1avidflyer

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Everything posted by 1avidflyer



  1. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Recovering another set of wings   

    The tanks that came with my other Kitfox 4 project (manufactured in 1994) were the gray tanks.  There was a sticker on each tank saying they had been sloshed with Kreem.  Don't know when the Kreem started, but it goes back to at least June of 1994.   JImChuk
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  2. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Recovering another set of wings   

    Just went back and reread the log book entry for the wing tank replacement on my Kitfox 4.  It occurred on 1-31-2000.  Entry says.  Leaking left wing tank removed and replaced with new, improved resin tank.   Maybe I don't have the alcohol resitent tank after all.  I think they came along at a later date than 2000??  Also noticed something else.  Empty weight of the plane was 792 lbs.  What a tank.  Subaru engine, grove gear, bunch of weight in the tail, ect, ect.  It did fly 640 hrs though.   JImChuk
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  3. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Avid aircraft serial number location   

    Don't think you will find a serial # anywhere on the plane.  It is an A model though.  Welded in motor mount, shape of the door, 36" wide fuselage at the top of the seat, all would be different on a B or later models.  JImChuk
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  4. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Avid Model A Rebuild   

    Wow, you do have a project on your hands.  Not insurmountable though.  Was the lift strut bracket not glued and riveted on originally?  They're supposed to be.... We love pictures, feel free to ask questions as well.  JImChuk
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  5. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Recovering another set of wings   

    Well for one thing, they said it had been changed out in the log book :-)  Actually, I found a couple of pictures of the stripped down wings.  The gray tank is the old one.  The tan colored one is the new style.  I never have heard of anyone getting new style 6 gallon tanks, so I would imagine the one you have is the old material.   JImChuk
     



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  6. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic WTB: right side wide gear for avid/ kitfox   

    The topic of Avid gear on a Kitfox has come up before, and I thought they were the same, other than the Avid MK IV ended up about 2" taller.  Last summer, I was going to put a set of Avid gear on the Kitfox 1 cause I wanted the newer style brakes.  The Avid gear did not work.  The bracing ended up being where the bungees go on the Kitfox.  I took some pictures of the belly of the Kitfox 1 and the Avid gear with a tape pulled from the same point.  The front bolt that holds the gear to the longeron.   Notice that on the Kitfox 1, the bungee sits between 13" and 15".  Look what is in the way at that point on the Avid gear.  The gear on the Kitfox are supposedly from a Kitfox 4 according to an entry in the log book.  Don't know if earlier Kitfox gear measure differently.   Might be a good time to pull out a tape and compare your gear.   Maybe my gear are not standard??? I think they are, but who knows.   YMMVJImChuk
     


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  7. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    Easier to match the paint, also the fabric will hold the fairing on that much better.  JImChuk
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  8. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    Foam with a thin layer of fiberglass would be plenty strong, and very light.  Cover with fabric, paint and move on.  JImChuk
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  9. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Tailwheel replacement (5 inch)   

    Maybe more than that Leslie if you got ahold of a new factory spring somehow.  Mine is flattened out some I'm sure.   Another problem you will run into if you go with a double or triple spring is the channel sides the spring fits in is only long enough to capture one 1/4 or 3/8" thickness of spring.  And there is only one bolt holding the spring on.  A second hole has to be added up through the bottom of the channel to hold the second (lower) spring in place.  Not that hard to do when you have a trap door like mine does, but I'm guessing you don't have that added feature.  JImChuk
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  10. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    Doug fir is not a very light wood.  White pine or red cedar weigh less.   (and it gives slivers like a porcupine)  JImChuk
    http://www.oocities.org/steamgen/woodweights.pdf
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  11. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Tailwheel replacement (5 inch)   

    The MK IV used a 1 1/2" spring that is necked down to 1 1/4" where the tail wheel goes.  Earlier models used a 1 1/4" wide spring.   My spring is 1 1/2" factory supplied spring.  Might be somewhat flattened out at the bend from some of my less than smooth landings.  If you click on the parts display image, it will expand.  You can then see how the Matco tailwheel is built.  Think this one is showing the double fork model, but the rest of both tailwheels is the same.  JImChuk
    http://www.matcomfg.com/T8LDAssemblyDrawing-idv-3757-28.html
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  12. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Tailwheel replacement (5 inch)   

    Yes Ed he will need to change springs.  As the his picture shows, the tailspring is entering the tail wheel at a 45 degree angel to the ground.  His spring is parallel to the ground.  TSoftware (do you have a first name?)  Here are some pictures I just took of my Avid project with the Matco 8" single arm tailwheel on it.  If you measure to the same place I did on your plane you will see the difference in height from using one tail wheel or the other.  JImChuk
    PS  the Matco will work on either 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" springs



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  13. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Tailwheel replacement (5 inch)   

    Don't know if you ever got an answer on how high a 8" tailwheel would raise the back of your plane.  I measured my project Avid today with the 8" matco, and had 13 1/2" from rear/bottom of the tail wheel spring channel.  With a 8" Maule, I measured 14"  JImChuk
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  14. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    Some things are worth repeating!  :-)  JImChuk
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  15. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Grass runway mower   

    This is pretty much what my trail mower is.  (older, different color)  http://www.homedepot.com/p/Swisher-44-in-10-5-HP-Briggs-Stratton-Finish-Cut-Trail-Mower-California-Compliant-FC10544BS/204799491
    Swisher also makes heavier mowers that will mow and bush hog.  I've never used one or seen one work myself.  JImChuk
    http://www.woodsplitterdirect.com/p/swisher-44-inch-rough-cut-tow-behind-trail-cutter/
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  16. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    My Kitfox 4 project came from the factory  with high density foam pieces that were meant to be glued to the lifstruts and then sanded to shape.  No doubt that would be much lighter.  On the Avids, the wood strut fairing was supposed to be installed for structural reasons.  I don't think that was needed with the 1" liftstruts Kitfox used however.  Some have said that fairing the liftstruts gained them 10 - 15 MPH, so I would want the fairings for myself. Of course the lighter the better.  JImChuk
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  17. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Grass runway mower   

    I have a 42" wide trailmower I pull behind my mowing machine.  Easy extra 3' + to each pass.  JImChuk
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  18. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 3 Bushplane Project.   

    I would have thought that was just a little bit of 'preload'  built in :-)   Here is an interesting picture of a fully loaded wing undergoing a weight test.  Not a Kitfox, but wow, some real flexing going on.  JImChuk

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  19. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 1 More pics   

    I think you guys have been looking at some of my pictures I've posted, and the rest of the garage is shown if you look beyond what the picture was about.  I should take your advice and do a complete cleaning.  :-)  JImChuk
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  20. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Second Chantz BRS Removal (For sale if you want it)   

    Shoot, Ed, I don't know...;-)  JImChuk
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  21. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Second Chantz BRS Removal (For sale if you want it)   

    Suppose you could set up some video cameras, and tie it to some thing solid, and fire it off.  That will neutralize it I suppose.  Been done at many ultralight flyins I think.  JImChuk  I think the dog it thinking "you are some kind of an idiot"  
     
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  22. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Bungee cord 3 wraps bottom and two on top   

    I think I just posted the other day about going with 18' of 3/8" shock cord from ACS.  Wrap the first side, tie off the loop before you cut it off.  Then you will have some thing to hold onto on the second side while your partner ties off the loop for the second side. The finished loops are supposed to be 90", not the over all bungee cord. JImChuk
    Being as how the bungee cords came with the kit originally, I suppose they didn't have a reason to give a dimention
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  23. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Second Chantz BRS Removal (For sale if you want it)   

    I have had BR$ repack a chute of me, and they wont even repack their own if it's "to  old"  That's another story though....  I have a 1200 lb BRS sitting on the shelf......Here is the link you need.  JImChuk
    http://secondchantz.com/
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  24. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Wanted - Dual arm Matco 6" pneumatic w/steering arms   

    After you put the bush gear and big tires on, the 8" tailwheel will seem small :-)   JImChuk
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  25. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Kitfox 1 More pics   

    Better all the time.  Wish I had your ambition.  Having a hard time getting back in to working on the Avid myself.  You will be flying before me.   Keep it up and keep us posted.  Are you putting a door in that duct so you can shut it in cooler weather?  JImChuk
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