AvidJack

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About AvidJack

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    Advanced Member

Profile Information

  • Gender Male
  • Location Austin, Texas USA
  • Interests Dean Wilson Designs. Pretty much anything outdoors.
    27 years of Unix/Linux means I don't spend a lot of
    time messing around with computers anymore.

AvidJack's Activity



  1. AvidJack added a post in a topic MGL V6 radio   

     
    MGL has gone through a few transitions recently, but the new dealer seems willing to work with you.  I'd purchased the MGL FF-1 fuel computer back when, and *finally* installed it in the kitfox.  All of the docs say that it will work with a capacitive fuel sender, so I'd bought one of those too, back when.  Obviously, they are somewhat out of warranty.  I spent way too much time trying to get them to work together, and finally sent a question through the new NA dealer's (Legit Avionics) "contact us" website form. I got their website from the referral from the old MGL site, telling us it's been fun, but..
    Much to my surprise, I received a response from the owner- asking for more details.  He'd never seen the insides of the FF-1, so I pulled it apart and sent pictures.  He figured there were 1K pull-up resistors that needed to be removed, and we identified them as R35 and R38.  Before we went any further, he took the time to contact the original designer, and the designer verified that those two resistors would have to come off to work with a capacitive sender (!).  The later models have dip switches to disable the resistors, but.. Evan at legit even offered to have me send it in, and he'd remove the resistors.  I've done a lot of board work, and hate surface mount work (danged fleas..), but managed to pull one resistor (only one pickup) and leave the other, just in case.  And, I'm in business.  I don't know how Evan at Legit could have been more helpful.
    If your radio cuts out after a few seconds of broadcast.. have you checked the SWR?  Some are pretty good at protecting the output by shutting down.. A quick test might be trying it with a 50 ohm dummy load instead of the antenna?
    Jack
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  2. AvidJack added a post in a topic KF3 unstarted kit Information and direction?   

    Both of my last projects were partial kits, and I registered both of them as built from parts.  I didn't have a full kit, all I had were OLD parts of kits.  On the speedster I'm "almost" ready to fly (darn wind makes it difficult to prep for) I didn't even use the old serial number.  N512JB and N92KL.  Fill out the forms, check the boxes, and mail it in with a check. (then wait..)  I'd reserved the number ahead of time- that might help, as it took a couple of years after that reservation to apply it during registration. No questions, no issues.
    And, odd happenings- I couldn't type into the reply box to send this using firefox as a browser.  Had to use microsoft edge.
     
    -Jack
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  3. AvidJack added a topic in Technical tasks   

    Wing covers.
    I hangar in an OLD shed, which dumps dust and **** on the planes.  I've used a horsehair brush on a shop vac way too often, and started wondering whether a twin sheet.. maybe, but it would take a lot of sewing, not my strong suit.  Then I noticed drop cloths were on sale at (drumroll) Harbor Freight, and they had 10 oz canvas cloths that were 4x12 ($10) and 4x15 ($12)  (even better at 40% off this weekend). Those, and a few elastic bedstraps (Amazon, used to tighten sheets), and I'm looking forward to NOT cleaning the wings on a regular basis.
    The door to my shed is 20 feet wide, so I have to fold to bring them in.  The stand in the back makes it possible to unfold, and lessens the  need to de-fuel. Lift the tail onto a sawhorse,  put on the stand, and you're ready to fold. Without the stand, a wing can easily get away from you, and it's certainly not fun to unfold uphill by yourself without it.
    I used to roll it in and out by hand.  I'm older (not wiser, and sure not stronger) now, so modified my tailwheel dolly to accomodate a lawn tractor as a tug. but I'd be shocked if they didn't go on sale again.
    Jack
    Austin, TX

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  4. AvidJack added a post in a topic CONTRIBUTIONS TO KEEP SITE GOING   

    It's that time of year again-  Thanks for keeping the site going!  Check your yahoo address.
    Hoping the next year is the best yet (and that I find a DAR to bless my kitfox..)!
     
    -Jack
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  5. AvidJack added a post in a topic New kitfox model 1 and the hse700 0 hours   

    I agree with Jim- The hks would be a great engine for the kitfox 1.  I did my flight training in a kitfox 1, with a 582.  Great fun, very good response, plenty of power.  
    As you build, I would look into the plywood stiffeners for the wings, which were one of the mods to the kitfox 2 that increased the gross weight from 850 to 950 pounds.  Take care not to add a lot of frills- weight adds up quickly.  I would recommend widening the fuselage a bit- it's fairly straight-forward.  Jim has some pics of how he did his kitfox in the kitfox 4 area.  When I was training, we had to fly with the doors off to get enough shoulder room for the two of us.  Later, during one of my flight reviews, the cfi "tested" me by opening his door on the avid I was flying.  I tested him back by opening mine..
    Feel free to post questions as you run into them, and, try to do at least one little thing a day.  Same way you eat an elephant.
    If you've never covered a plane, I recommend taking the EAA hands-on training if it's offered near you.
    $.02    Jack
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  6. AvidJack added a post in a topic New guy considering buying a Kitfox, need advice   

    I'll take a stab at this..
    I'm building a kitfox 4.  Which doesn't really describe what I'm building..
    The early 4 had a gross weight of 1050 pounds. That was changed to 1200 pounds in later production.. mine's a 1200 sold by skystar.  And, it has the "speedster" modifications, more streamlining, shorter wings.  There are also two cowling options- the round "bump" cowling, which kinda looks like a round engine is installed, and the smooth cowling.  There were even options for a nose-dragger (not for me..)
    So, I'm building a Kitfox 4 1200 speedster (tailwheel). Mine has the original bungie gear and round cowling.  Some of the speedsters were built with the ability to lengthen the wings by adding an extension- I'm not doing that.  
    You might look up the history of kitfox online.. The model name later changed from kitfox 4 1200 to kitfox 4 classic, with several mods made.  Make sure you get the builder's manual that matches the plane you're buying- I have three variations of the manual, and there are still questions.  Several changes have been made through the years, and more importantly, several service bulletins have been published.  You'll want to match those to what you're buying.
    Engines- that can be controversial. I've had really bad luck with early Jabiru engines, the first three series had extensive modifications.. and are less and less supported by the factory. 2 strokes- I've had good luck with the Rotax 582, but hated the short time between mandated work. Again, older engines.. less support.  Hirth, I was ok with, although service manuals are non-existant, until the long-time distributor (recpower) retired a few years ago, and the new distributor doesn't have much info on the non-uav stuff.  My speedster has a Rotax 912 uls installed, (used, almost at overhaul time, which varies by serial number). It has a separate log book, detailing work done, allegedly by a well-respected company.  I've found several issues which were "overlooked" or not documented.  
    How many hours?  If more than 200, most of the bugs have been flown out.  I have an avid catalina with 80 hours on it- after buidling it, my mission changed- I now have a grass strip in the country, and the cat's suspension is all in the tires. It's been a while since I flew it (been building the speedster)- so it'll be a major effort to go through it before its next flight. Another consideration- aircraft that haven't flown in a while, or often, are unhappy.  The cat still had a few squawks that I was working through- They're in the logbook- you'll want to read any of those for completeness, and good detail as to work performed.
    And- you can post your "possible" purchases here- a few pics and concerns should get you feedback.
    I'm a fan of the folding wings. Forget the towbar, set up a boat trailer, and support the tail, not on the wheel. But- since you're looking at that route, measure the height of the garage door.. I had to drop the deck of the trailer on the mains.  My hangar is really a shed- so I have to fold the wings every time.  If you're flying several times in a period, check for short-term tie-down costs at your airport. Or, better yet, with the wings folded, you might make a deal with another pilot to fit in their hangar- take a look at my avatar :-)  Jack
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  7. AvidJack added a post in a topic Bungee questions   

    I had the same thought- I'm working on the gear, final lube, filling the brakes, and was in that section of the (old, skystar) manual this morning-
    The initial install of the gear instructs you to use 5 wraps, and then notes that you'll do six wraps after covering and painting.  So, you were right both times!  With six wraps, I'm standing high and proud.  Jack
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  8. AvidJack added a post in a topic Bungee questions   

    I started out with 5, but as I added weight (motor, etc) , noted that there was about a 1 inch gap between the gear and the fuselage.  I've flown an Avid MK4 with loose bungees, didn't like it, made ground handling a bit too exciting. Don't remember how many loops it had, or how I did it then (suspect vise grips), but did replace the bungees on it to correct the issue. These are the original bungees from the '92 skystar kit that I picked up, and I didn't measure them- If/when I change them, I'll try and remember to measure.
    Weight and balance coming up in a couple of weeks..!
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  9. AvidJack added a post in a topic Bungee questions   

    Ok. I'm in the redo phase on my build (classic 4 speedster), correcting all of the things that I did wrong before.. like using 5 loops of bungees instead of 6.  I've fought these in the past, and am by myself, so no extra hand around.  After several failed attempts, I hit on a magic tool (actually a scrap leftover from the flaperon alignment blocks) that made it a snap.
    Similar to the technique in the youtube video above, you pull your bungee tight through the opening, bend it down, then slide this wedge (bungee side is NOT sanded..) in from that side, and.. it grips! I tried the full width (1.5") to begin with, and then split it in half.  It was a bit unwieldy on the last wrap, so maybe a bit thinner, but no second person involved.
    Probably a simple wedge would work just as well, I think the bungee side rough is the key.  Example picture of the idea below, sorry, did not want to undo it to create a demonstration video :).   
    Although, now that I read the thread above, maybe seven loops..?  Redo of the redo?  
     


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  10. AvidJack added a post in a topic MGL engine monitor wiring question   

    I'm hooking up mine for the first time as well.  I did look through the possibilities, and wanted as much info as possible, so I ordered the mgl cht probes.  If you go that route, you'll also need to extend the wiring, the probe wires are only six inches long! MGL supposedly has an extension wiring kit (mentioned on their site) but I couldn't find a way to order it, and they don't respond to email.   I ended up buying extension wire from another source, along with a splice kit.
    I have one last hookup to make- oil pressure (bought a universal sender on Amazon, but just for the wiring connector.  Choked when I saw the price for the Rotax branded connector..  Connector fits just fine, wires are a different color, but..).
    Will make that hookup today.  
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  11. AvidJack added a post in a topic For Sale and wanted, you got it, I want it   

    it would appear as though there is a ready-made answer on barnstormers:  and one heckuva deal
    $.02
    Jack
     
    KITFOX III PROJECT FOR SALE • $9,500 • MOTIVATED SELLER • PRICE SLASHED! Selling a 1990 Kitfox III (with control system upgrade to IV) in Durango, CO. Wings and control system mostly completed. Includes Rotax 912 80hp engine with 0 hours, propeller, more than a basic set of instruments, all major kit components, any related tools we have, and the nuts/bolts/washers etc. Also includes hauling trailer and wing cradles. Have build log and full instructions. • Contact Teresa Craft , - located Durango, CO 81301 United States • Telephone: ---------- • Posted July 31, 2025 • Show all Ads posted by this Advertiser • Recommend This Ad to a Friend • Email Advertiser • Save to Watchlist • Report This Ad • View Larger Images
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  12. AvidJack added a post in a topic Another catalina / amphibian on the market   

    And, yet another (again, an amphibian). on barnstormers..
    AVID CATALINA AMPHIBIAN • $19,000 • FOR SALE • 95% completed. Needs canopy and flaperons finished. Too many other things going on to finish. Has rotax 532 engine. This can be finished as 3 seats or two seats for light sport. Building log and build pictures are on the EAA builders log for easy access. • Contact Ronald Kline , Owner - located Finleyville, PA 15332 United States • Telephone: ---------- • Posted June 16, 2025 • Show all Ads posted by this Advertiser • Recommend This Ad to a Friend • Email Advertiser • Save to Watchlist • Report This Ad • View Larger Images
    and, I learned to copy the pics- hadn't seen this one.

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  13. AvidJack added a post in a topic Another catalina / amphibian on the market   

    The radiator location is the one that avid chose.  I agree, not great, and some have actually used the area of the rear cabin fairing along with a side scoop in one side of the passenger area to place their radiator. I can't figure the scoops either, unless it's a reverse-flow way to get more air into the cabin.  And, since II tried before (and failed)  to post a picture for future reference, I'll try again-
    Jack
     

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  14. AvidJack added a post in a topic Firewall   

    Finally made it out to the hangar.  That upper ledge on my firewall ended up being 3.25 inches, to accomodate as much room as possible for the exhaust on the 912.  Pic of the 3rd iteration of the firewall attached.  Note the angle iron on the outer edges- those provide reinforcement and stiffening for the rudder return springs located on the other side.  You may not need as tight a ledge if you're going with the 582.  I'm still trying to figure plumbing routes.
    I had to make my floorboards as well, as mine didn't seem to be included.  I later found them on the bottom of the big flat box containing sheet metal and such, under cardboard. Old projects can be full of their own mysteries.  When I picked up the catalina, the guy selling it swore that that long chunk of formed wood (banister railing) was part of the project.  Jack


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  15. AvidJack added a post in a topic Firewall   

    And...  in your picture, unless I'm mistaken, the one in the front (right rudder) is attached in the correct place to give a longer (and stronger) stroke. The original brakes (mine) had two flaws- not enough leverage, and the piston size in the old (discontinued) matcos was enlarged to give more volume.  The rudder return spring (in my plans) fits onto the same place as the rudder cable- you can catch it in the lower right of this picture. Only one per side.  Jim might have insights into those brake pedals- He's seen a lot more than I have, but I'm guessing they're more like the avid redesign?
    $.02

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