1avidflyer

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  1. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Towing Avid   

    Here are a couple of pics showing wing support braces and stuff.  Notice the black tubes coming from the wing down to the fuselage.  That keeps the wing from flopping up and down.  Tail is supported by two 1 1/2" angel iron pieces bolted to the trailer and the plane.  I don't think I  mentioned gust locks in my first reply, but you need them as well. I use 1x4 with foam rubber glued to them and long bolts on the end to clamp things together .   JIm Chuk


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  2. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Towing Avid   

    If the wings are fairly close to level, it will reduce the down pressure on the wings compared to the tail being low.  Also, it's hard on the tail spring to carry all that weight from the wings and such.  Better to support the plane on the trailer hitch attach point near the tail that's built into the plane. (cross tube)   I've pulled avids around 1500 miles without problems.  Best to have wing support tubes to keep the front part of the wing from flopping up and down as well.  Hoping for the best myself, as I'm about to drag a Kitfox 4 half way across the country.   Jim Chuk
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  3. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Wanted a Rotax C redrive   

    I had the same trouble trying to go to that site.  On closer review, it looks like it might be a comma instead of a period just before the com.  Easy typing error to make.  I'll try typing it in.  Jim Chuk
    PS  tried typing it and it worked. 
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  4. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic LED Mini-spotlights   

    One thing I would mention about the whelen strobes, is they take quite a bit of power.  At least the aircraft ones do, and I would imagine that the car ones would be at least as bad in that reguard.  The charging system may not be able to handle that much current draw.  Something to concider at any rate.  Jim Chuk
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  5. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Wanted a Rotax C redrive   

    You will need to keep us informed on the conversion of the Yamaha engine to gearbox and installation in the aircraft!  OR ELSE!  )  Jim Chuk
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  6. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic LED Mini-spotlights   

    A while back I got a bunch of fire alarm strobes and used 2 on the Avid.  I meant to take pics today before I replied but didn't get the pics.   They are like what is used in a hospital or school fire alarm system.  Even though they are for use in buildings, they use 12 volts to power them however so they work fine in an Avid.  Not as bright as Whelen strobes, but better than nothing by a long shot.  Just went out to the garage and shot a few pics of what I'm talking about.  Actually I had 2 different kinds of these strobes.  Red ones are brighter.  If you talk to an electrician that's working on a remodel job where they are redoing the fire alarm systems, maybe you can get a few for free.  That's how mine came about.  Jim Chuk 
    PS  on my avid when I installed mine, I cut a hole in the side of the turtle deck just big enough for the clear lens to fit through, one on each side.   Made them easy to wire up there also. 




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  7. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Wanted a Rotax C redrive   

    The gearboxes can be mounted either up or down.  Jim Chuk
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  8. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Wanted a Rotax C redrive   

    All except the last built 532s were provision 4 engines and used an A box.  It's basically the precursor to the B box and is the same size and shape as the B box.  Quickest way I know to tell them apart, is the A has nuts/studs  holding the front half to the back half, and the B has bolts.   Jim Chuk
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  9. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Just joined the Fat Avid Club   

    The best way to ship something like this that's bulky, but not real heavy is with Grayhound bus service.  I was told last week, that it cost about $60 to ship a cowl from out west to Mn.  They said it wasn't much difference in price for 200 miles or 1000 miles.  Might be something to look into.  Jim Chuk
     
    PS  when I got my Jabiru / Avid cowl it came this way.  Price then was $50.  That was about 6 yrs ago.
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  10. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Nose wheel/Grove gear   

    Hi Allan, I did sell the Grove gear, but still have the nose wheel stuff.  Let me know if you are interested..... Jim Chuk
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  11. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Wing strut adjustment bolt   

    I would be very careful about using a heat gun on the fabric.  If you get it much over 350 degrees, it ruins the fabric.  Just looked in the poly fiber manual, and it says that "at about 375 the filaments start to thermo-soften and loose all measurable tension.   At 415 degrees they start to disintegrate."  Hard to know for sure what the heat is coming from the heat gun temperature wise.  I know that the poly fiber finishes melt from heat also.  Jim Chuk
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  12. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic WTB: MkIV   

    Sounds like you know you like it, so I say go for it.  You know how it is, everyone looks up at the sky and wishes they could be up there, but some find out that they aren't really cut out for it once they do it a bit.  I had a guy who flew with me a lot in my Avids and probably got about 30 -35 hrs flying the plane before his first "official" lesson.  He landed the plane on the first flight with the CFI.   He got his license in  a 172 and has since got his tailwheel endorsement and is now part owner in an Aeronca Chief..  I would say he is "hooked"  sounds like you might be in a similar situation.  Chase those dreams while you can!   If I see something worth getting, I'll pass it on.  Jim Chuk
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  13. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic WTB: MkIV   

    Not wanting to put a damper on your plans, but if you don't have any hours, I would suggest you start getting some flight lessons, even just a couple perhaps, to make sure you really want to do this.  While I can't imagine anyone not wanting to fly, ) some  realize it's not for them once they get into it.  As far as Avids verses Kitfoxes, the Kitfox 2 has a gross weight of 950, the kitfox 3 is 1050, and the Avid MK IV heavy hauler is at 1150.  Avids have 2' less wingspan, so they take a bit more distance to get off the ground, but are slightly faster than the Kitfoxs. (with same engine, ect.)   If you get into a Kitfox 4, that has a different wing profile and is probably a better all around plane then the earlier Kitfoxes and Avids, but you will pay more for it as well.  Get a bit of flight time, and then if you still want to, follow your dream!  Jim Chuk
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  14. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Axle size   

    I did once, but I tore the gear off at the same time.  It only slightly bent the axel and I straightened it back out.   I would stick with the 3/4" if it was me.  Just my 2 cents worth...  Jim Chuk
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  15. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic N139AH   

    Bummer about the battery, but better now then when in the air.  Plane looks very nice in the pictures.  I looked at your landing gear, and can see that it uses bungees instead of springs.  I had thought bungees might be better as they would be more adjustable (another wrap if needed) and lighter.  Did someone make the gear for you or do you have plans for the bungees instead of springs?  Thanks,  Jim Chuk
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  16. 1avidflyer added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Ceconite manual
    Hi all,  I'm in need of the pages in the Ceconite manual that deal with small repairs.  If it's just a page or two, could someone scan it and send it to me?  I have 3 or 4 Poly Fiber manuals, if some one wants to trade their Ceconite Procedure Manual 101 for a Poly fiber manual, I would be happy to do that,  Thanks,  Jim Chuk
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  17. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Merlin GT   

    Find the nearest DAR and discuss it with him.  If you are on the same page from the start, there should be fewer surprises in the future.  I looked up the N # on the FAA website and see the plane was deregistered quite some time ago.  Another possibility would be to search the FAA data base for the same type of plane and if you can find a crashed one that still has it's paperwork you could blend the two into one functioning plane.  That should avoid the DAR and FAA paperwork.  Jim Chuk
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  18. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Over heating on Rotax 670   

    One other idea to look at besides the bottom opening and lip, is to make sure the radiators are sealed off against the cowl.  Otherwise the air will try to go around the radiator instead of going through it.  If the radiators aren't sealed off a 582 will often run toward the warm side.  Using more water in your coolant mix is a help also.  Up to 90 % water and 10% antifreeze if freezing isn't an issue.  Jim Chuk 
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  19. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Turtle deck   

    All 4 of my Avids had the two halves separate and used comlocks to hold them togeather.    Jim Chuk
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  20. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Rise of the Phoenix (Pursang rebuild of sorts)   

    If you haven't deregistered the Pursang, I wonder if you keep as much as possible from the original plane and you just say you are rebuilding the Pursang and use it's paperwork.  Shouldn't have to get the FAA involved then at all.  Seems that whole airplanes are built off a data plate at times....  Not sure that is completely legal, but it happens.  Jim Chuk
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  21. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic 912 Avid V speeds   

    Congratulation on the first flight.  My first thought with buffeting at 50 MPH would be to wonder if your ASI is accurate.  A lot of them aren't.  I would expect the stall to be between 40 and 45 MPH actual speed.
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  22. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Rotax 532, what would a new one be worth + other questions   

    I put about 60 hrs on a 532 in an Avid B model before I sold that plane.  I had new seals put in it when I got it as it had never been apart since new.  It ran good, and the points ignition made it easy to hand prop.  I liked it!  Jim Chuk
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  23. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Battery   

    I ran a 360 CCA lawn tractor battery in my Avid with a Jabiru which takes way more power to spin than a 582.  It was about $35 on sale.  I will do it again when I get the plane flying again. Jim Chuk
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  24. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Avid Flyer update   

    I would really want to put toe brakes on the pedals.  That way you can use rudder and brakes at the same time and still do what you like with the throttle.  Have you tried trimming the plane with the flaperons?  2 of my 4 Avids didn't have trim tabs and using the flaperons just a bit would trim it nice for level flight.  I never set the trim different for landing or takeoffs on the other 2 Avids, just used it to fly hands off straight and level.  Jim Chuk
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  25. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Engine mount for 503. Not inverted   

    I think all the 2 stroke Avid engine mounts were designed to be inverted.  I would think you might be better off to get a Kitfox mount, and adapt it to fit the Avid firewall mounting points.  Or at least copy the way Kitfox did their mount.  You also might have difficulties with the muffler.  Kitfox modified the muffler to fit under the cowling.  That cost a few HP with the 582.  I do have a nearly unused Kitfox muffler that I've been hanging on to.  If you get that far into it and need a different muffler, maybe I'll part with mine....  Jim Chuk
     
    PS  I believe the 503 and 582 mount the same. (bolt spacing)
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    PS PS  you might also want to make sure that the engine fits under the cowl.  I think the Kitfox cowl is higher for a reason (if you get my drift.....).
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