1avidflyer

Hi all,  I've been rebuilding a set of Kitfox 4 wings for a friend and needed epoxy of course.  I'm kind of partial to scotch weld 2216.  I've used Hysol, and the cans got grainy after about a year.  I've used some of the 2216 that was 25 yrs old on non aircraft stuff and it seems just as good as new stuff.  Anyway, I ran across this stuff last week, and the guy still has some left.  I figured I would share with you all.  Most places I found wanted about 250 for pint kits, this is a quart kit for 195 after shipping. He told me the stuff was from 2021, and it looked brand new to me and has worked great on the wings.  It does have an odd ratio, 5 parts to 7 by weight, but if you add the epoxy with the cup on a scale, you can get exact mix ratios pretty easy.  Anyway, here you go.   JImChuk     3M 2216 B/A SCOTCH-WELD GRAY EPOXY one QUART KIT 21200203565 | eBay

Not much progress on my Kitfox build this summer, currently I'm rebuilding a set of Kitfox 4 wings for a friend of mine.  Hope to be recovering by the end of the week.  Several weeks ago, I finally got around to sending in the registration on my Kitfox project.  I was kind of worried that the FAA would want a bit more paperwork on the ownership trail back to Skystar.   Today I looked up the N number I requested, (87JC) and there it was.  I have another airplane!   Of course, now the state sales tax people will come after me, but you can't escape that.  Anyway, I'm happy today.  Here are the wings I'm working on.   Hard to believe I have about 30 hrs into them so far.  Second one needs less work, and I made parts for both, so it'll take less time.   JImChuk

Yep, those are the airheart brakes.  TJay has them on his Kitfox 1 I believe.  JImChuk

What kind of plane are you dealing with?  Avids do tend to have more cooling issues than Kitfoxes, and sometimes just lowering the Kitfox radiator an inch or so will do the trick with them.  I do wonder if your thermostat is sticking though.  I would take it out, put it in a pan of water and heat it on the stove.  Have a thermometer in the water to see what temperature the thermostat opens at.  One other thing, most planes don't cool on the ground near as well as when they are flying and have better airflow.  JImChuk

I can't really compare to the 582, but I have the 80 HP 912 in my Kitfox 4 classic 1200.  I cruise at about 95 mph with about 5200 rpm.  Take off is about 250' and climb is about 1000' per minute.  Those numbers are with me and about 12 gallons of fuel.  All up weight is about 950 lbs at those numbers.  My field elevation is 1500'.   I have a bunch of videos on utube flying it where you can see the instruments.  Search for my name there to find them.  I think if you make the switch, you will be happy with the results.  Jim Chuk

The Kitfox 1 used Airheart brakes.  They were go cart brakes I believe.   The rotor was held onto the wheel hub with flat head machine screws.   Maybe that's not what you have, post up a picture and we will know for sure.  JImChuk

Very nice!  I remember seeing this plane as well.  Good to see your having fun with it.  I had a Kitfox 1 with a 582, and it sure got off the ground quick.  Have fun!  JImChuk

Thanks Steve,   and to anyone else trying to put 2 and 2 together,  I didn't wreck my Kitfox 4.  They are for a different project...  JImChuk

Must be gold in them thar hills.... Nice!  JImChuk

About 12 1/2" center to center.  JImChuk

Those are the most common, I don't have any, but hopefully easy to find.  Did you post on barnstormers?  Might find a set sitting on a shelf or in a drawer that way.  JImChuk

HI all,  I'm looking for 4 wing ribs for Kitfox 4 or later models.  Friend of mine just bought a Kitfox 4 that needs a bit of love and attention.  Maybe someone built as a speed wing, and have the left over parts even.  Send a private message for starters first.  Thanks,  JImChuk

Another Avid video of my plane.  Having fun!  JImChuk

Avid Flyer MK IV running the river - YouTube

I put up another video today of loading and unloading the plane on the trailer.  Sorry about the low resolution on the camera.  I forgot to reset the resolution on the GoPro....  Anyway, for those that don't know how to load an Avid or Kitfox, here it is.  JImChuk

Avid Flyer MK IV trailer load and unload demonstration - YouTube

I would think so.  Not as much interest as I was expecting.  Wonder if more people are worrying about the economy???  JImChuk

Here are some pictures of the trailer that goes with the plane.  I did most of the remodel of a boat trailer last summer, but just got around to painting it this week.  Doing the lights and winch now.  JImChuk

I shipped a kitfox cowl last week, but the buyer paid for the shipping, and got the label on line.  Box was 25 lbs, 25" x 27" x 33".  Think it came to $80.   MN to TX.   UPS said the box was to big for them.  JImChuk

Hi all,  I'm going to put my Avid MK IV up for sale,  I've had the plane since 2008, flown it about 600 hrs.  Rebuilt it in 2017, flown about 130 hrs since then.  I have a converted boat trailer that it will fit on.  Price is $27,500 for plane and trailer.  Conditional inspection was done in June.  Jabiru aircooled 80 HP 4 cylinder 4 stroke engine.  Earlier solid lifter engine,  most of the issues Jabiru had were with later hydraulic lifter engines.  Warp drive prop.  Last evening I did some flying and took videos of the flight, this afternoon I did a walk around video of the plane.  Here are the videos, plenty of others of it and my other planes on my channel.   Have a look if you like.  JImChuk

Avid Flyer MK IV 7/8/2022 part 1 - YouTube

Avid Flyer MK IV 7/8/2022 flight part 2 - YouTube

Avid Flyer MK IV walk around video - YouTube

He put a clear hose on the top of the reservoir and ran the engine so he could see what was going on.  Oil was coming up in the hose.  Strange one for sure.    JImChuk 

Not inverted.  Plugs up on a Kitfox 2.  JImChuk

A friend of mine is getting oil pushed back out of his rotary valve oil reservoir on his  gray head 582.  He did remove the oil injection pump, not sure if that would make a difference.  No evidence of coolant mixing with the oil either.  I would think if seals were leaking at the rotary valve, oil would get sucked into the engine rather than the opposite condition.  Any ideas?  JImChuk

The ones you have now are less likely to flood or foul out.  And last longer as well.  JImChuk

I have a pair of doors from a C model.  I can compare them to my MK IV ones to see what the difference is.  I do know the door latch is different, but that is not a big issue, easily corrected.  I'll see if I have the rudder pedals as well.  JImChuk

I watched the probable cause youtube video about it.  Bad all the way around.  JImChuk

Also, if the cheek radiators are not sealed to the cowl, they will have a harder time keeping up.