Russ.

Hi all,

After a not so nice landing this past week, I have decided to convert to trigear as I repair the damaged parts.

N844RS flys beautiful and takeoffs are o.k. The landings are crap. I have been told the main gear swapped left to right side will work. I need the weldment and nose gear setup. Any advice or help will be appreciated.

Russ. former TD pilot.

Finished installing my new gear from Brett tonight. Test flew it right before dark. I got 4 landings on it before i quit.

Looks really great. I should have auctioned them off at Oshkosh Russ N844RS

I did about six takeoff and landings today on the Skyraider.Just did some crow hops got it out of ground effect and flew it down the runway.Next weekend I'll take it up into the pattern and get some good numbers on it.Wanted to do it today but the wind came up in a big way,could barely taxi the thing toward the end.Never dreamed a 582 would have this much power,after flyng the old Vagabond this thing feels like a little hotrod.The controls were a little more snappy than I thought they would be but I'll get used to itAbout half of my landings were ok but there was a couple that I dropped in pretty good,the bungee gear evidently works.Will send more pics when our crappy internet works right. Randy

Congrats Randy. Great feeling of accomplishment. Wishing you many happy flying hours. Russ. N844RS

Had too much fun to take many pictures... Sorry. I will get some stuff up as I can.

Dave (the guy building the Kitfox-Avid bastard) brought home a plaque for "Outstanding Class B Custom Classic" for his 1949 Piper Clipper restoration.

I got a plaque for "Honorable Mention, Light-Sport Plane" for my yellow Kitfox IV (and a bent bungee truss...).

Now I'm going to pass out in my own, over air conditioned, extra comfy, bed.

Looking forward to next years meeting. Congrats. on the award. The new gear from Airdale sure looked like it would have saved your truss. See ya next year. Russ.

I got my DAR inspection today so now theres no excuses.Im taking it up to a friends house,he has a 3000 ft grass runway and he also has a Skyraider so he can help a bunch.Didnt think I would ever get done but now hopefully I can enjoy it.Also I got to meet Burt Rutan the other day at our flyin.Pretty cool to have Dean Wilson and Burt Rutan both living right by our little airport.Ive never met Dean but maybe someday if Im lucky.Thanks for everybodys help on this forum.I,ll keep you posted on first flight.Randy

Way to go Randy. Hope your flights are safe and as much fun as the building part of a fine looking craft. Russ.

After much waiting, the Avid has finally flown!!!

It was a near calm evening in Vermilion yesterday and after a few test runs up and down runway, I poured the coals to the Avid and she lept off the ground and climbed like a rocket. It was most fun i've had flying in a long time. All that time spent inspecting, repairing, and painting has finally paid off. What a great feeling to fly a new plane for the first time and to do it solo. I feel a little like how a test pilot must feel after they hop in a new plane and take it skyward for the first time. I've included a couple pictures from last night.

Congrats on your first of many flights. I also know the feeling. Russ.

Opps maybe I got the name wrong it was dholly that pointed me to this site from the kitfox forum,was getting some pretty negative replies over there when I mention Subaru Avid. The Avid I picked up was from Ivan Christenson in B.C. Canada, He said it was one of the original first five Avid plus they made. I got my nick name screwed up it is supposed to be Marshawk, does anyone know if you can change it or should I just start a new membership?Theres my first stupid question

Willis you got the right DOUG. I was just pulling his short ones a bit. Russ.

Howdy Folks, hope there's room for one more fat bastard in here,I just picked up an unfinished Avid plus with a Ea 81 Subaru on it, the owner has lost interest so hopefully me an a few friends and of course you guys can get it flying. Doug pointed me in the direction of this forum (thanks again) and it has ton's of great information, I will probably have a bunch of questions down the road.

Take Care, Willis

Welcome to the group Willis. One question, who is DOUG? Again welcome. Russ.

Hey I am Dan and just got 442ck, a mkiv with ea81 and am looking for any info. Had a kitfox 1 sold it and really missed it.

Would like to contact the builder if anyone knows him. He is from WI I think and initals are CK.

Hi Dan,

Go to Landings.com at bottom of page click databases. Click US registrations and add tail #. N442CK

Aircraft Serial Number : 1261D

Aircraft Manufacturer : KORTE CHARLES H

Model : AVID FLYER MARK IV

Engine Manufacturer : SUBARU

Model : ALL MDLS A/B

Aircraft Year : 1998

Owner Name : REGISTRATION PENDING

Owner Address : 414 MANNING LN

MARYVILLE, TN, 37804-3400

Type of Owner : Individual

Registration Date : Not Specified

Airworthiness Certificate Type : Experimental

Approved Operations : Amateur Built

Hi

My name's Michel, flying in France with my "ludoplane" : an Avid Mk IV STOL tail dragger / jabiru 2200

MicheL

Welcome to the group Michel. Nice looking panel, and Avid. Russ.

Doug glad to hear you had a good winter. Hope to get up your way soon to see the progress on the fat one.

See you soon Russ.

Doug, you got to be getting close to my age.

Sweet on all sides.

Looks great. Keep up the updates. Russ.

Had a lil issue yesterday.. I just had the plane at the house and took the ski's off and went back to wheels. Did a compression check, re-jetted for the warmer temps, gave the plane a good going over etc. She was all good to go so we decided to go for a nice evening cruise. Loaded it up and headed for the airport. She fired right up and ran smooth just like she always does. Loaded up the girl friend and headed into the wild blue yonder to get some good sun set pics. Take off was normal and as soon as I hit the pattern altitude I pull power back to cruise. About 10 seconds later I am greeted with the shitty sound of silence! Well the girl friend was not so silent! As I had just set cruise power I was watching the gauges like a hawk. EGT's were at 1125 to 1150, water temp at 160 and fuel flow steady at 5.5 GPH so all vital signs were good, just a sudden engine out. I hit the electric boost pump and she fired right off and ran OK wide open throttle, but the second I pulled the power back she quit again, locked up tight. A couple S turns and a down wind landing and we were on the ground.

I tried to restart again on the ground but she was locked up... great. A quick call on the unicom to let others know I would have a truck on the gravel runway next to the main runway and I ran over to get the truck and trailer and loaded it up. When I got home I pulled the plugs and the front jug has decided to make metal.. Not sure where it came from as the top of the piston looks fine and the plugs look great as far as burn goes. Nice dark brown to even suggest that she was a tad on the rich side, definitely not lean at all. I will tear into it and post up pics tomorrow, but it looks like it's time for me to get off my ass and get the 800 project wrapped up..

I could not be more proud of my girl, after the initial shock she was awesome and didn't panic!

Leni great to hear all went well. I just got back from winter home in Fl. and plan on getting N844RS running. I will check all as you did. Also do some taxi runs before flight. Russ.

Doug, Would you please make two of everything you think of. As you know I am only a short drive from your palace, and I am on a fixed income.

I attended the first (hopefully) annual Little Lake St. Germain Ski Plane Fly In.

All of three of us flew in and ate lunch at a friend's ice fishing shack. We had fun...

If I didn't have to spend my winters in Fl. I would like to attend someday. Maybe Oshkosh someday soon in my Avid. See you at Oshkosh this year. Russ. N844RS MK IV HH

yeah that's pretty much what I said, but with a whole lot more F's

Who has the brown shorts now? Sorry to hear about the incident. Russ.

Congrats on your new MK IV. Happy flights. Russ. N844RS

Randy, I will be back home on the 17th. I have the info and will post it then. Hope someone will come forward before then. Russ. N844RS MK IV HH

Congrats!!! Been there done that, I know the feeling. Happy flights. Russ N844RS MK IV HH

Looks great. Will this be at Oshkosh next year? Hope to see you again at the Red Barn field. Russ.

Russ,

Have you been doing your motivational duties on Doug and kicking his ass into gear to get his fat bastard in the air We were counting on you to keep the fire lit under him

I had a long talk with him on Saturday. He is building a leaf blower now. I told him taxing the fat bastard on his lawn would do the same thing.

I have been woefully neglectful of he Forum for the past few months but what is a guy to do when he doesn't have an airplane to fly? We must keep our priorities straight. Well the date has almost arrived; the SuberAvid+ gets its DAR inspection this coming Monday, 18 Oct. For a flight starved guy it was fun running it up an down the runway with the tail in the air last week end trying to get some break-in time on the Subie. Now in between test flights I may have time to catch up on all the great discusions and adventures by C5 and others I have just glanced at. Attached are the pictures.

Great looking bird. I just made my first flight last month. I am sure you will have the same wide grin l had on my face. Happy flying. Russ

so you got hit with the "flying the other new planeitis too huh. very understandable...

Russ, you were spose to go take care of my light work and light a fire under his ass where ya at buddy

I had a long talk with him yesterday. He now knows I have "Vays to make him vork" I hope to see him flying the KF very soon. Work on the Fat Bastard kit should follow. Russ.