flywise

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Everything posted by flywise



  1. flywise added a post in a topic Insurance ?   

    Here in Canada, I have third party only at 400$ and full comprehensive (includes third party) at 1450$ (avid Catalina/rotax 912)....not a student anymore though (650Hrs)
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  2. flywise added a post in a topic Airframe/wing flutter   

    The engine mounts I bought from lockwood    https://lockwood.aero/catalogsearch/result/?q=barry+mount
    there is some more explanation on the Green Sky adventures website...  http://www.greenskyadventures.com/Installation_items/vibmntimages.htm
     
     
    Cheers, Laurent
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  3. flywise added a post in a topic Airframe/wing flutter   

    Hey guys, I finally went out for a 2 Hr flight........yessssss all is good now, no more flutter and flaperon control feels much tighter/precise.
    To sum it up :  got rid of all the play in the flaperon mixer unit, flaperon balance weight where tail heavy (added weight to get them balanced) and my engine mounts were shot (replaced).
     
    Feels good to be back in the air
     
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  4. flywise added a post in a topic Fuel flow issue.   

    Had this glass type fuel filter here in canada and Transport Canada inspector made me remove it because they do not accept the glass part....apparently they could crack and leak..also in an accident they would shatter. Last but not least, the plastic mesh inside can get hard and brittle with old age/use and plugs your carbs.
     
    My one cent
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  5. flywise added a post in a topic Passed FAA Inspection   

    I used to fly a long ez with a 160Hp 0-320. Bought it unfinished with a couple friends. Had home made main retractable gear. It was best flying at 9000ft doing 190Kts.......fantastic machine. I now have gone from high and fast to super low and extra slow:)
     



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  6. flywise added a post in a topic Time for a new Tailwheel!   

    Hey EDMO,
    the FG tail spring is mostly running / inserted in a U channel. I just found it convenient and maybe stronger to leave it a bit larger (that's the way it was laid up) than the U chanel....to install it I just had to cut two parallel grooves .
    Also....it tends to puzzle people.......
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  7. flywise added a post in a topic Time for a new Tailwheel!   

    Hey just want to chime in...I have replaced the original solid tailwheel with the same and this is on my Catalina (much more weight on the tail ) and it works great on hard surface, never any issues. It does however dig in when you're landing on a beach....
     
    Also replaced steel spring with fibreglass...saves 2.5 Lbs and it's stronger



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  8. flywise added a post in a topic Pics of our birds   

    My boat....


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  9. flywise added a post in a topic Catalina elevator push pull tube   

    Hey EDMO, the avid tube is 1/2 in diameter. Bushing would be a tiny bit bigger....
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  10. flywise added a post in a topic Catalina elevator push pull tube   

    The Mooney tube is slightly larger in diameter until it tapers down to the same size as the avid one...Also I had to shorten it a bit. 
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  11. flywise added a post in a topic Catalina elevator push pull tube   

    Here, to finish off this issue, I have replaced the avid push pull rod (red one) with an aircraft grade one (Mooney M20). It seems to me that the avid one is very much below the quality of the certified Mooney one. There seems to be no bronze insert and it also is very narrow compared to the certified stuff. Both weigh the exact same.....
    Feels good to have good quality stuff moving primary controls..

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  12. flywise added a post in a topic Airframe/wing flutter   

    Here to follow up my work on this flutter problem....
    1. replaced engine mounts
    2. added ~125Gr on my flaperon balance weights (rh +lh) ....suspect they were balanced before paint.
    3. found some play (about 1/4in) between both flaperon in the mixer unit.
    I can't find anything else and I will go out fly the thing next...will follow up on the result
     




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  13. flywise added a post in a topic WTB looking to buy full lotus sponsons   

    Thanks, I also found some at aircraft spruce...
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  14. flywise added a topic in For Sale and wanted, you got it, I want it   

    WTB looking to buy full lotus sponsons
    I am in search of the rotomold plastic full lotus sponsons if possible white......anyone???
    Thanks

    • 2 replies
    • 721 views


  15. flywise added a post in a topic Airframe/wing flutter   

    Hey Nlappos, thanks for your advice. I will try to "shake" the thing....In regards to engine (rotax 912) rpm drop, everything went so fast I did not notice any rpm drop "during" the event...also, first thing I did was to chop power.
    In the meantime got to take the old mounts off and am sending the picture of the oversize bushing in the mount.....I think it is very probable the softness and the bushings could have induced an engine oscillation/vibration I felt through the airframe.
    New mounts are shown as an example (barry mount series 22002)
    Anyone have a shute???


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  16. flywise added a post in a topic Airframe/wing flutter   

    Hey Cowlove,
    I would say it was a 5-7 Hz kind vibration. I did check my elevator trim tab and elevator for play....no play there. Also I did not feel the vibration in my stick, instead it felt the hole structure shake. As it stands now I suspect my engine mounts as they were way too soft and also had too much play in the bushings (homemade) where the bolt went through...
     
    Thanks for your input.
    P.s did you consider balancing your elevator?
     
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  17. flywise added a post in a topic Airframe/wing flutter   

    It is confirmed, the Catalina has the spar stiffeners, they are needed
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  18. flywise added a post in a topic Airframe/wing flutter   

    Hey TJAY, thanks for your reply. 
    I can confirm the engine was running steady, purring without any drop in rpm or change in noise....Also the bank angles were quite shallow and slow in motion (not doing the rough aerobatic style). It really was a strong airframe shake at a steady RPM. I only suspect wing flutter but i really had no time to actually "look" ....had to act straight away as I thought we were about to shake appart..
    Looking forward for some more inputs...I am grounded as it stands now.
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  19. flywise added a topic in Avid Catalina   

    Airframe/wing flutter
    Hey everyone...
     
    I am in need of some help/advice with my Cat.....I have been busy getting my Catalina flying and trimmed out properly. On my last flight I experienced what I think is wing flutter (no vibrations in stick) while doing some benign maneuvering in cruise ( calm air, flying level,cruise pwr and banking right/left 20deg keeping my heading and compensating adverse yaw with rudder....then it suddenly airframe shook like crazy). Chopping the power straight away and slowing down got rid of the vibrations.
    Engine run smoothly and prop has been checked for play and damage...all good.
    I checked everything else I could (flaperon balance weights, play, trim tab, rigging, engine mounts, wing, flight control play ...etc) and found four items...
     
     
    1. engine mounts are a bit soft and old
    2. flaperon balance weights need 100gr more weight to be slightly nose heavy (I don't get the trailing edge to lift the required 1/4 in)..
    3. when I move the flaperon from full down to full up, my rib ends move a bit
    4. Found out in my Cat there is no spar stiffener installed inside the spars!!!! I am not sure but I believe the spar stiffeners have to be fitted as per plan?? Do you have spar stiffeners?
     
     
    I would really appreciate your precious input, best regards, Laurent
    • 21 replies
    • 6,377 views


  20. flywise added a post in a topic landing on hard runway pain   

    Great info....It feels a bit better now that I have confirmation someone else works out hard to land this craft on a runway....I started thinking I had lost my abilities.  Regarding the gear overcenter, mine is electric and hence will not have that issue. Also maybe a better technique, if really necessary to get down in a bad crosswind would be to leave the gear up intentionally and land on grass that way....only problem is how to taxi without someone noticing the noise generated on the paved taxiway
     
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  21. flywise added a topic in Avid Catalina   

    landing on hard runway pain
    Hi everyone,
    I really would like to have some help/input with best landing technique and experience on hard runways with the catalina. I mastered water landings very well but I have a hard time landing the thing under gusty conditions on hard runways......I did my taildragger endorsement on a C-185 (that was a long time ago) and recently took additional lessons  in a citabria I thought was very similar to the Cat....
     
    Thank you very much to the member's feedback on this one
    • 4 replies
    • 1,079 views


  22. flywise added a post in a topic Don's Catalina Thread   

    Hey Don, if you need advice for the electric gear, Casey's catalina is mine now and flying all around BC...
     
    Cheers
     
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  23. flywise added a post in a topic CONTRIBUTIONS TO KEEP SITE GOING   

    Done....I am really happy to contribute as this website has helped me so much...also thanks to all the other contributors
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  24. flywise added a topic in Avid Catalina   

    Avid Catalina photos
    Hi everyone, as I have enjoyed looking at other catalinas on the net (unfortunately not that many) I am sharing my Avid Catalina pictures for you all to enjoy.....do not hesitate to contact me if you have any query
     
    https://1drv.ms/f/s!AvMw5i-09AkLmURmKBSU8uAlC3IR
     
     
     
    • 6 replies
    • 1,541 views


  25. flywise added a post in a topic First flight follies   

    Hey Avidjack..
    that is a nice catalina you have. Thanks for the info. As it stands now I have "bent" back my stick a little to give me a better position when flying aft c of g. Also I added elevator gap seals for more authority.
    I am not changing stabilizer incidence as I don't want to run out of elevator when flying forward c of g (thanks cowlove)
    As soon as the weather's good I am going up again with a little ballast up front and check how that goes.
    I see you have lots of HP on your cat.....what is your cruising speed? How fast did you dare go flying level?
    I also see that you took away your water rudder....any problems with turning when windy?
    Cheers from BC, Laurent
     
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