls
Doug,
Been sneaking around over in the Amphib section to see how the other half lives and noticed some good pictures of your mixer in the background. Would you mind posting some pictures of your mixer/flight control rigging. I learned a lot just by seeing the ones on the Amphib thread.
Anything would be appreciated.
PS we could also start posting them in the new build pictures thread
Toodles from Tigerland
Keep 'Em Flyin
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cajunpilot added a post in a topic Flight Controls
Lenny,
I am glad to hear it about the weld part as we may have to go the same route as Jack.
All,
We are not sure of how we are to proceed yet. Has anyone thought of/tried designing/building a modified stick. We were of a thought that three inches of offset could be accomplished by an off set stick. I am not sure if it would work as the sleeve coming out of the control column rises up a good bit.
Thoughts?
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akflyer added a post in a topic Amphib Float Controls
Yes sir, going exp. with it. I have a buddy that has one he stretched in 78, extended wings etc. He has all drawings and STC for is, but i am just going to copy his drawings and fab per those for all structural mods. other mics. clean up mods would be my own if needed. Several stretch / widen jobs were done under various names. The producer, provider, bushmaster etc. This will be a mix of all of the above, dual seaplane doors etc. Will be a several year project would be my guess.
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dholly added a post in a topic Amphib Float Controls
Hi Jack,
The gear retract cables do cross each other as they leave the bull wheel pulley before they pass thru guide supports and exit the cabin near each rear gear attach bracket. In it's original KF install, the pulley turned clockwise for gear down and counter-clockwise for gear up. In my install I have retained that orientation, so none of that changes. However, when positioning the pulley as shown in my earlier pics, the gear retract cables do not have a straight, unobstructed run to the rear corners due to seat bottoms and other misc. tubing members. It is, indeed, just a bit too busy to make for a quick 'n easy install.
Sooo, I think I've come up with the simplest of solutions... mount the pulley below and external to the fuselage under a small fairing. Clearly, this will make running the cables a snap. However, the latest potential wrinkle is my decision to use a 912 and here's why. I'm certain to use an underbelly radiator and, ideally, an underbelly air scoop (similar to the one Kitfox sells) that would also effectively house / hide the pulley wheel. Hehe, the 'ol two birds with one stone builder's trick. Just need to determine how that portion of the cooling system is installed to insure no conflict with the pulley or cables.
Whadda ya'll think? Any other ideas here?
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jackak added a post in a topic Amphib Float Controls
PS, Heading for Arlington this morning, will check-in when I get back.
Jack
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jackak added a post in a topic Amphib Float Controls
Leni,
Is the pacer going to be an experimental or are you going to do or have an stc for all those changes? Buying a fat avid might be simpler. Is what you're planning called a Provider? If it is, at least you'll have some samples to look at and people to talk to. Sounds interesting.
Jack
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akflyer added a post in a topic Flight Controls
If there is a strength issue with a butt weld then your welder has no business holding a tig torch, wire feed gun, Stick, or oxy acetylene torch in his hand ( the short would be between the shoulder and the hold and not between the electrode and the base material) . I am sure there are alot more stick forces at work in an A10 than on the control colum of these little planes. The stick forces are VERY light. Just to qualify my ever so humble opinion, I have been in the welding industry for my entire working career. I be a certified welding inspector and am currently the QC/FCO manager over the largest maintenance/construction contract that Connoco Phillips has in the world. I deal with all types of exotic materials including 4130. If you were to run an engineering analysis, I am sure you could get away with just four 1/2" tack welds around the tube. May not set well with your head looking down and seeing a gap in your life line, but it will have more than enough strength.
With all this being said, at the end of the day it is all about YOUR peace of mind when you are in the seat of YOUR plane cruising over nasty mountains in moderate turbulance.
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jackak added a post in a topic Amphib Float Controls
Wow! Now I know what busy can look like! You may need to raise the floor of your baggage compartment and put that pulley back there. If its installed on the copilots side, it would turn the wrong way unless you crossed your cables. If the cables exit the fuselage near the aft gear attach point, that could restrict your options too. May need to go with an electric setup. Of course with an electric setup, you usually have a manual backup. Much head scratching going to happen here.
Good luck on this one Doug.
Jack
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jackak added a post in a topic Flight Controls
Thanks Greg, I'll check that out next time I post some pictures.
Doug, The sleeve and Hysol is an interesting approach. I think I'd consider putting a couple stainless steel pop rivets in each end too. They're really tough and should provide the needed connection should the Hysol develop a problem. I say this because I don't know how the Hysol holds up to shear loads.
Jack
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akflyer added a post in a topic Gas tank leaking
time for a sitrep. you gonna get this kicked in the ass and buttoned up this week?
Been hotter than blazes at the house (for us) mid to high 80's and I will be home flying in 2 days.. you can beat me to the air ifn ya get on it
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akflyer added a post in a topic Build Pictures
yeah I pay for it, but I dont mind yet I put this site up after I did some searching for a place we could talk planes, brag about your dog, or just bs about the day. The other places were a bit strict for my twisted taste so walla.. here we are. I am toying with the thought of upgrading the software, but we will see how many pics you can post up before we hit critical overload I told the computer geek I did not want to run out of bandwidth or server space when we start adding videos etc, and he has assured me we wont...
Whew. so, after all that, post up a build thread, pics, you name it. This site is for you guys, and my personal, twisted entertainment!
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