LSaupe

Here is a quick shot with fairings and the new prop.  Does change her look somewhat.

O.K.  got myself into a increasing (in amplitude) bounce last week.  Very unsettling.  Bounced three times before it settled down. Other than punch it and get out of dodge (go-around), I have been successful in the past with just leveling off a bit and letting it settle back down (sometimes adding power).  In this case she just wanted to keep the cycle going.

Any of you run across this before and have any words of wisdom?  

Not sure if any of you have seen or are using the new line of instruments from BELITE, so thought I would pass this along.  Just ordered an AOA sensor with radiant display.  Nice looking instrument sets available and very light.  I don't have any other info as to how they have been performing though in the real world.  Once I get mine up and running I will pass along some feedback.

http://www.beliteaircraftstore.com/radiant-instruments/

I know of at least two people who got there PPL in that bird.  Very solid flyer.

Isnt this the bird that used to be at Edinburg, NY (1F2)?  If I recall correctly this was a Speedster?   Quality of construction was real nice back then (also when it changed from a 582 to the HKS).

A bird registered as ELSA vice EAB has transferrable intrinsic "value" as the new owner (other than the builder) can also sign off his/her annual inspections by taking the 16 hour course.  Each new subsequent owner of that bird can the do same thing.  EAB, only the builder or an A&P can sign off the annual condition inspection.

Wow, that looks fantastic!

I hear ya on the paper maps, always have some with me. My wife and I are extremes on this.  I am a paper and compass guy and she is very much ingrained in using GPS as primary.

I have noticed, however, it tougher and tougher to find paper automotive maps at gas stations etc.  Hopefully the air maps will be around for a good long time.

Any of you have a rule of thumb for IVO prop adjustment with a 2 stroke (like 1 turn = 250 RPM or something like that)?

Very odd one here.  With no adjustment (i.e. neutral), I am just a touch low on static RPM (6050).  Cruise speed (vs RPM) and smoothness was great however.

To get my last little bit of static RPM I decided to decrease the pitch a touch, by rotating the adjuster 1/4 CCW (once the slop was taken up).  I got a slight bump in RPM (like 75, to 6125) however lost 5 MPH in cruise speed and engine water temps increased.  Also a bit rougher than before (vibration).  Almost like one or more of the blades didnt follow along with the others (but I could be wrong here).  Will check with a protractor on the next trip to the hanger.

Anyone run across this before?

You can register EAB even though it meets the Light Sport Criteria.  If you are the builder, that is the only way you can do your annual condition inspection (unless it is registered as ELSA& you have the course, vice EAB).

68" 3 blade GSC

Thanks for posting Doug.  Amazing it came in that light.  Hard to believe I would have over 100 lbs of extra stuff (I was guessing maybe 20 lbs worth).  Using lightweight fabric and just enough coats etc.

I know the Model III had larger tail surfaces than the II.  Didnt they also go from three rudder mount points to four from II to III?

Yes, but need to use real weight for actual flying.  Max is max right?  570 lbs empty, plus 200 lbs each person (person plus clothes and shoes, headset etc), plus 12 gallons fuel puts us as 1042.  My point is that I have also considered a 912 conversion but just don't have the slop in weight to do it realistically.  Would love 24 gallons of fuel vice the 12 but just not enough weight gap there to make it practical (plus I do like to have "some" safety factor on weight and not always operating at the edge of things).

My empty weight is 570 lbs with a 582, however I have added bush gear, larger tail-wheel, larger (rudder, vertical stab & elevator), elevator trim, PVC strut fairings and wide body kit.  Avg Model III empty weight is listed as 550 lbs per the Kitfox Pilots Guide (by Ed Downs).  Doug do you recall the empty weight of your Model III?

How was the event, given the rain and wind, did you still have it?

Installed and tested a 68" 3 blade IVO this morning.  Improvements in performance across the board.  To include an addition 3 MPH cruise. Most noticeable is the decrease in vibration at lower RPM.  Very Smooth prop!

Watch your gross weight with a 4 stroke.  With my Model III, 582 and two 6 gallon tanks I am pretty much maxed out (max gross) with two adults and a full fuel load. 

Would love to have attended if i didnt have an obligation this weekend.   Hopefully next year if you have it!  Good luck with you event and post some pics if you can.

Great flight this AM.  Noticeable improvement.  Not quite 10 MPH at cruise, but a solid 8.  This is a Model III with undercamber wings.  Previous cruise was 75 MPH indicated.  New cruise is about 83 mph (@5700 RPM).  Installing an IVO in place of my GSC on Friday and hope to squeeze a few more out of it.

Most noticeable is the slower flight power required (several hundred RPM lower for a given airspeed ~ 60 MPH).  Better glide as well (a bit tougher to get a decent sink rate on approach).  Might need to start using flaps now :o)

Great info, thanks!

Looks like it will soon be that time of year again.

By chance, do any of you have a plumbing schematic for the Kitfox heater?  I have a core and blower(only), just need to plumb in the rest.  My hope is to get away with a single ball valve, on the inlet to the heater core and two "T" connections to connect to the main coolant hot and cold lines to make the parallel circuit.

May consider a 3 way valve if the pressure drop was low.

Anyone using one now and have any feedback?

Thought I would check back on this.  The install when great (I left the clamps loose but marked the locations).  Going to do a functional check flight this AM is get a good look at the numbers.  Hopefully I can report back with a respectable delta.

My prop just shipped. Right at 8 weeks.

Great feedback.  Thanks All.