Av8r3400

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  1. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Jabiru 2200 giant thread   

    Ouch...
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  2. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Jabiru 2200 giant thread   

    I have two friends running the 4-cylinder jab motors. One on a 701 (mid 2000s) the other on a mk 4 Avid (unknown vintage). Neither have cooling issues. Both just purr smooth as can be behind wood props.
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  3. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Matco Master Cylinder Boot   

    Ed - I have a couple of these boots that I took off my Matco MCs. I didn't want them collecting dirt and grit inside and damaging the o-rings again.

    If you want them, PM me your address and I will send them to you.
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  4. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Rotax 912 iS   

    Sorry Ed, you do live in that world. We all do. Look to DC and what they have done to the dollar in the last 50 years. There's your answer.

    Compare to what a new car costs now to back in the day of your examples. How about the cost of a house. A gallon of gas. A bag of f'n groceries!!!

    Lamenting the days of $500 Cubs and $2500 Cessnas will do nothing but deepen your depression.
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  5. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic HKS 700E performance   

    Here is a post I made on the Kitfox board regarding that VW (non)powered 701.

    This is a link to the Kitplanes article.



    Aircooled VWs are pretty cool. Just not in an airplane.
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  6. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Rotax 912 iS   

    "Ultralight" is the term used at Rotax in the Canadian or European sense, meaning light sport class planes. Like our Avids and Kitfoxes, the ~1200# mtow class. Injecting a 582 makes no sense at all market wise compared to the 912 line.

    At the approximate $24k they will price this thing at the will surely sell every one the make. It is very market competitive at that price against other aircraft engines.
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  7. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic HKS 700E performance   

    120# Subaru? Hahahahaha!

    More like 200# without coolant exhaust oil or HEADS!

    I don't know anything about the Hirth motors. I didn't thing they had the best reputation, though.
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  8. Av8r3400 added a topic in Technical tasks   

    Avid Windshields
    For those of you out there that have thought of putting a molded LP Areoplastics windscreen on your Avid (Kitfox IV model), they do fit.

    Here is a shot of my friend Dave's (heavily modified) Avid C fuselage with the W/S installed. As you can see he is doing a boot cowl similar to a Piper Vagabond, so the bottom is trimmed off. The top fits nicely. Even better than the one on my Kitfox IV fits.

    • 2 replies
    • 1,780 views


  9. Av8r3400 added a topic in Rotax and other engines   

    Rotax 912 iS
    We all knew it was coming eventually...
    Rotax 912 iS.pdf
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  10. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic HKS 700E performance   



    Heavy. (needs Redrive)
    No FWF support.
    Poor performance.
    Poor reliability at best.
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  11. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Which cover/paint system to use?   


    I've never heard that before. Can you please source that infomation? This would completely fly in the face of their "non-toxic" claims.

    Isocyanates are what makes DuPont Imron paint so durable (and incredibly toxic).
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  12. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Quote of the Year   

    You know Doug, I think you do...
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  13. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Quote of the Year   

    I hope I don't get banned...



    Though this statement is hyperbole and rhetoric, and I doubt the source, the truth in it shines out.

    We can look to the history of the US, in the 50s and 60s the "left" or "communists" or however you want to label them, began the takeover of our educational system (The likes of Bill Ahyers, et all). The people now in charge of our government are the people educated in this system. The followers of these educators. The product of their indoctrination. Both sides of the political isle, btw. The simple minded, drug addled, baby boomers.

    The "left" or "communists" or however you want to label them are in fact very, very smart. This (well known and several times published) methodology of destroying/overthrowing a country works very well. Read Saul Alinsky's works sometime.


    We are watching history being made.
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  14. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Someone near DC to help transition?   



    NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!


    This is the fastest way to wreck your airplane and maybe yourself. Crow hopping or bunny hopping these planes is the fastest way to disaster! Either fly it or keep it in the hangar.

    Please find an instructor who has experience either in a Avid/Kitfox or a similar short coupled taildragger. Have them fly your plane solo for a few hours to learn the habits of your plane, then show them to you.
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  15. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Someone near DC to help transition?   


    David - Don't give up yet. As to Bandit's idea, that's good, but maybe not yet necessary either.

    First thing to check is the alignment of the main gear. (If you can't do this contact your A&P again.) The optimum situation is to have them at 0° caster, meaning no toe in or toe out on the tires. Toe in is the worst. This is the most common situation making the plane "squirley" on the ground. Adjustment is the same as a Piper tail dragger: Long pipe over the axle and bend the gear leg to get proper alignment. Simple - Yes. Elegant - No.

    Second, check the function of your brakes. Good operating brakes make a world of difference in ground handling. Do you have the mechanical drums or hydro discs?

    Next, find yourself a CFI that has time in not only tail draggers, but short coupled tail draggers. Something like a Pitts is a good comparison. You should be able to find someone in a large metro area like DC. These planes handle nothing like a Citabria or Cub on the ground or in the air. Very light and quick controls and lots of adverse yaw.


    Don't quit before you even start! I know of people who have done their primary training in Kitfoxes and Avids. These are great handling little planes, they just demand some training and respect. They personify the rule that you don't stop flying it until you're tied down. Once you know how to handle this plane there will be nothing you can't fly and fly well.
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  16. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic gas tanks   

    Aren't the Magnum wings the same as the HH Avid Mk 4?
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  17. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Radiators   

    Doug-- Is that a Eurofox/Aerotrec/Avid C clone?
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  18. Av8r3400 added a topic in Close Call's and dumb stunts   

    Taildraggers
    We all are aware that Avids and to a greater extent Kitfoxes suffer from limited visibility when on the ground in their three point stance. I had a close call today that I want to share in hopes that people will learn from it.

    I went to a ski plane fly-in on a lake frequented by snowmobiles and ice fishermen. The arrival and socialization at the event were without incident and quite fun. The departure was a little different.

    Three of the remaining six planes there were going to depart, I was one of them. We all started and were warming up. I decided to take lead and pulled forward. The guy putting on the event had a hand held radio and was acting as a lookout for sleds and people on the ice. As I pulled forward toward my intended takeoff area, I told him my intention was to cross to the far side of a row of barrels (marking the snowmobile trail) and depart. He acknowledged this transmission by telling me that the far side of the trail was much smoother. I was concerned with hitting one of the barrels so I was watching it pass out the left side windscreen/door. I passed the barrel, turned to the right, up the trail and added power to take off. As I was accelerating, I saw a flash on my right side. I later learned that this flash was the guy with the radio diving out of the way of my plane.

    While maneuvering on the ground (ice) I never saw him. I assumed he was clear. My fault.

    While maneuvering on the ground (ice) he never told me his position or that I was taxiing directly toward him. He assumed I saw him. His fault.

    I didn't learn of the seriousness of this incident until I spoke with him on the phone later, after I arrived home, needless to say he was still quite upset. (His wife even more so.) He is okay, but bruised and shaken from our close call. He said he never saw me approaching because he was watching a passing snowmobile to be sure it was clear. He only dove aside when he heard me throttle up. I will not take argument against him, but I think this is a pretty weak excuse on his part. I would never take my eyes off a nearby running airplane, especially one approaching me. Which is definitely not to say I am without fault in this incident. He said I should have been 's' turning. Anyone who has flown on skis knows this really isn't a possibility and he acknowledged that in our later conversation.

    As I write this, I am torn inside. I don't think this will curb my flying, but it was a near catastrophe that will haunt me, probably for ever. And rightly so.

    Some of you may/would laugh this off. I can't. In spite of this happening I consider(-ed?) myself to be fairly cautious and safe in my airplane operations. Now I'm questioning that.



    I hope anyone reading this can learn from this instance.
    • 5 replies
    • 4,519 views


  19. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Gold from Lead / Gas from Gasahol   

    There is a few people claiming to "wash" the ethanol out of contaminated gasoline.

    Theory: This is being done by pouring water into the fuel to combine with the ethanol. This mixture then falls out of suspension, leaving 'clean' fuel to be skimmed off.



    Maybe I'd use this 'fuel' in my lawnmower, but certainly not in my airplane. (At least not with me flying in it...)
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  20. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Rib question   

    Call Brett.
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  21. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic TURTLEDECK FANTASIES   

    I have the jacks behind my head in my plane and hate them there.

    If you mount them behind you in this manner, be sure to mount them sufficiently to the side to clear you head and headsets themselves. Mine are mounted perfectly to poke the back of my head and hook a hat or the headset itself. Poor setup and not they can't be moved.

    In the attached photo, you can see the jacks, just above the pink registration paper, behind the seat.

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  22. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Rib question   

    Why not just get them from Brett? They're not that expensive...
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  23. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Airstreaks and Matco wheels?   

    Do the Matco wheels use a "hat" style brake disc, like a "normal" aircraft wheel?
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  24. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Flaperon Cables   

    Airdales are pretty rare beasts. I wouldn't be shy to call Brett at Airdale. He may be able to give you some incite and suggestions for the conversion.
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  25. Av8r3400 added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    That hits the Spot
    Who here has one of these "Spot" locators?

    I'm interested in learning more about them and what people think about them. More than what the sales pitch on the website is...
    • 8 replies
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