wypaul

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Everything posted by wypaul



  1. wypaul added a post in a topic What's this part?   

    The thread on the Avid is a 10-32 and it was the F7a that used the 1/4" tube with a socket head screw welded in both ends supplied by some.  My welder did not like that idea so the ones that I supplied were constructed differently but at any rate I do believe that the original parts for both Avid and KF were a speciality part.  I looked at grade eight all thread but found some long grade 8 set screws to do the job but not sure if they make any long enough to use in the standard application.  I would be comfortable using the grade 8 all thread but that is just me.
    https://www.mcmaster.com/all-thread-rods
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  2. wypaul added a post in a topic Kitfox IV modifications list   

    Yes I forgot about the seatbelts, that is annoying as hell.  I tie the end of the seatbelts across my chest to keep them on.
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  3. wypaul added a post in a topic Rudder issue   

    Everything looks ok in the fuselage in the tail section?  There was a post several days ago about the failure of the rudder hinges on another 4.  Is there any other folks flying Avids or KF in your area that can help you look at the plane?  Perhaps the cable slipped in a Nicropress sleeve if the loop was big or the end left long? The fact that it wanted to climb also is disturbing.
    How about the return springs everything look ok there?
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  4. wypaul added a post in a topic Kitfox IV modifications list   

    The tab that is welded on the vertical stab, which holds the tailspring from lateral movement is a weak point.  I've seen several of them fail.  Avid's mount is better IMHO.  We built that sort of mount for one IV and it is holding up well. Also built a plate that mounts under the spring for another where the tabs had bent but not broken but had been bent.  The issue presents itself because the spring doesn't have a good flat surface to mount to.  With side pressure the spring rolls to the side bending the main bolt and bending or breaking the tabs.  Otherwise I have to say I'm pretty impressed with the KF 4. Faster that the Avid just a tiny bit slower to get off the ground.  Not a fan of the Grove gear or the so called bush great with the heavy springs, still waiting to see if Leni's suggested fix with the snogo springs will cure the issue.  I'm using the Roberts Rage gear with my own gear leg design and I like the TK1 gear of Tony's but both are not cheap.  Larry's beefing up of his fuselage surely would be on my list also for both the KF and the Avid. JIm Chuk and many others also documented ways of beefing up the cockpit area of the fuselage,there are a lot of good options out there.
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  5. wypaul added a post in a topic U.S. Military jamming east coast GPS?   

    So take a moment to consider the Faa is quietly shutting down the ILS approaches across the country.  So what happens when there is no ground based approaches and they are fiddling with the GPS, you have now lost the alternates so you can't fly.  What you say why do us puddle hoppers need to worry about not being able to fly IFR, hell lm not even rated.  But I bet you like the thought of getting a life flight to come get you if it is IFR, how about those aircraft parts  from ACS, Wicks, Kitfox or Amazon.com.  You might still have time to campaign in your area to save your ILS, we did here but the fight is not over I'm sure, just postponed.  Those of you that fly IFR should think about the implications of how this will affect your livelihood.  
    OK, I'm done.
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  6. wypaul added a post in a topic Photo Record of Extended Wing Build   

    Hey Randy, looking at your wing build I noticed that you made provision for the flat plate on the wing tip but did not see it in the completed pictures.  Are you flying with it now and if so what results are you seeing.  Also I'm curious if you considered other shapes for the wing tip with your build or simply a flat plate on the final rib like I've seen on other planes.  The Avid wing tip seems to offer little beyond the fact that it is pleasing to the eye but maybe I'm missing something.  I'm considering building Hoerner style tips for mine but have not made the final decision although I have ordered some nicrome wire so maybe closer than I think.
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  7. wypaul added a post in a topic Hoerner wingtips, not the shoes   

    I don't believe that was Hoerner's conclusion.  He actually wrote a short paper just about wing tips, "AERODYNAMIC SHAPE OF WING TIPS" which is online if searched for.  I will refer you to that and you can draw your own conclusions. There is a nice YouTube video of a fellow making some Hoerner tips for his Sonerai.  I will try to link to that for those interested. 
       https://youtu.be/ULhZchv7ito
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  8. wypaul added a post in a topic Hoerner wingtips, not the shoes   

    Thanks that was interesting. 
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  9. wypaul added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Hoerner wingtips, not the shoes
    just wondering if any one of you KF folks have changed from the old style tips to the Hoerner and notice any improvement.  Seems like they might have an advantage over the standard Avid wingtip which sees to offer little more than extra drag  The Hoerner style wingtips should offer shorter wing span but with greater lift and less drag.  I know of one fellow that has put them on an Avid but not sure what the results have been but he was able to get them to fit ok.  I think if I go that way I will just make some to fit the undercambered wing.
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  10. wypaul added a post in a topic Fairing/pod for cabane MK IV   

    The wind tunnel test was as expected with good attached air.  Decided to go ahead and see what result would be just fair the tubes which was completed and flown yesterday.  This was the first fairing job that showed little to no results.  I will fly them faired a few more time before giving up on them.  The air under the belly aft of the cooling exit must just be to dirty to really see much benefit from the fairing work.  The pod may still help but it is a lot of work so the idea is shelved for the moment.  Next thought.  I am considering Hoerner style wing tips.  A lot of good clams for the mod on Pipers and other planes, speed increase of 3-5 KTS, slower stall and more lift shorter takeoff roll.
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  11. wypaul added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Fairing/pod for cabane MK IV
    HERE IS A rough model of one of my belly pod ideas.  I will make a model about this size and fly with tufts to see what I can discern from it.  Comments are welcome.  One concern is that it may create a negative lift on the underside of the plane.  Experimental, you bet.  Hey Turbo if you are still lurking I would love to hear your thoughts and while you are at it can you talk about your last two posts about the Avid wing in layman' s term and the implications.



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  12. wypaul added a post in a topic Rudder hinge   

    A very careful application of a heat gun will re tighten the fabric.  Start about 2' away and slowly move closer , keep the gun moving over about a square foot or so.  Take your time a quit as soon as it is tight.  stay away from the tapes.
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  13. wypaul added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    1001 HRS
    Just passed a thousand hours in my MK IV yesterday, still a long way to go to catchup with John. What great little planes these are to build and to fly!
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  14. wypaul added a post in a topic Avid MK IV with RX1 yamaha project   

    Nate sold the aircraft also, I am answering because I'm not sure he gets on this site often if at all anymore, could be wrong if so maybe he will pipe up.
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  15. wypaul added a post in a topic Avid MK IV with RX1 yamaha project   

    Nate did sell that engine.
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  16. wypaul added a post in a topic build sheet for TD main gear brake placement   

    Is this what you need, I don't think there is any difference between them. 

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  17. wypaul added a post in a topic Fairings, more   

    I would not be surprised if that is correct.
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  18. wypaul added a post in a topic Fairings, more   

    Here is the list
    reduced the inlet to half
    covered the gear legs, streamlined rear tubes
    faired the jury struts
    faired the HS struts
    covered the opening above the HS
    Fairings fore and aft of the fuel caps
    strut cuff fairing
     
    Things on my to do list:
    fairing the cabane
    reduce the radiator inlet
    build a com antenna that will be out of the airstream 
    maybe new wing tips
    fairing gearlegs at fuselage junction
     
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  19. wypaul added a post in a topic LiFePO4 battery and a 582?   

    I've been running the EarthX battery for several years and would not go back, my engine is 912 ULS  I EVEN put one in my Q2 before I sold it.  It took two odyssey batteries to crank the Jabiru 3300 when it was warm.  The little EarthX handles it by it self. So I lost about 25+ lbs and it cranks better always.  In cold weather the heater fan is turned on for about 10 seconds and the the battery comes up to full power unlike the lead-acid.  Another nice feature is the fact that the EX holds its charge for months.  The downside is the cost of course, and if you forget and leave the master on it takes a special charger to recharge it.
    My first Odyssey lasted for over 10 years.  They are by far and a way better than the garden tractor batteries but they cost more for initial investment but far less in the long term.  The garden tractor/motorcycle battery would not crank the Jabiru 3300 fast enough to start it under any condition.
    An EarthX convert for sure,
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  20. wypaul added a post in a topic Fairings, more   

    No issues with any control surfaces or with anything at all. The Vne is 135 and that is very conservative I believe.  I am really impressed with these little ships every time I fly one.  Dean Wilson did a great job designing the plane and the fact that it has been so copied around the world is truly a testament of that.  Dean thank you so much.  Kit Fox has carried the banner forward into the present day. Ok, off my soap box, preaching to the choir I believe. 
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  21. wypaul added a post in a topic Fairings, more   

    Here you go.

     
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  22. wypaul added a post in a topic Mangy Fox Dumb Stunts   

    Looks good Larry, well the first couple of pictures anyway.
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  23. wypaul added a post in a topic Mangy Fox Dumb Stunts   

    Nice report Larry but..... referencing the KF group many of us are not members and will not be able to see the pictures. 
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  24. wypaul added a post in a topic Fairings, more   

    I have the 21" tires and there are several points for me.  I can now keep up with my buddy's  Kitfox Four when we are traveling to the Backcountry in Idaho, while flying in the Backcountry by pulling the throttle back a bit I won't have to head out to get fuel as often and it's fun when non-believers tell you an Avid won't go that fast!
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  25. wypaul added a post in a topic Fairings, more   

    That thought has crossed my mind Jim.I read somewhere about a pilot adding a belly pod to a Super Cub and picking up several miles per hour.  It would be a fun project to build out of carbon fiber,  if I were Mike Patey it would have been done by now.  Have you watched his latest video on building the CF fuselage covering for his latest project?  I'll see if I can post a link and do an edit.
    Also the pod sure would be nice when I head into the Backcountry camping again next summer.
    Casper was just chosen for one of the three sites next year by the AOPA for their fly-in's. Maybe some of this group will make it up here for that.  I'm going to get a hold of the flying Cowboys and see if they are interested in doing a STOL Drag for that.
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