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Activity Stream



  1. akflyer added a post in a topic Flight Controls   

    looks like the builder assist and factory support was not too damn up on the product they were selling.  How the bad word could they miss the mark by so much on such an important item. 

    Oh well, it will still be well worth your efforts the first ime you break ground with it!  Keep pushing forward and you will be in the air before you know it!


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  2. Bandit added a post in a topic Gas tank leaking   

    I have the wing opened up and ready to patch. Going to cut a couple of holes above the leak and put Pro seal in, then fiber glass over the holes. Yes I think I can glass between the curve of the tank and spar.
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  3. cajunpilot added a post in a topic Flight Controls   

    Howdy all from Bayooouu country,

    Well, after a three day hiatus to that irritating thing called regular employment, I am back and what to my wondering eyes should appear...uuucckk!!

    Well, I guess we are glad to find out now versus later the hard way. (RE:extending control column 2.5")

    So, Jack, How do we, who are woefully inadequate in the area of welding and metal work/machinist work, extend this control column? Also, as I don't remember who said on this or the other thread, "a picture is worth a thousand words." Can you or did you take pictures of the extension process? I am somewhat familiar with what you are describing but a picture to see and understand how you mounted the extension would be mucho appreciated! Also, why not just re-weld a new tab further out versus the hose clamping method?

    I am sorry if some of these question seem a little elementary. I am very Anal retentive...notice the capital "A."
    It would be greatly appreciated if you could lend any further instruction as to the extension...One thing to note is that we have assembled our control column already (done at Airdale...builders assist) so this will provide even further fun, thinking, of disassembly and then all that will be needed to expand on internal parts of control column.

    Okay I think I have beat this one enough 

    glad to be back at it....

    PS I think I am gonna try to go past and assemble the mixer and other parts if I can before I do this extension...input?

    Keep 'Em Flyin
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  4. akflyer added a post in a topic I'm Legal!!   

    you can fly if ya wanto, you can leave the ground behind, but if you cant dance and your feet dont dance you gonna swap ends with your behind...... sorry, the safety dance song just popped into my head.... great, now I am gonna have that damn song in my head all night..


    Congrats on getting the endorsement.  But the KF probably wont feel anyting like what you just got checked out in.


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  5. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic I'm Legal!!   

    Doin' the rudder dance!
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  6. dholly added a post in a topic Flight Controls   

    Thanks Jack,

    At least (2) of the (6) kits are finished and flying. John and I are still building, but no clue on the remaining (2). Yes, it does seem a lot of kits get bought, then life circumstances change or the reality of the effort involved becomes more apparent and dreams get sold. Some are sad stories, but many have happy endings because it also makes for some great deals. I could never afford the price of a new KF kit today. I was the 3rd owner of my Mk-IV kit and the 2nd for this Avid+. In my case, the dream is alive and well, just a little FATTER!  ;D  The fellow who bot my Mk-IV is a local, experienced builder. Most recent completion was a Just Escapade w/ Jab2200. From the last pics I saw he has made great headway and I wouldn't be surprised to see it fly late this year or next.

    I can see most details clearly in my head but the engine dilemma has got me going in circles. If I was on wheel gear I'd use the Jab, but with the floats I've settled on the 912ul for the gearbox and big prop. I also would like the option of using an IFA prop someday, many more options available for the Rotax in that case. The 100hp sure would nice but don't like the higher price and premium auto gas requirement. Regular gas, specially on floats, and a bit less fuel burn sounds good to me. After seeing the performance of Paul Seehafer's 775lb 80hp KF IV-1200 on Aerocet amphibs the last few years at OSH, I think it'll be plenty for the Avid+. With my 'heavy speedwing', leading edge cuff and Hoerner tips, I'll have a near identical wing area and airfoil.

    I understand why Brett would concentrate on the Airdale kits, make's good business sense for him. I'm not at all worried about parts availability, aside from the fuse and flight controls everything else is old school Avid which he has promised to support. And yes, he can provide me with a 912 ring mount. Apparently this was an Airdale innovation and great improvement over the old bed mount. Given the co$t -2x the Jab mount- I hope so. Anyhoo, I'm still trying to get a pic of the 912 firewall attach stations, hard to believe the 2x4 two row pattern I have will work without adding a couple additional lower points. What is Randy using on his new fuse?

    P.S. - Sorry John, didn't meant to hijack the Flight Controls thread, just a bit chatty I guess! Get anything done yesterday besides BBQ and beer?
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  7. dholly added a topic in For Sale and wanted, you got it, I want it   

    Right side Avid speedwing tank available - new
    ---SOLD---SOLD---SOLD--- THANKS!

    Anyone need a replacement Avid oem speed wing tank? New, never used, supplied Jan. '06. This is the big one, 18gal, right side with cap.

    [edit] add pic (left side sold)

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  8. dholly added a post in a topic I'm Legal!!   

    Hehe, legal to forever chase some tail! 
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  9. dholly added a post in a topic Gas tank leaking   

    That looks like a PITA spot to repair. Can you even get sufficient access to the rear of the tank without removing it away from the rear spar? Dunno which wing you have or which side is leaking, however, I do have a brand new right-side speedwing tank sitting in the shop I'm not going to need if that can help you out.
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  10. jackak added a post in a topic Flight Controls   

    Doug,
    You're probably right on the numbers of kits and fuselages sold.  At one point I asked Steve if anyone had completed one and he said that he hadn't heard of any and that they just seem to be changing hands.  I guess that's fairly common in the kit building world.  I know that sometimes it's hard to keep you level of enthusiasm up.  This winter I just took a break from building and relaxed over the holidays. 
    When I talked to Brett a while back it sounded like he was going to focus on the Airdale kits for the time being.  I'm sure he'll make any parts we need and has come through anytime I needed something.
    Have you pretty much decided on the 100 hp Rotax for power?  Did you buy one?  I think that Airdale is making the engine mount for them, aren't they?  If you do get one from them, I'd make a paper template of your firewall mount points so you can be sure it will fit. The mount for my Subaru went back and for because of some confusion and the sheer number of firewall variations they deal with.
    Catch you later,
    Jack
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  11. Av8r3400 added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    I'm Legal!!
    As of Friday, noon (7-3), I am now a legal tail wheel endorsed pilot!  Wheeee!  I am now officially legal to learn how to really fly a tailwheel plane.


    Still lots of work to do on my 'Fox before I fly it, but I have some folks here local that I can fly with to prep me for my plane...


    Wish me luck.  I'll probably need it...
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  12. dholly added a post in a topic Flight Controls   

    Jack,

    Sounds like the Fat Avid Fuselage Upgrade was just that... a fuselage rather than a 'kit'. I have no idea how many fat fuse upgrades were sold by Airdale but, if I understood Steve correctly, there were only (6) full Avid+ kits sold. The original owner of my kit ordered direct from Airdale and took delivery Jan. 2006. The kit number noted on the original invoice says #51006, which leads me to believe mine may be the last (latest?) full kit sold. In conversation with John (jbowaaf) a couple years ago, it sounded like his was manufactured just before mine based on his purchase date. Maybe his paperwork says #51005? All I know is the full kit owners are in a pretty darn small club. In the past few years of research, I've only been able to locate (2) other full kits so John and I make (4). I hope to meet the other two someday (and the new owner of Vince Nartker's tri-gear 912uls Avid+), so I actively post to my online builder log and these forums hoping to leave them a Google search trail. I talked to Brett @ Airdale recently, but he hasn't had time to get thru all the jumbled paperwork records he just bought.

    -Doug
    ____________________________

    Independence Day Wishes to all U.S. Patriots and Service Personnel!


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  13. jackak added a post in a topic Flight Controls   

    Happy 4th,
    My floorboards are made out of 1/8" material and the links wouldn't clear.  When I got my "kit" there was no hardware or information included.  Everything was left up to the builder and what you could get out of a Mark IV manual if you had one.  Things really improved later.
    This forum is going to help everyone.
    Jack
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  14. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Happy 4th of July   

    Back to you Lenni, and every one else at AFF!
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  15. akflyer added a topic in Hardcore Avidfoxflyers   

    Happy 4th of July
    Just wanted to say happy 4th to you guys.  I am stuck at work 800 miles from home in a dry camp so there will be no oly pops for me tomorrow so ya better crack one for me  

    One more year of celebrating our independance from tyrany and (moderation) < like how I worked that one in


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  16. akflyer added a post in a topic Gas tank leaking   

    yo Bandit, you making any headway on the repairs?  Get that bugger buttoned up and back in the air


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  17. akflyer added a post in a topic Wheel/Axle installation   

    You bolt pattern looks just like I did on my gear, but I had home made backing plates.


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  18. dholly added a post in a topic Wheel/Axle installation   

    Anyone with Airdale's W.I.B. (wider is better) main gear, I'm curious how you mounted your brake calipers to the gear torque plates. As I mentioned earlier, this step caused my first train wreck. Because it's raining like crazy (AGAIN), I'll share my embarrassment.

    The Avid Mk-IV manual says to mount brake calipers at a 45* degree angle aft in relationship to the ground level. According to Matco Mfg Assembly Information, the ideal mounting position for the brake caliper is the trailing side of the wheel at 270* degrees from vertical, with the inlet and bleeder valve in a vertical axis. Therefore, it would seem that a 45* to 90* degree angle aft in relation to the ground is the preferred range, although Matco also says the caliper can be mounted at any location as long as the system can be bled of air properly.

    Since the caliper backing plate has 8 holes and the kit supplies 4 bolts, it's only natural to space your bolts evenly in every other hole. I felt there was enough room to do this and drilled the holes. Unfortunately... one hole ended up slightly too close to the gear leg and, even with a modified washer, the weld bead prevented the washer and nyloc nut from seating flat.

    Urrgh! No way around it. Got the welder out, filled the holes, ground smooth and re-primed. Final position of the calipers relative to the ground is not quite the best per Matco's recommendation, but it is as close as possible when working with the fixed gear leg and torque plate and pre-drilled backing plate holes.

    So how did you guys make out? Same bolt locations or different?





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  19. dholly added a post in a topic Flight Controls   


    Hmm, how thick are your floorboards? The only interference I had was when I tried to use 1/4" ply floorboards occurred at the mixer end of the aileron bellcrank. The lower end of the flaperon 'T-link' -just barely- touched. Changing to the 1/8" ply solved all issues, although you could easily get another 1/8" clearance on the aileron bellcrank simply by removing a small amount on the lower end of the bellcrank mounting bushing welded to the seat truss and adding another spacer washer. Come to think of it, I did have one bolt that was packaged with the rest of the aileron mixer universal joint bolts that had a low profile slotted head rather than the typical hex head. I used that for the connection at the aforementioned interference point noted in the pic. Of course, all castle nuts are to the upside for inspection. 



    Dunno about John's kit, but all my hardware was neatly packaged and marked not only with AN #'s, but also location! Easy to cross check application with the pull sheets and so far, knock wood, everything has been the right size, length etc. No complaints what so ever from this perspective.



    I'm getting along slow but sure. One thing for certain, advice from those that have blazed the trail ahead is invaluable and much appreciated. I hope you and Randy continue to share your knowledge and experience.

    -Doug

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  20. dholly added a post in a topic Flight Controls   


    Looks like my and John's control tubes are both 20" LOA. Again, based on my measures, I was going to extend 2-1/2"... exactly what you did. Hearing your "could have been longer" comment, maybe I'll do 3" now. Good input, thanks.



    Yep, I thought about this but it just seemed too darn easy.  ;D

    thanks Jack
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  21. jackak added a post in a topic Flight Controls   

    A comment on the floor boards if I might.  By installing your floorboards first, you can see how well your control linkages in front of the seat truss will clear.  The "T" shaped link that operates the flap bellcranks was too long and hit the floorboard; The aileron bellcrank that attaches to the stick control tube also hit.  I had to send both of them back to Airdale for mods. You can also determine how long the bolts need to be that attach your control tube and rudder pedals to the floor structure.  With no belly pan installed, you can easily drill the floorboards for the mounting screws. I used some of the slip-on nut plates rather than the ones that require riveting. They're not structural and do lock the screws in place when tightened.
    I miss the tech orders too, John. You should have seen me trying to figure where they put the rig-pins in order to set up the controls. A 2x4 and c-clamps just doesn't seem to be quite right.
    When it comes down to it, I think each of us is building a prototype, each close, but never exactly the same. Sharing info sure does help.  Randy and I work together frequently, I'm an old maintainer and he's an engineer.  Works out well.
    Jack
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  22. jackak added a post in a topic Flight Controls   

    Hey Guys,
    Yes, I had to extend my control tube.  Mine was originally installed in a "C" model and was way too short.  It hit the copilot in the left knee.  My solution was to extend the tube and the small tube inside 5". This additional length provided a tube that is 22 1/2" long.  It pretty much centers the sticks in front of each seat.  The tube could have been just a bit longer, but it should work out.  I think each of us is going to have to measure our fuselage and seat placement to come to the final adjustment required for comfortable placement of the sticks. 
    To hold the tube in the new position, I just bent up a piece of steel strap and used some epoxy to hold it in place prior to bolting the control tube into the fuselage.  The strap looks like a one of the conduit clamps used to mount electrical conduit to a wall, like a hat.  I just glued it in place because it goes under the tube that the factory provided tabs are welded to and is held in place by the mount bolts once installed.
    Hope this helps,
    Jack
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  23. akflyer added a post in a topic Flight Controls   

    maybe Jackak will chime in here.  I am pretty certain he had to cut his control tube assembly.  JACK, HEY JACK.... JAAAAAAAAACK
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  24. dholly added a post in a topic Flight Controls   

    Yep, looks like you got short shafted too! Here's why I think that...

    Each seat back is 15" wide. If I mark the top center of each seat back 7-1/2" from each side, then measure between those two seat center points, I get 19-1/2". If I measure between the bolts that secure the sticks in the control tube sockets, I get 16-1/2". So, if you ask me, this control tube is about 3" too short to position each stick directly between the legs on both sides.

    Go sit in the plane with the sticks and check it out. Try as I might, even twisting the curved sticks to allow different offsets each way etc., I couldn't come up with a way to position things so as to provide a full range of stick motion without hitting my legs. In my case, I think it will be even more problematic because I'm adding a center console and Johnson bar for the amphib gear, and have relocated my flap handle to the left of center.

    I've pretty much decided just to cut and extend the control tube by 2-1/2". I don't think the entire 3" is necessary as there is a bit more leg room to the pilot's right side than left. You can move your right knee over the console some but, on the left, the side of the fuse ain't gonna change. Was trying to improvise a way to use the existing end bracket tabs rather than cut off and re-weld.

    Still trying to find a work around on this one... 

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  25. cajunpilot added a post in a topic Flight Controls   

    Hellluuuuooo,

    On the size of the control column...we figured a picture is worth a a thousand words. So we attached some.....RESIZED....pictures for your perusal and enjoyment.

    Side note: Could not figure out how to use the resize feature until while sending this picture, I right clicked to preview the picture before upload and low and behold a new little word on the drop down menu...."resize"  I guess even I can figure it out now.

    By the way Lenny, your home state has been featured in one of the new release movies. The Movie "The Proposal" has part of it filmed up there in Gods Country. See, we in the lower 48 are finnally getting some taste.


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