jjflyer

Thanks for confirmation...I wish they would have put them in the prints.

I've found a lot more examples of the rivets being installed on top and bottom of the spars.  Maybe it's mentioned in the Kitfox build manual...which I don't have

I'm working on my Model C Avid wings and bought a set of 60" long Kitfox spar inserts.  I prepped and installed all four inserts and riveted from the bottom as described in the attached Kitfox pages.  

It looks like they only want the bottom course of rivets installed and the ones that capture the lift strut brackets.  The attached reference pages make no mention of installing the same rivet pattern from the top of the spars, but I've found some builds on the internet have riveted both spar tops and bottoms.

I'm thinking the correct way is to NOT install rivets on the top of the spars into the inserts...thoughts?

I forgot to mention, I also have the Avid manual (I see it is posted on this site too!).

Sketchy looking bracket and control tube

Hello,

My name is Jim and I’m new to the forum…you’ve got quite a nice resource of information!

I’ve always been interested in aircraft and flying, but have never quite had the funds or time.  I’m in my 50s now so I thought I better make a course correction before time runs out.

I recently bought a nearly complete early Model C Avid Flyer with the standard STOL wings (0.063 spars, 9 ribs, 3/4" struts).  It came with a "panel" gas tank, but no wing tanks and the fuselage looks like it was welded from the factory for tail-wheel only.  There appears to have been some light surface rust in spots, but I can’t find any major pitting.  The fuselage and parts were painted recently, but not by me.

The plane is fairly complete, but missing some bellcranks (F-7s) / control rods, windshield / turtle-deck, wheels/brakes and small fasteners.   

This will be the first plane I have built, but I’ve rebuilt engines and transmissions before as well as retrofitted CNC equipment, and designed / fabricated custom parts.  I enjoy building, fixing and fabricating things and I have plenty of tools (hand/ power tools, welders and machine tools – manual and CNC).

This all may be “putting the cart before the horse” because I do not have my pilot’s license yet, but it’s in the works (I did pass my medical).

I was thinking the plane’s mission will be to allow me to enjoy logging hours of flight and doing short hops to local strips.  I live in Colorado Springs (about 6000’).

I would like to build it to be as “new pilot friendly” as possible.  To that end, I’m thinking the plan is to keep it light & simple and work on basic flying skills.  Once I’ve accrued enough hours, I figure I can take it all apart again and maybe give it a stretch, add wing tanks and do other mods.

Attached are a bunch of photos.  Some of the parts do not look “factory” and need attention (control tube, control rods and one strut mount).  I didn’t take photos of the spars or flaperons.  The spars are like new and the flaperons look the same.

Any suggestions are appreciated.