Allen Sutphin

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Everything posted by Allen Sutphin



  1. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Kitfox 1 Rebuild   

    My story exactly on my model 2. Except I did get copies of everything from the FAA including the AW cert.  FSDO said they will inspect and reissue AW cert when I am ready. So at least I have a paper trail on mine. Logbooks aren't an issue since I am reconditioning everything back to new and will start new books along with a new engine.
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  2. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Bush Gear options for Avid Model C   

     It couldn't hurt anything by installing it.
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  3. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Bush Gear options for Avid Model C   

    Curious as to how effective the plywood reinforcement is. Initally it doesn't sound strong. Maybe a substitute with hardwood. For those that are already flying or covered. I can't see it causing any problems by doing it. Maybe a pound or two weight added. A hard enough landing to bend the seat structure is what most call a crash landing. And in most cases, other damage occurs somewhere in the airframe. The high dollar gear can take a tad more roughness from all indications but other damage can still occur somewhere else. A good airframe inspection is or should be done after a tube bending landing. A little wrinkle or looseness in the fabric is a good indication of damage. Wings, struts and other parts need looked at also.
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  4. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Cowling   

    I flew an inverted 503 for a couple hundred hours and never had a problem. I just like the plugs up mounting better for several reasons. So I'll work with the original cowling and see what takes place. Thanks.
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  5. Allen Sutphin added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Cowling
    Anybody tried fitting an Avid cowl to a Kitfox airframe?  Or even modifying an existing Kitfox cowl to more of an Avid look. In fear of having one's bag split and your leg stuck through it, the Avid cowl is more streamlined and sleeker looking plus it seems to give more visibility over the nose. In reality the Kitfox cowl is big as Trump's ego and isn't needed to be that big around the engine. Maybe reworking the Kitfox original cowl to a little more streamlined. I, personally, don't like working with fiberglass at all. It ends up looking like I took a bath in resin just after patching a small crack. My Kitfox cowl is in perfect condition so I hate to start cutting and slashing, but its from an NSI powered Fox and is rather huge.
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  6. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Kitfox identification   

    458 isn't bad, I could live with that. Since I am 140 and fly mostly by myself anymore it should do good with 55 HP. Not many out there with smaller engines, most are 582's and up. A quick handling,light, machine is a blast to fly.
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  7. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Kitfox identification   

    All figures show it will work fine, but then a Kitfox can't read or add. Don't laugh but I am shooting for around 430-450 empty weight. I think it can be done.  But, we'll see!
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  8. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Kitfox identification   

    In hindsight I probably should have saved my nickels and moved up to a model 3 or 4 Kitfox. They have more options for engines than a 1 or 2. But they do cost more also. But that ship has already sailed so I'll work with the 2. Hirth has increased their prices quite a bit. Must now be made of gold. Everything covered now and ready for paint, except masking off miles of tubing.
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  9. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Kitfox identification   

     
    That would be my guess, also. Why would one paint the struts, wheel pants and cowling before completing the kit. Let alone damaged cowling and other clues. Could be anything.
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  10. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Kitfox identification   

    Those rib profiles match the model 4 ribs I have hanging on the wall. Sure doesn't look like a 1, 2 or 3 rib. But you can see the rib tail in the picture like a 1, 2 or 3 rib. So ?  Look at the size of those wheel pants, George Washington could have crossed the Delaware in those.
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  11. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic "Bush Gear"   

    I watched a bunch of their videos last night and after looking closely I noticed they don't land on too much rough stuff. Most of their landings are on old roads, open flat country, and generally semi smooth terrain. From what I seen from their style of landings, a standard gear would handle most of them. Giving credit where credit is due, they are good at what they do but, they trained and practiced for it. Most average pilots don't and probably shouldn't try stuff without practice or training. And yet, they still blow a landing now and then. We all do!  Got to admit, though, the bush gear looks awesome!
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  12. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Avid C HH wing build 101   

    When I removed my original fiberglass tank, I cut it apart just to see what was inside. Ethanol does cause separation of the layers of glass and dissolves the resin. So I don't trust fiberglass tanks anymore after what I seen. I understand the new tanks are ethanol proof, but I am a tad gunshy now. And I am not sold on the plastic tanks either but other than having a metal one made, that's all there is to choose from. The plastic tanks contract and expand a smidge with the temps and can cause a seep at the fittings in certain conditions. Best to check the tightness of the fittings now and then to avoid a seep. I mounted my wing tank so it is not rigid to the spars, it is kind of sandwiched between straps so it can flex a bit.  My opinion it that a properly made welded alum tank will not leak if it is not installed rigid. But I don't know much about Avid construction. I just assumed it was similar to the Kitfox. And they are not as thick as one would think so I'd be careful sanding a fiberglass tank unless it was just to smooth a bump of some minor imperfection.
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  13. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic CONTRIBUTIONS TO KEEP SITE GOING   

    I was kind of curious about my check. It hasn't been cashed yet.
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  14. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic "Bush Gear"   

    Gosh! What are we going to discuss now?  We can't talk about brakes, bush gears, or plop and drop landings, without offending someone. How about fuzzy little puppies?  Well, everyone I've picked up had fleas.  Meanwhile, I got the fox covered and now the hundred yards of finish tape to go on the fuselage. Except nobody's paying me 7K to cover this one. Talked to a guy down south about a model 1 for a friend of mine. Evidently legal except for expired conditional insp. Ser.# 54 with original covering, drum brakes, and mostly original w/503. Was on the coast so corrosion concerns me on the tubing. About the max price for a model 1, so I recommended a pass on this one. Stored for last 2 years. Some things just aren't adding up for it to be a viable prospect.
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  15. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic "Bush Gear"   

    Actually, I made mine climbing power poles 60 hrs a week for 30+ years! Plus doing A&P work on the side. So I think I paid my dues to be able to walk down to the barn and go fly. I do enjoy watching the videos, but understand not everybody has the means or ability to do it or even the desire. I don't drink, chase women (wife won't let me) so flying is my escape.
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  16. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic "Bush Gear"   

    First, I am not doing away with a safety cable, just using an alternative type, yet to be determined. And yes, I do agree that one can pretty much match the plop and drop landing with a on your game standard landing. As far as the other, spend the energy learning to fly the darn plane is always the best answer. In the end, the plane will tell you what it wants, needs or is going to do if you don't correct what you are doing. I don't know who or why the rant, but I do agree with you completely. Like I said before, The cowboys don't mention how many times they tore up their plane. They are not really being good role models for the newbies learning to fly. It took me a few years to learn to read the plane.
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  17. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic 503DCDI on a MK4 STOL   

    I guess I'll find out how one flys with 55HP. Might be another one of those expensive lessons, but I am pretty much committed now to use the Hirth. It can be made into a 65 HP if needed with some minor changes so all is not lost. Except my mind.
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  18. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic "Bush Gear"   

    Those original smoothed ATV tires were may-pops at best. I had several flats on my original 4. A good set of tires is almost a requirement. I ended up with a set of golf cart tires on it. It was a bouncy son-of-a gun with the maypops. Now, I don't know what tire I'll use but it will close to the original size.
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  19. Allen Sutphin added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    "Bush Gear"
    Went back today and read many, many older posts on the so-called bush gear including ones built by various people. It kind of cast in stone that I'll keep the original gear that came with the model 2 Fox and use a alternative type safety cable.  Since I don't plan to land on a washboard, the original gear will do just fine, and they used it up to and including the Model 4. There is a wealth of information on Avid/Foxes on this site and valuable info to be gained. Sometimes, its what not to do. Like build a lardache aircraft for one. A lot of stuff I see on some planes is just not needed for the mission of a Avid/Fox and only compounds certain issues. One I read about in the old post would be lucky to come under 30K with all the stuff he wanted to do to it. A 30K+ model 1, Oh well, to each his own.  That's why its called experimental aviation.  Keep on modifying them, I learn a lot. 
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  20. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic 503DCDI on a MK4 STOL   

    No, but I'd like to know how it does also. Since I am putting a 55hp Hirth on a model 2 Fox it would be comparable in performance. I know from experience that the Hirth 3202 and Rotax 503 both burn about 2.5-3 GPH at cruise power. I flew a 450lb challenger with a Hirth and a Rotax both and performance was awesome. But gross was around 900lbs in both cases.
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  21. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic E-Tec or Polaris 800 conversions   

    It might be for now! But good as it is, it still has some things to be careful of. And a lot of them out there in the air. No argument that its the go to engine for these type aircraft but I was talking about other alternative solutions. There are diehard Rotax fans, Subaru fans, Jabiru fans and Hirth fans, and no sense in chewing on this till something else pops up on the radar. We are not a multi-million dollar market so its unlikely unless its some homebuilder in the rear of his shop comes up with one for himself. And since most engines get trashed by a few, he will probably keep it to himself rather than get gutted for trying it. And I couldn't blame him.
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  22. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic E-Tec or Polaris 800 conversions   

    Rotax has said the 582 will end in the near future. I guess when is up to Rotax. The 912 is their bread and butter engine and at the prices, I would say the finest bread and butter you can buy.
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  23. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic E-Tec or Polaris 800 conversions   

    There is an engine out there somewhere that is widely available that is perfect for the older Avid/Foxes. Nobody has run across it yet. In the meantime, we keep plugging along and keep searching. A true homebuilder's mind is always working and thinking. A little bit of Wilbur and Orville in all of us.
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  24. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic E-Tec or Polaris 800 conversions   

    My flying/building buddy has a LMA "Super Cub" sitting in his shop. That's a neat looking airframe and would be fun to build. The HKS is most likely a good solid engine by all reports. My concern would be getting parts and manuals for the engine.
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  25. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Engine   

    Mixing in a wing tank isn't the best way. If fueling at other airports often, oil injection is the better option. For some it may be the only viable option.
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