1avidflyer

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Everything posted by 1avidflyer



  1. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    Thanks,  TJay,  I cut out some old lexan to fit in the triangles, and braced two boards against each inside.  The lexan laid on the boards, and gave me something to support the fiberglass on.  Fiber glass doesn't stick to lexan, so when I was done and glass was hard, it was easy to pop the lexan out.  Looks much better/smoother on the inside where it's visible.  
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  2. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    I infilled with about 1/8 to 3/16" of fiberglass between bottom of door and longerons.  Thanks for the compliment.  JImChuk

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  3. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Ridge Runner 3   

    The Kitfox lite in Mn belongs to a friend of mine.  He is a straight shooter.  It's a cute little plane.  I have some videos on my phone of it taking off and landing.  JImChuk
    PS,  I posted those videos onto his add on fb
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  4. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Flaperon Brackets and pushrods   

    Coming together.  Get er done! Should be nice.  JImChuk
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  5. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    Little more progress today.  


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  6. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    And now it's white.  although it sort of looks gray.  Juneau white actually.  Trim color tomorrow.  They say to wait at least 12 hrs before applying trim tape masking.  JImChuk
     


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  7. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    Don't wait to long on the retirement, I'm 70 now and I can feel it.  Old body is going down hill.  I took my pension at 55 and never looked back.  Best thing I ever did, especially after social security kicked in at 62.
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  8. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    Just went back to my manual, and on page 107 in the product profiles,  under 'finishing new fabric surfaces',  it says that after process is completed thru poly spray, and the last coat has dried at least one hour, apply a minimum of 2 coats of poly tone, allowing approximately 30 minutes drying time between coats.    I didn't think I had waited the last time I painted, but your question made me go looking.  Looks like poly tone tomorrow.   Made it gray today.  And of all things, I took the skis off the other Kitfox and am back on wheels.  Strip is about dried up as well.  JImChuk


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  9. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    Like I always say, good from far, but far from good!  Got the poly spray on today.  Poly tone tomorrow, and trim Saturday...  JImChuk
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  10. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    Just using regular lacquer thinner from the farm and fleet type store near me.  Not sure if it's true, but I was told that the 105 is a low grade lacquer thinner meant to clean spray guns.  The regular lacquer works good, and easy to find.  4 planes so far with no issues unless you use the blue painter's tape.  Make sure you use the green stuff.  And don't leave it on longer than needed.  JImChuk
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  11. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    Not very fast, and not all that pretty either, but progress is being made.  JImChuk


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  12. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Supplementary shock cord system   

    I would like to see some pictures.  I'm thinking of building a gear for my new Kitfox 4 project.  JImChuk
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  13. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Airdale Rotax 912 weight and balance   

    Not the same plane, but on my Kitfox 4 the prop flange face is 25 1/2" from the firewall.  The CG of the engine is 12 1/2" behind the face of the prop flange.   I don't think an Avid mount could get the engine any further back.  I had to make a dimple in the firewall for the starter as it was.  JImChuk
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  14. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    No, that is a post AvidJack posted of how he widened his Kitfox 4.  Looks like a Catalina in the background.   I got the side fabric all on now, just the top left after I thread the rudder cables though the sides.  (Don't want to forget them)....
     


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  15. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    Na, no work for me.  I'm happy just doing it for myself.  If I had to do it for money for others, it wouldn't be near as much fun.  Especially if they thought it looked worse than I did.  
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  16. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    Little bit of an update.  Made a trim system similar to what Avids use.  I worked on the vernier cable idea, but that put the knob under my right leg, and it was hard to reach around my leg to use it.   just to clairify, the piece of wire in the castle nut is not a permanent cotter pin.   I made rudder pedal reinforcements and got them on.  Also started the fabric yesterday.  So progress is being made.  JImChuk



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  17. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Can you streamline a Kitfox with window trim   

    I borrowed the pipe clamp idea from someone else.    I can't claim that one.  
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  18. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Can you streamline a Kitfox with window trim   

    TJay,  I like it.  I remember this being mentioned at one point.  When I made the ones for my Kitfox 4, I had a clear  2X6 cedar and cut them out of that.  Mine are just about 2 3/4 wide.   I ended up making 2 cuts on each side to get more of the rounded look and then sanded them some where the two cuts met.  Seems like we will be hearing of flight reports soon.  Curious for sure.  JImChuk
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  19. 1avidflyer added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Longest winter for ski flying
    Hi all,  well I broke the record for skis for the last 20 years.  First flight on skis this year was 11/14/2021.  Flew this evening, 4/21/2022.   Six years ago, I flew on 11/20 2016, and 4 yrs ago, I flew on 4/20/2018.  So this year, I beat the record on both ends.  Kitfox ski flying 11/14/2021 - YouTube    
    Didn't think to bring the gopro this evening, but have this picture that I took this evening.   Well at least the mosquitoes haven't started yet up here in northern Mn.  JImChuk

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  20. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    I cut the board between your red lines at 2".  It ended up being a bit narrower, after I ran it through the router to fit the tube it's glued to.  Here are pics showing overall width.  JImChuk


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  21. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    Thanks TJay,  I plan to keep this one.  It will have my name on it, and I'll have the repairman's cert when all is done.  No more waiting on an AnP then.  Actually that hasn't been much of a problem, he has always got to me fairly quick.  But he can get busy, or go on a hunting trip or something also.  If I had just planed to sell it, I probably wouldn't have torn the fabric off, but I want this one the way I want it.  I got the wood glued on, and started to put a wrap of fiberglass around it to for sure hold it to the tube no matter what.  Also managed to get in about 1.4 hr flying the other Kitfox this evening.  JImChuk


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  22. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 4 build # 2   

    I have done my other Kitfox 4 and Avid with steel tube, for widening the fuselage, on the Kitfox 3, I used wood pretty much like this one.  I didn't wrap the wood before with fiberglass, and really shouldn't have to now, but it's pretty easy to get at with the fabric out of the way.  I didn't have much issue with bending the door frames, but it doesn't work if you have the windows or bottom panel in place.   I bent the door frame, and clamped or blocked it where it needed to be, and then fit the windows with the door frame in place.   JImChuk
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  23. 1avidflyer added a topic in Kitfox IV   

    Kitfox 4 build # 2
    Hi all,  I've had this never finished Kitfox 4 sitting for almost 10 years, other planes kept getting in the way, and so it sat.  One other thing that has kept me from working on it was I really wanted to widen the fuselage, and hated to tear into that fabric that has never even left the ground.  Well I tried to pull the fabric off one door and stretch it out enough to do the widening job, but gave up and grabbed the knife. I had widened a Kitfox 3 that was covered that came out nice, but it wasn't painted out to finish coats.  So here we are at the end of today.  I made up some 1/2" thick wood to epoxy onto the powered coated fuselage, I'll also wrap it with one layer of fiberglass so there is no way it will ever come off.   I'll try to keep this thread updated as I go along, hopefully I will finish it this summer.  I have a 912 ULS to go into it.  JImChuk









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  24. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox Trim Tab   

    I thought I had corrected this a long time ago, but if anyone copies this design, make sure you put a stop to limit travel on top and bottom.  It will get your attention if it jambs against the seat truss because you pushed it to far.  


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  25. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Model 2/912   

    This is what I did on my Avid Flyer.  Fortunatly, my Kitfox has a large pipe fitting on the upper side to screw the float switch into, so the little tank wasn't needed.  JImChuk


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