LSaupe

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Everything posted by LSaupe



  1. LSaupe added a topic in Kitfox III   

    ELT Recommendations
    Getting ready to install an ELT prior to the AW inspection.  Just looking for functional and low cost, preferrably without needing to add an external ant.  Just need to check the box.
     
    Any thoughts?
     
    Possibly this one, thought it looks like it needs a permanent external ANT installed?  If so, can the antenna stay within the confines of the fuselage?
     
    http://store.leadingedgeairfoils.com/product_info.php?products_id=6469
    • 21 replies
    • 3,475 views


  2. LSaupe added a topic in Kitfox III   

    Washers- Lift Strut to Wing Spar Attach Bracket
    Quick question:
     
    My Model III build manual (Fig W-28) instructs to add AN960-816L washers to either side of the ball joint.  I was anticipating something that mate with the  An4-13 A bolt (1/4" vice 1/2").
     
    Is the washer listed correct?  If so, this must slip over the ball bolt boss then?
     
    Larry S.
    • 8 replies
    • 1,544 views


  3. LSaupe added a post in a topic Relative position of flaperons to wing   

    Hi Doug and Ed:
     
    Yep, the wings were not mounted and folded prior to covering and painting the fuselage.  Actually, it wasnt even a consideration (didnt realize it was a concern).  Just assumed things would go together well (which they had up to this point).  This is my first rodeo so to speak, so much to learn in that department.  I did work with several local builders on this project, however, (none of them with Kitfox/Avid experience) and the topic never came up.
     
    I do appreciate the concerns over any mods, and believe me, I am very cognizant of those concerns as well and what performance effects might be out there as a result.   Any changes would be very measured and as minimal in nature as possible.  Hopefully I can rig my way out.
     
    I have seen a few instances on a Google search where others have had the same binding problems with attempts to use flaps on the earlier Kitfox's.  Maybe a case of tolerances stacking up?  Who knows.  Will get a chance to play again next weekend and sharpen the pencil a bit.
     
    Larry
    • 1


  4. LSaupe added a post in a topic Relative position of flaperons to wing   

    Hi Jim:
     
    The original holes are predrilled.  I did have some recently purchased/new HF3 ribs and they are in the same location.
     
    Gonna try the re-rig again when I get it out next week to see if I missed anything and will increase my gap to 1+3/4 vice 1" for the neutral setting and see what happens.
     
    If no joy will set the flaperons forward one hole and see how it affects slot distance and other things.  Hopefully something will turn up.  If they do go one hole forward I would need then to trim off the tails of the ribs as they would prevent folding the flaps vertical (rib contact on top of the flap).
     
    Or... I could live (maybe) without being able to use flaps or fold the wings.  Worst case scenario I guess.
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  5. LSaupe added a post in a topic Relative position of flaperons to wing   

    Is there any chance the Model I, II and III had different flap geometries?  Maybe in cord and/or bellcrank length?  Reaching at straws; in case I may have the wrong set of flaps here.
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  6. LSaupe added a post in a topic Relative position of flaperons to wing   

    Thanks Jim.  Actually, the aft holes are preset at the factory.  The flap hinge is then installed, the bracket rotated to 50 degrees, then the forward hole located/drilled.  A 90 degree rotation (or similar) on the control rod might help a great deal.  
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  7. LSaupe added a post in a topic Relative position of flaperons to wing   

    Fabulous stuff there Doug!  Thanks!  Time to do some more digging.
     
    Turtle deck slots and nylon bushings have not yet been cut/fit (which may turn out to be a positive in this case).  If need be, I can live without the folding clearance issue.  Seems like a dihedral change would be needed then might stress the root pins (maybe not).  Opening up the flap neutral position to 1 3/4" would definetly help.  Time to start verifying parts.
     
    Thanks again for taking the time out of your schedule.
     
    Larry
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  8. LSaupe added a post in a topic Relative position of flaperons to wing   

    Hi Ed:
     
    Actually moving to the center would make things worse and the green crossing tube (~ 45 degrees in the pic, lower right to upper left) is the issue.  Here is another shot which also shows the maximum amount of deflection at impact (which in this case is full left stick). Flaps at full up/rod down in this pic.  Or.. would you exepect to see any more deflection at full turn with flaps?  Probably tough to see in the image.
     
    Cant get the bird back out for about a week (lives in the garage right now, takes two to unfold plus would have to put the flaps back on).   Will shoot more when I can if a re-riiging check shows no improvement.
     

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  9. LSaupe added a post in a topic Relative position of flaperons to wing   

     
     
    Doug:
     
    Thanks for the complete and detailed info.  Much more provided there than the Kitfox III manual,  It really covers only about 1/3 of what you have there.  It includes the first 4 bullets you have there, and yes all were complied with.  The 5th bullet (flap stops), I see no reference for in the manual (or am I missing it)?  I have been contemplating how to make one (for both up and down limits).  Any ideas on what might work well?
     
    With the flaps set for CF-12, putting the stick to either the full left or right will allow no movement of the flap handle (I.e. no deployment allowed) before my FCT-25 part impacts the fuselage crossing tubes.  So, as long as I dont deploy flaps at all I can just get the motion I need.
     
    I will try again in a week and a half (Guard duty this weekend) to ensure I havent missed anything. 
     
    Thanks again for all the info on this.  I hear talk of flap setting of "neutral".  Is this the same as flaps up (control rod forward and down)?
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  10. LSaupe added a post in a topic Relative position of flaperons to wing   

    Ed:
     
    Image #2 shows the interference.  Gray push-pull tube hitting the bright green fuselage tube.  Same on both sides.  Happens when the flapersons go to a higher angle of attack such as during a turn and/or pulling on some flaps (basically when the bell crank is raised).  The aft-double tube portion hits the green tube.  Almost like the angle is too great on the flaperon bell crank (though it measures out fine) or maybe the flaperon bell crank arm is too short (though I have no dimensions to check againts).  Neither of which have bearing on the folding issue, which I can live with if I need to.
     
    Leonard:
     
    No wing forward sweep that I can see from the naked eye, and I sight right down the total leading and trailing edges the best I can.  Looks straight to me.
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  11. LSaupe added a post in a topic Relative position of flaperons to wing   

    Thanks Dusty.  Bearing will be next, but wanted to see where things fell out first amd make sure there were no issues (which there seems to be).
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  12. LSaupe added a post in a topic Relative position of flaperons to wing   

    Dusty:
     
    Yep it is a III.  My impression was that they should auto fold as a III but anticipated needing to disconnect if need be.
     
    Clearance isnt even close.  Need about another 1/4" or so to make the swing.  What is more concerning is the control rod interference with the fuselage.  Definetly cannot fly that way.
     
    Any chance one of you could check your position relative to my third image?
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  13. LSaupe added a post in a topic Relative position of flaperons to wing   

    Thanks Doug.  All those dimensions check out.  I did check those prior to avoid cycling you guys.
     
    Yep, I did disconnect prior to folding and only started the vertical motion until just prior to the final position.
     
    I gotta think the two issues are related somehow.
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  14. LSaupe added a post in a topic Engine run wings folded?   

    Perfect!  Thanks TCJ!
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  15. LSaupe added a topic in Kitfox III   

    Relative position of flaperons to wing
    Starting to sound like a broken record with all these posts.
     
    Installed the flaperons today only to find that I have interference issues when trying to add flaps or when trying to fold the wings.
     
    It almost behaves like the flaperons are too far back and down.  Leading edge will hit the fuselage tubing when trying to fold and; the main push-pull rods that connect to the bell crank of the flaperons hit the fuselage tubing at any reasonable deflection or when pulling in flaps.
     
    I cant find anything specific on this dimension.  Anyone else run across this issue?  If I try to use flaps the rods will bind against the fuselage, forget any aileron movement at that point for sure.  Locks up solid.  Same on both side of the plane.
     
    I did not do the initial install so unfortunately only have the old manual to go by.  Seems like there was a pre-placed pilot hole that must have been used.
     
    Do you guys see anything obvious?
     
    Flap hitting fuselage:
     

     
    Relation of bell crank in neutral flying position:
     

     
    Relation of hardware to trailing edge.
     

    • 46 replies
    • 9,547 views


  16. LSaupe added a post in a topic Engine run wings folded?   

    Great info as usual, many thanks!
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  17. LSaupe added a post in a topic Jury struts to lift struts (clamp)   

    Yep, that is was I was looking for, thanks Ed.  My manual had the words, but no images.
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  18. LSaupe added a topic in Kitfox III   

    Jury struts to lift struts (clamp)
    Is this a special clamp?  My bird is missing all four.  Is this a Adel type clamp?  If so, anyone have a source for these or know material?
    • 5 replies
    • 1,119 views


  19. LSaupe added a post in a topic Engine run wings folded?   

    Front and rear travel braces?  I have a set on the rear, but where do the forward ones attach?
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  20. LSaupe added a topic in Kitfox III   

    Engine run wings folded?
    I assume the answer is no, but has anyone done an engine run with the wings folded (low to medium power)?
     
    Want to do a quick check out (actually see if she starts and runs).  Wasn't sure if doing this folded was a real concern or not.
     
     
    • 13 replies
    • 1,596 views


  21. LSaupe added a post in a topic GSC Mounting on C box - 582   

    I do have the instructions.  A bit more involved than the Ivo I ran on my last bird.
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  22. LSaupe added a topic in Rotax and other engines   

    GSC Mounting on C box - 582
    Getttg ready to moount a GSC on a Rotax C box.  I see these come with mini torque studs that you locktite in place.
     
    That in effect then uses the only threaded holes I have.  I assume the actual mounting is then done with nuts on the back side?
     
    Seems that it would be tough to verify torque values given stiction of the nylocs (or is this not a concern)
     
    68" 3-blade GSC with 2.62 box.  Plan on starting at 14 degrees unless someone else has good experience with this setup.
    • 2 replies
    • 805 views


  23. LSaupe added a post in a topic setting the wings   

    Thanks all.  The snag here is that the holes were drilled prior to me aquiring the project.  Not known whether the wings were ever set up on the fuselage (I assume it must have been).  The  rod ends however were loose and not set.  Did my best to get the wings up in a no-stress mode for the root pins then put on the lift struts.  Think I am "close" but understand small deviations can have sometimes large effects.
     
    So... from that stand point, looking to do external checks to make sure are where they need to be. 
     

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  24. LSaupe added a post in a topic setting the wings   

    Thanks.  So... is 1 degree the correct dihedral setting?  Washout seeting I assume to be that specified during the build process? 
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  25. LSaupe added a topic in Kitfox III   

    setting the wings
    Installed the wings yesterday.  Now the question is, how to set orientation.  My manual (which I think is a partial manual) is silent with regard to verifying correct orientation (such as dihedral, verifying washout  and other cross check points).  Things went together suprisingly well, however, I do see that when folded that one wing tip is slighty higher than the other so know I have (or assume) some fiddling to do.
     
     
    Is there a measurent or rigging sheet/instructions to ensure I have everything dialed in correctly?
     
    Kitfox Model III.
     
    Many thanks,
     
    Larry
     
     
     
     
    • 7 replies
    • 1,836 views