Allen Sutphin

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Everything posted by Allen Sutphin



  1. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Avid MK4 braking effect   

    If anybody wants to make their own bleeder they can do it for around 10 bucks or less. I make them for a lot of people. Take a 4" heavy wall sewer pipe about 1' in length, 2 flat end caps or curved, a 1/4" brass barb fitting, shut off valve, (old fuel valve) and a tire pressure valve.  Drill and tap the bottom cap for the barb fitting. add a length of fuel line with the shut off valve in the middle, drill the top cap for the tire valve and its also used as the filler hole so don't glue it in.  Glue everything together, fill halfway with 5606, Add about 20-25 lbs air pressure to the air valve then remove air hose, attach line to brake bleeder, open valve, bleed, and shut valve. For a new brake system you might have to refill before going to the other side. The thick wall caps will thread for the fittings, thin wall will not. Add 3 legs w/hose clamp for the pipe and its a one person operation. Hope this was clear, if you've built an aircraft you can figure it out. Don't let the "tank" run out of 5606 or you'll start all over again.
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  2. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic TD to TRI   

    I know it can be done and has been done but a friend of mine really doesn't want a tail wheel airplane. I suggested a C-150 might be a better choice for him. I personally don't think its worth the trouble unless it was designed to be both. Seems there aren't that many nose gear Avids or Foxes. So that should say something.
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  3. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic TD to TRI   

    This is true. But it should not affect it in flight which is where the GC range is critical. There lies the problem, the CG range is determined from weighing it at the wheels and doing the math to arrive at the empty CG point. So there would be a difference in arm moments in figuring the CG. I told the person who ask me that its a snowball effect. I wonder how Avid does it in their convertible fuselage? In the air it doesn't know its a trigear or tail dragger. Except for a few added pounds for a nose gear and maybe some drag. Some aero-nut-ical engineer could figure it out pretty quick, but I ain't one of those. Probably simple math to figure it out. Airframe modifications, aside of course. That's a different ball game. Either way, back to the old saying, buy what type you want to start with.
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  4. Allen Sutphin added a topic in Technical tasks   

    TD to TRI
    Question for discussion? I was ask the other day, and I couldn't answer it, about the CG on changing from a tri-gear to TD or reverse. I don't think the CG would change any if one made the switch. The CG range is mainly for in flight and not sitting on the ground. Only important thing is to have the gear placement correct so the fuselage either sits on its tail or sits on the nosegear when parked. Rotation speed or angle might change a bit but once in the air everything should be as originally designed (CG range). Is this reasonable or is there something I am not considering.
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    • 737 views


  5. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Selling Parts   

    I wasn't involved with PayPal so they won't miss me.  I guess I am old school.
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  6. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Rotax B Box 2.58:1 115 hours TTSN   

    That's a steal cause I just paid a small fortune for a new Hirth G-50 gearbox. At that price a Rotax owner ought to snap that up.
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  7. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic "Bush Gear"   

    Kitfox 2 manual. Don't know a lot about the Avid's, but after watching the original factory video, sounds like something one should own. Don't want to compare Avid to Kitfox, because both have their following. Looks basically that they are very similar in construction and performance so whichever one you run across first.
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  8. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic "Bush Gear"   

    Manual says 6 wraps with the 3/8" cord, but that could be 7 on the top or bottom and 6 on the other. Somebody stole half my marbles so counting is vague.
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  9. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic "Bush Gear"   

    My manual states 66" loop to loop for a Kitfox 2, does that sound about right ?
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  10. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic anybody knows this guy? (possible scamer)   

    I have found that a lot of the low priced 912's out there for sale are prop strike engines, not all, but a lot of them. And on a 912, a crank flange dial runout test tells you nothing but the prop flange is OK. Its all the other stuff that operates from the crank that is possibly damaged. Automatic teardown at the least.
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  11. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Avid Airdale with Harley engine on barnstormers   

    If you haven't flown it yet and don't know how it flys, anything would be a guess at this point. Might ask the person who built it, they could give some insight.
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  12. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Kitfox Flying to Fiber Optic Airstrip California   

    But I would guess that you're having just as much fun as the other guys and more money in your pocket.  Still, to me, you just proved that a good old model 2 can do what the others can 99% of the time. Getting there quicker isn't as important as just being able to fly there. A little distrust keeps us on our toes and makes us keep an eye on things. Video's like that are inspirational for those that don't have 10K to spend on all the goodies. Still, thanks for posting it!
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  13. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Avid Airdale with Harley engine on barnstormers   

    How does it fly?  Tail low? Tail high? Level?
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  14. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Avid Airdale with Harley engine on barnstormers   

    If it flys good and level in cruise, and handles good, then I wouldn't worry about it.
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  15. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Kitfox Flying to Fiber Optic Airstrip California   

    NICE!  And here you are with the standard bungee gear.  And playing with the high dollar aircraft boys. In a Kitfox model 2 of all things. Makes me smile, watching video's like this. Thanks!
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  16. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Rotax 532UL Charging Watts   

    16 amps going thru a Key West regulator.
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  17. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Need help   

    Removing the fabric and repairing a tube, then recovering isn't a big job, especially something small like a rudder.  It is a small item that covers all the different processes of a covering job. Good experience for later on. Eventually any fabric aircraft owner will be facing a recover for various reasons and most are scared by the thought of it. In reality its not difficult, just requires a little time and patience. Doesn't matter what system you use, its generally the same process up to UV protection and paint.
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  18. Allen Sutphin added a topic in Kitfox II   

    Trim
    Finally got to spray some trim color.

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    • 502 views


  19. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Tinted 0.060 4x8 Lexan Sheet $50   

    I flew with tinted lexan for years and then got old. My glasses tint now and pretty dark so I found that it was a tad too much tint combined. So now I stick with clear and let the glasses do the tinting.
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  20. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic A different film from Fred...   

    Magic, has to be !
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  21. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic A different film from Fred...   

    That's about as neat as canned corn!
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  22. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic kitfox 4 with 582 flying   

    Sorry to hear about your medical issues. I guess we will all come to that point someday. I really think people are snatching up the Foxes and Avids  as soon as the are available.  With the prices of new kits, people are looking at the older ones seriously. Can't say I blame them, a 20K Avid/Fox is about as good as you can get for a "poor man's bush plane".
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  23. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic First Flight   

    The period between flight and the point of slow taxi is the most critical time. By crow hops I am talking about 1-2' AGL not 100'. If one can't stay on top of it at that speed, they probably should have some more practice. A Kitfox will fly in ground effect at 20-25 mph. A lot less chance of doing major damage than at 40 touching down. But hey, I do it my way, you do it your way. But either way, learn to handle it on the ground before going airborne.
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  24. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic First Flight   

    7000' runway, you can crow hop a good ways to verify control operation, even practice landings with that length. You can verify a lot by short hops and test the ground handling. If everything checks out, including you, then eventually you'll have to bite the bullet.
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  25. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Covering started.   

    Good Luck! I just finished covering mine up thru the filler coat. Now, 40 miles of masking tape and paper before painting. Just all part of the game.
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