nlappos

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Everything posted by nlappos



  1. nlappos added a post in a topic Facebook Avid Site   

    I understand the Federal Court agrees! ;-)
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  2. nlappos added a post in a topic New guy with a KF2 in England   

    Welcome, skelly! Judging from your background, you'll fit right in around here! 
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  3. nlappos added a post in a topic Anyone have an avid around Denver and can I sit in yours?   

    Good idea, I am 5'11' and 260, and I think I am close to max. If i put a 1' pad on the seat, my headset rubs the upper window.
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  4. nlappos added a post in a topic 670 info   

    I have a rotax rick 670, and used Mike Hair to make the right exhaust for my Avid. The Kitfox is upside down relative to the Avid, right? Can't imagine the KF exhaust working.
    I used Mike to reweld the 582 exhaust, and it was quite cheap. Might want to give him a call. 801-eight two nine 5877
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  5. nlappos added a post in a topic best numbers for a 582   

    The coolant water temperature is quite important. The internal temp of the pistons and the cylinders must be balanced, so that the growth of the piston diameter with its internal heat is matched by the growth of the cylinders so the piston does not scuff the cylinder walls. If the temp is cold, and full throttle is applied, the pistons can scuff badly (sometimes enough to weld and stop the engine).
    Note on page 2-2 the minimum water temp is shown as 150 deg f, for this reason.
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  6. nlappos added a post in a topic best numbers for a 582   

    For the versions of the 582, max egt is 1200, and about 1150 is a nice operating max for some margin. I think you could richen up a bit, so you get peak egt closer to peak rpm of 6500.
    I got a boat fuel flow gauge in my fuel line, and it makes it easy to see what you are doing, as well. They're not cheap, maybe $500 total. Also the Hacman (or the home made versions the folks have posted) works very well to control egt and fuel flow.
    Rotax 582 Operator Manual:
    OM_582 UL Series_Ed3_R0.pdf
    Some threads on Hacman clones:
    http://avidfoxflyers.com/index.php?/topic/6516-starting-my-homemade-hackman/&page=2
    http://www.avidfoxflyers.com/index.php?/topic/5717-leaning-the-carbs-for-altitude-on-the-cheap/ 
    Hacman web site:
    http://greenskyadventures.com/mixture-controls.html
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  7. nlappos added a post in a topic New forum category! A place to introduce yourself. Please Post!!   

    Congratulations, and welcome! I really agree with ChrisBolkan, buy one now (used Avids can be had for about 12 to 15 k), and fly it while you build your own. Also, consider a kit, which will carve years off your build process, especially all the grunch work. Avid kits are out there, as are partial builds.
    But in any case, welcome!
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  8. nlappos added a post in a topic Whelen green lens needed   

    I went thru the same search and ended up paying the $35 to Aircraft Spruce. At least the lens was a nice quality glass one.
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  9. nlappos added a post in a topic Rotax 582 power loss diagnosis   

    Can I strongly suggest the electric backup pump mentioned above? You can switch it on for landing and takeoff, put it off in cruise except when things get too quiet, when it can get you started again.
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  10. nlappos added a post in a topic Avid flyer flight characteristics   

    My biggest tip is "Happy Feet". As you flare on touchdown get your feet pumping about 1/4" so they are not planted, and they can respond instantly to any yaw control needs. Made a big difference in my landing roll outs.
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  11. nlappos added a post in a topic Original Wheels   

    I found sacrificing a few inner tubes by pinching them with the wheel halves made it all work.
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  12. nlappos added a post in a topic Crazy or what?   

    This is a 4 lb package sent 450 miles from one podunk town to another, shows half the UPS Ground cost that Wag Aero charged!!

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  13. nlappos added a post in a topic Stopped project   

    Allen, that is so tragic. My sincere condolences to you and your wife. Our little community here is a tight one, we all have families and we share a love of flying, we feel so much for you. Nick Lappos
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  14. nlappos added a post in a topic Determening wing twist   

    There is a lot of discussion here about twist with the stated implication that twist increases the drag of the wing. I don't believe that's true, small amounts of twist do not result in increased drag, in fact the opposite may be true.
    By shifting the center of lift closer to the wing root, there is less induced drag because there is less side flow wash out and less lost performance because that. In effect, wash out twist increases the apparent aspect ratio of the wing and probably helps cruise performance.
    Also wing twist produces a much more stable aircraft in roll and vastly increases aileron effectiveness near the stall. A quick glance at most light sport accidents shows stall spin to be a big deal, so making your airplane more likely to drop a wing during the stall and lose control is not a good thing.
    Somehow I think Dean Wilson knew what he was doing when he set the wash out where he did.
    https://www.boldmethod.com/learn-to-fly/aircraft-systems/how-wing-washout-makes-your-airplane-and-wings-more-stable/
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  15. nlappos added a post in a topic Determening wing twist   

     Wing_contruction.pdf
    see also the build book posted, Section III, Chap 4 for detailed description of the washout process. http://avidfoxflyers.com/index.php?/topic/4220-avid-mk-iv-build-manual/
     
    They use a 1 1/2 " block for 1.5 degrees or a 2" block for 2 degrees to washout the wing incidence.
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  16. nlappos added a post in a topic Inspection covers location   

    If you have a problem, such as a ground loop, then a full camera internal inspection is a good idea. Otherwise, the simplicity of the internal wing structure makes a simple coin tap inspection of the ribs, which will show cracks, rot and spar disbonds, should be enough. A small tapping hammer tapping along the ribs every few inches will show the thud or rattle that signals trouble. I have worked with composite structures, and had inspectors tap to see voids, and then compared their grease pencil outlines with X-Rays. It is astonishing how good tapping is!
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  17. nlappos added a post in a topic Fabric in wings oil can   

    Here is a nice video of some rolls and loops, you can catch the sun off the upper fabric sometimes, showing some oil canning. See 0:40 for example.
    Normal stuff.
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  18. nlappos added a post in a topic Carburetor issue.   

    Great advice Allen, JBM has served me well, and at great prices, top quality:
     
    http://jbmindustries.com/
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  19. nlappos added a topic in For Sale and wanted, you got it, I want it   

    670 For Sale Craig's List
    Looks like a Rotax Rick zero time engine
    https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/avo/d/ramona-rotax-motor-aircraft-airplane/7141304078.html
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  20. nlappos added a post in a topic Looking to buy a MK IV - 1st time buyer. Who do I take with me?   

    Also, is it really a Mark IV? many folks "rename" their project Model C as a Mark IV, when it it not.
    http://avidfoxflyers.com/index.php?/topic/6359-mk-iv-or-c/#comment-57689
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  21. nlappos added a post in a topic Looking to buy a MK IV - 1st time buyer. Who do I take with me?   

    Check your messages, I live near Cedar City, and own an Avid MK IV. Call me! Nick Lappos
     
    Some past threads that might help:

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  22. nlappos added a post in a topic for sale^ belt drives for ROTAX, HONDA, Suzuki, Yamaha etc. conversions/   

    Looks great, what is your price for the typical belt drive?
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  23. nlappos added a post in a topic Rotax 582 power loss diagnosis   

    The additional Facet electric pump at the firewall to pressurize the whole engine system is a great idea. I bet you saved the flight by pumping the prime to fill the lines after they were emptied, you were the boost pump. Smart thinking, especially while your heart is in your mouth!.
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  24. nlappos added a post in a topic Min battery 582   

    Walmart U-1 lawn tractor battery, $35-40, and it has lots of cranks for those cold mornings. 
     
    Here's one on Ebay, less than 12 pounds, https://www.ebay.com/itm/Raion-Power-12V-18AH-SLA-Battery-for-Swisher-24-HP-Kawasaki-Riding-Mower/223157761727?epid=13031287835&hash=item33f53d36bf:g:~scAAOSwXI1cVF9M
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  25. nlappos added a post in a topic Advice on rust   

    Those added webs make the strength of the assembly several times more than the tubing alone. As gusset plates, they take all the bending and are immensely stronger that the original, so any weakening due to rust pits is completely gone. 
    Looks like you added maybe 1.5 lbs to the truss?
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