109jb

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Everything posted by 109jb



  1. 109jb added a post in a topic KF fabric problems   

    A maule tester is only an aid and not used alone to determine fabric condition. Your airplane likely has polyfiber, so the polyfiber manual rules as far as inspection. See appendix E and F
    https://4dc8cf9a-0bab-40d5-bd6e-ca9b4967451d.filesusr.com/ugd/d66f5e_1ec5fa221f42471385a8ed2c97c69571.pdf
     
    In general though ring cracks, or light showing next to tapes IS an indicator that the fabric likely needs help or replacement.
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  2. 109jb added a post in a topic 582 starter trouble   

    To check if it is the solenoid you could use a jumper from across the 2 large terminals on the start solenoid. Be prepared for a large spark. I'd probably use one side of a set of jumper cables and it would probably be safest to remove the prop  or at least be sure you are out of its way. If the engine rotates then the start solenoid is bad.
     
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  3. 109jb added a post in a topic Another Kitfox IV rebuild project   

    Did some more work. It has been a pain moving the airplane around with the wings folded, so yesterday I made a towbar. Would have just bought one but the prices are outrageous.
    I also made a tube straightening tool that I've already put to use with excellent results. There are  some pictures of it in use on the airplane and a before and after of the fuselage after straightening. I was able to get the longerons straight and they won't need to be replaced. Two of the truss diagonals have a little kink in them, so I'll have to splice or sleeve them .  Looks like I need 2 6 inch long pieces of tube to fix this one.





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  4. 109jb added a post in a topic Another Kitfox IV rebuild project   

    The Rotax 912 mechanical fuel pumps have a 5 year replacement interval so all of the bad pumps "should" have been replaced by now. This airplane is going to get the return line when the engine is re-installed. when I do the install I am going to follow both the Rotax install manual and the Kitfox manual, but in cases of a conflict the Rotax manual will win.
    I was thinking about going to a dual electric pump setup and eliminating the mechanical pump but I see the Rotax pump is only priced like it is silver plated, not gold plated.  I'll probably stick with a electric-mechanical setup, but my experience with electric-electric is good. My Sonerai has electric-electric and has been flawless.  I've got plenty of time to think about it though.
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  5. 109jb added a post in a topic Another Kitfox IV rebuild project   

    Yeah I was thinking about an electric pump. Will have to do some research.
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  6. 109jb added a post in a topic Another Kitfox IV rebuild project   

    Yep. Speedster it is.  
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  7. 109jb added a post in a topic Another Kitfox IV rebuild project   

    I also had a chance to get the fabric off the aft fuselage and eye up the truss damage. It isn't as bad as I thought. I think all but 2 tubes can be straightened but maybe 3.  The one picture with the colored lines shows the bent tubes and the green ones are ones that can be straightened, the yellow might be able to be straightened, and the red will probably need to be replaced , or at least the kinked section sleeved.
     
     










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  8. 109jb added a post in a topic Another Kitfox IV rebuild project   

    Got a second run in today. Ran fantastic. Only issue is that I have the prop pitched too high and could only get 4800 static.  Really really happy.
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  9. 109jb added a post in a topic Desser tire   

    That's why I'm good with the $90 (per pair) Nanco 21s.  Might not be as good but they are good enough for me.
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  10. 109jb added a post in a topic Sport Pilot   

    You have to do training for Basic Med and see your family doctor but not an AME.  For operating as a sport pilot there is nothing, except you still need a BFR and can't fly at night.
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  11. 109jb added a post in a topic Another Kitfox IV rebuild project   

    Finally got some time to mess with this one and got the Rotax 912 running today.  I know the guy this airplane used to belong to and it was a afternoon flight in late August last year when the engine quit when he was at about 1,500 ft agl. I didn't really do anything to get it running.  I just ran a hose from the pump inlet to a gas can on the ground, put some run out blades in the prop hub and it started pretty much right away.  The only things are:
    1. The temp and dew point (23/15 deg C) are right in the middle of the "moderate icing at cruise power"/"Serious icing at descent power", so I guess it is possible it was carb ice, but this Kitfox has the short filters back at the firewall which everyone say are not ice prone. I guess the reasoning is that with the carbs back there they are drawing in warm air from inside the cowl.  I wonder about that theory though.
    2. The other thing I notice is that this airplane doesn't have a fuel return line as called for by this Rotax Safety Notice.  I wonder if this could have been a case of vapor lock.
    Anyway, I'm happy it runs and for the price I paid I'm really happy. To let the cat out of the bag, I paid $5100 for the whole airplane and it looks like the only real problem is the little kink in the fuselage. It has a newish Garmin SL40 comm radio, a Terra transponder with encoder, and a flightcom intercom. I figure those are worth about $1500 all together.
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  12. 109jb added a post in a topic Twin track, no skis snow machine   

     
    I've actually almost bought one a while back and should have. I have a son who has CP and is in a wheelchair. BTW, today is actually National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. Anyway, when he was little I would ride him in front of me on the sled but he got big enough that I couldn't handle him that way anymore. His lack of balance and muscle control wouldn't allow him to ride behind even on our 2-up unless strapped in, which I wasn't comfortable with.  So he hasn't been on a sled for 6 or 7 years. Below is a picture of him and me in 2010 when he was 15 years old. He's holding on to the bars because he would fall over if he didn't. I would love to get him back out there and I got over what people think of me a long time ago.

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  13. 109jb added a post in a topic Going crazy   

    Oh.  I'm also taking my wfe's car to the dealer today. we will probably get carry out from our favorite BBQ joint over there, and we have to get a normal amount of groceries today.  That's what an Illinois lockdown is like.
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  14. 109jb added a post in a topic Going crazy   

    Illinois is just under a "stay at home" order from our dip$##T governor.  Basically, he hasn't declared martial law, so it is really only a recommendation from his office. It is his office telling people to stay home as a way of forced social distancing. 
    I've made 2 trips to empty my father's house in lower Michigan since the order took place. Drove from my house to my father's empty house with zero people in it, loaded up and drove home. Repeat.  Only stopped for gas using a credit card at the pump.  You can still practice social distancing and do what you need to do if you aren't an idiot.
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  15. 109jb added a post in a topic Another Kitfox IV rebuild project   

    Yeah. When I'm done it will be setup for left seat flight primarily, but will have enough that right seat flight would be easy too. Main thing for me would be switches easy enough to reach from both sides. I can still remember doing solo right seat practice  for my CFI and having to lean way over from the right seat  in the C152 to reach the switches. I'll probably have a home brew digital ASI/Altimeter/Tachometer on the right for convenience but not really necessary.
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  16. 109jb added a post in a topic AOA   

    Most I've seen lately install like a pitot. Here are a couple examples, Garmin and Dynon.
     
     


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  17. 109jb added a topic in Kitfox IV   

    Another Kitfox IV rebuild project
    So I finally got a chance to get my project airplane home today. This is a Kitfox IV speedster powered by a 80 hp Rotax 912 UL that I bought from an insurance auction. It actually belonged to an acquaintance of mine and was located only about 30 minutes away. The airplane suffered a loss of engine power followed by a forced landing to a waist high bean field, which ended in a rapid nose-over.  The vertical tail struck the ground and the aft fuselage got bent as did the vertical stab. The horizontal and elevator look OK as do the wings and struts. The plan is to rebuild the airplane while incorporating a few key modifications which will include these main mods but also a lot of little weigh next to nothing mods:

    1. Landing gear area reinforcement
    2. Tail spring mount reinforcement
    3. Fuselage widening (Murle Williams style)
    4. Provisions for future autopilot servo mounting
    5. Upgraded panel with only engine monitor, Garmin G5X, tablet computer for navigation, intercom, radio, and transponder.
    6. Upgraded baggage area.
    It will probably be a little while before I can really get into it as I have to clean out and sell my father's house since he passed away recently. He was a pilot too and I had wanted to get him airborne in the other Kitfox I have but his health never got well enough. I know he would have also loved to see the rebuild of this project airplane.  I learned most of what I know about fabrication, welding, machining, and general mechanicing from him.
    Anyway, Here are some pics of it stuffed away in the storage part of my barn.
     
     






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  18. 109jb added a post in a topic FNG Here   

    I have a Kitfox 4 with a 582 and at least in Illinois, it has plenty of power at our 500-700 ft typical field elevation even in the hot summer.
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  19. 109jb added a post in a topic iPad EFIS   

    I did look at the UV-30, along with Dynon, MGL, and others.  I'm going with the G5X for a few reason. First, I just don't like the looks of the UV-30, meaning the organization of information and the way it is presented. It seems too cluttered and jammed in there. The G5X is much more palatable in this regard.  Second, I plan to do an autopilot, and the G5X setup is great in this regard.  It is also cheaper than the others to do an autopilot. The UV-30 doesn't have this option so it was out on this fact alone.
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  20. 109jb added a post in a topic Grove gear for Kitfox wanted   

    Thanks for taking the measurements.  Unfortunately I think I'll pass due to the 3/4" thickness but someone else will probably pick it up from you.
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  21. 109jb added a post in a topic iPad EFIS   

    The Garmin G5X is self contained but you can add to it for additional features.  By itself for $1250 it gives AS, GS, ALT, VSI, AHI, TC, Skid Slip, GPS direction. For this you only need to hook up power and ground wires, and the pitot, and static port hoses.  
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  22. 109jb added a post in a topic iPad EFIS   

    If you are looking for a moving map for navigation then I would say it depends.  When I was flying IFR regularly, the IPad with ForeFlight was really the only choice. That was several years ago though and now I don't fly IFR at all and I use a cheap Android tablet with Avare and Flight Plan Go.  I lean toward Avare because I have found that FltPlanGo can be sluggish at times but could be due to my use of an ultra-cheap  tablet.  Avare works great, but has some quirks. Once figured out all is good though and for any kind of VFR flight I find it perfectly adequate. Even for some IFR I would be OK with it.  Both can be paired with a Stratux or similar for in-flight traffic and weather. Both are free which is a major factor in my choosing them right now, but even though free they can do the job.
    If you were really talking about an EFIS to replace flight instruments, I would say that it would not be my first choice to use a tablet. On a VFR Kitfox/Avid it would not be bad though because  a little practice should get a competent pilot to where they could fly the airplane without any instruments.  Having said that, on my project airplane I will be putting in a Garmin G5X which is $1250 but includes everything flight instrument related, can be connected to an autopilot down the road and can also be interfaced with the nav stuff too.
    One of the main reasons I say I would not do a tablet EFIS is because in order to have airspeed and altitude that is not GPS based you have to have something that takes the pitot and static info and then in turn talks to the tablet.  This is usually done using a ADAHRS system and I have yet to see an ADAHRS like this for less that what the self contained G5X costs. 
    As mentioned the other option would something like the MGL stuff.
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  23. 109jb added a post in a topic Grove gear for Kitfox wanted   

    Here is an image of the measurements for a genuine Kitfox IV grove gear.  Having said that, if you can provide the dimensions of the gear you have and what you want for it I'll decide if it will work or if I can make it work.  The grove gear mounts on a Kitfox  IV look like the attached drawing.  See if you have similar mounts from the Avid. If you do have them it is possible I could make them work, or if not I have a milling machine and could make my own if necessary. So, If you could get these measurements and a picture or two, that would be great. Also see if it is gun-drilled for the brake line.
    A - Width across top
    B - Width at axle  mounts
    C - Gear height
    D - Gear thickness
    E - Fore-Aft width at fuselage mount
     
     


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  24. 109jb added a post in a topic Near miss with fuel line.   

    The older systems I've seen did have some hose mainly in very short sections used as connectors. Some used more, but more modern airplanes tend to be all aluminum tube from tank to firewall.   I personally prefer aluminum if possible but have to admit my Sonerai is all hose; however, the total length of hose inside the cockpit  is about 1 foot and it is replaced every 5 years or less. My current flying Kitfox has a lot of hose in the cockpit too. I planned to change the hose in the cockpit out for aluminum  this year but now that probably won't happen because I'll be selling it later this year to fund my new project Kitfox. When I do my new kitfox I'll probably do flared AN connections, but haven't ruled out using short (about 2  inch) pieces of tube as connectors. Do what makes you comfortable but be sure to inspect well as I've seen the aftermath of poor maintenance.
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  25. 109jb added a post in a topic Near miss with fuel line.   

    It has always been regarded as a safety practice not to have fuel carrying hoses in the cockpit where the people are.  Now on the kitfox and avids, there really isn't a way around it with the folding wings, but if you look at the routing on production airplanes you will see aluminum lines from the tanks all the way to the firewall and hoses from there to the engine.  One reason for this is that all hoses have some permeability, meaning that whats inside gets out to an extent. In the old day it was worse than today and hoses today have such low permeability that it isn't a concern. Another is inspecability. In the case of a production airplane those fuel lines in the cockpit run in places that you would be hard pressed to inspect every inch.  Even on a Kitfox with a hose running from the header to the firewall, it can be run where it isn't easily inspected.  a hose really needs to be able to be nspected along the full length. Finally I'd say replacement. An aluminum line needs to be replaced only when something happens to it.  Hoses should be periodically replaced no matter how good they look on the inside. 
    I got a damaged Kitfox IV project that I'm going to be starting on this summer and when it goes back together it will be getting aluminum fuel lines everywhere except for short sections of hose for wing fold and forward of the firewall.
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