1avidflyer

Hi all, Just wondering if anyone has any pictures of their firewall muffler mount. My Avid factory muffler mount is still okey, but I need to make a heat muff to warm up the cockpit. Having a firewall mount will allow the muff to be longer and that should let me get more heat off of it. Also if anyone has pics of their heat muff/heat system, I would like to see them. I'm in northern Mn, and am wearing a snowmobile suit allready when I go flying. Thanks, Jim Chuk

Thanks Leni for finding the pics for me. I have some drawings from Lee Dubay that show how to do an aluminum leading edge extention that goes out about 1 1/2". The 4" extention would give about 9% more wing area over a standard wing and move the CG in a way most Avids need it to go. I do wonder what it will do to the wing in regards to flying and stall characteristics though. I'm not saying it would be worse, just wondering. Take care, Jim Chuk

Ed's LE ext. thread

For the record, it was showing as on page 6 on my computer so it all depends on how many topics you have set per page as to what page it may be on.

I'm sorry, but wasn't able to find your pictures??? Thanks, Jim Chuk

Jim, Look on page 4 of this site and you will see photos I posted of my LE extensions in progress.

ED in MO

Any chance of posting some pictures of the 4" extentions you have on your plane? I would be curious to see them. Is this your own idea or does putting the 4" extentions on cause the shape of the wing to copy another previously designed wing? Thanks, Jim Chuk

Depends on amount of extension - If it is only the plastic Kitfox LE, or a short aluminum Avid LE, then all should be about the same. You can use factory measurements from the front of the front spar where it attaches to fuselage, or add the 1/2 LE.

If you extend 4 inches, like mine, then you remeasure the wing chord - Aerodynamic Center (AC) should be at about 25% Chord - Forward CG at about 16%, and aft CG at about 30%.

If wings have been raked forward, then your figures are all Kapoot! Then, you have to calculate averages.

For weight and balance computations, use the factory measurements from original front spar, or add your extension to factory numbers and measure from new LE.

ED in MO

Just did some checking in my Leading Edge catalog, and the bare engines are 69.2 lbs, and 64 lbs. The 582 is the 64 lb. one.... I always liked the fuel economy I got with my 582s. If I kept them at about 5200 in cruise, it was about 3.5 GPH. I don't think the 503 will do as well at the same airspeed. Heck, my 447 in my Himax used to go through 3 GPH at 5200 RPM. If you get the right radiators, you might end up only 5 lbs or so heavier with the 582 and wow would it climb!! Just a thought... Take care, Jim Chuk

Thanks for the rotax education - bet the 503 is also lighter than the 582/532? What are the weights of each?

ED in MO

I have a set of these floats that I've never used. I asked about them on the Team Kitfox forum, and Paul Seehaufer posted a nice reply to my questions. He has flown them for over 1000 hrs if I remember right. He had a lot of good info on them. Not meaning to chase you off this site or anything, but only trying to answer your question. If you happen to go to that other site, search for Avid Fiberglass floats, and I think you will find the posts I'm referring to. Also if you look in the archives on this site, I think this topic has been discussed before also. Take care, Jim Chuk

Not trying to hijack your thread, but did you sell your floats yet? I just picked up a set of these floats with a project about a week ago. No paperwork or rigging with mine though. Would like to learn more about them, what was the gross weight they were designed for ect. I'm thinking I will probably sell mine also at some point. I'm in Mn so shipping wouldn't be as much of a hassel as Alaska. Take care, Jim Chuk