RDavidson

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Everything posted by RDavidson



  1. RDavidson added a topic in For Sale and wanted, you got it, I want it   

    Hartzell Prop Governor
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hartzell-Prop-Governor-/261986202946?hash=item3cff983542&vxp=mtr

    Hey guys,

    I know their aren't a lot of guys looking for lycoming acessories on here, but Im selling a Hartzell Prop Governor for $625. It comes with the gear assembly for a lycoming accessory case and the oil tube that routes to the front of the engine.
    it came off a Lycoming IO-360 C1C.
    I think the price is right for selling it quickly. It can be sent in as a core for a value of $800.

    It is listed on ebay at the link up top.


    Thanks,
    Ron
    • 0 replies
    • 561 views


  2. RDavidson added a post in a topic got plane home   

    Congrats, it looks like a great bird...
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  3. RDavidson added a post in a topic ELT Recommendations   

    I had an old ELT in my last aircraft and after reading a story on this forum about a guy and his family dying because they couldn't be found in time and the elements were too extreme, I decided to shell out the clams for the new ELT.
    We spend crazy money on everything else to enhance safety, why would you skimp on an ELT that has the potential to be the only thing that saves your life?
    I'm not the kind of guy that beats the safety drum, but when you think about things that should be most important in your aircraft, I think an ELT is in my top ten.
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  4. RDavidson added a topic in Avid Flyer General Hangar   

    FAA paperwork
    Hey guys,

    How long does your airworthiness paperwork take to get through the Feds once you are finished building?
    I have heard 3 months and if they find a mistake you go back to the bottom of the pile!

    Thanks,
    Ron
    • 6 replies
    • 1,048 views


  5. RDavidson added a post in a topic Gas on Lexan   

    My last aircraft would fill to the top without warning and spew fuell all over the lexan windscreen. I used 100 LL and never had a problem with it ruining the lexan, so it probably is the different blends of mogas...
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  6. RDavidson added a post in a topic Engine time!   

    Thanks guys!
    Right now she is bleeding me dry! The fuel injection is a $ eater! In the long run it will be worth it, but right now it seems like $500+ everytime I turn around!
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  7. RDavidson added a topic in Avid Magnum   

    Engine time!
    I'm finally making some good progress on the Magnum!
    I've had to do some firewall fitting due to the fuel pump and sump making contact, but finally got that finished. Now I'm adding all of the new accessories, running wire, and installing the baffling.
    I hope to have the engine install finished this week and then it is electrician time!
    I'm also attaching a pic of my Raven Aircraft Cold Air Intake/Sump, it solved all of my sump issues (rearward fuel servo and sump too far back!

    Ron



    • 3 replies
    • 1,204 views


  8. RDavidson added a post in a topic Airdale Backcountry s/n 007 build   

    Brian,

    Looks like a great aircraft and a great dream too!

    Ron
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  9. RDavidson added a post in a topic New guy worried about initial investment   

    Ken,

    I couldn't agree more with Chris...Aircraft are not good investments
    It is just like a boat.
    So, when you look for your plane, do some research to figure out the going price for what you are looking at, buy one, upgrade it to fit your needs, fly the wings off of it and if you get some money in your pocket when you are done with it, you are doing good!
    I would suggest saving the money to buy it beforehand so you can just pay cash. Loans on airplanes is a crappy way to go, nothing worse than making payments on something you aren't flying enough or that you can't afford the maintenance on. It will turn something fun into a burden!
    Think about the cost of fuel, cost of a hangar, cost of insurance, cost of annual inspection, cost of other maintenance and budget for worst case on all of that. This way you are at peace with the money this hobby will bleed out of you and you can enjoy flying rather than going further into debt every flight!
    I just sold a plane for $2K less than I bought it for 8 years ago...sounds good right? Well, I put about $10K and 3 years of work into it that I knew I would never get back. However, I would do it again in a heartbeat...that $10K upgraded the plane to my needs and taught me all kinds of things about restoring aircraft and it made it fun to fly! It gave me pride in my airplane, made it mine...

    So long story longer, pay what you can afford to lose and any positive outcome in the end will be an added bonus to your flying adventures.

    Good Luck,
    Ron
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  10. RDavidson added a post in a topic HEADLIGHT WIG-WAG FLASHERS?   

    Ed,

    If I decipher you first message right, you are going to have them strobe on and off so traffic can see you?
    There are cop car LEDs that do that that are lighter, smaller, and brighter...I bought some thinking the would stay on all the time, but the flash was built in with them...I'll try to find where I got them from if you are interested...
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  11. RDavidson added a post in a topic HEADLIGHT WIG-WAG FLASHERS?   

    I used these very same lights on my biplane. I set them up for a taxi light and a landing light. I never used them at night but I watched my buddy taxi my plane with them on and they were blinding even in the day!
    I bought a set for my Magnum but haven't mounted them yet.
    Not the lightest things though...

    Ron
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  12. RDavidson added a post in a topic new   

    Very nice!
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  13. RDavidson added a post in a topic FACET FUEL PUMPS ON EBAY???   

    Ed,

    I used a facet, square one, from Vans Aircraft on a lycoming O-320 and it worked great. Puts out 6 PSI, but I don't know if that is what your engine needs. It is only $45 but No chance of a rebuild or internal filter change.
    Here is a link to the vans page
    http://www.vansaircraft.com/cgi-bin/store.cgi?ident=1436246905-266-645&browse=engines&product=pump-carb

    Ron
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  14. RDavidson added a post in a topic VHF Antenna   

    Wow...I didn't realize it was that complex. My other plane had a fiberglass whip mounted on the bottom and on an aluminum panel, but nothing fancy...it always worked good.

    I don't want it hanging from the bottom. So I'm sure I can make some kind of mount on the top side of the empennage.

    Ok...the ground plane? Am I reading right that it is foil like?
    I read one of your post Joey where you said it was gold looking and was just glued to the fabric?

    Can anyone give me their brand and type of antenna?
    I see a lot on ebay. Any reason I shouldn't buy a used one?

    Thanks,
    Ron
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  15. RDavidson added a topic in Avid Flyer General Hangar   

    VHF Antenna
    What do you guys suggest for a VHF antenna and where on the plane do they work the best?

    Thanks,
    Ron
    • 22 replies
    • 2,263 views


  16. RDavidson added a post in a topic Muffler insulation   

    Thanks Ed...I didn't even think about burning valves! Makes sense...
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  17. RDavidson added a post in a topic Muffler insulation   

    Chris, from what I read about it, wrapping them makes the metal reach higher temps because it can't radiate the heat into the normal airflow. So the higher temps cause it to break down more quickly. I would like to see some real data on that though.

    Dusty, your point is the best one against the wraps that I have heard. I would think that you might want to replace the wrap at each conditional inspection or have a carbon monoxide sensor inside the cockpit as a backup? I don't know...

    Is a muffler necessary? Is it too loud without it? I don't know much about Rotax motors...you usually run straights on Lycoming engines.
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  18. RDavidson added a post in a topic Muffler insulation   

    I've researched this on another project and I've talked to Jon about it.
    Ed, you are right in that people say it will cause your pipes to break down faster than normal, but there are a couple of things to think about...
    How much faster? Well, all I know is that Car guys aren't constantly burning through headers, but they are also not full throttle all the time.
    Stainless Steel exhaust vs normal car exhaust steel? We use stainless in aircraft for the extra durability. So wouldn't it breakdown slower?

    I don't have any exact information for those questions, but if you are having trouble finding room in your cowling and are risking melting your cowling or vapor lock issues, why not wrap your exhaust? So what if you will have to change the exhaust sooner, it is better than melting a cowling or flaming out...right?

    I think the argument will be that if you rig it right you don't need the wrap.
    Can anyone tell Jon what the proper clearance should be or give him pics of your exhaust setup?

    Thanks,
    Ron
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  19. RDavidson added a post in a topic Overhaul time!   

    Looks like you have bitten off a bunch of work Joey! It is going to be great when you get it done though! I can't wait to see the gear!
    Good luck,
    Ron
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  20. RDavidson added a post in a topic Bending Polycarbonate   

    LSaupe,

    The basic differences are...
    Polycarbonate (Lexan) 200x stronger than glass, but easy to scratch
    Acrylic 4 to 8x stronger than glass, more scratch resistant than Lexan and I think easier to heat mold.

    My Starduster Too windscreens are Acrylic and it is amazing the wind force they take, so in the big scheme of things, the strength is not a big issue in respect to wind force. However, Acrylic will crack in a heartbeat if you use the wrong type drill bit, also if you are using an aggressive saw blade or if you put it under force like an over tightened machine screw.

    I just cut a bunch of 1/8" polycarbonate and you can cut it with just about anything...I used a Dremel circular saw for long straight cuts, jig saw for small curvy cuts, and bandsaw on small pieces all without cracking of any kind. You can use normal drill bits too.

    On the acrylic windscreen I had to make a drill bit...do this by filing a standard drill bits face to a point, I think 60 degrees is what is suggested. You can also buy acrylic bits. I used a very fine toothed coping saw to cut the acrylic. The Magnum's windscreen is acrylic because it is shaped and formed. I think the other Avids are a sheet with cut outs for your wing root, at least the MKIV I've seen is that way. I don't know about the Kitfox III...
    I would use polycarbonate for ease of cutting and drilling, plus you get the strength!

    Hope that helps...
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  21. RDavidson added a post in a topic Magnum Fiberglass Butt Ribs   

    Ed,
    You hit the Jackpot with the all pro composites guy!
    I like your lexan over the fuel sight hole...mind if I steal it and take credit for it?
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  22. RDavidson added a post in a topic Lycoming cylinders   

    Chris,
    The other plane I have now is under powered because of the high field elevations around here, between 5000' MSL and 8000' MSL, so I wanted to make sure I had all the power possible for climbing around here!
    Thanks for the cruise and CHT info. That's cool with me, low and slow is right up my alley!
    I haven't even pondered the oil cooler yet, but now I will definitely come up with a door to adjust airflow on it.
    What prop were you using on yours?

    KFfan,
    No show plane here...Just too much time on my hands! Flying does seem far off! The last 10% is 90% of the work!
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  23. RDavidson added a post in a topic Lycoming cylinders   

    Thanks Joey! Can't wait to fly it and meet you at a back country airstrip! After I scrounge up my left over pennies of course!

    Thanks,
    Ron
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  24. RDavidson added a post in a topic Lycoming cylinders   

    Sticking with the Bee theme throughout! I sure love those refurbished cylinders. Those guys really hooked me up...they even put the Pistons and rings in the cylinders so all I had to do was pull the pistons out a bit and push the piston pins in. Easy!

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  25. RDavidson added a post in a topic joke thread