Geoffrey Thorpe

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Everything posted by Geoffrey Thorpe



  1. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Wing Tank replacement - ALMOST-   

    I don't have pictures of the two sides handy -they wouldn't show much from a distance. But when the light is right you can see where the white is a bit thin with a bit of the silver showing through in the brush strokes. Probably an extra coat brushed crosswise would have fixed that. Right now the airplane looks a bit like a patchwork with the different repairs of different vintages... :-)
    And, I'm glad you like the videos. Thank you for the comment.
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  2. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Wing Tank replacement - ALMOST-   

    Oh -one more thing - the side I did with a brush was during the winter in an unheated hangar.
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  3. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Wing Tank replacement - ALMOST-   

    I did a broom job when I took my right tank out. It's ain't as pretty as it would be if it were sprayed, but it works. Sprayed when I did the left side in a small area with plastic hanging around in my garage. I wouldn't do it in a hangar with the potential for overspray on other aircraft.
    Video of the sprayed side https://youtu.be/0nZhtbG4VHE?list=PL3ea3YrO-K5hlHDwFTh4KCwlKzn8BrDQE
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  4. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Checking out the Ice fishing   

    I went ice fishing once. Caught as much as I could carry.
     
     
     
     
    But I purd near drowned when I tried to fry it.
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  5. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Mama's new ride   

    Glad I gots me yet another POS Ford Focus.
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  6. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Reworking a B model cowling   

    Not a Avid, but...
     
    Used to be:

     
    Is now (new glass from a few inches behind the exhaust pipe and up around the bottom corners):

    I didn't get the radius from the side to the bottom to exactly match - but yours should turn out fine.
    (I used the West System epoxy because that's what I use for purd near everything)
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  7. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Proper ID in Traffic Pattern?   

    The FCC regulations require you to use your station identification - which would be your N number.
    The Airman's Information Manual covers the "standard phraseology" which would be "Kitfox N12345", but many pilot have their own opinions and reasons for doing it some non-standard way.
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  8. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Rudder Cable Fairings   

    nice
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  9. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Methods for adding weight during Phase I testing   

    I suspect that no one felt the need to get the FAA to review the 3 to make sure it met the so called 51% rule.
    The list is here: http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/gen_av/ultralights/amateur_built/kits/  or see attached.
    Of course, the aircraft that would most likely benefit from having a second pair of eyes (and hand) on board would be the one-off never flown designs, so the FAA decided to implement this for the common, well known, not likely to have issues designs. Maximize paperwork while minimizing any real impact on safety.
    But, I've wandered off the original topic.
    amateur_built_kit_listing.pdf
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  10. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Methods for adding weight during Phase I testing   

    http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_90-116.pdf
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  11. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Starting my kitfox 1 build pictures here   

    Looks good. MEK is not on the list of things that are good for you. But, it does smell enough that when it starts to break through the charcoal in your respirator, you know it. (unlike isocyanate)
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  12. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Gross weight and LSA qualified   

    You would need a glider rating with a self launch endorsement but no medical if it were registered as a self launch glider. The LSA type weight / speed / altitude restrictions do not apply to gliders. Last time I looked, the guidelines about what constitutes a "motor glider" vs. "powered aircraft" are pretty vague at best - seems to be whatever you can get away with...
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  13. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Starting my kitfox 1 build pictures here   

    FWIW, Drilling a hole in the "middle" of a tube, you have much less impact on the bending strength than if you drill in the top or bottom. Think of an I beam - you have lots of material at the top and bottom where it's needed for tension / compression, not so much in the middle for shear.
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  14. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Gross weight and LSA qualified   

    Just for reference, from "General Definitions":
    There are things like VH and VS1 that are not documented anywhere for a lot of aircraft...
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  15. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Oratex covering   

    From betteraircraftfabric.com
    "Use of good high quality heat gun and iron is essential to properly activate the glue and to avoid overheating or burning the fabric. Never use a cheap, non-digital heat gun. You must have excellent temperature control. The same for irons. Only high quality heat tools are acceptable.
    Heat Gun - digital with adjustable, variable output, such as Steinel (available from BetterAircraftFabric)Iron - digital with good temperature stability across contact plate, such as Toko (available from BetterAircraftFabric)Digital infrared thermometer with dual lasers for aimingThe above tools are the most important. Successfully applying Oratex involves the controlled application of heat, and good tools are required. Be sure that your heat gun and iron are fully adjustable, predictable, and have accurate digital readouts. A good digital infrared thermometer is required to ensure that your tools are operating correctly."
     
    You are likely aware that other fabric suppliers (such as poly-fiber) will go so far as to say that the STC is void if you use a heat gun. Of course, for an Avid /Kitfox the STC is irrelevant, but using the garden variety uncontrolled heat gun would seem like a really bad idea.
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  16. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Roller applied Polyspray ???   

    I did a broom job when I had my fuel tank out on the Merlin GT using poly-stuff. No roller, just  regular brush. I doubt that a foam brush would hold up well under the MEK. 
    It works, brush strokes are not too bad. It helps that it is not glossy and I did it it in white. Doesn't look as nice as the sprayed area, and takes some extra coats to really get a good coverage. Depends on how picky you are.
    It's not bad to spray as long as you have a way to contain all the overspray (no way I would do it in my hanger with 3/4 high walls and aircraft on the other side). You want to have lots of cartridges on hand for your respirator and have good gloves - MEK is not human friendly stuff. The blue TSA style gloves are garbage. I got some "Heavy duty " black nitrile gloves http://www.harborfreight.com/9-mil-nitrile-powder-free-gloves-50-pc-large-61744.html that worked.
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  17. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Rolling Vs Folding Fabric   

    I haven't covered a whole airplane, but folds in the fabric I used on larger patches (one wing bay size) disappeared on the first level of shrink (1.8 oz dacron).
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  18. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Aviation Bill of Rights   

    Here is the problem I see.
    Yes, it is a step in the right direction.
    But...
    You still need to get a medical to fly without a medical - OK, but that's still and improvement over special issues and all that - right? But what happens if there were ever an opportunity for real medical reform?  Right now, all that is required for reform is a change to FAA rules. If the PBOR2 (as amended) passes, it becomes an act of law and would require congress to make any further changes - not just the FAA.  Whole 'nuther process that just plain ain't never gonna happen.
    And, while PBOR-2 doesn't address sport pilot, there is nothing in it to prevent the FAA from making SP rules "consistent" with the wishes of Congress...
    I hope I'm wrong.
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  19. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Transponder antenna location?   

    I have a Merlin GT which is similar but different than the Avid - but I put a piece of aluminum on the inside of the bottom fabric behind the baggage area, attached it to a couple cross tubes with Adel clamps and stuck the antenna in the middle. The antenna is attached to the plate and sticks through the fabric. The only issue is that it needs a long cable to get from the transponder to the antenna. Seems to work just fine.
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  20. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Source for flaperon bushings? Or stock material suggestions?   

    Information on re-forming HDPE in this video https://youtu.be/W_XUJwINdLw He cuts it into bits and forms into new sheet which you may not neet if couple laysers of jug are thick enough. He has other videos on machining the stuff.
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  21. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Insurance   

    I got insurance for my Merlin GT from the Forest Agency http://www.forestagency.com/coverage/general-aviation-insurance/#/- no hassles.
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  22. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Bending Polycarbonate   

    Polycarbonate (Lexan) will absorb a little water over time wich will boil and make bubbles when you get it hot enough to bend. The solution is to pre-bake the polycarbonate for a while at 180 F or so or to use fresh stuff.
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  23. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Classic IV Restoration   

    Loctite 567.  Will make you one happy camper.
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  24. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Merlin GT   

    Looks like you have a line on some parts - I would be interested in following the progress / results of your modifications.
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  25. Geoffrey Thorpe added a post in a topic Finishing Tapes, any ironing other than shaping?   

    Correct
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