ChrisBolkan

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  1. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Cabin Heater Info   

    I think the best option might be (although I haven't tried it) one of these miniature diesel turbine heaters. 
    https://www.vevor.com/diesel-heater-c_10321/diesel-air-heater-5kw-12v-lcd-display-all-in-one-for-truck-rvs-car-motorhomes-p_010633661202?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=14208751102&utm_term=126423776860&gclid=Cj0KCQiA99ybBhD9ARIsALvZavVfpa8zCphC1LMTxySKGZjcWODZxtNLEaKS8IFfIEvBx8MEhU2wAb0aAieXEALw_wcB
    or 
    https://www.vevor.com/diesel-heater-c_10321/2kw-12v-diesel-air-heater-lcd-switch-2000w-for-trucks-boats-car-bus-trailer-p_010198386270?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=14398577900&utm_term=128016354204&gclid=Cj0KCQiA99ybBhD9ARIsALvZavV_U069zcjgJfckGVslra540PrVXPYVAYSurRjyPvsL2qmsTNFOGgYaAoGuEALw_wcB
    You get the idea. There are lots of them out there. Depending on the model they are very small, cheap, lightweight and produce a TON of good clean heat. I think they come typically with a couple gallon fuel container, but a half pint would work for hours.
    The only thing required is a small hole for the exhaust to exit to the outside the cabin.
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  2. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Cabin Heater Info   

    Damn! That is a beautiful plane!
    For virtually NO weight addition compared to adding a radiator, fan etc., you can build the original Avid heat system that captures air off the back of the passenger radiator, and direct it into the cabin with flexible hose. It provides some heat, and it also allows the engine to warm better in the winter. You just remove it in the summer. I would do that even if I went to the trouble to add a heat radiator and fan, because when it is really cold out there you are going to want every bit of heat you can get!
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  3. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Which is the Widest cockpit and useful load   

    I can't tell you the inches, but the Avid Plus (or fat avid) has more baggage area and a wider cockpit than any other Avid or Kitfox to my knowledge, with the exception of the Avid Magnum. The Avid Plus is even wider (but not taller inside) than the Magnum. The Magnum also has a larger baggage area and a much greater useful load of 700-750 depending on the build. Useful load in my Avid Plus is 550 lb. (1250GR-700E). I assume you are not considering the Magnum in your question though because its really a significantly different airplane than the smaller Avids and Kitfoxes.
    The Avid Plus control mixer is located under the seat and uses cables to control the ailerons. The leaves the entire area in back of the seats open for cargo. That aspect is wonderful, although I have mixed feelings about the use of push-pull cables for control of the ailerons.
    All in all I like the Avid plus if you can find one.
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  4. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Rotax 447 vibration diagnosis   

    I vote the prop. We had a vibration in a 503 powered Ridge runner. It looked very similar to your plane. Anyway, it had a vibration. The GSC prop tracked well and it looked brand new even tho it was something like 15 years old. The vibration turned out to be the prop. We replaced the prop with a very affordable composite prop by Ultra Prop. The vibration vanished and it was smooth as butter. We returned the prop to GSC for inspection and re-balance. it was returned to us but the plane was sold before we could try the reconditioned GSC prop. With what I know now, I would just buy a prop from ultra prop and put it on and fly. I was very impressed with the company and the construction of the propeller. SUPER light weight, no warping, no balance issues and VERY reasonably priced. 
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  5. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Parts manufacturing for Avid + Mark IV   

    Hi Justine,
    Another way of putting it is that weight and balance is just about the same for a stock MKIV with a 582 and an extended MKIV with a 912.  CG is near forward limit in both, which gives you the best option for loading up baggage to camp, is still very flyable at the forward limit without baggage, AND can easily be made to fly like a dream with just a bit of removable weight added to the tail when you are not loaded with baggage.
    Chris 
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  6. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Parts manufacturing for Avid + Mark IV   

    I have two different control cable lengths on my Fat Avid. here is a photo of the part numbers. I used different lengths because the mixer is under the pilot seat so the distance is different to each flaperon. I suppose there might be merit to using equal length cables so play is identical, but I find the cable system has tons of play anyway, so it is a decision you will have to make I guess. I am just pointing it if you haven't thought about it yet.

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  7. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Parts manufacturing for Avid + Mark IV   

    Hi Justine,
    I fly a Fat Avid which is essentially a widened and lengthened MKIV. I have two friends with MKIV's, one extended and one not extended. All of our planes have 912's.
    My friend with the extended MKIV flies his with no additional weight in the tail, but he is at the forward CG limit. This works fine for him especially when he loads the plane up for camping, He has created nooks and crannies every where behind the seats and under the baggage to carry things and he can load it up without going too far aft. He does not have weight in the tail. I think his plane would benefit from some weight in the tail when he is not loaded up for camping but he has nowhere to easily attach the weight way in the back so he carries some tools and things under the baggage compartment which helps a bit.
    My other friend who has a 912 in his un-extended MKIV can fly his plane without weight in the tail, but the CG is really far forward AND he has his battery mounted in the very back of the tail. This helps bring the CG back a bit. There is virtually no way for him to bring the CG too far back with baggage. His plane is too far forward IMHO.
    On my Fat Avid I carry 10LB in the tail allof the time, and I can still go camping and not be too far aft without removing the weight, unless I am REALLY loading the plane up, and I have a MUCH larger and open baggage area then either of the MKIVs.
    So from my experience you really want to do the stretch if you are installing a heavier engine than the 582. My original MKV was tricycle gear and was right at the forward limit with just the 582.
    One note: All of the planes I am talking about are tricycle gear. Tailwheel setup will mitigate the forward CG somewhat, but I don't think enough to make you completely happy unless you stretch the plane. 
    These are just my experiences. Others may have different experiences.
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  8. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Broken tube repair sugestions   

    This is a useful video although old. You may be able to take some ideas from it.
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  9. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Damping Box- Rotax 532   

    I believe the dampening box snubs back EMF developed when the breaker points open. This function is probably done with diodes across the solid state switching devices in the electronic ignition modules. At least that would be my guess.
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  10. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Rods to Keep Wings in Place   

    On my MKIV and on my Fat Avid, I found that the clevis pins would slowly work their way up and out. It was very slow and I always saw it and tapped them back down before they worked up to the safety clip which would have stopped them. However, since I don't fold my wings routinely, I ended up bolting the front of the wing on. Still super easy to remove when necessary but just feels better to me than the pin that tries to work its way out.
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  11. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Waht is the Avid + (Or plus)   

    Actually the more I look at that fuselage picture, I think it is a Magnum.
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  12. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Waht is the Avid + (Or plus)   

    That could be a Magnum fuselage now that you mention it, but I can't tell for sure. if it is, it is heavier and beefier than any of the other Avids by a long shot. it is intended for a lycoming 0-320 or 0-360. The wingspan is 33 feet and gross weight is 1750lb. The Magnum is a very nice plane. IMO it is in a different league that all other Avid/Kitfox models stretched or otherwise, except maybe the latest biggest and baddest Kitfoxes.
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  13. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Post inspection review thoughts...Feedback appreciated please   

    I haven't built a plane from scratch or from a kit. But I have rebuilt or disassembled and reassembled the ones I have owned. I don't consider myself a builder. That takes a certain long term goal and reward mindset that I just don't have. I like to analyze, solve problems and come up with creative solutions. That lends itself well to working on and fixing planes that have already been built.
    I don't think one has to be a builder to thrive with experimental aircraft, but it sure helps if you have a big dose of curiosity, are mechanically and electrically inclined and like fixing and tinkering.
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  14. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Waht is the Avid + (Or plus)   

    Do you have additional photos from different angles?
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  15. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Post inspection review thoughts...Feedback appreciated please   

    It looks pretty clean to me. Is there any damage from the forced landing? If not try and get it cheap and have fun making fly again!
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  16. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Looking for model 4 seat pan.   

    I just quoted Greyhound for a non aviation item that is pretty good sized. Prices have gone WAY up from my previous experiences. Its very disappointing.
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  17. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Waht is the Avid + (Or plus)   

    That's why I initially said "I'm not sure" :-)
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  18. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Waht is the Avid + (Or plus)   

    I'm not sure. I have a Fat Avid. Is that an Avid Plus? I don't know as the later Avid versions are confusing to me. I can tell you that the Fat Avid is wider in the cockpit, but not taller so it uses standard Avid wings and Struts. It is longer (stretched) to accommodate a bit heavier engine, but I find that mine still needs about 10lb of weight in the tail to fly best with the 912when lightly loaded. I has more rake to the windscreen and has a different shape vertical stab. it also uses push pull cables to run from the mixer, which is mounted under the pilot seat, up to the flapperons. The area behind the seats is open and cavernous compared to a MKIV. Mine is set up tricycle gear. Here is a picture: 


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  19. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Looking for Avid Amphib/Catalina for sale   

    I really don't know. My Cat has a 582 but I haven't flown it yet. My first Avid, a MKIV had a 582. My current Avid has a 912. To me there is no comparison. The 912 wins hands down for power, much less maintenance and a certain peace of mind that doesn't come with a 582. The effect the 912 has on W&B is real but easily managed. The thing I do not know is the effect of the 912 additional weight on the W&B where it is placed on the Catalina. 
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  20. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Prepurchase Questions   

    As is the case with ANY amateur built experimental, besides just looking for good workmanship, I think weight and weight and balance are paramount importance. I do not know what an "as light as possible" Catalina would weigh with a 582, but I think you would want it as close to that weight as possible. And then be sure that weight and balance is within limits...that the weight is properly distributed. 
    I know this is obvious, but a lot of planes end up way over weight because people add bling or try to beef them up and they end up with no useful load.
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  21. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Looking for Avid Amphib/Catalina for sale   

    Yessiree. That's it. It looks nice and I like the fact that is has a 912. Hopefully its been built as light weight as it can be.
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  22. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Looking for Avid Amphib/Catalina for sale   

    A friend sent me a link to a nice looking Amphib on Facebook Marketplace in Frankenmuth MI. It has a 912 and looks nice in the pictures. Title is 2015 Avid Catalina $24,800. Certainly worth a look!
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  23. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Airplane Questions   

    The Ridge Runner is a very fun plane. A friend and I finished a build last year and flew it until it was sold. It was pull start 503 powered and had a jump seat with no controls. Ours weighed 400 empty but felt MUCH lighter than a typical Avid. It was a lot more like flying a true ultralight than flying an Avid even though in every respect it is a well made tube and fabric 3 axis airplane with flaps. It could land and take off in nothing. Here is a video of the end of the first flight and my first landing in the RR. I did not use flaps because it was a little breezy.
    They are not still in business but is is a well thought out little plane. I miss it.
    IMG_2638.mov
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  24. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic The big “Hail Mary”!   

    "Avid" fixtures, molds and so forth have been split up, duplicated (sometimes poorly as in 912 engine mounts) depending on which company that produced parts at the time was "Avid". I do not know the history exactly, but the reason I ask is that it would be not only interesting, but very important to know EXACTLY what fixtures, molds and so forth for EXACTLY which Avid models this particular individual has. For instance I knew a fiberglass guy in Montana that had a bunch of "Avid" cowl molds. i had him make parts for my Magmum. He also had MKIV cowl molds. So does this person have them or are there multiple cowl molds? 
    I guess what I am asking is, EXACTLY what would the non-profit be getting and is it the ability to make most of the parts the group would need?
    The idea is intriguing....
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  25. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Supplementary shock cord system   

    never seen that. looks pretty cool. thanks for the link!
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