flattie45

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Everything posted by flattie45



  1. flattie45 added a post in a topic Emergency Ski Bottoms   

     I remember my father talking about doing this. Years ago he had a Cessna 180. In the winter he was using wheel penetration skis (I don't remember the brand). I've never flown wheel penetration skis, but I understand them to be a compromise between utility and performance. Taking off from snow in lousy conditions he said he'd tape visqueen to the skis. While not performing exactly like a straight ski, it was a big difference. Once back in town, landing on pavement was a non-event as the pavement ate away the visqueen under the tires. Obviously a one-time use set-up, but it sounded like it could make the difference between a go and a no-go.
     
    -Nate
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  2. flattie45 added a topic in Introduce yourself   

    Introduction- Nate
     Hello! My name is Nate. I don't post a whole lot on this forum, but I enjoy seeing what everybody else is up to. I was born and raised in Anchorage. We moved out of state a few times growing up but my family always returned to Alaska. I work on the north slope. 
     
     I earned my license in '99. For years I owned a nice little Cessna 140. Great little airplane, but it didn't have enough seats once the kiddos (two) started showing up. After I sold the 140 I won a Searey in a raffle. Although a nice little amphib, it was still just two seats and setting it up for skis was out of the question. So I was able to transform the Searey into my current aircraft, an Aeronca Sedan. I can't say enough about what an awesome plane it is. I can load up the family and get out of town. It's not real fast but it's very comfortable. I thought the previous owner was exaggerating when he said that it'd be easier to fly than the 140, but it's true. And I thought the 140 was easy!
     
     I bought the remains of a wrecked Avid (A model, SN# 55) years ago while working on my license. I was going to rebuild it but never made much progress on it. It came with the Cuyuna engine, which I sold. I acquired a 532 on the advice of John Knapp. I think if I was going to get it flying I'd look for a 503. I like the idea of a bare bones aircraft with a low, low empty weight. I'm not sure if it will fly again, honestly speaking. 
     
     Most of my flying is out to the family cabin in the Susitna Valley. I don't have floats yet but it is on the horizon. I've taken a few trips to different parts of the state, and just to buzz around a bit. I don't fly as much as I would like, but I think this summer is looking pretty good to get some more flying in.
     
    -Nate
     
     



    • 3 replies
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  3. flattie45 added a post in a topic joke thread   

    There was a guy in a bar one night that got really drunk, I mean really ,really, really drunk. When the bar closed he got up to go home.

    As he stumbled out the door, he saw a nun walking on the sidewalk. So he stumbled over to the nun and punched her in the face. The nun was really surprised but before she could do or say anything he punched her again.

    This time she fell down and he stumbled over to her and kicked her in the side, then he picked her up and threw her into a wall. By this time the nun was pretty weak and couldn't move very much.

    So then he stumbled over to her, put his face right next to hers and said........
    "Not very freakin' strong tonight, are you Batman!"
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  4. flattie45 added a post in a topic Alaska AVID Flyer Survival Pack   

    I don't know what the DAR will require. There is a State of Alaska Statute; maybe that's what you are thinking of? Anyway, the following is a link to the statute.

    AS 02.35.110. Emergency Rations and Equipment.

    I would guess that asking your DAR would be the best bet. I don't think the inspection is a closed book pop-quiz. Your DAR probably isn't too concerned with enforcing state laws, but I could be wrong. And Ed's suggestion of TP is excellent.

    -Nate
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  5. flattie45 added a post in a topic joke thread   

    Ron and Carla were sitting on their porch swing one afternoon. Suddenly, Carla hauls off and slaps Ron's face nearly knocking him out of the swing.

    He said, "What was that for???"

    She replied, "For being a lousy lover for 45 years!!"

    He sat quietly for a moment and then suddenly slapped Carla, nearly knocking her out of the porch swing.

    Carla said, "What was THAT for?"

    Ron replies, "That is for knowing the DIFFERENCE!!"
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  6. flattie45 added a post in a topic Mode C Transponder   

    No transponder is needed for coming into Merrill. It's not required for Lake Hood or the Lake Hood Airstrip either. The Alaska Supplement should have all the details you need. Merrill does have a control tower so you'd have to talk to them. There are quite a few experimental aircraft based at Merrill so I don't think that should be an issue.
    -Nate
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  7. flattie45 added a post in a topic overheating... again   

    Sorry to hear that, Leni. Glad to know that everybody is alright. I just returned to work. When I get back home in two weeks I can do a fly-over to check on it's condition. Not much that one can do from the air, but it's always nice to know the status.
    -Nate
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  8. flattie45 added a post in a topic Avid Model A rotax 503 info   

    POH

    Try that link. It leads to a document on the yahoo group site. I'm not sure if it'll work if you're not signed in.

    On the subject of the 503, I wonder how much lighter it is than the 582. I have seen some figures but I'm not sure if they represented total FWF weight. It seems that there were a number of A models converted to the 532, but the 503 is closer to the Cuyuna in weight. About 10 more horsepower and still air-cooled.

    A co-worker used to fly ultralights and put about 1000 hours on his 503. He had nothing but positive comments about it.
    -Nate
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  9. flattie45 added a post in a topic Nate's Pics   

    Not this week, due to a change in plans. But still definitely on the list of things to do.
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  10. flattie45 added a post in a topic Nate's Pics   

    I finally moved into something that will haul the family around. The Sedan is very comfortable, especially when compared to the 140. Speed is not it's forte but I'm not in much of a rush. From the factory the Sedan only had one door on the passenger side, but when this Sedan was upgraded to 180 HP, seaplane doors on both sides were installed.

    The more I fly it the more I like it. It's a little like driving an old truck, with a real solid feel to it.
    -Nate


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  11. flattie45 added a post in a topic Two-stroke powered car   


    Ended up trading the Searey + cash for a 180 HP Aeronca Sedan. Last time I was home I strapped the family in and headed out to the cabin, something that's hard to do with a two-seater.

    I only flew the Searey a few times. It was fun, but did not really match up with what I wanted to do.

    What's the latest on your engine?
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  12. flattie45 added a topic in Hangar Talk   

    Two-stroke powered car
    My brother sent me this link about a Miata that was raced with a Polaris 600 triple. The Polaris was about 550 pounds lighter than the Mazda drive-train. Looks like they had fun with it. The Car and Driver article has a video of them starting it.

    My link

    This link goes to a forum that has a few more details
    My link

    I just thought that some people here might enjoy the article.
    -Nate
    • 3 replies
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  13. flattie45 added a post in a topic Another fun filled flight   

    Glad to hear you got down alright and was able to walk away. It does raise a few questions. . . . .




    . . . .are you going to overhaul these, zero-time factory reman, or spring for a new replacement?



    Seriously through, I am glad to hear everyone is alright. How much more work until the 800 is up and going? I am sure quite a few people are interested. Keep us posted!
    -Nate
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  14. flattie45 added a post in a topic Heavy Hauler carry-through sizing   


    Can't say I know much about them, but weren't the Ravens from the B or C model era? I'm not sure how beefy they are compared to something like the Avid+/Airdale.
    -Nate

    edit: Sorry, I was thinking of the Mohawk.
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  15. flattie45 added a topic in Avid fox flyers pics and vids   

    Italian Avids
    I was surfing youtube when I should have been working and ran across these videos. Maybe some of you have seen them, most had between 80-200 views when I saw them. Awesome footage, none of that flatland stuff. Back to work . . .




    Italian Avids

    -Nate
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    • 876 views


  16. flattie45 added a post in a topic Sold my 140   

    I flew the Searey twice this summer. Awesome visibility. It has a few things that need to be fixed (electrical problem and engine oil leak) before it can fly again. If I lived in Florida it would be great, but the structure is not at all rugged. And I am looking for something with four seats. So once it is airworthy it will be for sale.
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  17. flattie45 added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Sold my 140
    Well, I finally sold my Cessna 140. I bought it in February of 2003 and it has been a great little aircraft. Most of my flying has been out to my parent's cabin, but I've taken a few trips around the state with it. With a 125 HP Lycoming (85 HP Continental is standard) it was a good performer. But with a growing family it is just a little to small. It will be awhile before I can get anything bigger, but it will be easier to save up without an airplane rifling through the wallet.
    The new owner is a great guy and seems like he'll put some time on it. I haven't been flying as much as I used to and it always pains me to see aircraft sitting around for any length of time. In the meantime I'll continue window shopping for the next plane.
    -Nate
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  18. flattie45 added a topic in Jokes   

    The Itch
    Once upon a time lived a beautiful Queen with large breasts. Harry
    Fishwick the Dragon Slayer obsessed over the Queen for this reason. He
    knew that the penalty for his desire would be death should he try to
    touch them, but he had to try. One day Harry revealed his secret desire
    to his colleague, Horatio the Physician, the King's chief doctor.
    Horatio thought about this and said that he could arrange for Harry to
    more than satisfy his desire, but it would cost him 1000 gold coins to
    arrange it. Without pause Harry readily agreed to the scheme.

    The next day, Horatio made a batch of itching powder and poured a
    little bit into the Queen's bra while she bathed. Soon after she
    dressed, the itching commenced and grew intense. Upon being summoned to
    the Royal Chambers to address this incident, Horatio informed the King
    and Queen that only a special saliva, if applied for four hours, would
    cure this type of itch, and that tests had shown that only the saliva
    of Harry would work as the antidote to cure the itch.

    The King, eager to help his Queen, quickly summoned Harry to their
    chambers. Horatio then slipped Harry the antidote for the itching
    powder, which he put into his mouth, and for the next four hours, Harry
    worked passionately on the Queen's large and magnificent breasts. The
    Queen's itching was eventually relieved, and Harry left satisfied and
    hailed as a hero. Upon returning to his chamber, Harry found Horatio
    demanding his payment of 1,000 gold coins. With his obsession now
    satisfied, Harry couldn't have cared less and, knowing that Horatio
    could never report this matter to the King, and with a laugh told him
    to get lost.

    The next day, Horatio slipped a massive dose of the same itching powder
    into the King's underwear. The King immediately summoned Harry.

    The moral of the story:

    Pay your bills.
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  19. flattie45 added a topic in Files and Forms   

    Vortex Generators on bottom of wing
    I'm really not sure where I found these; it may have been the Yahoo site but I couldn't re-locate them there. Anyway, I know most people look into VGs for slow speed handling & stall speed reduction but I thought that this was interesting.
    -Nate







    • 17 replies
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  20. flattie45 added a post in a topic Looking into VG's   

    First off, let me say that I have no experience with VGs (sorry!) I read an article about a fellow who installed VGs on the bottom side of the wing to eliminate some of the drag associated with the airfoil used on the Avid Flyer. He was in contact with Harry Riblett, who helped with the proper placement. Apparently at cruise speed an area of turbulent air builds underneath the wing, and the VGs help to break it up.
    This was sometime in the 90's, and he didn't do a whole lot of pre and post testing, but he figured he gained at least 5 mph, maybe more. I'm not sure if or how it affected slow flight characteristics. He called them more of a "question mark generator" than a vortex generator, since it looked quite odd.
    I think I still have the article on my home computer. I'll be home next week and post it when able.
    I know you are looking for more slow flight/control authority, but I always thought that it would be interesting to try.
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  21. flattie45 added a post in a topic Landing Gear Bolts   

    It seems that a lot of pilots aren't aware of the stress involved with ski operations. On my Cessna 140 I have solid axles. I am not sure if they are legally required for skis, but it is a very good idea. There is no air pressure to soften the impacts while on skis. Keeping an eye on everything related to the landing gear is a good idea.
    On the Searey owners site somebody posted pictures of his Searey with wheel skis. It seems the Searey is notorious for landing gear failures, often referred to as, "painting a white stripe", the result of the fiberglass hull skidding down the runway. It has even happened just while taxiing around. I can't see skis on a Searey as a great idea. Oh well, more power to him.
    But yeah, to sum it up, keep on eye on yer landin' gear.
    -Nate
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  22. flattie45 added a post in a topic Cargo Pod While On Floats   

    No, but I've got a few people interested. I'm still sitting on skis, so once I get swapped to wheels I'll take some prospective buyers up. As for the Searey, I think a cargo pod strapped to the bottom would affect the water handling, if just a bit . Bummer on your other news. You think that cowl is going to work alright?
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  23. flattie45 added a post in a topic Cargo Pod While On Floats   

    I guess there are a few things to consider, such as CG, distance between spreader bars, mounting, etc. But it might work. You see those Yakima or Thule cargo carriers all the time, mostly on Subarus.
    I don't see why it wouldn't be possible on a certified aircraft (oh yeah, starts with an F and ends with an AA). But seriously, I don't see why an external load approval wouldn't cover this. Now I just wish I had floats. And a plane to go with it!
    -Nate
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  24. flattie45 added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Cargo Pod While On Floats
    On the Alaska Outdoors forum on bush flying, I ran across a response from akflyer, mentioning he was going to build a cargo pod for his Avid Flyer. I thought that maybe a cargo carrier for cars might work, mounted on the spreader bars of the floats. They are fairly aerodynamic, weatherproof and come in different sizes. I'm not sure what the weight penalty would be, but it would be simple. Of course it would only work while the floats are mounted. Some brackets for mounting might have to be fabbed up if a person was against strapping it down. I'd like to hear peoples thoughts on this, if it's feasible or not. I like simple things, and at first glance this seems reasonably simple (or maybe I'm simple ).
    -Nate
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  25. flattie45 added a post in a topic Rotax Avid/KF Mounting   

    Am I correct in assuming that this would be an engine with oil injection? If so, what about one w/o the injection?
    It's just that I have been curious about this for awhile, so I thought I'd ask. It seems that with all the hours on the Avid/Rotax fleet, it must not be that big of a deal.
    -Nate
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