LSaupe

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Everything posted by LSaupe



  1. LSaupe added a post in a topic Odd vibration now at full power (582 GSC)   

    Thanks for the heads-up.   Most look like a known previous condition (though hard to say when issues may have started for them).  Mine changed after a landing.  Real odd, something changed.
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  2. LSaupe added a post in a topic Motorized Tailwheel Dolli/Towbar?   

    I like the snowblower idea.  Even has reverse.
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  3. LSaupe added a topic in Two Strokes   

    Odd vibration now at full power (582 GSC)
    Ran into a problem tonight.  After my third take off I started to notice a vibration at full power.  It disappears when I pull the power back to 6000 RPM.
    I was hoping maybe one of the blades had rotated, but unfortunately they are all spot on the money.  Same with tracking.  
    Grabbed the engine and did a visual on the engine mounts (Lord mounts) and they appear fine (to the naked eye anyway).  No excessive movement when trying to move the engine.
    Have been running on the rich side as of late, any chance something simple as a plug breaking down a bit at full power?  
    Hopefully not a gearbox issue.
    Feels like a lower frequency (like prop speed or less).  Whats odd is that this bird has never had any vibration (even at full power).  Now it is here.  No damage to the prop that I can find.  Anyone experience something similar with a GSC?  Today was also the coldest day I have flown (~ 30F outside).
    Other thoughts?
     
     
    • 8 replies
    • 972 views


  4. LSaupe added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Motorized Tailwheel Dolli/Towbar?
    My wife needs a bit of help to get our Kitfox (tail dragger) in and out of the hangar.

    Anyone know of some good motorized tail wheel dollies/tow bars out there?
    • 3 replies
    • 810 views


  5. LSaupe added a post in a topic Couldn't be happier   

    Yep, it sure is.  It's actually a new bridge (they replaced the old one a year or so ago).  Much higher and a bit wider now, plus with a sidewalk.
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  6. LSaupe added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Couldn't be happier
    Good Morning All:
    Just got down from a fabulous morning flight and some short field practice.
    I gotta say that I couldn't be happier with this plane. She performs magnificently in the air and on the ground.  Thanks again for all the help and feedback putting her together (and some of the mod suggestions). {First flight was October 21st, and now have 10 hours on her}.
    In a nutshell, she is a 582 Model III, with a wide body kit, Model IV doors, Model IV Rudder and Vertical Stab, lengthened elevator, Highwing LLC bush gear and Matco 8" tailwheel.  Can't think of one thing I don't like on her (well, maybe the rudder/brake pedals, but we are working on that thanks to Doug H.).
    Larry S.



     
     
     
    • 4 replies
    • 568 views


  7. LSaupe added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Airspeed Cross Check
    I installed a Hall Airspeed indicator on the Kitfox today; to check my real airspeed indicator. These are a quick install, handy device, and very accurate.  Just clip on and go.  These were the defacto standard during my trike flying days.  It showed me to be about 5 MPH low on my real gauge (as I had anticipated based on the anticipated performance numbers and GPS cross checks).  
    • 1 reply
    • 637 views


  8. LSaupe added a post in a topic KF-3 in the Bay Area   

    My Model III came in at 566 lbs. Pretty darn close to the factory call out spec of 560 for the 582.  The website number of 460 is way off the mark for some reason.  Might be a typo with a 4 vs 5.
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  9. LSaupe added a post in a topic Lift Strut Fairlings   

    Good point.  I checked my model III build manual and they show fairings as optional.  The model III has 7/8". 
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  10. LSaupe added a post in a topic Lift Strut Fairlings   

    Checked with the U-Fly it folks and looks like they have some options there.  One snag is that I have 7/8" OD struts (small for what Kitfox sells).
    Shying from wood do to the labor involved (real or perceived).  From what I can tell, you need to shape them, then glue on, cover, and go through the painting process, which would most likely require pulling the struts off the bird (which I don't want to do right now).  Goal would be to fit, remove, paint and install.  Hopefully there is something out there like that.
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  11. LSaupe added a post in a topic Classic IV Restoration   

    Love the turtle deck
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  12. LSaupe added a topic in Kitfox III   

    Lift Strut Fairlings
    Anyone know a good source for lift strut fairings?  This is for a Kitfox Model III (will need to verify the tube dia).  Preferably plastic vice wood.
    Also, anyone done some good comparisons in speed between faired vs unfaired?  I think I heard mention of 5-10 MPH somewhere
    • 11 replies
    • 1,385 views


  13. LSaupe added a post in a topic Pitot Tubes and accuracy in Kitfox   

    Thanks Doug.
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  14. LSaupe added a topic in Kitfox III   

    Pitot Tubes and accuracy in Kitfox
    Looking for some feedback on where you guys are running your Pitot tubes (in relation to the wing) and also if you are using any sort of static ports.
    I have the stock Kitfox III location (where it exits the bottom of the wing anyway), the tube sensing opening is about 1" aft of the leading edge and about 4" below the wing.
    I am also not running a static port, just an orificed plastic plug in the back of the instrument. 
    • 3 replies
    • 1,193 views


  15. LSaupe added a post in a topic Model III Rudder Pedal Mod   

    Hey All:
     
    I know this is an old post, but I find myself in a similar situation where these C style brakes are tough to keep my feet off of, especially my right foot, as it (my foot) inadvertently drifts to the side a bit and snags the vertical portion of the "C".
    Have there been any further updates on good fixes like this?  Doug, any chance you still have a set of drawings laying around you might be willing to part with??
     
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  16. LSaupe added a post in a topic Classic IV Restoration   

    Wow, what a transformation.  Looks great!
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  17. LSaupe added a post in a topic Making the transition   

    Thanks guys!!
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  18. LSaupe added a post in a topic Tiny Tach Setting   

    Mine showed roughly 300 RPM difference across the board (the OEM tach indicating 300 RPM higher than the Tiny Tach).
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  19. LSaupe added a topic in Kitfox III   

    Capacitors, do you need them with a battery in the system?
    Troubleshooting an unfortunate loss of charging power.  Always something I guess.  I see in the circuit a capacitor on the high side of the regulator (+) (I am using a Key West regulator).
    Is this needed in a system with a battery and/or when using a Key West regulator?   Or... have any of you ran into problems with one installed?  Doubt it would have anything to do with my charging circuit, but thought I would ask.  I dont see them in use for systems with a battery via the following description:
    http://www.challengers101.com/RotaxChargeSys.html
    Going to check AC voltage (as a function of RPM) on the high side first, and then go from there.  Just odd that one day I have 13.8 Volts, then the next, just battery voltage (12.4).
     
     
    • 1 reply
    • 850 views


  20. LSaupe added a post in a topic Making the transition   

    Was out this AM, with much better luck.  Picked a point on top of the dash to align runway with.  Used it on take off, though don't recall looking at it on landing (landing went well). Hopefully the next go will go just as good.
    Thanks for all the great feedback!
    Larry 
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  21. LSaupe added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Making the transition
    Have any of you had problems making a transition into side-by-side seating and also the round cowl of the Kitfox?
    I am used to flying a tandem tail dragger with the throttle on the left and flying with my right hand.
    Transitioning to left stick, right throttle, round cowl and not sitting on the centerline makes things challenging at times.
    For some reason I keep thinking my left wing is low (went it is not, maybe an unconscious response to the round cowl?)
    Have any of you experienced this before?  If so, how long did it take to get comfortable in the configuration?
    Larry
     
     
     
     
    • 17 replies
    • 1,378 views


  22. LSaupe added a post in a topic Tiny Tach Setting   

    Thanks.  It is a back-up to the original tach.  Want to do a cross check.
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  23. LSaupe added a topic in Rotax and other engines   

    Tiny Tach Setting
    Anyone know the Tiny Tach crank setting for a 582?  180 Degrees maybe?
    • 11 replies
    • 3,738 views


  24. LSaupe added a topic in Two Strokes   

    Crank Degree Setting for Tiny Tach
    Going to install a Tiny Tach to check RPM.  Anyone know the crank degree setting by chance?  I am thinking 180 (fires twice per revolution, near BTC and TDC?
    • 0 replies
    • 587 views


  25. LSaupe added a post in a topic Tail wheel size   

    I am using an 8" Matco pnuematic and love it.  Primarily using on grass strips.
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