Bandit

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Posts posted by Bandit

  4. Posted

    I'm  with you Allen. I'm  just a fair weather flyer.  I keep it to sunrise and sunset flights. After all these are fair weather flying airplanes, not cross country flyers. 

  5. Posted

    You could be flooding it. The only time my 503 started hard is when the stator went bad. After the new one was installed it started in 1-3 pulls if primed right.

     

     

  6. Posted

    When a 582 powered my Avid Flyer I used 100% synthetic oil at 100:1 ratio with the oil pump removed. I used to get 300-500 hours TBO.

    I wouldn't recommend using a leaning device on a two-stroke since less gas also means less oil lubrication.

    John M

    I am mixing my gas oil 44:1 for years with a manual mixture control and never had any problems. 

  7. Posted

    Aircraft spruce sells a heat muff that goes around the 503 muffler. Has anyone installed this to heat the cabin?

     

    Thanks

    Vance

    I made one for my 503, didn't work real good.

  12. Posted

    Congratulations Joey.  You will love your time at home!

  16. Posted

    SkyRaider 1. 447 rotax. Really a nice flying airplane. Owned it about 3 years. Sold it last summer and bought a Champ.

  17. Posted

    I wouldn't get real technical with your Avid. These are simple airplanes to own and fly if you have the wide landing gear and Matco tail wheel. I have the Artic Sparrow mixture control. At run up I richen  the mixture until it starts to miss, then back off one turn on the mixture control until it runs smooth. On take off full power, cruise 5950, when its time to land I run cruise power until I know I have the runway made, then back to idle until I flare, then add a little power and let it settle in. I never run it at mid range.

  18. Posted · Edited by Bandit

    Just out of curiosity why are the trailers set up to tow the aircraft backwards? I understand that loading is a issue but there are ways around that. Just seems to me that there are a few issues such as the wings swinging out and elevators being bent the wrong way that would be mitigated to some extent if the plane was towed nose first. 

    I think a lot of people convert old boat trailers. This makes it easier to put the main gear ramp towards the back of the trailer rather than put a main gear ramp running from the back towards the front. I built mine to tow facing forward.

    100_0120.JPG

    1 person likes this

  20. Posted

    Engine weights are like most things, they are up for debate. I really don't care what a 912 weighs. I don't care for them and probably will never own one.  A good engine from what everybody says, a bit pricey, but I can't put a 20K+ engine on a 8K airframe to fly 50 or so hours a year. If you fly 100-200 hrs a year, it makes a little more sense.  I don't work on 912's and it has cost me a little business which I no longer want anyhow.  I will on occasion, tinker on a Taylorcraft or Champ, or EXP just to keep refreshed and the A&P license oiled. But hey, its America, your free to use whatever engine you choose.

    I agree, I would never spend that kind of money on a engine installation when you could buy a T-craft or Chief for $15000 or a nice Champ for a few thousand more. Most people don't  fly 60 hours a year.  

    1 person likes this

  21. Posted

    I'd be very cautious of a used 912 unless I knew the engine and owner and he was honest. A lot of 912's have had prop strikes, which means a teardown. and the service advisories may have not been done. Especially the early ones. The NSI/Subaru engines are good engines, just a little on the heavy side for light aircraft.  I, myself, go for the lighter side, from experience a lighter airframe means less power needed, less fuel, better performance and handling. I learned in the age of a map, compass and watch to get from A to B. I understand some need more due to airspace reg's and restricted areas.  I plan on a two stroke engine for my model 2 in the 55 to 85 HP range. And if you spend a little time learning the in's and out's of a 2 stroke, you won't have any problems and a lot more money in your pocket. 95% of all 2 strokes don't fail, they are murdered by their owners!

    To be honest, I like the idea of a Subaru engine that can be rebuilt and or modified by your favorite auto mechanic.  I like the price of Subaru engines, and the fact that they are readily available.

    You usually only see two types of Avids for sale, a speed wing and or a Subaru powered one.

    2 people like this

  22. Posted · Edited by Bandit

    Try adding a little power during your flare and slowly fly it onto the runway. As soon as you touch cut the power and flaps. I am not good at judging where the runway is either, that's why I add a little power at the flare and let it settle in.