ChrisBolkan

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Everything posted by ChrisBolkan



  1. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic A word of warning   

    Wow! I think I'm going to check those attachments before my next flight. 
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  2. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Clogged jets   

    I really like that balance test scheme on the video!
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  3. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Eliminating the nose wheel tube   

    That fuselage (and plane) is worth more with that nose tube left in place. Not everyone wants to fly a tail dragger (well yes they do, but not everyone can) so that little weldment adds a lot of value when you go to sell the plane.
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  4. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Full Lotus Float Air Bladders   

    I just did a google search "polyurethane air bladders". It came up with TONS of interesting links. Since it is not my project, I did not look at any of them, but you might start there. Just a thought.
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  5. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Poly fuel tank repair   

    Depending on the crack, you could end drill it so it doesn't spread and try some polysulfide aircraft fuel tank sealer. It is sticky, tough, flexible and impervious to fuel. You could even weld the tank and cover it with the sealer as insurance. It is amazing stuff.
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  6. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Full Lotus Float Air Bladders   

    That looks like polyurethane to me, but I can't feel it through a picture. :-)
    The most durable kayak float bags are made of polyurethane.
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  7. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Kitfox 2 project start   

    I have had great luck with the guys at the Spokane FSDO. They all want planes flying not parts or collecting dust. Unless things have changed since I last talked to them they will do everything possible to work with you not against you. As said above you can always build from parts. In that case the aircraft will be registered as a "Craig Kennedy Flyer" or something like that instead of a Kitfox II.
    You might also be able to get another scrapped KF with a valid AW cert and put the two together to make one good one.
    Of course the big advantage to doing all the work of a build from parts approach is the you will carry the repairman cert.
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  8. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Catalina wings on a Mk4   

    If my Catalina project turns out to be a bust (i suspect it will be fine) I have fantasized about how cool it would be to put the wings on my Fat Avid.
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  9. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic OSH AirVenture 2020 CANCELLED   

    I was committed to flying there again this year. It's super unfortunate, but predictable.
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  10. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Wing Tank Repair   

    The leak is probably at the wing root of the rear spar. If you cut a hole in that bay first you probably wont have to go through cutting holes in every bay. I would use grey pro seal polysulfide sealer to cover the crack and pink proseal for the lid. It will not weaken the tank or wing structure.
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  11. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic fuel tank sealing - sloshing   

    I recommend cutting into the bottom of the tank, finding the leak, repair it with grey polysulfide sealer and riveting a cover over the hole with pink polysulfide sealer. i have done this on two wings and a friend has also. Results in a solid fix that can be accessed again if required. If you are dealing with a leak, on both my friend's and my tank it was at the rear spar wing root area, accessible by just cutting into one bay.
    http://avidfoxflyers.com/index.php?/topic/738-wing-tank-repair/#comment-4555
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  12. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Manu's Avid C   

    Very pretty plane! So clean!
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  13. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic New guy in Vermont, Ridge Runner rebuild   

    I think I'd replace the carb boots and belt and all exterior rubber you can find, throw a gasket kit into the carburetors, and remove the exhaust and look in the ports for cylinder damage. If you can still see nice crosshatch in the cylinders, I'd fire it up and see how it runs. if it runs great, I'd drive it for another 150 hours before taking it apart. None of the stuff you will buy to get the engine up and running will be a waste because you will still use it all even if you find a problem along the way and do have to rebuild it.
    Just another angle to consider. That engine does not have a rotary valve or rotary valve seals, and it is HIGHLY unlikely that there is anything wrong with the crank seals regardless of how old they are.
     
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  14. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic New guy in Vermont, Ridge Runner rebuild   

    is that a single place? Its going to be a ripper! It looks like so much FUN!
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  15. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Cargo Pods   

    Yes. On both my Avid MKIV trigear and My Avid Magnum taildragger I built kayak "racks" on the under side of the planes that tied into the landing gear mounts. They were very light so did not add much weight, were easily removable and only had a small effect on cruise speed (unless the kayak was attached). I could then carry a six footish whitewater play-boat under the MKIV and could carry a full blown white water river runner under the Magnum. The volume of the kayak made a wonderful cargo pod with a ton of room. Plus when I got to where I was going, I could kayak which was awesome. Some of my most memorable time  flying and camping also involved kayaking. Not for everyone but very rewarding.




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  16. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Pivot point for the control sticks?   

    I have been able to do several things to avoid the big project you are about to undertake. 1) Don't put any kind handle on the stick. I have just wrapped the area I hold on to with high quality tape. This makes a lot more room for stick movement. 2) try rotating the stick around in the socket without the pin in. I have found that offsetting the stick a bit can make a lot more room by moving the stick around closer to where my knees are wider than back by the seat where there is less room between my legs. 3) Try different stick heights. That can make a big difference. Just a thought before you start really tearing things up.
    Chris
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  17. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Gov't stimulus?   



  18. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Leading Edge Slats   

    Very cool! Was not aware these were available after market. Do these self deploy with increased angle of attack or are they fixed like those on the Zenith 701? I can't tell from the pictures. And is it OK to as what you paid for these little marvels, or would you prefer I ask Carbon Concepts?
     
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  19. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Tailwheel wiggle   

    I was unable to view the movie in your first post so I don't know what you mean by wiggle.
    if you mean shimmy on landing, Tire pressure, tire wear, castor angle, worn parts, the way the plane is loaded, and all kinds of things can produce shimmy. However, there is only one way to ABSOLUTELY prevent it that I am aware of. That is resistive damping. Meaning enough friction in the back and forth movement of the tire so as to critically dampen any resonance that occurs for any reason. it's a really simple concept and it will always work. Anything else is just moving the resonant frequency around so it is hopefully out of play. And that does seem to work sometimes, but that is like a balloon of shit. You squeeze it somewhere and it just swells up somewhere else. The only way I know to ensure the tailwheel wont shimmy ever is to critically dampen all resonance and that only be done with resistive damping (friction).
    That's my opinion which with $4.00 will get you a mocha at starbucks.
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  20. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Tailwheel wiggle   

    Do you mean shimmy on landing?
    ?
     
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  21. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Flaperon Flaps   

    That's pretty slow!
     
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  22. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Catalina Project   

    That landing load number is the one I had no idea how to come up with. So thank you for that. I should be able to find an actuator. Also the travel number is very helpful. Thank you. I will also measure my actual travel. Don't forget your schematic! I am quite electrically inclined and can come up with a circuit myself, but I like getting and considering all ideas as that usually ends up with the best solution!
    Thanks again
    Chris
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  23. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Catalina Project   

    Thank you Laurent! Curious, do you remember approx what you paid for the actuator? I'm going to do the install but want to brace myself for the sticker shock! :-)
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  24. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Catalina Project   

    Thanks Laurent! 
    It's crazy but my Catalina has gear up, down and "no mans land" indicator lights already in the instrument panel, but no wiring. They may have been intended for manual indication, but that seems unlikely. I think there was a future plan to go electric.
    Does your actuator go through its complete end to end travel from gear up to gear down positions or do the microswitches limit the travel?
    If it does go limit to limit is there internal protection inside the actuator to stop it and prevent damage to the actuator?
    Or do the micro switches just turn on the position indicators?
    I assume the gear up/down rocker is a cross wired DPDT switch?
    Do you have a diagram of how you wired it?
    I have a lot more questions but I don't want to overload you right off the bat!
    Take care!
    Chris
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  25. ChrisBolkan added a post in a topic Catalina Project   

    Thank you! I am sure from other posts I have been exposed to your name but I do not seem to know it. Since we are likely to be talking a bit and for a while, what's your name?
    Thanks again!
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