FredStork
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Everything posted by FredStork
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FredStork added a post in a topic Avid 4 HD gear and BIG wheels
Sam,
...replying to your mail question here as it could be of interest to others...
the Desser 850-6 use the same rims as the 800-6 Carlisel Turf Glide so that is a great saving. However, this will only work if you have disk breaks as the increased diameter of the tires will make drumbrakes useless... I'm even considering adding a second calpier!
Another consideration is if you have skies... The bigger tires are not working with the wheel penetration skies I have so I just bought a pair of cheap drum break rims (like if anything fitting an airplaine was ever cheap...).
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FredStork added a post in a topic Avid 4 HD gear and BIG wheels
850-6 Aero Classic from Desser compared to the traditional 800-6 Carlisel Turf Glide. I got the Desser tires for a bargin just before they got certified, more expensive now but still a good deal compared to tubeless thousands of dollars alternative. And our friend is absolutely right, they look really cool but I have still to find a place to land where I could not have gone with my 90$ Turf Glides... But when you have the coolest looking plane...
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FredStork added a post in a topic 1999 kitfox IV engine change
Yes, and that is what I have (had already). Depending on how your belly radiator is mounted you might have to adjust it, maybe slide it a little to the side to get out of the way for the double pipes. I don't think belly radiator is a showstopper.
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FredStork added a post in a topic 1999 kitfox IV engine change
My stone is making waves...
To my knowledge there is no "factory" built mount for Simonini that would fit Avid or KitFox but with fittings identical to Rotax 582 you can either reuse, or "easily" find, an engine mount that will almost fit. Much easier to modify an existing mount than to create one from scratch - particularly if you want to save the rest of your installation.
As mentioned, the rear end of the engine is wider than a 582.
I made a new back plate, less protruding, and moved the ignition coils. If you have a "free air" mount, like on a trike, you could in most cases just remove your 582, bolt your Victor 2 on and have the engine changed over the day...
About the exhaust.. One of the reasons you get high power is the tuned exhaust pipes, Yes, exhaust pipes. And yes, the installation of the 2 pipes, rather impressive, can create some concerns... But if I can do it, anyone can... What you don't see in detail on the picture below is that the rear attachment of the pipes can extend downwards if pushed by the (traditional bungee) landing gear.
However, Simonini is aware of the double pipes being a potential issue so they propose a single pipe system as well now, much like the one for 582. You will loose a little power but with the 100 HP version you can afford that (or take the 110 HP version...). But having the pipes end behind you, rather than in front of you, is - sound level wise - nice. The belly is also much cleaner than before...
Ed, I'm not sure what you meant by "other stuff"... I reused my radiators and radiator mounts, changed nothing. I had to make a small "bump" on the belly of the cowling but other than that... no "other stuff"...
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FredStork added a post in a topic 1999 kitfox IV engine change
Yes, the gear box can be mounted both ways. It has 2 different oil level plugs.
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FredStork added a post in a topic 1999 kitfox IV engine change
Can I throw a stone in the pond?
Simonini Victor 2 Plus (the current "smallest" Victor 2 model) give 100 HP and weights ~20 kg less than a 912 (~7.5 gallons of fuel), consumes 12-13 liters/hour (like a 912). Compared to the 912, other than half price (costs like a new 582) and the already mentioned 20 kg less, you can also change to a light weight battery as you don't need a heavy lead battery in the tail for CG... (another ~1.5 gallon of fuel..).
It uses the same fittings as the 532/582 and the propeller axis comes out at the same position but the engine mount might need some minor re-modelling as the rear of the Simonini is wider than the Rotax. You can reuse the radiators from your 532/582.
I know Simonini is almost unknown in the US. I have only 150 hours on mine (the old model with only 92HP...) and it works like a charm. The power is there, no question about that, and no issues to report. I have been in contact with a number of Simonini Victor 2 owners and no one has any (first hand) issues to report. The only problem I have had is that excess oil accumulate in the spark plugs (mounted heads down, I had the same issue with my 532...) but this appears to have been resolved by a slightly different design of the cylinder heads in the current 100 HP model. A friend just installed one 100 HP in his Avid and he is very happy with it.
To be clear, I have no relation to Simonini, I'm just sharing my experience (you can find more info on my blog, link in my signature). Nor do I have anything against Rotax, but when I got the opportunity to replace a 30 year old snowmobile engine with a modern engine I took a chance I have not regretted. Ok, maybe I have something against Rotax, maybe I got tired of the taste after getting fed Rotax morning, lunch and dinner every day...and paying it through the nose...
Fred
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FredStork added a post in a topic Neat Avid flyer video from Finland
I'm just about to put my skies on... taking off and landing on snow is a different feeling, very smooth... In my last video I went to a few mountain airfields where I plan to return on skies this winter and ski myself (I just added a ski rack to the side of the plane..).
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FredStork added a post in a topic What was i smoking?
C5engineer.. You have what I want... Do I understand you right, you have a Avid bush gear that you modified to fit the double shockmonster dampers... Right? What is the lengt required to install those dampers? Did you get the shockmonster dampers from Kitfox? If so... how much...?
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FredStork added a post in a topic What was i smoking?
Nice to see I'm not the only one thinking about what could be done about the Avid landing gear - I guess everyone how have done a hard landing think about it...
There are several solutions on the market that we could get inspiration from.
The Just Aircraft Super STOL give a real "badass" look but also requires major modifications. From a putting the forces in the right place this is probably the best solution (Layman's opinion...)
KitFox have a STi Shock Monster landing gear that I find exactly right (would be easy to adapt as well) with double dampers that efficiently reduce the size of the package (but not the price...) See Trent Palmer's video below from 4 minutes (it should start at the right time) where he explain this modification, and other, to his KitFox. And do see all his videos, they are great. This kit is less expensive that the kit Beringer below, but still why more that we would dare to tell our wife...
An alternative is the French Beringer solution (that is just as expensive as it looks) here mounted on a Savage that is pretty close to our planes.
Another idea comes from the (French) manufacturer of the "Petit Avion", similar to ours with folding wings. It is a tricycle so you need to imagine the gear "the other way around". It would requires more modifications as what we have on the sides they have in the middle but for anyone doing rebuild this concept could be an option.
Here is Trent's video, watch from 4 minutes:
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FredStork added a post in a topic Fred's films
Autumn, the perfect time for flying. On November 1st I wisited 3 mountain airfields where I had never landed before... and made a little film...
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FredStork added a post in a topic Fred's films
Time for another film....
The French taildragger brotherhood is arranging a yearly fly-in. I had never been there before but will absolutely come back... I obviously brougt my cameras and have just finished the film. I hope you enjoy it
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FredStork added a post in a topic Time for a new Tailwheel!
Good luck! Tell us how it worked out (and what imperial dimentions you ended up with for future candidates)
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FredStork added a post in a topic Time for a new Tailwheel!
Sure... but I'm not convinced it will help you as I'm in the metric world and you in the imperial world...
I used 3 steel tubes to increase the diameter of the axis to 15 mm. Inner diameter 13 mm, external diameter 15 mm, length of each tube 20 mm. there is no added value of having 3 tubes but the longest they had was 20 mm.. and the alternative was ordering several meters of uncut tube...
The new wheel need to be sitting 2 cm from the inner side to be centered. 1 brass tube with inner diameter 15 mm, external 20 mm and 20 mm in length.
The shorter brass tube next to the nut is of the same initial dimensions and cut down to the appropriate length to get a snug fit.
Hope this helps!
And about the modification and the wheel itself...
So far I have only landed on grass strips so it still looks like new. But to be very honest I had almost forgotten about it, it just sit there and does it job. It was much HARDER to forget the Maule wheel if you see what I mean...
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FredStork added a post in a topic Tailwheel replacement (5 inch)
Hi TSoftware,
note also the recent post http://www.avidfoxflyers.com/index.php?/topic/4922-time-for-a-new-tailwheel/
I would not be too concerned about slightly raising the tail. I can't see the entire spring on your photo but it look rather short and with a 5 in wheel you might currently be lower than many others. True, if you have shopping chart wheel on the main gear... well...
I do agree with previous comments, pneumatic is definitely the way to go. So is double spring...
Fred
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FredStork added a post in a topic USB 4A dual smart charger port
I'm not alone... Clicked your link and got "Currently unavailable"....
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FredStork added a post in a topic USB 4A dual smart charger port
Yeah, I found one that worked well and decided to order a second one, guess what... right "this product is no longer available".
Does anyone recognize this? NOT limited to USB chargers!
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FredStork added a post in a topic Time for a new Tailwheel!
Wheelchair? That explains why it says "NOT FOR HIGHWAY USE" on it... After all it is sold as nose wheel and in the tail wheel assembly by Matco. Time will tell.
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FredStork added a post in a topic Time for a new Tailwheel!
I put on the new tailwheel today, taxied a little and made 3 landings. I’m really happy with it, it is much softer and considerably less "shaky" than with the solid Maule wheel.
Obviously it is not a big fat tundra tail wheel, it is a 130 euro compromise and first impression is that it is worth it.
Looks good as well...
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FredStork added a post in a topic USB 4A dual smart charger port
We don't all have the same experience. I'm using an iPad 3 powered through a 2 amp converter (had to go through several before finding one that didn't generate too much static..) If I start with the iPad fully charged it will stay charged without any problems, nor does it over heat (when fully chaged and given 2 amp it appears that the battery is working less and therefore not heating much).
However, extende use of gps and navigation program (AirNavigation Pro) will keep it warm and if it is mounted in direct sunlight it can get too hot an power down. I have fresh air comming trough a tube to the back of the iPad support to keep it cool. During my 2 weeks this summer with 90 dehrees and merciless sun I never had any issues.
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FredStork added a post in a topic Time for a new Tailwheel!
Agree, time to get rid of that solid Maule !
The funny thing is that when many complain about the Maule tailwheel assembly it has always worked great for me. No unwanted releases while still releasing when I want it to (like when parking in the hangar. Maybe the geometry is optimum on my setup but it has always been stable during taxi etc. But it is soo damn stiff (and heavy!)…
So I wanted to keep the Maule single arm fork and only replace the wheel with a pneumatic Matco wheel for $74.15
http://www.matcomfg.com/TAILWHEELASSY6PNEUMATIC-idv-3006-6.html
and the matching tube and tire for $18.42
http://www.matcomfg.com/TIRETUBE6x24PRTUBE90DegSTEM-idv-3097-38.html
This is the setup as used in the Matco tailwheel assembly http://www.matcomfg.com/TAILWHEEL6PNEUMATIC-idv-3373-69.html
For our European friends: With VAT and shipping, minus the EU AircraftSpruce 10% anniversary discount, it final bill was 130 Euros…
The wheel and tire are really nice, there is no doubt on the quality here. And it is much lighter… The Maule wheel is 1490 g while the Matco wheel is only 700. Counting also the material used to fit the Matco wheel the difference is 750g / 1.63 lbs !
I used some “adaption” and brass tubes rapidly delivered from my favorite online bearing supplier to make the Matco wheel fit to the Maule fork.
I’ll put it in the plane this weekend and let you know how it works out.
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FredStork added a post in a topic Fred's films
Richard,
thank you for your kind words.
I didn't know about the LAA Rally but looked it up on the web, looks fantastic. Would be a great adventure to go there - and provide material to another film....
Fred
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FredStork added a post in a topic Living my dream
Some users are reporting difficulties accessing the file (particularly when using mobile device like a tablet) the workaround is to go through this link:
http://avidsimonini.blogspot.fr/2016/11/old-dreams-never-die_20.html
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FredStork added a post in a topic Living my dream
Some of you followed my posts about my 2 week flight around France back in August. I have been working on a film from the trip that has taken more time than expected.
Well, it is finally done and posted. It breaks the basic rules of a YouTube clip, it is long and fairly slow - but it was a long and slow trip.
There are some really nice sceneries, France can be stunningly beautiful when seen from the right angle… At the end there are a few minutes from this year’s Ultra-light Festival at Blois. Obviously small compared to Oshkosh but rather impressive for a ultra-light only event (Ultra-light in France is up to 450kg at takeoff, max 100hp and stall below 65kph for 2 seats).
The film is called “Old dreams never die” in reference to the film I did 3 years ago of what should have been this trip but ended at lunch the first day after a hard landing.
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FredStork added a post in a topic Fred's films
This is the story about 2 weeks flying in France in an ultra light aircraft August 2016.
The trip start close to the alpes and the first destination is the Loire valley castles before going to the Atlantic coast and the 3 islands Belle Ile, Ile d'Yeu and Ile d'Oleron. From the islands down the coast to the Basque country before going inland to Massive Centrale and the center of France. The trip end with a short visit to the annual Ultra light festival at Blois before heading back to the mountains.
The film is to long? Skip directly to (and miss spectacular sceneries):
00:00 Loire valley castles
07:00 Belle Ile (including transit to)
15:00 Ile d'Yeu (including transit to)
29:00 Ile d'Oleron (including transit to)
42:30 Bellac and Azat le Ris (Wanafly Airsports)
45:30 Blois 2016 (including transit to)
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FredStork added a post in a topic Forced landing
Bandit, if you always start turning from the same position (like from a mark on the cap facing forward) would you not always end up in approximately the same end position? My filler neck is threaded but the threads so big the there is only 2 or 3 entry positions allowing a fixed vent...
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