IFMT

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Everything posted by IFMT

  1. IFMT added a post in a topic Gas line antifreeze?   

    I can't move south...they're paying me way to much up here! I am dreaming about the hanger I admit. What about isopropyl in fuel. I think snowmobilers use it lots.
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  2. IFMT added a post in a topic Gas line antifreeze?   

     I am real fussy about my fuel, buying only non ethanol and keeping everything totally clean. Still it will form frost condensation inside the tanks unless they are right full. I do have the water drain at the very bottom and don't have problems with water accumulation. Yesterday though I went out and after trying to start it and then deciding I better pre heat it leaked fuel right through the engine and out the exhaust. Needle valve not seated. I assume a little frost because after I warmed everything up it was fine.
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  3. IFMT added a topic in Rotax and other engines   

    Gas line antifreeze?
    What are people using for fuel system antifreeze? I have the soob install with automotive type carb. Just wondering if adding methyl hydrate is a bad idea considering the fiberglass tanks?
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  4. IFMT added a post in a topic My new and first plane   

    It WILL go to free caster. Removing the cam keeps the lock pin engaged. You better get some serious lessons in and about taildraggers or you will be joining the ground loopers group. Avids are very twitchy on the ground. Short coupled means the tail wants to be in front. 
     
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  5. IFMT added a post in a topic My new and first plane   

    Fusion, lift up the tail and put a saw horse with a little cushion under the fuselage where the tow bar hook up is. Now turn your tailwheel all the way one way and then back. It should release and then lock again in sync with the rudder. Problem is when the rudder/ tailwheel is kicked over hard as a result of over corrective rudder you have a damn good chance of letting go into free caster mode. Then you are limited to only rudder to try and steer it back. The trick is to look long (far) down the strip and get after straightening her out before you have it going sideways. Take the cam off the maule and you will always have positive steering with the tailwheel.
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  6. IFMT added a post in a topic My new and first plane   

    Thanks! For short hops around the patch or a couple of hours I just keep the fuel load down to 10-12 gallons. No need to fill the 28(us) gallon tanks right to the nuts. It's a little porky at 726 lbs empty and it is probably a little heavier since I put on the 21 inch aero classics from desser. Getting to know your flaps is the key to "performance". I do have the wide gear and beefed seat truss. As stated by others: LOCK the tailwheel. I took the cam right off my maule and it is really the only way to go. These things are so short that a castering tailwheel really isn't necessary anyway. Bernard
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  7. IFMT added a post in a topic My new and first plane   

    The exhaust is 1 3/4 and ties together into one. I think I read that with the bigger pipes back pressure is not a problem. I wouldn't say it's particularly quiet but it does sound good. The 'muffler' is more like a straight pipe. Kind of like a red devil or the old blue bottles. The vw rad makes a nice proven install under the plane. Heres a pic.
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  8. IFMT added a post in a topic My new and first plane   

     The rad is mounted at a slight angle higher at the front and about 3 inches lower at the back. The aluminum ducting makes all the air go through the rad. Moving the rad back will allow you to put a removable inspection cover in the middle of the floor and you can get heat right off the rad. Doesn't throw much heat below -15 C though. I am going to experiment with blocking the rear off to cut down the cooling and direct all the hot air up into the cabin. Moving the rad back will streamline the look of the plane so it doesn't look like a Mack truck coming in on final.

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  9. IFMT added a post in a topic My new and first plane   

    Take a look at "soob ignition maintenance" post number 19 under Rotax and other engines forum. This shows some close ups with the cowl off my plane. My rad is basically in front of the seat truss to avoid the gear. The rad is vw rabbit. I dont know how to link it so you have to look under the forums. Do your own cg. It's your ass in the sling. 
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  10. IFMT added a post in a topic My new and first plane   

    Make sure you weigh her out and get your cg figured right. It looks like the rad is right under the engine? Might help to move the rad back under the seat area. I am running a soob in my mark IV and needed to hang 20 ish lbs of lead at the back to get it in the envelope. Flies great though. Cheers. B
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  11. IFMT added a post in a topic Status of Airdale   

    Brett supplied my seat truss upgrade, I beam spar stiffener, mark 4 manual and a bunch of other stuff I can't even remember. Always treated me well and no problems. This was a few years back.
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  12. IFMT added a post in a topic Great morning of flying   

    Where does a guy get a reasonable deal on some wing covers? I know that snowed in feeling way to much.
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  13. IFMT added a post in a topic Kitfox M-III Prop Comparisons for 582   

    Clarity on prop degrees. Just re read some of the old posts here and am wondering about prop degrees. With my warp drive I set the degrees in relation to the prop hub. The process is simple. Set the adjustable warp drive protractor to level the bubble at the prop hub. Read the degrees on the protractor. Go to the blade tip sticking out level on the port side. Set the protractor up the same way clamped   to the tip. Read the degrees and do the math. My 68 inch 3 blade warp drive works best set at 8.5 degrees at the tip. This gives me 2300 prop rpm static with my relatively stock ea81 and 1.84 reduction. Thats about as good as it it gets with this combo. I'm wondering what people are measuring when they are stating numbers like 14 degrees and prop speeds that calculate around 2500 with a 582?
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  14. IFMT added a topic in Avid Model IV   

    Foam air filter
    I had a little wake up call last week. Did my regular preflight including looking under the hood. Fired up my soob and warmed up until it was up to 160. When I taxied to take off and went to full throttle the engine bogged but caught up and I took off. Everything seemed normal but maybe just a little sluggish. I flew down the valley climbing at near full throttle. Levelled out and cruised for maybe five minutes. I throttled back for cruise. When I went back to full throttle the engine stumbled big time. I had a real moment of OH $#!T. Thank Christ it throttled up and I made the hasty return to base. Opened the cowl and took a close look at everything. First I thought ignition. Went to town and picked up new plugs. Put them in the next day. After I fired it up it would barely run without choke. When I looked real close at the air filter I noticed a very small hole eroded through the front. It is a washable foam type with a metal support grate behind it. When I removed the filter it was seriously eroded on the back side where it rubs against the metal grate. All the foam that broke away went straight into the carb. I took the air box off completely to see. The carb was visibly contaminated. I took the carb off(Holley 5200) and gave it a good cleaning. Be careful about what jet came from where. There is also a spring and check ball that need to go back in the right place. Put everything back on and ran it up. Purrs perfectly again. Ordered new filter foam from Bracket. The gentleman explained to me that air filter foam needs to be changed out every 2 years. I ordered 2 filters. Cheers. B
     
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  15. IFMT added a post in a topic Flaperons   

    I sure like your detent set up for flaps. Would you have any more pics of the back side mounting? Did you create this by hand (lots of filing and sanding) or machine? Thanks. B
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  16. IFMT added a post in a topic "FOXY FLAPPER" FOTOS   

    Ed, I appreciate all your post's. I look forward to reading this forum and specifically the postings of the long time members as yourself. I'm just a greenhorn compared to yourself and others on here. I didn't mean any offense. I get what you say about you only get so many days. Knowing the stakes are high every time you fly makes it interesting. Makes those special days. Cheers. B
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  17. IFMT added a post in a topic "FOXY FLAPPER" FOTOS   

    Get a couple buddies over! Don't build another space shuttle! Cheers gentlemen. B
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  18. IFMT added a post in a topic Yukon scenery   

    I'll post some more. It takes about a minute per second of video to upload.
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  19. IFMT added a topic in Avid fox flyers pics and vids   

    Yukon scenery
    Here's a little vid of the Livingstone trail in central Yukon. Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0wrbikd8es&feature=youtu.be
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  20. IFMT added a post in a topic Different wings   

    It's been a few years and I can't remember. Had to repair the left wing after a ground loop. I was getting material from a few places so I don't know exactly. Give them a call. Might not be that bad.
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  21. IFMT added a post in a topic Different wings   

    Maybe I missed this when I was skimming through this thread but I bought the aluminum stiffener insert for .083 tubing from Just aircraft. Pretty sure that Just uses .083 spars in their highlander. 
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  22. IFMT added a post in a topic tailwheel spring bolts?   

    Put a better spring on it now. The one from Brett will not stand up.
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  23. IFMT added a post in a topic WTB: MkIV   

    Being in Canada requires an advanced ultralight pilot licence for an Avid. This is a whole lot less expensive than a private or recreational class license. You should be able to line up ultralight(up to 1234 lbs. gross) training pretty reasonably here in Canada. Many good schools for around $110-120 per hour. They say you can earn the license in about 20 hours. You don't really know how to fly after that but it's a start. Check on upac site for flight schools and get at it! There is no time like the present! B
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  24. IFMT added a post in a topic WTB: MkIV   

    I say start in a taildragger and don't even get in a nose dragger. If you are nimble on the feet you won't have a problem. Take the cam off the tailwheel so it can't caster. This makes a world of difference in a MK4. Get some good lessons though. If you start in something a little more docile but still a taildragger you won't be totally shocked when you get into an Avid. 
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  25. IFMT added a post in a topic Earth X Battery Warning!!!   

    Go with an absorbent glass mat. Light for the output and totally sealed. Here's some info:http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/absorbent_glass_mat_agm
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