tcj

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Everything posted by tcj



  1. tcj added a post in a topic Treetop Landing   

    Now another item needed in my survival bag.  100 foot let down rope.
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  2. tcj added a post in a topic Rotax 912UL - REVISED Service Bulletin SB-912-063 UL Revision 2   

    For the 11 mm to torque wrench extension.  Ski Doo tool kits most have a 11mm X13mm open end wrench.  My craftman's socket set has a 3/8 socket wrench to square 1/2 inch adaptor.  The 1/2 inch end fits the 13mm open end wrench.  Or if you have an allen wrench socket set use an allen wrench socket on your torque wrench in the other end of an 11mm wrench.  The Chinese tool store or even local hardware probably has the combination you need for a couple bucks. 
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  3. tcj added a post in a topic MK IV HH For sale   

    Got a link to the add???
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  4. tcj added a post in a topic Empty weights   

    kitfox Classic 4.  503 Rotax.  First weight and balance was 547.  A couple years later I added PVC wing strut fairing so I reweighed and also decided to stop trying to fool myself and included the fire extinguisher, hand held radio, seat upholstery, baggage sack, hand held GPS and head set.  New weight is 573. 
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  5. tcj added a post in a topic No left aileron got my attention   

    Thanks for posting that Herman.  Its a good reminder.  I think i will go check for any possible problems with my control system.
    Tom Jones
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  6. tcj added a post in a topic Installing finger strainers on Catalina fiberglass tank? Options?   

    Reports of tank sealer pealing off in the fiberglass tanks is the reason I installed finger strainers.  A small flake of sealer has a good chance of covering the fuel port without a finger strainer.  I check them each year at annual inspection and have found no debris.  My tanks are 20 years old and came with the Kitfox factory sealer applied.  It is still tight and looks like new.  I'll keep the finger strainers in. 
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  7. tcj added a post in a topic Installing finger strainers on Catalina fiberglass tank? Options?   

     I sense some confusion on the purpose of finger strainers.  The purpose of finger strainers is to prevent a large object from plugging the fuel tank outlet port or getting into the fuel line of fuel valve.  They are a large mesh that will let small debris pass on to be caught by the fuel filter where you can see it or remove the filter to check without draining the tank.  Finger strainers are removed at annual inspection time to check for large debris.

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  8. tcj added a post in a topic Snowmobiles   

    Here's what happens when a good ole boy buys more sled than he can handle and comes to the mountains.

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  9. tcj added a post in a topic Nanco 21x12x8 sale $31.80   

    Here's a couple pictures of the back side of the wheel.  They came in my kit with 3 bolt holes and instructions for the builder to drill the other 3.


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  10. tcj added a post in a topic Nanco 21x12x8 sale $31.80   

    Here's a couple pictures of the back side of the wheel.
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  11. tcj added a post in a topic Looking to purchase this and have questions.   

    I have the Arctic Sparrow modification in my 503 carbs.  I don't have to change jets with the seasons, just richen or lean a turn or two once in a while.  I sent my carbs to Mike Jocaber to do the modification on them and talked with him about it a bit.  He said the main advantage to them is when the strong inversion sets in up in Alaska in the winter it can easily be 30 degrees warmer a couple 100 feet up in the air than it is on the ground.  Without an inflight mixture adjustment the two strokes were too lean to take off if jetted for the higher air temps above.
     
    I love my sparrow needles but will definitely go to the hackman when they wear out.
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  12. tcj added a post in a topic Nanco 21x12x8 sale $31.80   

    They are stock Kitfox wheels.  Douglas 8" atv wheels with lugs welded on to bolt the brake disk to.  You would probably need to have the complete kitfox brake, axel, and hub assembly to use them on your plane.  You have to watch barnstormers like a hawk then act fast when you see complete set pop up.

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  13. tcj added a post in a topic Favorite pics of your plane thread   

    This is the Kittitas valley near Ellensburg, WA.  It is home to Central Washington University and the best timothy hay in the world.  We have the valley and hay fields out the front door and the transition to pine and sage in the foothills of the cascades out the back door.
     
    My kitfox is the smartest in the fleet as it has been to college twice.  I'm the old guy in the red coat.




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  14. tcj added a post in a topic Favorite pics of your plane thread   

    Kitfox Classic 4,
    503 Rotax
    72 inch warp drive 2 blade prop.
    Bare bones fun affordable flying




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  15. tcj added a post in a topic Fuel cap vent tube dimensions   

    Stock kitfox Classaic 4 caps.
     
    Top of cap to center of horizontal tube = 2.0 in.
    Trailing edge of vertical tube to front of horizontal tube = 2.75 in.
    1/4 in OD x 5/32 ID
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  16. tcj added a post in a topic first flight after 16 years of sitting   

    When I finished building my kitfox classic 4 with stock tube gear I had zero tail wheel hours.  It was so squirrely to taxi it scared me.  I took a bunch of instruction in a Stinson and a J3 cub and a model 4 kitfox with grove gear.  They were a pierce of cake to taxi compared to my kitfox.
     
    I then checked the main gear alignment on my kitfox and found the left wheel toed in about 1/2 inch from the back to the front of the tire.  I bent the axel with a sledge hammer with the axel in a vise to where both wheels were straight ahead.  It then became the best to taxi and easiest to taxi and take off of all the taildraggers I had flown. 
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  17. tcj added a post in a topic Dean Wilson got it right   

    Dean got it right and his design has been improved on.  It takes about 5 seconds to disconnect the controls.  Fewer parts that introduce slop into the aileron controls.
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  18. tcj added a post in a topic New Avid Owner Idaho   

    I would say to fly it a while using premix before worrying about retro fitting an oil injection pump.  It will be very expensive to retro fit with new parts.  Now, I did retro fit an oil injection pump on my 503 but felt comfortable deciding what snowmobile/used etc. parts I could use.  I suspect if you ask Rotax Rick to put an injection pump on while he has it he will try to talk you out of doing it.
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  19. tcj added a post in a topic Weight and Balance   

    You didn't forget to include some fuel and a pilots weight did you?  27 pounds needed on the tail would be pretty unusual.  Empty weight does not have to be within CG limits.
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  20. tcj added a post in a topic average build time   

    It will take at least 2 times as long as the kit manufacturer says it will.  After you build one you will be able to build another in the time advertised.
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  21. tcj added a post in a topic 582 missing   

    The carb mid range circuit out of adjustment will cause it to miss at those RPMs.
     
    Here's a short "Hints for Home Builders" that gives an overview of the carb circuits.  Then under that you will find short videos on how to inspect and adjust each circuit...Enricher circuit, Idle circuit, Mid range circuit, and main jet circuit.
     
    carb circuit overview video  http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=2061022478001
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  22. tcj added a post in a topic Header tank relocation   

    According to the Rotax two stroke installation manual the pulse pump will pull the required amount of fuel if the fuel tank is not mounted "Considerably lower than the engine".  The only place I have been able to find what distance  "Considerably lower" is, is in this document which says "more than a meter".   http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk/engineering/Mogas/Rotax%202/Inspection%20Checklist%20-%20Rotax%202%20Strokes.pdf
     
    When doing my fuel flow tests, I tested the gravity flow rate at the outlet port of the gascolator.  The minimum flow standard for gravity fuel systems is 150% of engine full power fuel consumption.  For pressurized fuel systems its at least 125%.  I had more than 150% so didn't worry about trying to figure out how to test the pressure flow rate out of a pulse pump.    
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  23. tcj added a post in a topic Requirements for plane in uncontrolled airspace   

    Experimental Amateur Built day time VFR no lights of any kind required for any airspace. 
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  24. tcj added a post in a topic N94JE   

    The rubber fuel lines could be the fuel flow problem.  Mill spec was what all kitfox kits came with back then.  Its good for Avgas only.  Car gas eventually causes it to swell inside.
     
    Some builders put a valve in the vent line.  Their theory is that it needs to be open only to vent the bubble out of the header tank when first filling it.  When the header is full they shut the vent line valve.
     
    The wing tank is vented from the tube top of the tank cap so any gravity or fuel pump suction in the system will draw through the main fuel line from the bottom of the fuel tank.  If the header vent is open the theory is the flow in the main line will be less.  Their procedure if they run a tank dry or the tank un ports and the header runs dry, they shut the header vent line valve so the fuel pump can create suction in the main fuel line from header tank to wing tank and start the fuel flowing again.
     
    As you probably have found in the service bulletins, the factory position on fuel systems is no valves or filters in the fuel lines from wing tank to header tank unless its a nose tank you can see the fuel level in.  http://www.kitfoxaircraft.com/support/service_bulletins/sb29.htm
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  25. tcj added a post in a topic N94JE   

    Yes, the wing leading edge is the datum.
     
    What type are the black rubber fuel lines between the wing tank and header?  If they are Mil spec they will swell shut if they ever had alcohol through them.
     
    By the way, a Kitfox must have a header tank.  It keeps the engine running if the wing tank unports during a turn.
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