Allen Sutphin

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Everything posted by Allen Sutphin



  1. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Skyraider   

    The Polini 303 engine that I tried to use was just too light for the CG. Just bought a rebuilt 503 to install. May be old tech, but still reliable as can be.
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  2. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Catalina with Hirth 2706   

    From what I am told, the 3203 (65) is a little overrated and the 3202 (55) is a little underrated on horsepower. The Gen 4 Jabiru 2200 (new) is also an option along with a couple more 4 strokes.
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  3. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Catalina with Hirth 2706   

    Hirth is close to pricing themselves out of the market. They have went up a few thousand dollars in the last couple years.
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  4. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Catalina with Hirth 2706   

    Hirth engines are pretty good. The big difference is that there is more info out there on Rotax and how to run them, than there is for the Hirth. Call Matt Dandar at recpower.com and talk to him.
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  5. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Whoa... $50k for a FWB KF7 STi ?!!   

    Jim, the model 4 kit you have that I'd built was 9850 back in the day. With cowling and everything minus engine and prop. I think '91.
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  6. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Lost airworthiness certificate   

    Getting a replacement AWC is pretty easy if it's legally registered already.
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  7. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Kitfox 2 project start   

    Not an older model, it's the "classic" model. All Model 1. 2 and 3's are classic's along with the Avid series.
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  8. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic "WANTED" Avid / Fox   

    The days of the 10-15K Avid/Foxes are over for now! When I started (yes, they had airplanes back then) it was $50 per horsepower and $5K per seat. Now its over $200 per horsepower and almost $20K a seat.
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  9. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic New Rotax 670 Install   

    Because most only plan to build once and are not too concerned about replacement or just don't think ahead. Repeat offenders, oops, I mean repeat builders know the little tips and tricks of the game. 
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  10. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic New Rotax 670 Install   

    Glad you got it out. I've got the same problem except mine was welded in. Probably 3 days of cussing, 2 boxes of band-aides, and maybe!
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  11. Allen Sutphin added a topic in For Sale and wanted, you got it, I want it   

    Engine
    Looking for a Hirth F-23 engine. Prefer pull start, carbs and redrive. But will consider any F-23. Thanks!
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    • 417 views


  12. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Looking for a Kitfox nose wheel kit   

    Might take a little bit to find one. A full swivel one like the RV series and several others is easy to make and requires less modifications and weight.  It can be built into the engine mount fairly easy. A little backyard engineering and a few materials and you have it. Diff braking is a must.
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  13. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Hopefully new bird.   

    Weighed mine today, minus engine and prop. Came in at 164 lbs, including engine mount and inst panel. Leaves me 90 lbs for engine and prop. The Hirth F-23 supposed to weigh 74 lbs with redrive and exhaust so it will be close or a couple pounds over the 254 limit. But around here the FAA isn't hiding in the bushes and I fly out of a hayfield. 
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  14. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Hopefully new bird.   

    Almost the same bird, and nice looking. Getting hard to find now. About all the 2nd seat was good for was extra storage. I think I'll be very close to Pt 103 wt. 
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  15. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Hopefully new bird.   

    Thanks!
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  16. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Hopefully new bird.   

    Well, bird got its new skin the other day. Not too bad for the hillbilly "skunk works". Now, time to start thinking about the FWF.


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  17. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Seat ideas   

    Make a new sling, buy some Wally world chair cushions or lounge chair cushions. As for the sling, get a small canvas tarp and a grommet kit. Anything can be made. In those "immortal words", "around here, if you want something, you gotta build it". Never truer in out of production aircraft.
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  18. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic New Rotax 670 Install   

    I talked to Dave Snell, engineer for Kitfox, about the thrust line on my Fox. He told me to just center the thrust line and then use rudder or a trim tab. It really messes things up in a full cowling when you offset the thrust line 4 or 5 degrees L or R depending on engine.
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  19. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Skyraider   

    Don't have a hillbilly clue just yet. Would like to use a Hirth F-23 if weight will allow it. Still going to try Pt 103. Did register it as a Mountain Cat and was issued a N number and registration card. So the adventure begins!
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  20. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Skyraider   

    Did finally get the painting done after covering. Now start planning on locating an engine.


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  21. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Looking for Fuselage or Economical kit   

    Unless one is familar with aircraft construction in general and methods used, I always steer one towards a kit that is still in business and producing kits. The older Avid/Foxes are great aircraft and fairly easy building, and this group is a truckload of knowledge. The new Kitplanes buyer's guide will tell you the general spec's on current kits that are available. There are a few Avid/Fox kits out there that are not completed or finished, but you have to make sure all parts are there and some paperwork is included. Before you decide on a certain kit, #1 is to decide what you want to do with that aircraft. Cross country, STOL flying, local flying, etc. Then find a kit that meets your goal. And don't look for one that does everything, it doesn't exist! 
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  22. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Elevator Trim Tab Maximum Deflection Angles   

    If more than 10-15 degrees is needed for trim then something is wrong. Rigging is off, CG is off, etc.  My Kitfox had no published deflection limits for the trim tab, just the elevator.
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  23. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Skyraider   

    After studying the fuselage for a while, It's pretty darn close to a single seat Avid Flyer. Mine has more room, head and leg, than my Kitfox did. I know there was one or two that were going to make their Avid/Fox a single seater. Since they were all grown from the same seed, it stands to reason that they would be close.
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  24. Allen Sutphin added a topic in Hangar Talk   

    Skyraider
    Just learned that a guy named Al Large owns Skyraider. He said he does have a few parts for sale. Would like to see all of the old classics revived. Somewhere in the northwest US.
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  25. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Rotax 447 vibration diagnosis   

    I would also check the shock mounts between the engine and plate. My Fox vibrated pretty bad with a Hirth 3202 until I replaced the rubber mounts. This can be done after checking what Jim said. Normally with bad mounts, the vibrations will increase with RPM. Mine was so bad you couldn't read the gages.
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