Activity Stream

Activity Stream



  1. akflyer added a post in a topic Hey Leni   

    see that shit, even the heli cant handle the power of the cat!     Sweet deal he was experienced enough to do an auto!  I have only done them on my RC heli's one out of 4 times when I lost a tail rotor.. Took me a few to figure that trick out!  The other one you can do is a running landing if you are already in forward motion.
     

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  2. Tree top pilot added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Material for making ribs ?
    Hey guys I have a new friend {Dan Tanner} that has found me and is seeking help with a basket case he bought. He picked up a Kitfoxlite2 that has been abused a lot and needs to build new wings. After talking a bit and looking at pix our wings are very similar. He wants to make a new ribs and wanted to know where to get the wood. Dan said the people at Kit fox had the ribs in stock at a premium.  After looking at my wings we couldn't figure out what kind of plywood was used to make my ribs. Marine ply?  They show 5 very distinct plys under the epoxy sealer. He said Mr. Kit fox told him that was not aircraft plywood as it needed to have 10 or 12 plys for 1/4" or it would not be strong enough. We looked at ACSpruce has the material - over $200 of wood just to get enough material. Is it worth it?  Dan has in-laws with CNC router tools to make the parts. We are wondering what else is out there...I told him to try Airdale but that didn't work. I told him to sign up here as there is a great bunch of guys and lots to learn.
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  3. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Hey Leni   

    Tail rotor departed the Heli! Successful shut down and auto. Flattened the gear but it didn't tip over.
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  4. EDMO added a post in a topic Superflite revisited   

    Part of my schooling was a trip to the tie-down parking on Merrill Field, which is right next to UAA Aviation, and to look at a plane which looked great from a distance, but up close it was a lot of cracked paint, from putting on the paint too thick.
    EDMO
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  5. EDMO added a post in a topic FLAPERON BUSHINGS   

    Robert,
          I know that one of my manuals (Avid Magnum or Kitfox 1,4,5) shows a small (1/8 -3/16) hole in the rear top of the round metal part of the flaperon hinge, with instructions to use this to oil bushing when needed. 
          I should have realized by this that the hinge rotates on the bushing - Duh! 
    Guess I've had too many other things to think about.  Trying to get my flap / aileron design worked out now.
    Thanks for the info.
    EDMO
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  6. akflyer added a post in a topic WTB: MkIV   

    I second the tail dragger training.  I did all my initial training in a TD and wouldn't have wanted it any other way.  If you start in a nose dragger cessna, then you get into the Avid or KF, it will be starting over at ground zero for the most part.  As you know, 90% of the cost of getting your ticket will be in aircraft rental.  You are money ahead to buy your own plane then learn to fly in it.  Paying a good instructor is a lot cheaper than renting the plane and instructor and you will be way ahead on several levels by doing it in your own plane.  The planes hold value pretty well, so unless you wad it up, if you decide its not your bag, you can get most if not all your money back out of the plane.
     

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  7. akflyer added a post in a topic Hey Leni   

    Crash due to engine failure or pilot error??
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  8. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Hey Leni   

    (That heli crashed yesterday. No injuries.)
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  9. High Country added a post in a topic FLAPERON BUSHINGS   

    Ed, the nylon bushings are pressed onto the aluminum flaperon spar then the hinge rotates around the bushing. I've thought it would be beneficial to drill a small hole in the hinge so you could shoot some lube in there and rotate it up and down from time to time just to keep them moving real nice. I know mine are pretty stiff and i'm not to sure how to fix them.
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  10. John in Ontario added a post in a topic WTB: MkIV   

    I fully expect it to be a very long road before I can solo, and that's just fine. It's all part of the process and the fun. I would appreciate it if you guys keep your eyes open if something comes available.
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  11. RDavidson added a post in a topic Superflite revisited   

    I finally started painting and was surprised to see that the Superflite System 7 primer/UV Block was white. I guess I was expecting silver. However, it sprayed on smoothly and is looking good! The directions have me putting on 2 coats of primer and sanding between coats. I'm excited to see the topcoat go on!
    My spray booth is working great and I think I have finally figured out my spray gun (better knock on wood)

    Well, got to get back to it!
    Ron

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  12. EDMO added a topic in Technical tasks   

    FLAPERON BUSHINGS
    This may sound like a silly question, but I would have to take two wings off of the wall to get up high and look at the flaperon hanging there.   
    Concerning the nylon bushings in the flaperon hinges - does the hinge rotate around the bushing, or is the bushing a press fit in the hinge and rotates on the flaperon control tube?
    Thanks,
    EDMO
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
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  13. IFMT added a post in a topic WTB: MkIV   

    I say start in a taildragger and don't even get in a nose dragger. If you are nimble on the feet you won't have a problem. Take the cam off the tailwheel so it can't caster. This makes a world of difference in a MK4. Get some good lessons though. If you start in something a little more docile but still a taildragger you won't be totally shocked when you get into an Avid. 
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  14. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic WTB: MkIV   

    Sounds like you know you like it, so I say go for it.  You know how it is, everyone looks up at the sky and wishes they could be up there, but some find out that they aren't really cut out for it once they do it a bit.  I had a guy who flew with me a lot in my Avids and probably got about 30 -35 hrs flying the plane before his first "official" lesson.  He landed the plane on the first flight with the CFI.   He got his license in  a 172 and has since got his tailwheel endorsement and is now part owner in an Aeronca Chief..  I would say he is "hooked"  sounds like you might be in a similar situation.  Chase those dreams while you can!   If I see something worth getting, I'll pass it on.  Jim Chuk
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  15. John in Ontario added a post in a topic WTB: MkIV   

    The question of Avid vs Kitfox is not a big deal for me, but the cost of a decent KFIV is definitely beyond what my wife will tolerate. I think the MKIV is a nice balance of cost and functionality. As always, if the wife isn't happy, it doesn't matter how good a deal it is, nobody will win..

    John
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  16. John in Ontario added a post in a topic WTB: MkIV   

    Thanks for the input with respect to flight time and tail draggers. I have the good fortune of having an experienced pilot friend with a Rans courier tail dragger and he has provided lots of informal training. I'm not suggesting that I am ready for this, far from it, but I have a good hands on pilot to co-pilot with me long after my for Al training has finished.

    It's very likely that I will start training in a local tricycle gear and move to my own plane when I have more skills and confidence. My objective at this point is to acquire the plane that I will ultimately fly so that a component of my training can be in my own plane.

    john
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  17. C5Engineer added a post in a topic Airventure 2014   

    Had our BBQ tonite. It was great to finally meet everyone in person! Thanks Larry for Hosting. Just finished watching the Valdez STOL masters play on the ultralight field for an hour. If you've never been to Osh GO! It is absolutely amazing!
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  18. EDMO added a post in a topic WTB: MkIV   

    Again,  I agree with both Jim and Chris - but, let me add:  You may want your first flight time to be in a nose-dragger.  You have enough learning to do without fighting a ground-looping tail-dragger.   No need to stub your toe while banging your head! 
         Then, when you get old and tired of fighting the tailwheels, you can convert back to nose-dragger and relax on landings!
    Oh, but I am so glad I got that old!  Ha!
    EDMO 
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  19. EDMO added a post in a topic Gas tanks again   

    The body of my tank is 31 3/4 across, and the lip on top is 34 - no lip on bottom. 
    distance between ribcaps is about 34 1/2. 
    You may have to add a root rib.  If you add a root rib, then you need to put 4 or more wood braces epoxied between root rib and gas tank to keep fabric from bending root rib.  I used short, about 3/4 diameter, wood dowels.  Kitfox says to wait until your wing is assembled to the fuselage before locating the root rib against the butt rib.
    Hope this helps.
    EDMO
         I wonder if it would work to coat the OUTSIDE of the tank with vinylester???
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  20. birddog486 added a post in a topic Gas tanks again   

    Thanks Guys. This wasn't caused by any gas coming from the cap. I wish I could have been that lucky. The paint is pretty tough and seems to resist any staining from gas, Its the primer that is causing the problem from the inside. The paint is very flexible and its just streching as the primer swells. I've got a small fan blowing through the wing but as of now it's not looking good.
     
    The Avid wing is built without a rib to the inboard side of the tank, The tank itself butts up to the butt rib. How wide are the Kitfox tanks between the ribs?
     
    Ed, I cut the tops out of these tanks and reseald them with vinyl ester resin before I put them in the wings. Obviously these early tanks were not a quality product and just trying to bandaid them bit me. I should have bit the bullet and bought the newer Kitfox tanks at that time so I would have only had to cover and paint the wings once.
     
    The stewarts said that AV gas will not do this to the primer, only car gas and It doesn't matter if its ethanol free. I've been really carefull to test the gas for ethanol and theres been none in these tanks.
     
     
    Travis
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  21. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic WTB: MkIV   

    Not wanting to put a damper on your plans, but if you don't have any hours, I would suggest you start getting some flight lessons, even just a couple perhaps, to make sure you really want to do this.  While I can't imagine anyone not wanting to fly, ) some  realize it's not for them once they get into it.  As far as Avids verses Kitfoxes, the Kitfox 2 has a gross weight of 950, the kitfox 3 is 1050, and the Avid MK IV heavy hauler is at 1150.  Avids have 2' less wingspan, so they take a bit more distance to get off the ground, but are slightly faster than the Kitfoxs. (with same engine, ect.)   If you get into a Kitfox 4, that has a different wing profile and is probably a better all around plane then the earlier Kitfoxes and Avids, but you will pay more for it as well.  Get a bit of flight time, and then if you still want to, follow your dream!  Jim Chuk
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  22. EDMO added a post in a topic WTB: MkIV   

    John,
          I think the closest to you would be our Doug Holly on here - He lives in outstate New York and has several planes, and is usually well informed about what is on the market in your area.   Maybe you can contact him on here after he gets back from Oshkosh.
          I agree with what ChrisB wrote above.
    EDMO
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  23. Guest added a post in a topic WTB: MkIV   

    Welcome and all the best in your search! Avids are great planes. Also Consider similar Kitfoxes as for all practical considerations they are the same plane.
    On the Avids i would recommend the Under camber wing for its low stall speed, although many love the speed wing for its faster cruise.
     
    I would also recommend that you try to locate a plane (Avid or kitfox) whose airframe is capable of supporting both Tail wheel and Tricycle configurations. Should you ever want to change from what you buy initially to the other. Reason is some don't like TW after they get a taste and want trike. Others have trike and want to convert to TW. With the right airframe you can do either.
     
    ChrisB
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  24. John in Ontario added a topic in For Sale and wanted, you got it, I want it   

    WTB: MkIV
    Hi all, 
     
    Well after kicking the tires for a few years I have finally convinced my wife to let me get a small plane and licence.  I am a true "newbie" with zero hours.
     
    I am looking for a simple, well built MKIV (or equivalent) with a rotax 582 (I know 2-stroke motors pretty well and I can't afford a 912).
     
    I live in Southwestern Ontario (about an hour from Buffalo), so anything within 8-10 hour drive would be ideal, but willing to go a little further for the right plane.  I have been trolling on Barnstormers, but if any pending plane sales are out there, let me know.
     
    The plane must be registered and currently flying.
     
    john
     
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  25. EDMO added a post in a topic Gas tanks again   

    It may be that coming from the inside is more harmful than a little spill on the outside of the urethane paint - looks like the primer was the weak part.
    Travis,  Is there a possibility of just cutting a hole where the leak is and repairing it?  If it is a pinhole, maybe drill and put some epoxy to close it?
    EDMO
    I measured two different wings - distance between spars is 25 inches.
    Tank measures somewhere between 24 3/4 and 24 7/8 at narrowest place.
    Posting 2 photos, I hope.  You can see that the curved part is in the front - You drop this onto the spar first.
    Disregard the ridges you see on the front curve next to the tape measure - that is old caulk.
    ED 


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