ChrisBolkan

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  1. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Avid Magnum Engine Mount   

    Curious, how is it you end up with a Magnum with no engine mount?
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  2. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Mangy Fox Dumb Stunts   

    I have a few hours on mine now and I'm somewhere in the middle. It makes a difference, but it is hard to describe. It's almost like sometimes the whole RPM range is a lot smoother and sometimes there are still RPMs where it vibrates. Overall I believe it has improved things enough that I do not regret buying it. So I guess that's a good thing.
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  3. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Mangy Fox Dumb Stunts   

    I bought the ring from Aircraft Spruce. It's on its way. Will report back once I get it mounted up and flown! Thanks for making me aware of it!
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  4. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Mangy Fox Dumb Stunts   

    Who makes and where do I buy one of those balancing rings? I've done everything I can and still have a few different RPMs where I have annoying but not serious vibrations or harmonics in my usable RPM range. Sounds like that ring is just the thing. Does it have mercury or something else around the perimeter that moves around to self balance the overall assembly?
     
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  5. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic My new best friend   

    The vertical band saw base attachment is the bomb! 
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  6. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Book Recommendations?   

    I'm not the reader you guys obviously are so this book is not stories of aviation legends, but I have found this particular book to be the best of my collection regarding STOL flying technique, camping, survival and everything back country.
    The author presented at Oshkosh last year and I found his presentation interesting enough to buy his book. Best of my meager collection of "flying skill and technique" type books.
    Chris

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  7. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Fuselage Stretch - best way?   

    That's exactly what Dean Wilson did on his personal Piper Clipper (greatly increased size of vstab/rudder and hstab/elevator) That strategy worked very well. I wanted it real bad and test drove it with him. Unfortunately we could not agree on a price otherwise it would be my plane now.
    I thought it was awesome. He also streamline it, lengthened the wings and built spoilers similar to a sail plane in the top of the wings. It flew VERY fast on little fuel, flew VERY slow, and the spoilers made it able come out of the sky like an elevator without affecting pitch or approach speed. it was an amazing plane IMHO.



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  8. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic MKIV kit for sale Craigslist   

    Most importantly I bet he would take less than asking price.
    I do not see any problem assembling and airplane from a bunch of misc parts and getting it registered either. It might be a "Chris Bolkan Flyer" instead of an "Avid Flyer MKIV" weh it is done, but it would still fly and provide a lot of enjoyment!
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  9. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Avid Magnum Landing Gear   

    Hi Toby,
    I texted you. Drop me a note here if you did not receive it.
    Thanks!
    Chris
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  10. ChrisBolkan added a topic in For Sale and wanted, you got it, I want it   

    Avid Magnum Landing Gear
    Hi,
    Does anyone have an extra set of landing gear that will fit the Avid Magnum?  
    Thanks!
    Chris
     
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  11. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Panels & ADS-B   

    I'm about ready to start diving into a friend'd Becker (Same radio as your photo) with squelch issues. He has two and both have the same problem. I am hoping to find it is something with his install and not the radios themselves although he said neither radio had the problem then one got it (basically squelch won't mute) then he switched to the other radio and problem was solved then second radio developed same problem. I will post back here with what I find. They are very nicely made radios, not very heavy and take up very little space.
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  12. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic 582 to 912 questions   

    You won't regret the conversion. My Fat Avid is 1250 gross, 700 empty. I have seen MKIV's (1150 gross)  in the 630 empty range with a 912. Every pound makes a difference! I've also seen a MKIV with 912 weigh in same as my Fat Avid at 700.
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  13. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic 582 to 912 questions   

    I don't know where you are located, but I have a Fat Avid with a 912 in good flying condition. My friend's MKIV with 912 out performs mine considerably and mine is no slouch.
    If you are in the area (Tri Cities, Washington State) I'd be happy to take you for a ride and you could see for yourself before committing to the conversion. My friend with the 912 MKIV would also be happy for you to test drive.
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  14. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Avid/Foxes?   

    I know the difference between turbine and turbocharging, but for some reason I had still the firm belief that turbochargers were not allowed. I was sure I had read years ago that "normally aspirated" was in the requirements and it stuck like glue. But I sure can't find that statement anywhere now!
    This is definitely a case where it feels good to be wrong! :-) (other than the whole losing my mind thing)
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  15. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Avid/Foxes?   

    Seems I must be wrong about turbochargers not being allowed in LSA. I was sure I was right, but when I searched I cannot support my statement. Now I wish I knew where I came to believe that. I sure had it down as fact in my mind.
    My apologies.
    Chris
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  16. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Avid/Foxes?   

    Or he can't fly it as a sport pilot. (just speculation) No turbo allowed. Sounds like an awesome deal to me.
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  17. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic 582 to 912 questions   

    Yes prop spins wrong way to re-use. And definitely worth converting to 912!!!!!!!!!
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  18. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Removing paint from landing gear   

    Aircraft stripper will not hurt aluminium. I have bought it before at the local hardware store. Not sure if it is still that easily available or not. It's pretty powerful stuff.
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  19. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Not a cowboy...   

    Beautiful Fred!
    Just returned from my first ever cruise trip of any kind. (not really my thing but it was a lot of fun) We spent 15 days on a river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam on the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers. We covered quite a distance over a lot of different country. Never really saw the mountains you are flying in (Alps I assume), but it was beautiful country. I saw virtually no airplanes in the sky at all. No small planes at all and very little commercial jet con trails except for a few places. The whole trip was almost completely devoid of aviation that I could see. You must be one of a very few very luck men there, or I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I did see a couple of hot air balloons.
    Chris
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  20. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Something you hate to see.   

    It doesn't even take a place like Alaska for a plane to go down and be very hard to find or very hard to walk out of assuming you can walk.
    i fly up the Columbia River a lot where I live. When I fly low over the water I can easily see both sides, the islands and boats. It seems very "small" and sort of like no big deal. Then when I am out in my ski boat, the river grows in size to where i can't imagine actually being able to swim from the middle to the side. 
    I have to constantly remind myself just how big (and unforgiving) the world really is when it seems so "contained" when I am up flying. It is very deceptive.
     
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  21. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Curtis Drains   

    It's pretty easy to just replace the o-ring. Check out the or ring store in Clarkston Wa. I've gotten any o-ring any size any material that I have ever wanted. Saved a bundle on Lockwood prices and they deliver fast!
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  22. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Avid Catalina take off performance   

    That is encouraging. I cant wait to get to work on mine. It does have steam gages but otherwise doesn't look like too much extra weight was added in the build. The builder told me 600 lb. I don't believe it and have not weighed it yet. 
    My intent is to do as little as possible to get if flying first, unlike other projects where I dive in to make "improvements" before I even try the thing out in the first place :-)
    I end up with a good result usually, but it is a lot more time consuming before I can enjoy. This time I intend to get it working ASAP and tinker slowly away at optimizing.
    Oh...and 75 MPH will be fine with me. I bought this to be a TOY only. Just for pure local fun.
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  23. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Avid Catalina take off performance   

    That's awesome! Are you 912 powered? How do you think mine will do on a 582? A lot less engine weight, but a lot less HP. Haven't flown mine or any other Catalina yet.
    I should be able to start on my Catalina when I get back from Europe. It shouldn't take too long to get it ready for flight.
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  24. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic rotax 912 edge performance big bore kit failure   

    Wow that was a fascinating read and very informative. Thanks!
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  25. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Has anyone ever installed a Lycoming in an Avid Plus?   

    My fat Avid is a 1250 gross plane. I also have a Magnum with 0-320 at 1750 gross. I cannot imagine that Lycoming or even a smaller one in my Fat Avid. It would destroy the useful load and while it may take off as good and cruise a bit faster than the 912 it would not land any shorter. It would be worse. 
    If it were me, I would find a used 80 HP 912 (they show up frequently if you look) and they are not that expensive. I have two friends who have obtained them in the 4K range. I would then do the 105 HP zipper kit. That would out perform my 100HP 912 on REGULAR gas where I have to use premium. 
    I think the lighter the better. My fat Avid is 700 empty and I wish it was 100lb lighter!
    One other huge factor to consider. To optimize my fat Avid for landing, even with the 912 I put weight in the back of the plane. My Fat Avid with 912 is not at the forward CG limit, but it is not too far back of it. The longer fuselage barely accounts for the weight difference between the 582 and 912. If you put a lycoming on the Fat Avid you end up with the same problems people have putting 912's on the smaller Avids in that in addition to the increased weight of the engine, you have to put even more weight in the tail to optimize CG and you end up REALLY heavy.  
    Chris
     
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