Mendlerr

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Everything posted by Mendlerr



  1. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Model 4 Rudder Pedal Mod   

    i say what i say because the new matco brakes on N94JE will literally flip the plane over they are so powerful.  Locks the tires right up if you dig into them.  Ask me how I know.  I worry about catching them with my tip toes or the sides of my foot.  I'm definitely going to be making some new foot pedals
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  2. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   

    I like this forum, thank you for all the info.

    My field elevation is 4,700ft MSL. So I'm at a decent altitude, most people don't know the mountains of North Carolina get that high.

    I wish this snow storm would let up, I won't be leaving the house for atleast 2 days and I want to go see my new Airplane! I havn't seen it since I bought it.

    I was given some brand new, Silicone Injection Molded couplers for the carburetors. These are the same couplers I used to run on a couple race cars I had, good stuff, much better then rubber or a rubber blend. I think that may help out significatly, the factory boots are cracked up some and have dry rot on the edges so I'm sure they are leaking small amounts of air.

    I am going to pull the carbs off with my A&P buddy and clean and inspect them, I am also going to clean the K&N filter. I may pull the exhaust to look at the pistons but I have some very detailed rebuild logs for this engine from the same owner so I trust that he ran this engine well.

    I'm still thinking of switching to an IFA IVO prop at some point. See if I can't increase the performance slightly. The wood blades are growing on me a little bit though.

    I have a long laundry list of mods and improvements. I guess I can start with some vortex generators and the carbs and a good conditional inspection. Oh and of course I want to fly the hell out of it! I'm so excited to get it in the air
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  3. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Model 4 Rudder Pedal Mod   

    I'm very intrigued by this, keep us updated. i kept catching the brakes with my toes trying to work the pedals the other day.
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  4. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   

    would syncing the carbs and possibly installing a Hacman kit help? also, is the GSC prop a descent prop? It's 3-bladed with what looks like a urethane leading edge. I'm not sure how I feel about it.
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  5. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   

    Thanks for the info guys. Some serious Drama unfolded this weekend while I was out of town in Atlanta. The airplane came off the trailer while unloading it. The winch strap broke. The tail swung sideways and injured the previous owner of the aircraft. Hopefully the airplane is not damaged.

    Then it would not fit in the storage unit I rented, although I was assured the door opening was 10ft-7ft. It was really only 7'8" and 6' so it just will not fit.

    It is now outside on the trailer wrapped in a tarp getting pounded by this wicked winter storm we are in. I'm very distraught over everything that has happened and I am going to have a local(ish) A&P go over the entire aircraft and get a conditional done. I'm also going to replace the rubber carburetor intake boots off and replace them with silicone one. I noticed they had some dry rot.

    Also, the airplane is not wanting to idle below 3,000 RPMS. In the original owners manual it specifically says "when engine starts, immediately increase RPM's to 3,000".

    It will idle at 2,500 but it is very rough and anything below that and it will die (according to previous owner).

    What would cause this on the 2-stroke? I personally started the engine and it ran very rough under 3,000 but as soon as it hits 2,950-3,000RPMS it smooths right out. In the air it puurrrrssss
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  6. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   


    in the hangar this aircraft was in, there was a beautiful blue and yellow one with a brand new HKS 700E. Beautiful Engine

    I may be playing around with different engine options in the future. Definitely interested in the 800 swap if it ever gets done
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  7. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   

    the trailer didnt work out. it was recently modified to fit the new grove gear and matco wheels. as soon as i would hit 35mph the airplane would wag left and right violentely. I tried to go a few miles and couldnt so I took it back to the airport.

    I had to go home so I left the airplane at the airport and the owner is going to have the trailer inspected and repaired. He is going to deliver it Saturday for me.

    I think when they moved the ramps for the new gear they moved the CG of the trailer too far aft and its causing the wag. It was nerve racking.

    I'm also working on a deal for a nice enclosed gooseneck trailer to store it in
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  8. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   

    Thanks for the answers!

    I am now the proud owner of a 1994 Kitfox IV-1200 powered by a 582 Rotax with Injection (100:1 so premixing still necessary).

    Flies awesome, climbs awesome and slips like a Banshee. The first flight yesterday was the most fun I have had in awhile.

    Funner then my buddies Citabria or his J3. The STOL capabilities with two pilots is actually the best I have flown so far.

    We throttled up on the numbers and were way off the ground by the touchdown markers with a slight tailwind.

    I got all the logs for everything and they are incredibly comprehensive, nothing has been left out.

    The engine is original and has been rebuilt every 300 hours by the manufacturer with no issues.
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  9. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   

    So guys, I know we briefly discussed Rotax 2-strokes. I've done alot of independent research also but I want to hear from the guys who really know the 582 and its innerworkings.

    Here's the skinny I'm looking for:

    Oil injection systems? Love them? Hate them? Why? Is it easily removed? How do you determine how much oil is actually flowing (40:1, 50:1, 100:1)?

    I personally feel that mixing your own gas/oil is better, one less system to fail and less weight. As long as you don't forget

    Spark plug changes every 25-50 hours? Best plugs? Gapping?

    I've read 25 hours is normal for the spark plug changes.

    What should compression be?

    Any good fuel additives to keep these things clean? Zmax, Amsoil, Redline?

    Anything else to look for? Clean on a regular basis? Oil/Lube?

    Are these Bing Altitude Compensating Carbs worth a damn?

    I hear they tend to have air leaks, haha
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  10. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   

    i may go look, its only 2 hours away.

    he also says the previous owner supplied no logs for anything, in fact he said there is zero paperwork available with the sale.
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  11. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   

    A new Avid Mark IV popped up locally for under $10,000. He told me he just recovered the aircraft but he did it over a possibly rusty fuesalage. So I guess the fabric that he just put on needs to be cut off and the fuesalage rebuilt? Could someone tell me why anyone would do this?

    Apparently its got a Rotax 582, new prop and new fabric. He didn't give me any other info on the phone other then he needs the money.
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  12. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   

    Any way to up the power of the 582? The 583 conversion does not sound ideal to me but is it successful?
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  13. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   

    A new avid just popped up on barnstormers. It's intriguing but I don't have much info on it

    Edit*. Wow did some research on the blue avid that just came up on barnstormers. Major structural damage, prop strike, broken right wing, twisted passenger cabin. No wonder it seemed so cheap, haha.
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  14. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   


    Reliability, how has it been. Can you run 100LL if necessary. How do you mix the oil, I've been told 50:1 and 40:1. Would you trust the 2 stroke rotax (582) on a long cross country?
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  15. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   

    Interesting guys, I'm still trying to absorb all the information I'm reading. Does anyone have experience with the 2-strokes that can chime in? In particular the 582 or 670 conversion?
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  16. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   


    I'm leary of buying an aircraft I can't fly anyway. Might have a good engine but it doesnt get off the ground
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  17. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   


    the same one listed before. The thing I don't like is the 1,050 max gross.

    what would the useful load be with the 912? 500lbs or so?

    buying a project scares me too, im not looking to put time into an aircraft i dont have. im on the road to much
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  18. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   

    haha funny story, i had called a gentlemen requesting pics of his aircraft and i just got them. just so happens to be the same craigslist aircraft link you guys just gave me. his add has no pics on barnstormers so i called
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  19. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   


    I know he wants way too much. Thought about making him a counter offer. I highly doubt he will back of $6k though

    The link to craigslist is intriguing. 125hp Subaru engine? interesting. Still a heavy engine though which is the problem I'm seeing. no payload. can anyone elaborate on the turbo subaru engine? Very nice looking aircraft.
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  20. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   

    so out of curiosity, looking at this aircraft:

    http://www.barnstormers.com/listing.php?id=705287

    what should I expect in regards to performance? I have a new weight and balance with the grove gear installed and the aircraft weighs in at 628.10 empty.

    14 gallon tank w/ optional 4 gallon header tank. Unsure of prop brand but it is new, not rebuilt with a balanced spinner.

    So using the W&B forms I was given for this aircraft, myself (solo) with full fuel and no baggage would only weigh 926.10 pounds with the CG well within limits.

    Any estimations on cruise, takeoff and landing distances?
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  21. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   

    The thing I am stuck on is the lack of these aircraft for sale. Wish I had some more variety to look at.

    Either way I am going to look at and fly the 582 Kitfox IV in VA next Monday.

    I may also be stopping in Raleigh NC to look at an almost completed Avid Mark IV with a 582.

    We will see how that goes and how I enjoy flying the one in VA
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  22. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   

    Again everyone, thanks for the help and suggestions, even if it has made the decision more difficult. I appreciate the input!
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  23. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   


    The owner just emailed me the weight and balance that was just completed on the Avid after the Airdale repair and mods.

    Empty weight with the EA81 is 743lbs. Heavier then before and the 16" extension eliminates the need for counterweights.

    I was also told takeoffs are around 500 feet solo w/ full fuel and 700 feet dual with as much fuel as possible. Those numbers sound more realistic.

    Cruise is 80mph indicated according to the owner.
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  24. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   


    Private Pilot helicopter and fixed-wing and sorry guys the name is Richard, thought I posted that. The in-flight adjustable prop is alot more like what I am used to with the constant-speeds and even the helicopters.

    My uncle says no to this airplane, he has alot of time and experience and he bases that opinion based on the damage history, but if the aircraft has been rebuilt by Airdale I can't imaging the manufacturer wouldnt repair it properly.
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  25. Mendlerr added a post in a topic Mark IV For Sale   


    Gotta be honest, I'm an automotive technician with very little experience working on aircraft. Not sure I feel comfortable finishing out an aircraft. Not that I can't, just not sure I would trust myself
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