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Luked added a post in a topic Luke's MK IV Project 8 Mar 2014

Here are some details about the engine I'm planning to use. It's a Continental A-65. I know this isn't the engine most people would choose for this plane, but I think it will be a good fit for what I'm planning to use the plane for. I will probably build it as an A-75, but even still, I expect performnce to be modest for an Avid. About like a J-3 with an A-65. Maybe my next Avid will be a STOL fire breather!

The engine I bought was kind of a gamble. It was cheap, and local, and it has the flanged crank shaft, but no logs. It was also missing all accessories, and the accessory case. The main thing I wanted was the crank. I'm planning to tear it down this week, and send the crank for inspection and have them do whatever needs to be done to it (assuming it's usable). I asked the seller if I could pay him half of what he was asking to start with, and pay him the the other half if the crank checks out. Fingers crossed. Here are the pictures.

Engine the way I brought it home.

Setting it on the stand

Parts to save

Parts to trash

Engine after I stripped off the cooling tins, and induction system

That's about it for now. Any comments of advice are welcome.

Thanks,
Luke D.

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amienoel added a post in a topic Avid flyer MK 4 for sale with extras! 8 Mar 2014

If you find it and it is the plane I have I would like to read it!

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akflyerbob added a post in a topic Finally got my Ivo front plate 8 Mar 2014

I know how you feel.
Between IVO and Aircraft Spruce, they can make you feel raped, plus freight.

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Luked added a topic in Avid Model IV 8 Mar 2014

Luke's MK IV Project

Well, here is a quick run down on my new to me Avid project. I bought it in January, but have not done anything on it yet. I actually have an ultralight project that I am planning to finish before diving into this one.

Fuselage:
The previous builder added some extra things that I'm planning to remove. Because of my engine plans, I will need to keep things as light as possible. Mostly it's just a lot of extra sheet metal in the baggage areas. An extra baggage area was also created farther back in the lower part of the tail. This kit also came with dual brakes. The previous builder did the tail stretch mod. I was told it was extended by 16". I was wondering if the plates welded into the tubing under the front of the seat are stock. You can see the stretched tail in the second picture.

Wings:
Not sure if I will use these wings or not. The previous builder had planned to have "convertible" wings so that they could be converted from speed wings to long wings and back again with a spar socket system. Each wing has 3 parts (wing, extension, and tip). After looking at the way this was done, I think the only way that I would use the existing wings is as speed wings. I would just attach the tips permenently to the short wings. It looks like the system adds quite a bit of extra weight, and there are a lot of extra pieces to connect together. I'd rather keep things simple, and go with a proven setup. Also, they have a very noticeable amount of washout. I measured it from one spar to the other, and it's 2" over the span of the 12' wing panel. Below are the wing panels, the tips, and the extensions.

Misc parts:
It looks like I've got most of the parts in various boxes. There is also a cowling that I don't have a picture of. I think I'll make my own. I've always wanted to design my own cowling from scratch.

The tail surfaces are all stock. I didn't get any pictures of them. That's pretty much what I'm starting with. I also bought an engine (sort of) last week. I'll do another post to get all the details on that.

26 replies
6,184 views

1avidflyer added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar 8 Mar 2014

Jabiru engine mount and cowl info needed

I can't find it, but a day or so ago, someone said they have a Jabiru motor mount for sale. A guy on the avid Yahoo groups just posted that he was looking for a Jab mount, and a cowl. I emailed him to look on this site for both. I have the # for the fiberglass outfit in Belgrade Montana that makes the cowls somewhere, but couldn't find it just now. Maybe someone can help the guy out. I think he is from France though.... Jim Chuk

3 replies
1,212 views

1avidflyer added a post in a topic Avid flyer MK 4 for sale with extras! 8 Mar 2014

My last MK IV didn't have the baggage door either, but had everything inside for it and you had to load it over the top. The builder just never put the door on, but covered over it. Serial 1045D so I'm sure it's a MK IV. Looks like a MK IV cowl to me, I had a Holman cowl on a B model I had and the windshield is a lot more sloped then what I think I'm seeing here. Interesting story about this plane, I remember seeing a picture of an Avid in either an old Experimenter or Sport Aviation magazine from about 1992 or so and it was listed then under completions. I'm sure it was the same plane. Kind of a distinctive paint scheme and it stuck in my head. Sometimes when I would see an old Avid or Kitfox, I would run the N # to see if it's still around. I think I did that with this one as well, but it's probably been a few years ago. Don't know if I want to spend 4 hours looking for that magazine just now though to see if I'm right. Jim Chuk

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horsepower added a post in a topic Finally got my Ivo front plate 8 Mar 2014

That sucks Joey,I was hoping they would make it right with you........

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horsepower added a post in a topic Murphy Rebel Elite 8 Mar 2014

Its just a two place hanger,probably would not be legal anywhere but here.Someone added on to one end,its the last hanger on the airport and then its a field where the Rebel is.My hanger is next to it but not much better,it is enclosed but just gravel on the floor.Price is right so I am not complaning.Randy

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C5Engineer added a topic in Avidfoxflyers General Hangar 8 Mar 2014

Finally got my Ivo front plate

Well after my package being lost a month and waiting on Ivo for another 2, I finally got a new knurled front plate and electric motor today along with a $437 bill!!! Going to install it tomorrow and see how the limits are.

7 replies
1,011 views

SuberAvid added a post in a topic Murphy Rebel Elite 8 Mar 2014

Interesting hangar design; is it 4 sided for 4 planes?

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akflyer added a post in a topic Those of you with dual wing tanks, lets talk plumbing to the header? 8 Mar 2014

if one is closed, it does not need to vent, it should be a closed system at that point. I flew a buddies MK IV and he had put a small valve coming off the top of the "spar" header tank and used clear tube to just loop around and out the belly. if in doubt open the valve and vent the header overboard then close it if there is not air in the line.

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allonsye added a post in a topic Avid flyer MK 4 for sale with extras! 8 Mar 2014

This is an interesting question.

This aircraft appears identical to mine. The sales invoice states "Avid HH". Dec 1992. Interestingly too the fuselage is not curved at the bottom but the tubes are straight. No baggage door. I can't figure out what it's supposed to be. Ser # is 955. It also has a Holman cowling.

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allonsye added a post in a topic Those of you with dual wing tanks, lets talk plumbing to the header? 8 Mar 2014

Thanks Lenny, good feedback. Yeah, I have the 'lil-o-piece of spar header tank in mine So you essentially have complied with the Kitfox Bulletin.

So, you're saying, the header will self-vent. To the lowest tank makes complete sense. So, it still vents out to the tank feeding if one is closed as well?

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akflyer added a post in a topic Murphy Rebel Elite 7 Mar 2014

One of the inspectors that used to work up here has one with an 0320 in it and he loves it! He has had supercubs, 180s etc, and he just absolutely loves flying his rebel. I was seriously looking into buying a kit when my avid came along. If you need 3 seats its a great bird.

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horsepower added a post in a topic Murphy Rebel Elite 7 Mar 2014

Took a few pics today of Docs Rebel,it was locked so the ones I took of panel and back seat didn't turn out .It hasn't been flown for awhile so a little dirty but you can see its a pretty nice bird.I think it has just barely got the 40 hours flown off of it.Randy

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akflyer added a post in a topic Those of you with dual wing tanks, lets talk plumbing to the header? 7 Mar 2014

My Avid came with the wing spar header tank (a short piece of the spar material was capped and ported for fuel in and out) but it was probly less than a quart in size. I put the poly header tank from kitfox behind my seat. 1 I like to see the fuel level and 2 it gives me an extra gallon of fuel. It will run me about 15 minutes if the fuel ceased to flow from the wings. in normal flight I only run one tank, but for take off and landing I always have both tanks on. I cant recall a time that I was so low on fuel that I was worried about the tank unporting even on a long decent from 6000 to sea level. I try to not plan my trip so that land on fumes. With both valves open, the header will vent to the lowest tank, but I only see air in the lines when I completely drain the fuel system for maintenance. When its totally dry, I open both valves and put gas in one tank and watch the header fill up and burp to the empty tank. Once the header is full and the air is out of the line to the empty tank, I will close the valve and then top off both tanks.

If your in a hard slip with both tanks on, I dont see how the high wing tank could come unported. I slip to most landings and ahve never had an issue with it.

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allonsye added a post in a topic Those of you with dual wing tanks, lets talk plumbing to the header? 7 Mar 2014

Thebriman has started a hugely important topic. So important that Kitfox/Skystar has written at least 2 SB's addressing it and recommending vent line out of the header. I don't recall a bulletin from Avid however.

I've not operated my Mdl C yet (still completing my FWF). The PO operated it for 320 hrs w/out fuel valves (from ea tank). There's no vent lines either.

My concern is what happens in decent, slips or banks when either fuel tank outlet becomes uncovered (or I believe referred to as unported). That will definitely create an air bubble. With out a dedicated header vent line, where does that air go? Does it somehow burp through the fuel lines? There must have been occasion NOT which created the SB's addressing it. As Randy points out above, closed valves could create a problem I'm guessing. In my case, it wasn't an issue because valves are not in the system to become a factor from being closed. Still, I wonder how airbubbles escape from the system w/out a vent??????????????

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Luked added a post in a topic New Avid builder in Oregon 7 Mar 2014

Small world. My wife's family is actually from Trout Lake, so we usually pass through Hood River at least once a hear to go to visit relatives. It's a nice area. I'm really looking forward to the getting the Avid flying. Economy is one of my main goals. Like you say, when I get it flying I want to fly it a lot without worrying so much about the hourly cost. Hope to make it up there at some point. My Grandpa used to live there, and always talked about how beautiful it is. Oregon is pretty, but not quite the same. Luke D.

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Luked added a post in a topic New Avid builder in Oregon 7 Mar 2014

Hey Leni, Yes that's us. We've been doing it for a little over ten years now. It does seem like the market for "Avid type" (counting the various derivative designs) aircraft is having a resurgence. I remember being interested in Kitfoxes back in the early 90s when I got my license when they were the hot item. We would love to offer products to more aircraft owners, but unfortunately there are some practical considerations that complicate things. Without getting into the gory details, it takes a fair number of sales for most of our products to even break even on the design work that goes into them. Also, there are quite a few items that our current RV customers want that we have not completed yet. Right now our biggest challenge is not volume of sales (we stay pretty busy year round), but improving the profit margin. People would be amazed if they say the number of seats and other products we produce in a year, compared to the profit we end up with. I think we are already perceived by some customers to be one of the higher priced options (our products do in fact cost more than some competitors, but that's because they are more expensive to produce), and in the current economic climate, customers are pretty sensitive to price. We have been focused on reducing the cost to produce our products through buying materials in larger volume, and improved efficiency in all parts of our business (I could share lots of detail there, but won't bore you). Once we feel like we have gotten things where we want them in terms of efficiency, we will probably go back to focusing on new products. I have people with various aircraft types ask me about this fairly often, and I hate to sound like a wet blanket when I answer. It's just that after doing this for a while, I've learned to limit my commitments (in the early days, I started trying to make seats for Glastars, Zeniths, etc.). For the past 10 years I've usually worked about 70 hours a week, and that doesn't leave as much time as I would like for family (I have 4 kids now 8 and under). I view the Avid project as my own personal recreation vs. "business". On the other hand I would be happy to help anyone here with advice when it comes to seats, upholstery, etc. if it would help. Offering free advise is much more relaxed than providing paid goods and services. That's probably a lot longer answer than you were looking for. I guess I got into some of the gory details after all. Who knows we might make seats for Avids and Kitfoxes someday. If I can help anyone here, just let me know. Luke D.

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SuberAvid added a post in a topic New Avid builder in Oregon 7 Mar 2014

Hi Luke,

I grew up in Hood River Valley and my brother, sister and I still have our parents place there so I get down there about once a year.

I think you will really enjoy your Avid. They perform pretty darn well and they are affordable to own and fly. When I bought my MKIV I had several people tell me I should by a "real" plane; well I flew that plane to places that surprised a lot of them and I fly my Avid+ to even more. They are pretty capable planes once you get to know their advantages and limitations. I trailered my MKIV to the north slope and flew it up there. A couple of years later I was hunting with a friend and we were using his Supercub and got locked out by weather coming home. Since we were on the road system we ended up leaving the plane at an airport and came home; it took 2 weeks before we could get the cub back. Not a problem with an Avid/KF. And talk to Joey (C5) he takes his Avid Flyer on some great long trips. They may not carry as much as other planes but you will fly them a lot more and have fun doing it. I fly mine more than most of the other pilots I know because I don't have to fret that I am out burning 8 to15 gph in a cub or 180, so I can just go fly for an hour in the evenings or whatever and not feel guilty; and I can do all my own work on it and modify it as I please. You will have fun challenging yourself with the STOL capability as well.

We are surely blessed to be able to fly and land about anywhere we want here in AK and I know I sometimes take it for granted it is so common. I am reminded that is not the case everywhere when I go down below. Even in places like Montana they restrict where you can land, etc. You got to love AK, hopefully it will stay this way for a long time and you all can get a chance to visit and enjoy it with us.

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EDMO added a post in a topic Soob air oil seperator 7 Mar 2014

I am wondering if the ones with the filter have something to do with the extra emissions stuff that California requires. Off to see the Doctor - will try to get some photos of my Jap engine tomorrow.
I was going to suggest putting a pcv in the other valve cover and running it to a T in the other line, but seems like SuberAvid has the solution.
EDMO
Another possible fix might be to go to the junk yard and buy a cover for that side with no hole in it.
EDMO

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akflyer added a post in a topic New Avid builder in Oregon 7 Mar 2014

Luke,

Are you the guy making the awesome seats for RVs? if so, there may be a market for some seats for the Avids and Kitfox. Some guys here have made their own, but if quality seats were available for a decent price, I am thinking you could get a few more customers!

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akflyer added a post in a topic Forum Hacked 7 Mar 2014

Thanks guys, I do my best to keep you addicts happy with a good fix first thing in the morning. I know I go through withdraws when the site is down!

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Luked added a post in a topic Forum Hacked 7 Mar 2014

Yeah, thanks Leni for getting things running again. I know it costs money, so this was a good reminder to send the PayPal I've been meaning to send. I'm starting to get used to checking the site every morning. I was bummed to see that it was hacked the other day. Thanks again!

Luke D.

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Luked added a post in a topic New Avid builder in Oregon 7 Mar 2014

Thanks Randy,

I'm just south of Salem. Btw, I've looked over lots of your pictures. I'm totally jealous of the kind of flying you get to do up there . The pictures are great. I love the ones that show the planes parked on the gravel bars. Thanks for sharing them. I've got a brother in law that lives in Fairbanks. I'd like to get up there some time to see some bush flying in person. Maybe go see the Valdez STOL competition some time.

Unfortunately I don't have the budget right now for a high performance STOL plane, so this one will be a basic Avid for local flying mostly in the Valley. I think it will still be a lot of fun, and it's got to be better than the 172.

Luke D.

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