jjbaker

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Everything posted by jjbaker

  1. jjbaker added a post in a topic Stay Away From Nosedraggers   

    My line of thinking.
    The landing that collapses the nose-gear is a perfect excuse to start on the Bonanza Tailwheel conversion.
    The plane definitely looks a heck of a lot better without and the tail is already up to start installing a good quality tail-wheel.
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  2. jjbaker added a post in a topic Stay Away From Nosedraggers   

    Never seen a tailwheel Bonanza. He must have landed with the brakes on...
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  3. jjbaker added a post in a topic KD's Channel   

    Looks like the software is hiccuping on embedding Facebook videos.
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  4. jjbaker added a post in a topic Flaperon behavior in a stall   

    IMC = I May Crash
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  5. jjbaker added a post in a topic Beginner Take Offs and Landings   

    Not really critique, just some pointers...
    When flying the Pitts, I learned to fly my patterns close enough to close the throttle abeam the numbers and assure that the wreckage will be located on the airport property. It took some time for us to to play nice with each other, because every-time I closed the throttle, my sleek and sexy aircraft turned into a falling brick and the screams from the front seat became distracting. I was only allowed to do power on approaches (slip, traditional to have any vision) after I had consistently managed power offs from abeam.
    It appears from your landings (can't really tell) that you are carrying some power throughout the final approach, all the way to the ground, probably because you get better directional and elevator control out of it this way. Speed appears a bit high. When you do finally use the flaps you're changing the energy- setup (and what you can ask from the plane at any given time) in the last few hundred feet before touchdown, in other words these last second configuration changes make you busy. It "feels" safer to leave some power on the engine, however you end up with excessive energy available - which the aircraft then converts into distance. With half or full flaps you may well end up hanging on the prop on short final, so once the fan stops (and it does so very suddenly) you're low and slow, in a bad spot to raise your flaps to regain some of that energy. My rule: The flaps are out full when there is ABSOLUTELY no way to come short of the field in case the fan(s) stop(s). I do the same on the twin or singles. 
    I would suggest to keep your pattern crisp enough to be able to fly two solid turns (downwind - base & base - final) without having to add power again. Set flaps only after you feel confident to make the field and then aim a bit short of your intended landing spot, if you have excessive speed available. Try different flap settings to get an idea of where she wants to sit or (better words) play with the thing to find your "feels about right" point. Do the power offs with and without flaps to learn what the aircraft does and how that angle of attack on final affects your ability to slow down. The bush-pilot stuff going into unimproved fields (where we often need to hang ourselves on the prop) comes later. Many of those going into those unimproved fields admit that they are in the wrong spot at the wrong time if that ventilator stops in the windshield. In normal operation, avoid dependency on that engine when and where possible. 
    All in all - you're using the available space and you don't seem to be pumping during round-out and float - a habit many people pick up. All pretty calm stuff and well done. 
    Certainly not "total rookie, haven't seen a plane before beginner" landings.
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  6. jjbaker added a post in a topic Vans Lawsuit   

    I greatly dislike the term "Experimental Aircraft" and I share the sentiment of this lawsuit bearing risk for the entire experimental aircraft industry.
    With permission from Dr. McLeni, I'll link to my musing on "the other" forum...
    Why "Experimental Aircraft" Is The Wrong Term And Why We Shouldn't Use It
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  7. jjbaker added a post in a topic Dark or Light color for the top half of cowling?   

    Fly inverted.
    I'd go with a matte paint on the cowling and cover the top of the instrument panel with something that doesn't reflect either.
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  8. jjbaker added a post in a topic About to drop Avemco   

    Considering how many insurances I had at any given time, I'd say a simple email reminder, maybe a week or two prior to expiration should be possible. I get alerts from god knows how many outfits when my credit card on file expires, usually well in advance. Everything is on autopilot while I am in Germany. If my hosting company renews hosting and my credit card expiration date falls on or before the renewal time, I get alerted.
    I get extremely irritated when a company pulls moves like this on deployed peeps. I understand that a non-paid policy must be cancelled at some point, but I would expect any company to consider possible deployment for members of our armed forces and to try every possible way to get in touch with the customer, prior to expiration & subsequent cancelling. If the glorious lip service ridden pilots associations manage to pester peeps to death for a lousy renewal, then an insurance carrier ought to be able to top that. That's often some serious money...
    If its already fixed, good for you!

       
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  9. jjbaker added a post in a topic About to drop Avemco   

    Yuck.
    That's quite a sad display of customer service. I have recommended AVEMCO to countless people and one such stupid act can make one regret that.
    I'd be somewhat surprised if this wasn't "fixed" within reasonable time...
     
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  10. jjbaker added a post in a topic New software on the way   

    Me likes. Good job!
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  11. jjbaker added a post in a topic New software on the way   

    Let it rip!
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  12. jjbaker added a post in a topic Amphibian project resurrection & modifications   

    I just turn my laptop upside down or do a quick handstand and things are right again.
    Let me demonstrate...
     
    !ǝuiɟ ʇsnɾ sʞɹoʍ ʇI ¡sǝ⅄ ɥO
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  13. jjbaker added a post in a topic 5000 hrs   

    Congrats! Big milestone. Even though you probably hear enough thank you's everyday, add one from me, too.
    So many of our citizens have no idea what it means to serve. Stay safe and get home soon.
     

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  14. jjbaker added a post in a topic UNLICENSED PILOT CRASHES PLANE, KILLS 5   

    Experimental trailer hitch! Of course it was a crop duster, a farmer flew it!!!
    First thing my ag instructor taught me. "Always rev up and down so that people know you're a ag plane!"
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  15. jjbaker added a post in a topic Avidfoxflyers.com On Facebook   

     
    Figures. Well, I was hoping to be helping with some promo/ new members but I think the site is what it is with or without the Facehook.
     
    The AB site was taken down several weeks ago. Currently trying to offload the domain. Comes with the Fakebook and Twitter stuff.
    I am growing increasingly tired of the aviation super ballerina crap, but my bullshit detection meter sits in the red arc 98% of the time.
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  16. jjbaker added a post in a topic Buyer be ware ... Seller be ware   

    Especially when people (like me) take screenshots of the various comments.
    Other than that, drunk Facebook postings are a good thing. Some people write the best stuff when shiftaced... 
    Sometimes even good enough to offend some of the fake friends and ass kissers off a page they didn't have a good reason to be on to start with.
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  17. jjbaker added a post in a topic Buyer be ware ... Seller be ware   

    I'd be more interested to read what kind of response, if any, Brian got to his email to Dale.
     
    Not really rare that people try to renegotiate to take some serious advantage of sellers.
    Sold enough airplanes and luxury vehicles to learn this lesson early on.
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  18. jjbaker added a post in a topic CAUTION ON EBAY - MAY CHANGE TO WARNING!   

    One of the problems with hard deposits and MO/Check payments is that buyer protection is pretty much unhinged. There is absolutely positively (as much of a German accent I can manage implied, thanks for the comparison to people from Poland) no way that Ebay is limiting your ability to get in touch with the seller. I have done lots of "EGay" business and never ever once had the case where they didn't instantly jump on any opened case or where I could not contact the seller after winning an auction or having my bid taken.  One thing these guys do, is block messages sent to people which contain an email address or phone number as this invites "off ebay" activity with sales taking place beyond the scope of the listing or people being subjected to scams following the purchase.
     
    Just sayin'...
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  19. jjbaker added a post in a topic Have I screwed up?   

    http://www.avidfoxflyers.com/index.php?/topic/3672-need-id-assistance/#entry28595
     
    this one?
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  20. jjbaker added a post in a topic Avidfoxflyers.com On Facebook   

    I must say I am impressed. The Facebook page has gotten 25 Likes since it was opened, but this thread has gotten 50+ responses.
    If Dr. Lenny would tell if any of the new members who joined recently referred to Facebook as the reason for signing up, we'd be smart.
    In any case this was a good test. Nothing is upside down, that much we know.
     
    Just an example for how it can go if things are swimming belly up:
     
    I have a stonewalled to death forum for aerobatic pilots, which has a Facebook page. The page itself has 35 members and no activity, but its damn Facebook page has 280 Fans with 63 Followers on Twitter. That's a total of 343 "Followers" following a wet bag of nothing. Organic reach is beneath 10% and even the post that the domain is for sale has caused more fans and followers.
     
    :flush:   :flush:
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  21. jjbaker added a post in a topic KITFOX SERVICE BULLETINS   

    Here's a better way to do it.
     
    Example
    #38-Rudder Pedal Reinforcements - MANDATORY 5/15/1994 S5 Vixens SN: DBT001, ECV001-ECV009, FCV008, GCV010, HCV011-HCV012, ICV013-ICV018, JCV019-JCV022, KCV024, LCV023, LCV025-LCV026, ADV027-ADV030
     
    #44-Rotax 912 Ignition Leads 8/25/1995 All Rotax 912 Powered aircraft with Ignition Units Mounted to Engines
     
    #21-Flaperon Hinge Bearings - MANDATORY 8/19/1992 M1, M2, M3
     
    #21A-Flaperon Hinge Bearings - MANDATORY 8/28/1992 All Models (Prior to this Bulletin)
     
    #22-Matco Brake Caliper 8/28/1992 All Models
     
    #23-Engine Mount Bolts 9/23/92 Rotax 912 Engines, Serial #4005177 to Engines prior to this Bulletin
     
    #24-Landing Gear Weldment 10/8/1992 Aircraft Shipped between 9/3/92 & 10/1/92
     
    #25-Model IV Style Flaperons 11/3/1992 M4 Wings (Short Flaperons)
     
    #26-Lift Strut Attach Bracket 11/11/1992 Aircraft Manufactured between 09/01/92 & 10/16/92
     
    #27-Capstrip Bulletin 12/8/1992 Aircraft Manufactured between 08/92 an 11/92
     
    Source: Kitfocaircraft.com - http://kitfoxaircraft.com/FAQ-Tech.htm
     
    Disclaimer: Always check for new SB & SL's with the manufacturer. This list may or may not be complete. Avidfoxflyers.com provides this listing for technical reference and information only and assumes no responsibility. liability or implied liability for the correctness, completeness or applicability of information on display. 
     
    Randomly selected off the site, copied, pasted with a link leading directly to the source. Now you are creating an index for people to go through, but editorial freedom still rests with the original publisher of the information. They can update to hearts desire and all you have to do is go through a few times a year to check for new stuff. 
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  22. jjbaker added a post in a topic KITFOX SERVICE BULLETINS   

    Okay, I am officially confused. Just went to the KF Site, clicked on the latest Mandatory SB (#56).
    Select All --> Copy --> Open Office New Document --> Paste and push the Convert To PDF button.
     
    Save as --> Give it a name --> Ding!
    Your soup is done! Time required ~ 1 Minute.
    On some of them you'd have to do some formatting and editing.
     
    SB#56.pdf
     
    It is perfectly fine for anyone to do this for their own records and maintenance books.
    It is not so fine for someone to do this intending to republish or disseminate the information on a website.
     
    Like I just did....   Fortunately mine is for a free replacement of your aquarium tank pump.
     
    At the very least you'll run the risk of giving people access to something that may be subject to editorial changes.
    For example, a SB is updated and a newer version is on file with Kitfoxaircraft.com - but your member downloads and C/W what you have.
     
    Then the front falls off. The survivors and their attorneys now say:
     
    "Uhhh. Look! Just two days ago he was happy as a clam because he found the SB for his Jesus Nut."
     
    From what I understand about the law, he or she who gets dinged for this in a wrongful death lawsuit has a choice:
     
    Would you like you ass grilled (1) Very Crispy BBQ or (2) Very Crispy BBQ Honeynut.
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  23. jjbaker added a post in a topic KITFOX SERVICE BULLETINS   

    Ed, copying that is quite a bit of work, converting it to downloadable PDF's is a bit more and then still someone has to keep up with new additions. Any changes or cancellations and you're looking at a legal liability, too. Why not place a link to that page somewhere prominent on this site or develop a "Technical Resources" thread that can have all the links to pertinent sites in it?
     
    Just an idea, I recently did this for my Soaring & Glider Resource Directory and peeps are clicking their mouses to death...
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  24. jjbaker added a post in a topic Let's see, non-flying,,, Windows 10?   

    By the time Microcrap is finished with you guys, you'll watch a 3 minute video before being shown your emails. If you don't want the video, enter your credit card number. Downright amazing idiocy on display with MS stuff. I am running 8.1 and the number of JRT's and Malware issues is mind-boggling. My laptops last no more than 3 years before they smoke off after having worked the whole time (I shut down once a week) and I think my next computer will have some Open Source OS again.
     
    Recently did some troubleshooting (testing what doesn't work means using IE in any version) and noticed that my seaplaneforum.com opens a popup video you have to watch before you can close the window. People might think that popups are used or distributed through the website, instead its the damn browser!!!
     
    There you go making sure people don't get bugged to death with constant flashing ads and Microshit simply does it for you.....
     
    Reminds me of the balloonist who got lost and descended over a city to ask for directions.
     
    He stopped in front of a highrise and yelled to a person standing at the window: "Can you tell me where I am?"
    The guy responded: "Yes, you're in a balloon!"
    The balloonist nodded and told his passengers: "Okay, we're in Seattle! I know how to get home from here."
    The passengers were puzzled. One finally asked: "Sir, excuse me, but how could you tell you're in Seattle?"
    Pilot: "That's easy. Shiny highrise building. Ask any question and if the answer is theoretically correct but completely useless its Microsoft's headquarters!"
     

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  25. jjbaker added a post in a topic ZENITH 701/801 CRASH???   

    "Easy to build kit". Where do these guys hire their writers? Walmart?
    The forest fire story is quite a bummer.
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