Activity Stream

Activity Stream



  1. akflyer added a post in a topic Looking for info on landing gear options   

    I'm guess your an engineer?    you be way over thinking this one.  If your gear springs enough to get the prop, your going to have much larger issues to worry about because I would bet the rest of the fuse is going to be piled on top of you in a big smoking hole in the ground.  Short of the gear actually folding, chances are the only way your ever going to get a prop strike if by braking too hard and putting it on its nose... unless you do A LOT to upgrade your brakes, this WILL NEVER HAPPEN even if you try to push your feet through the firewall.
     

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  2. akflyer added a post in a topic best battery for NO electric start   

    http://www.crazedpilot.com/2-4lb-aircraft-battery-for-rotax-912-912uls-lithium-iron-phosphate-like-aerovoltz-only-cheaper/
     
    http://www.uflyit.com/new_page_57.htm
     
    I would go for one of the lithiums if I was going to be building light.  I am going to see how the EarthX battery works out for Randy and will probably be going that route, but I want amperage for cold starts here when its -30. 
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  3. 1avidflyer added a post in a topic Norman building an ultralight   

    I wonder if he can fly it with that small of an engine.  11 HP I think it was.  My other thought was there are lots of nice proven designs that a first time builder might be better advised to build.  Himax and Minimax come to mind.  Course I put about 150 hrs on a Himax so maybe I'm prejudiced.  Jim Chuk
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  4. High Country added a post in a topic Norman building an ultralight   

    at least he's chasing his dream I guess. is that a broken off spark plug at the end of the first video. hope he has dual ignition
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  5. Luked added a post in a topic Looking for info on landing gear options   

    Good information. Thanks again. That makes sense now that I remembered to account for the bungee pre-load. I figured something wasn't right because I'm drawing it with the wider and taller gear, and I'm sure plenty of stock Avids have 72" props with no clearance issues.
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  6. High Country added a post in a topic Tail skid needed   

    can't help with the tail spring but would recommend if you have any local metal recyclers in your area the ones around here have a section of good used metal that they sell for scrap prices back to you. if so you can probably find what you need for a buck or so. small enough piece and they will probably just give it to you. 
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  7. High Country added a post in a topic Fuel tube between header tanks aka flux capacitor!   

    or just eliminate one and go back to the original plumbing design.  I'll 2nd leni on on the heat gun I've used this technique several times and it works great
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  8. High Country added a topic in Avid and Kitfox parts Suppliers   

    best battery for NO electric start
    I was originally planning not to have a battery at all but with my MGL engine monitor I need one now, guess it will be good for the radio and gps as well, anyways what would be the best bang for the buck and keeping the weight down. I'm currently running a 532 but will eventually upgrade to the 582 in a year or so but still plan to keep the pull start. I was considering this one http://www.crazedpilot.com/8oz-12volt-life-lithium-battery-for-aircraft-with-no-electrical-systems-for-lighting-radios-and-more/%C2'> but not to sure about the lithium and can I just charge it off the engine rather than having to plug it in after use? any other better options I should consider without breaking the bank?
     
    -Robert-
    • 23 replies
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  9. eatwildgame added a post in a topic Model 2 Kitfox for sale   

    Nice looking airplane.
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  10. akflyer added a post in a topic Fuel tube between header tanks aka flux capacitor!   

    I don't like the upward runs in it.  It does add to the possibility of trapping air, but I would not say for certain that it would be detrimental.  As far as hysol.. a heat gun will soften it right up and let you take it apart.  Twin header tanks.. I have not seen that before.  I wonder if he was just going to the extra 15 minutes worth of fuel capacity  
     
    Did he have them run that way to clear the flaperon push tubes when the wings are folded out?  That is the only reason I can think of to have them in that configuration. 
     
    I would have 45 down then 45 back to the straight run for the tee.
     

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  11. RDavidson added a topic in Avid Flyer General Hangar   

    Fuel tube between header tanks aka flux capacitor!
    I think my previous owner purchased a tubing bender for the first time and decided to get really fancy! Problem is, I think the upward bends could be a really great way to get air trapped in the lines. The 45 degree fittings should be pointed down shouldn't they?
    The PO was also kind enough to Hysol the fittings in place for me. what can I use to get the fitting out? Acetone?

    Thanks,
    Ron
    • 10 replies
    • 1,138 views


  12. akflyer added a post in a topic The 180.. saving a ramp mummy   

    The bad part is I have seen the results of QUALITY work coming out of his shop.. did he have a bad day?  a bad week?  Too old to hold the bucking bars anymore?  eye sight going south?  Its kinda hard for me to kick an old man who was once a master of his trade... I too will get old one day. 
     
    The flip side is, the man took our money and for what it costs, it should be done right.  That said, I am not sure how this cookie is gonna end up crumbling.
     

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  13. akflyer added a post in a topic Summer Shoes   

    Yeah it was a weird winter for sure!  We did not get the cold temps that we normally do, and we got more rain than snow this winter.  It is going to be an interesting fire season for sure here.
     

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  14. akflyer added a post in a topic Looking for info on landing gear options   

    If you get 2" of gear deflection your doing pretty good.  Those bungees are stretched out pretty good when installed.  I have hit plenty hard with my 72" prop and never even came close to a strike.  At gross I may have a max of .5" sag, but I like to keep the sag out of it as saggin gear looks about as dumb as saggy pants on half the kids these days
     

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  15. marksires added a post in a topic Summer Shoes   

    Apparently it all came to the midwest this year.  I remember one day in January I was in Chicago for a meeting.  It was -18f actual when I left the hotel to walk the 1/2 mile to the meeting.  After I thawed out a bit, I thought I'd make myself feel better by looking up the weather in Fairbanks, since it was always cold there.  It was +34 degrees at that time - 52 degrees warmer than Chicago!
    Mark
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  16. wolves200 added a topic in Hangar Talk   

    Norman building an ultralight
    Don´t know if he is bluffing, but his workmanship it´s not so bad and the design he came up with is also looking ok.... not bad for a backyard inventor or eyeballing the plane...
     
    wonder about stress in that fuselage and wings though!
     
     

     

     

     
     
     
    Regards
    Dimi3
     
    • 28 replies
    • 5,918 views


  17. birddog486 added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar   

    Tail skid needed
    Does anyone have an old tail spring laying around for an avid they would let go cheap?
     
    I need to put something on the tail of my Tri gear and I'm thinking this would work the best.
     
    Travis
    • 7 replies
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  18. Luked added a post in a topic Looking for info on landing gear options   

    Well, I'm still working out the details on my bungee truss and extended landing gear. To do it, I need some information about the gear geometry and movement. I made a simple diagram to figure this out. It looks like the prop could dig into the dirt by a little over an inch if the bungees are fully extended, and the tires deflect a fair amount (this isn't even a flat tire situation).
     
    I may be using some bad numbers though. I can't find my construction manual (must have left it at the shop), and I can't download the one posted here because I get an error when I open it. So, I don't know the measurement for the safety cables. I tested some old aircraft quality bungee cord I have, and got about 57% stretch. That's what I'm using to determine full gear travel (I assume the safety should allow pretty close to full stretch). Anyone have the safety cable dimensions off the top of their head? I'd really appreciate it.
     
    Thanks
    Luke D.
     
    Edit: I just realized my dumb mistake. I forgot to factor the amount the bungee is already stretched when installed. This will reduce the travel quite a bit. So, I guess a better question would be what is a normal or acceptable amount of bungee sag (the plane just sitting) at gross weight?
     
     
    Other assumptions:
     
    - 72" prop
    - crank centered 7" below top motor mount bolts
    - tires are my stock tires that came with my kit
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  19. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Summer Shoes   

    Same here, Doug.
     
    IF we get any good weather, I'm so far behind on home chores, I'll never get to the airport to work on the plane(s), anyway.
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  20. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic The 180.. saving a ramp mummy   

    When you take them back to the SOB, I'd like to see the photos of him eating them...
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  21. Tree top pilot added a post in a topic Hysol info   

    One thing I have learned is that mistakes/ accidents happen. If you need to un-bond a junction using Hysol 9460.... here is what I have found. The glass transition temperature of 9460 is near 160 deg. F......so with careful monitoring of temps....you should be able to un-bond a glue joint on most parts. Seeing as T-6061 has a problem with losing some temper near or above 320 deg. F for more than a few minutes.....one should be able to take a wing apart with no problems. Reason being is that I am helping with a spar replacement on a Kitfox . Jason was worried about the drag tubes getting heat through the attach bracket....and then the metallurgical books and Alcoa documents reading began. Man what a job. Just thought I would pass along the info we have gathered in a nutshell.
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  22. dholly added a post in a topic Summer Shoes   

    Well enjoy when you can, our Wx has been crap so far. Yesterday I went and hooked up the E-1 tach but it was so damn windy I didn't even bother to pull it out of the hanger for a test run. I have never seen so many full sock days here and they always seem to be direct x-wind to the runway. Ugh.
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  23. dholly added a post in a topic Rotax 912UL - REVISED Service Bulletin SB-912-063 UL Revision 2   

    I did try to jigger something up out of the tool chest but couldn't come up with the right combo. Good tip re: the SkiDoo tool kit, thanks. FWIW, my Yamaha xt600 tool kit has everything but an 11mm. I'm just gonna go have the airport mechanic do it, I hate to go this route because he and the FBO owner ALWAYS give E-AB guys shit and I'm sure payback will be a bitch!
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  24. akflyer added a post in a topic Airdale wide gear.   

    http://www.avidfoxflyers.com/index.php?/topic/1153-gear-leg-safety-cable/?p=6853
     
    This shows where the gear legs tend to break right at the toe of the weld where the diagonal comes in and the bungees are wrapped around it.  I ground off the tab on the end of the cross tube the bungees wrap around and slid another tube inside a couple inches past that weld zone, then welded the tab back on. 
     
    I looked at both the failed gear legs that were on mine, and at the one on my brothers kitfox and they all broke at this same point.  I make it  part of my pre-flight to look at this area to make sure there are no visible signs of cracking.  I also moved the safety cable as shown on the drawing to assure that if / when it does break, the cable will still be useful.  The cable at the stock location does nothing for you when the gear breaks at that weld.
     

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  25. akflyer added a post in a topic Airdale wide gear.   

    I have it on my plane and have beat the crap out of it.  One thing I did do.. My plane was on its back twice before I got it do to the stock gear folding up.  I got to take that trip in my brothers kitfox as well (he was flying I was just along for the ride).  I will dig up the thread on how I reinforced the gear leg to get away from the cracking issues (I hope).  I would not hesitate to go with the wide gear, but I thought it was standard on the MK IV..
     

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