Allen Sutphin

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  1. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic On 2-stroke oil...   

    We are a compassionate group!
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  2. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Project #2!   

    That was quick! I couldn't sell a model 2 that was built, sandblasted, primed and painted, complete with cowling, gages and interior, for 7500. And it was even registered with paperwork. So I am restoring it to new condition. This is probably my last homebuilt so I'll build it to suit me. Somebody got a pretty good deal on yours!
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  3. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic On 2-stroke oil...   

    My oil is better than your oil !  Of course you'd have to tell what your oil is.  Bubba's ex-girlfriend's sister's ex-boyfriend used that oil and he said it wasn't any good. Haven't we all heard that before?
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  4. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Avid B Sheriffs Auction on 10/2/18. 10:30am.   

    Getting an old one re-registered isn't a big deal, but it is a PITA. You can get a copy of every piece of paperwork ever filed on it from the FAA. I am going thru the same issue. I have the FAA doc's and its now registered in my name. But I am doing a back to new rebuild on my model 2 with a new engine, new logs and basically a new aircraft.  I really paid too much for it, but having a "new" Kitfox model 2 for 15K or so is a good investment considering the price of kits and aircraft now days. I fly generally by myself most of the time, do a little off field flying, and generally run gas thru the engine, so a solid model 2 is a good match for me. I weigh 140 with a full cup of coffee so a 950 gr wt. isn't a big deal. Paying 30-40K for a new "Fox" is!  Another "hillbilly" passing thought.
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  5. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic covering   

    I think the Stewart System paint is around $300 a gallon. Pricy compared to 40-50 a gallon for good quality latex. I did use their glue and filler and its around $200 a gallon but its easy and a gallon of each will do a Kitfox.  Another final option is after final painting, spray a coat of their clear over the latex and it protects everything. This is the first time I've used the Stewart System so I am in the learning mode on this system. So far its been pleasant to work with. The video's make it look so easy a hillbilly could do it.
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  6. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Anyone ever use a sea doo engine?   

    I, myself, am not too concerned anymore on single ignition non-aircraft engines. Most have high energy ignition systems anymore and a plug fouling out is rare due to the hot spark they provide. The GA mags fire in the 35K volt range which happens to be in the middle of the fouling range.  The modern systems fire at 80K volts plus or more so fouling isn't a big issue. You have a better chance of buying a bad plug than having one foul out. That's why most auto makes state at least 100K miles before plug changes. I don't know the volts that Rotax fires at but even 2 strokes rarely foul plugs or at least the non-points engines, anyway. Anyhow the GA engines are old technology. But they still work.
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  7. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic covering   

    I plan to use latex house paint as a final color. It will go over the ekofill just fine. Most either have it too thin or too thick which translates to a poor finish or paint problems. It does help to roll or foam brush on the first coat and lightly sand it then spray the final coats. In my career, I have made about every mistake one could make when painting.  Some of them were expensive, too.
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  8. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic On 2-stroke oil...   

    A lot of 2 stroke oil articles are based on old information, not say all are, but newer syn/dino oil blends are the best out there. One could argue the oil debate for weeks and still not know anything definite.  What works for one doesn't mean its the greatest out there. Most all major 2 stroke oil brands are good, now days. I used Stilh chain saw oil for a few years and had success with it because it was a high performance air cooled oil. Then I went to AV-2 blended oil because it was cheaper. Both were good oil, no difference in carbon build up or storage protection.  Lucas semi synthetic is touted as being great oil for air cooled engines, but I have not used it. Pick an oil that works for you, can be bought locally, and stick with it till your engine tells you better. The oil is 2% of what we put thru our engine, but gets blamed for 99% of the problem. We never blame the other 98% which is fuel. A lot more crappy fuel out there than crappy oil!  Another hillbilly opinion!
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  9. Allen Sutphin added a topic in Kitfox II   

    covering
    Started covering my wings today with the Stewart System. After 30 yrs of using poly-fiber, so far I love this new system.  Had a nice warm fire while I was covering. No smell or odor, don't have to be in a rush before the glue dries, a more relaxed pace. Which translates to a better job. Guess its not hard to teach an old dog new tricks, after all.
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  10. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic amphibian for sale barnstormers   

    There are hillbillies all over the world! 
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  11. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic amphibian for sale barnstormers   

    Your 2 cents is noted. Not pointing to you personally, but many knock 2 strokes like they are less of an engine, probably from someone else's experience with them. You probably know the type, bubba smith pulls his "X" flyer outta the barn after sitting all winter. Grabs his chain saw gas can, pours in some gas, fires it up and takes off. 30 seconds later it quits and down in the corn field he goes. He gets out cussing about them darn Rotaxes, just up and quit for no reason.  Go figure!  Of course, a 912 would probably do the same in that situation.  Most want a 912 due to its a 4 stroke and look at the 2000hr TBO.  Flying maybe 50 hours a year they are not considering that 2000 hrs is 40 years down the road and time will do more damage to a 912 than hours. Flight instruction, rental (LSA) and constant use, it is more understandable to spend the money for a 912, but for the normal rec pilot it is more sensible to use a 2 stroke and tear or have it torn apart every 2-4 years for less than 1K. He is never over 3-4 years from a internal inspection and reseal which means greater reliability.  Yeah! I am a little turned off at 912's due to the price, overhaul cost, AD's, and it looks like a can of worms. Plus its a PITA to work on. You have to disassemble the exterior componets just to get to the basic engine.  And more sensors than holes in my fruit of the looms. Yeah, I know I'am a hillbilly!
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  12. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic amphibian for sale barnstormers   

    Knock off the normal 10% and its still worth it. New kits (any type) are becoming expensive, considering what else you will have to buy to get it flyable. In my opinion, any two seat flyable aircraft such as the Avid or Kitfox (older models) that can be had for under 20K will soon be gone. There will always be a few in various conditions for sale at 15-17K, and on rare occasion, a great one can be had for that price. 10K flyable aircraft (two seat) are almost impossible to find any more.  Us "slightly older" pilots are finding and rebuilding the older Avids and Kitfoxes and hanging on to them.  Its tough to buy and redo one without spending 12-15K doing it.  As far as 2 strokes, for around 6-7 hundred, you can tear it apart, inspect and reseal it for another 2 or 3 years. Reliablity  is more with the pilot than the engine. Watch the news, all of the crashes due to engine failure are GA engines or 912's probably due to the fact that pilots can't spend 10-12K to have them overhauled and just fly a ticking time bomb. Don't mean to rant but it frost me that so many bad mouth 2 strokes like they are less of an engine. They get fresh oil with every breath, gobs of quick power, run like a turbine at anything over an idle, very few moving parts, but require a little TLC now and then.
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  13. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic compas where put it?   

    Several are installed above the panel at the Y tube. Use some rubber washers and brass screws to attach it. Swing it with everything on that you would normally use in flight. Most use the compass on their GPS anyhow. I have the same compass and have used it for years. Even look at it on occasion.
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  14. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Repairs & Mods: custom cowl, new gear,etc   

    A safe plane beats a show plane every time.
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  15. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Fuselage Reinforcement   

    Come on, Guys!  Nobody ever makes hard landings, do they?  I've had the ground jump on me a few times, but never a hard landing! I do on occasion make a simulated carrier landing, you know, just for practice.
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  16. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic control linkage friction   

    You will always have a small amount of friction plus if the elevator is connected, you'll feel the weight of that also. Hard to figure what you call friction, but none the less, you shouldn't have an excessive amount in any control.
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  17. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic The unquenchable EGT   

    Find a newer engine to look at. The newer engines have prewelded bosses on the manifold in the correct location.
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  18. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Autumn light over the mountains   

    And here I thought I flew in the mountains!  Think I'll shut up about flying in the mountains and go hide somewhere. Those are mountains and a perfect picture!
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  19. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Weight/ TBO   

    I've been turning wrenches on 0-320's for many years and they are solid engines if treated right. I've had several go 2400-2500 hours without a major OH.  And I've had several barely make 1000 without a cyl change. Mainly due to poor operation by the owner/pilot. As long as compression, oil pressure, and temp is good, I wouldn't be too concerned.  A smart operator could squeeze 3000 hrs outta one. You will rarely see a cont make TBO without serious rework. Not counting the old A-65's and 85's. I've seen them fly for years carrying 10-15 lbs oil pressure at full throttle and just enough compression to start. When Cont went with the 0-200, things went south somewhat. Probably trying to squeeze more HP outta the same basic engine. I've seen a lot of cracked heads on the 0-200 thru the years. Just my worthless hillbilly opinion.
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  20. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Header tank   

    Don't ever plan on it, but fuel pump will be installed anyhow. Two hours in a cramped plane is more than my body can handle now days. My intended engine requires approx. 3 psi pressure at the engine.  A back up pump is generally installed most of the time just as a extra safety measure. And I installed 5/16" fuel lines up from the 1/4" that most 2 strokes use. My days of long cross countries are over. Anything over an hour, I usually drive. Here in the mountains, weather can change in less than 15 minutes from good to crappy. I became a trailer wuss in the last few years. I know I can get there and get back home when its on a trailer. (fly-in's of course). I am a fair weather pilot now. My favorite is clear with winds 0 gusting to 1 or less.
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  21. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Header tank   

    Thanks! With the sender unit in the header tank I know when the gage needle starts to move, time to land.  This is with a 3-4 gph fuel burn. Normally one would not run it that close but when the mains are out, its good to know what you've got left and how much time.
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  22. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Header tank   

    No, I don't do Ebay. Its a circle track car fuel cell from Summit Racing in Ohio. I investigated having one made but this one was cheaper ($129) than having it made.  I did change the fittings from automotive to hose barb type. Weighs 2 lbs empty. It comes with a sealed cap but I also removed that to mount the sender unit which is a vertical float type. The tank is 8"X8"X12". My original header was the 1 1/2 gal poly tank and was aging pretty good. Plus 3 1/2 gal gives me about 45 min reserve when the main tanks go dry. Its made by Rhodes and sold by Summit Racing pt#  RHC-18-0103.  Neat little tank.  Well made for the price. I priced aircraft header tanks from different suppliers and they were expensive.
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  23. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Magnum transition training   

    Seems good tail wheel instructors are scarce anymore. I got mine 30+ years ago from an old amish guy who rebuilt J-3's. And yes, he wore his hat in the cub.  It was a sight to watch those amish women in their bonnets rib lacing a cub wing and they could do one in less than an hour. Takes me an hour to do one rib but that includes coffee time.
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  24. Allen Sutphin added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Header tank
    Finally got my new header tank mounted. 3 1/2 gal w/sender. Gives me a total of 15 gal cap. Fuel gage is in header tank so when it starts dropping I know I have 45 minutes of fuel left till shutdown.
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  25. Allen Sutphin added a post in a topic Magnum transition training   

    Why not go to paul, who does the Kitfox training in Idaho. He gives transition training in a LSA Kitfox. He also offers a mountain flying course.  Pretty sure the insurance co. would approve him. I think his name is Paul Leaderbrand. You can get his number thru Kitfox factory.
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