RDavidson

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Everything posted by RDavidson



  1. RDavidson added a post in a topic Wings tomorrow   

    Thanks Jim and Chris,
    found two things...
    1) the PO swapped the wing strut attach points, so the tab for the trailer support is on the trailing strut attach.  That is why my support arms seemed too long.  At least he did it the same on both arms!  So, I'm going to cut those arms down and then I will connect the two arms together with a bar that goes over the saddle, in front of the vert stab...probably clear as mud, but I will add a pic after I get it right.
    2) yes, it must have been the builders option on the Magnum to add a place to bolt to the vert stab...no need for pic, I will go look at my neighbors M IV.
     
    thanks again!
    ron
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  2. RDavidson added a post in a topic Wings tomorrow   

    Chris,
    I can't wait to be in the air with this!
    Can you help me with the tubes made to hold the wings for trailering the wings?
    i understand how the ones that attach to the front spar work.  It is the ones that attach to the wing strut tab that I can't figure out?
    Do they go from the wing strut tab to the hole just in front of the leaf spring?  If so, the tubes are too long...so I think I'm not looking at it right.
     
    Thanks,
    Ron
     
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  3. RDavidson added a post in a topic Wings tomorrow   

    TCJ,
    I should have looked on here before starting, but luckily the new gear I made for it is so wide it didn't want to tip over.
     
    Things went pretty much straight on...I had plenty of help and I really like how it looks!  Nice to see it looking like a real airplane.
    i do have a couple of questions, but I'll add them in another thread.
    I love the gear geometry!  This bird is standing tall!
    Ron




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  4. RDavidson added a topic in Avid Magnum   

    Wings tomorrow
    Big day tomorrow!  Wing mounting time...
    I mounted the wing and jury struts today.  Looking forward to seeing the wings on her.
    I'll post pics tomorrow of either a plane with wings or a few guys crushed by a turned over aircraft :)
     
    Ron

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  5. RDavidson added a post in a topic Belly tank   

    A few years back I saw some 5+ gallon tanks that mounted near the jury struts and were aerodynamically shaped...looked like a cool idea, but it wasn't on an Avid, it was something like a Challenger.
    I like the fuel bladder idea in the cargo bay. I'd like to see how that works out.
     
    Ron
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  6. RDavidson added a post in a topic Strobe question   

    Thanks guys!
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  7. RDavidson added a post in a topic Strobe question   

    Ed,
    Yep, it was an old strobe system...not Wheelen, but similar.
    I'm using a LED strobe, but my buddy was asking too because he is using the an older Wheelen system.
    Just to better understand what is going on...the condenser goes on the ground wire?  How does a condenser work?  It absorbs the pulse?
    Could my problem have been using a common grounding bar that had all of the instruments grounded to it as well?
     
    Thanks,
    Ron
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  8. RDavidson added a topic in Avid Flyer General Hangar   

    Strobe question
    Fellas,
    I had a problem on my last aircraft where the strobe would draw so much power when it flashed that it would pulse my instrument back lights.  I'm wiring up my Magnum strobe lights and was wondering how to avoid that same problem?
    I'm using the LED-XPak Kit.
    I would appreciate any ideas.
     
    Thanks,
    Ron
     

    • 5 replies
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  9. RDavidson added a post in a topic ADS-B   

    The Navworx ADS-B 600-EXP is having production problems.  I'm still waiting for the unit I purchased in July.  However, they did agree to send me the wiring harness this week, so at least I will have everything ready to plug in and go.
    knowing my luck, by the time they ship it to me all of the other competitors prices will have dropped!
    it's only money...right?  I just wish I had more of it so I could blow it on more meaningless crap!
     
    ron
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  10. RDavidson added a post in a topic Zipper Installation Rotax 912UL   

    Nice work and write up so far...thanks for sharing.

    Ron
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  11. RDavidson added a post in a topic Low priced Avid on floats for sale   

    That is pretty slick! Love the Amphibs...
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  12. RDavidson added a topic in Local Fly in's   

    AOPA gathering at COS
    Any of you guys going to be at the AOPA event in Colorado Springs this weekend?
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  13. RDavidson added a topic in Local Fly in's   

    Fremont County Airshow and Fly in
    There is a good Airshow and fly in at Fremont County Airport, Colorado (1V6) this weekend Sept 19.
    I'll be working our EAA Chapter 808 booth. Come enjoy our first shot of Fall like weather and stop by our booth!
    They are auctioning off some aviation related items. One of them is a DR-1 Triplane, 1/4 scale, swing that me and my Chapter built...I'm tempted to bid on it myself to hang it from the rafters in my hangar!

    See ya,
    Ron


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  14. RDavidson added a post in a topic Another cool product by Bear Perkins   

    Ha...the EBay vendor is probably the guy that stole your cap in the first place!
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  15. RDavidson added a post in a topic Buyer be ware ... Seller be ware   

    Sounds like he got a great deal but is a perpetual complainer! I've met guys like that in the Experimental world, they blame everyone but themselves for their bad decisions, bad construction, bad aircraft.
    You shouldn't lose any sleep over this.
    Like you said, he could easily get his money back out of it!
    It is amazing how many idiots with crappy personalities are involved in flying...I often think I need to find a new hobby, but then I remember I'm an idiot with a crappy personality

    Ron
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  16. RDavidson added a post in a topic The Bro Code   

    Ha! All true!
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  17. RDavidson added a post in a topic ADS-B   

    MarkD,

    I get what you are saying...I often feel we are over regulated and it is easy to take the F' it attitude, but I just witnessed a guy take that road and he got busted. He was running a skydiving business so it is a lot different when you are endangering paying customers, but I'll tell you he is facing serious fines and possible jail time.
    I'm not sure you can dodge the ADS-B requirement in 2020 unless you stay out of the designated airspace, which will be easy to do with our little airplanes. ADS-B out is giving them your information/location and in their big scheme of things will replace the need for radar service.

    We need the third class medical abolished! Here in Colorado we see people in their Later years buying the biggest Recreational Vehicle out there, hop on the highway and drive it at 75 mph...no requirements other than a drivers license! You can't tell me that flying an airplane endangers more people than that, or come anywhere close.

    Unfortunately our system for changing the rules is obviously broken, and I'm sure now the FAA will have to deal with an increase in individuals breaking the rules...We need to be heard and our politicians need to take action! I'm not advocating breaking the rules by any means, but the heavier the regulations become the more we will struggle until we give up...

    Anyway, my two cents...


    Ron
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  18. RDavidson added a post in a topic ADS-B   

    I looked at some of the non certified ADS-B Out setups, and the test results show that they work just fine. Now let's see if they make those legal for us? They are cheap, but if they don't get legislation passed it will be useless!

    I bought the Navworx just to get over compliance while I'm building my panel and not have to retrofit later...this means that with my luck you guys will be able to buy them for $50 next month

    Here is a link to the Navworx ADS600-EXP
    http://www.navworx.com/ADS600EXPDescription.php
    They have had trouble with production, but say they have started shipping them.
    They cost about $1149 for the basic unit, but that quickly goes up adding a harness, antennae, and other parts.
    It is a solution for In and Out...
    It can hook up to modern Transponders, but they also have a device that can capture old transponder signals.

    Anyway, something to look at...I made the plunge, but gritted my teeth the whole way.

    I guess I should have saved it for last, because now my slush fund is empty and I still don't have a prop! Oops!

    Ron
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  19. RDavidson added a post in a topic ADS-B   

    Drones...the enemy to all pilots.

    Just after the events of this past week alone I think drone and RC aircraft are facing some serious legislation.
    It is just a matter of time before a large scale accident happens! Whether it be a terrorist act or a drone hitting an airliner, it is going to change everything!
    I already have a friend that almost had to bail out of his biplane because he took a large scale RC plane to the lower wing...not cool

    I understand that the altitude restrictions of ADS-B Out won't have a huge effect on our type of flying, but if we keep giving in they will keep taking! I have no doubt that ADS-B Out requirements were designed to force GA traffic lower because a lot of pilots won't/can't buy the equipment. People that are based at higher elevations will definitely feel the airspace squeeze a lot more than guys closer to sea level. The cost of GA is going up and we are losing aviators rapidly because of it. The Feds love that because it will justify them taking more and more airspace!
    Could I do without ADS-B Out? Probably...but I'm going to get it and an oxygen tank just to show them that I want 18K and below to belong to us! "Use it or lose it" is what we are facing...



    Ron
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  20. RDavidson added a topic in Avid Flyer General Hangar   

    ADS-B
    I saw some guys were talking about ADS-B
    I was wondering what you guys were thinking about for both in and out?

    I am going to use the I-levil AW which will receive ADS-B in and transmit the info to your hand held device of choice ipad/iphone/android devices.

    I went this route because I aso coupled a GRT-4000 EIS which the I-levil AW connects to and can display my engine info on the device I'm using.

    I went ahead and put money down on a Navworx ADS-B out device. I need to be able to climb up over the Rocky Mountains and without ADS-B out it looked like you could only get to 13K in some places.

    anyway, this was one way to crack the ADS-B nut...what are your plans?


    Ron
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  21. RDavidson added a post in a topic Enclosed trailer for Kitfox   

    Scott,

    I figured it would be the width...
    I hear you on the lack of hangar space and the cost! You probably have a sweet deal there at Springs East.
    I'm friends with Jeff Shultz, I believe he has a Sonex and a Challenger out there.

    The custom trailer sounds like a great idea. Let us know if you find out more info, or if you buy one. It would be nice to not pay for a hangar and have the plane at the house to work on it.

    There is an Airshow/Fly-in at Fremont County (1V6) Sept 19th. I will be manning our EAA Chapter's booth, come visit us if you get a chance.

    Blue Skies,
    Ron
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  22. RDavidson added a post in a topic Avid Magnum on barnstormers   

    That looks good! He did good work on the wings. Looks like a fiberglass leading edge...
    If somebody on here buys that, make sure you take a look at the rules for getting across the border. In most cases they want you to use a broker.
    Long story longer...I bought my engine up there in Canada. The guy selling the engine was going to meet me on the U.S. side but our guys would not let him enter to sell the engine unless we had a broker. So, I crossed into Canada for 15 minutes as we exchanged money and the engine. When I tried to come back in the U.S. They quizzed me up and down and made me get out of the vehicle and come inside for more verbal abuse!
    I lucked out because of two things...I bought the engine for under $10,000 U.S., if it is more than that you can't cross the border with that much cash. Second, the engine was originally manufactured in the U.S., they said if it was made in Canada I couldn't import it without other paperwork. What in the Hell is made in Canada anyway?
    I don't know if these are really the rules or not, but It pissed me off that as a retired veteran, no arrest record, tax paying citizen, I get hammered for doing nothing wrong! So much for NAFTA!
    The kicker is...They never looked in the crate the engine was in! That would have required them to get out of their heated building...
    Of course the Canadians were nice as can be...

    So look into it before you get stopped on the way back in and they seize your new Magnum project!

    Ron
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  23. RDavidson added a post in a topic Enclosed trailer for Kitfox   

    ColoradoKF,

    When I bought my kit, on the gear, without an engine, wings off, I fit the whole thing in a 20' enclosed car hauler trailer. The trailer cost me about $5500 and I built long trays down each side for my wings and put tie downs on the walls to hold the wings against them.
    I have an Avid Magnum and I'm not sure about the deminsions of a kitfox, but I believe the problem you run into is the width with the wings on, folded back.
    Anyway look at the deminsions and then look for used enclosed trailers around $4000. If it will fit it will probably be cheaper than a custom job.
    The trailer also works good as a storage unit while you are building your plane in the garage...you just have to remember which tools are in it! Ha!

    What part of Colorado are you living in?
    I'm in Pueblo West...

    Good luck,
    Ron
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  24. RDavidson added a post in a topic Hunting With Your Avid 2015   

    Wow! That looks awesome!

    Does the electric fence work well? Or does it just piss the Grizzlies off before they eat you?
    Smart idea though!!!

    Your airplane looks great! I love your gear and tires. You really have an off road vehicle!


    Ron
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  25. RDavidson added a post in a topic Model III Weight and Balance - Need 300 in-lbs fwd   

    Lsaupe,

    If you are still thinking about adding weight up front, this guy can make what you need.

    http://www.sabermfg.com/extensions.htm
    Saber Manufacturing can make you a weight to bolt to your prop hub.
    I had them make me one for my Starduster with aft CG problems. Good guy...

    Ron
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