Jezz

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About Jezz

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  1. Jezz added a post in a topic Fuselage question   


    I have something similar, except mine is with 2 wheels which it pivots around and comes back to a steering handle. Pretty neat - only problem is there was no way it was going in the wing locker when I ferried the plane back from England, so now it is sitting in storage in England until I drive over in the fall. Shame because I now have a garage where I store the plane and have to fold the wings. This steering thing would be a Godsend. Oh well!!

    Jezz
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  2. Jezz added a post in a topic Roush Racing can do racecars but not airplanes   


    Thats the beauty of the Avid - sitting side by side you can always let her play with the stick as you happily fly along
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  3. Jezz added a post in a topic Buying my new Avid   

    Back in the hotseat now!

    I would like to say that I have been away because I have been flying the Avid all around Europe ... but that would be a lie. I have been working my ass off (feels like 24/7) with the summer schedule.

    Had quite a cockup putting the Avid into it's new garage. I broke into the wrong one (there were 2 to choose from), and then proceeded to trash all the belongings of the tenants who had leased it. The Avid sat nice in there though, then, 1 day into a business trip I got a call telling me that the police were going to be called and I was in the deep doodoo.

    Good job I am in with the council guys who are responsible for the airfield. Nonevent, and the tenants got a load of their trash thrown out for free (turned out they didn't want the stuff anyway!).

    So, got back, moved Avid to new home (turns out it is not just a garage, it is 4 rooms, 1 of which is big enough to turn into a bar - IT WILL BE SO!!!!!!!! )

    After that, was flying ass off for work, and not in the Avid

    Earlier this week I flew off the last hour or so before the 50 hour check. I have 1 question from the Rotax maintenance manual for the 582. It states that the cylinder head should be removed to inspect for deposits and also inspect piston rings. I cannot believe that everyone is removing the cylinder head each 50 hours, checking and then replacing head and probably gaskets etc. Is there a short cut to doing this?

    One other question is what grease should I use to grease the flapperson hinge points? They are looking like they would benefit from it (and it is also part of the check schedule).

    Final question. I a bit of black sludge in my left main tank and I am getting tiny flakes of black stuff out when I do the fuel test from that tank. Since I noticed this I have been restricting myself to using only the right tank (which is clean). Any ideas how I can flush the tank? I have read some stuff on a boating forum about disconnecting the feed line, half filling tank with salt water then sealing an air compressor hose into the filler cap and building pressure until all of the water is flushed out, then flushing tank with normal warm water, repeat with saline water until particles stop flowing - any ideas if this would work?

    One other word. Last time I flew, I was using some MOGAS that had been stored in a (brand new) can for a couple of days. I decided to filter it anyway through a chamois leather (see previous question). The results were astounding. After about only 5 gallons of gas there was no water, but the center of the cloth was pitch black with dirt particles. I am now going to buy a huge funnel and filter all fuel through the leather - it is a bloody slow process (about 2 gallons an hour), but it is worth it for the result.

    OK, I am now off to the airfield to do some parts of the 50 hour check (my aircraft is still maintained under the British LAMS schedule which means it gets an airframe/electrics/avionics inspection too at 50 hours). I really don't mind as this gives me a chance to learn quite a bit more about the baby

    Jezz
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  4. Jezz added a post in a topic Johnson Creek or bust   

    The tracker is a nice touch! Wish I had done that before my trip.

    We are awaiting a write-up from you with baited breath. Also trip pics, but I don't have much room to talk there as I am still waiting to get mine from Vadim's camera - will be uploaded as soon as I do.

    Till then - enjoy the flying!

    Jezz
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  5. Jezz added a post in a topic Buying my new Avid   

    Want to go flying! Thinking about going flying but it will probably end in me being kicked out by the Mrs because i have been at home all day and done nothing but read up on the carbs and engine ready for my 50 hrs, when what I was tasked with doing was the housework - which is why I am now writing this instead of using a vacuum cleaner.

    At the bginning of this week I got the authorization I needed to get the new hangar (garage). It will require quite a bit of a clean-up so I am going there tomorrow and will start turfing things out. We have access to the whole building (which is pretty big), including the 2 fire engine bays. I will try to take some pics of the cleanup, and all things being even should have the baby in her new home by the end of play tomorrow, then give it another week (I am in meetings in the UK and then on a course for the whole week) and I will be ready for that 50 hour when I will have a look at the jets etc.

    Happy landings

    Jezz
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  6. Jezz added a post in a topic 40 hrs phase one is done!   

    I'm with Leni

    Congratulations to both of you!

    Jezz
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  7. Jezz added a post in a topic Lost a friend to an accident yesterday   


    I'm pleased to hear that Jim is on the mend, albeit slowly. What we do carries an inherent risk, and sometimes that risk exceeds our ability to manage it (for whatever reason). That is when we have no choice but to accept that the outcome is going to be down to luck and fate. For Jim it seems that fate has taken a positive turn, not so for Joey's friend.

    As one single community, I think I can speak for us all when I say that our thoughts and prayers are always with those who's ability to manage the risks of flying has been outstripped and now in the hands of fate.

    Jezz
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  8. Jezz added a post in a topic Some cool old toys   


    Joey

    Just stumbled across this thread while I am sitting on the ground waiting for a warm front to pass through ... i.e. killing today and hoping tomorrow will bring some good CAVOK.

    Anyway, I recognize nearly all of these models and think I probably own a few of them. The London bus in particular looks really familiar.

    I will be in the UK week after next, so if I get a few minutes free I will climb up into the attic and have a look.

    I think you are probably on the money with dating them in the 80s. I picked up most of mine during my reprobate years through to about 88.

    I will keep you posted and try to bring some pics back too.

    Jezz
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  9. Jezz added a post in a topic Buying my new Avid   


    Leni, thanks for that.

    I do not yet know which notch I am on - I have not had the tops off the carbs (basically because I could not find a manual on how to do it). I have watched the Rotax training video for the 912 Bing adjustment - will the 582 be similar?

    The prop is a wooden Peery prop - I have no idea what the figures are for it, but I believe it is the original as installed in the aircraft.

    Which VP prop do you have? Is it CS or straight VP? The wooden prop on mine looks great, but I guess it will be in line for replacement sooner or later (there is some separation of the varnish layer on one tip (although this does not cause me any vib problems at all and the varnish is smooth edged where it is separated so I am not too worried).

    As for the 50 hour, I was also going to clean the air filer (again! it doesnt seem like 5 minutes since I last cleaned it on the way from England). I will probably wait until these last 6 hours are complete before going into the carbs - as things are I can keep things in check (just), but Latvia is full of huge fields and meadows so if it all goes wrong I just pull the power and land

    Many thanks again

    Jezz
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  10. Jezz added a post in a topic Buying my new Avid   


    Hey Leni

    It took me a couple of days to wait for weather, women and will to get up.

    Static was a bit over 6100 - from fully warmed up, water about 185 F and EGTs within limits, but I didnt keep it there as the I was a bit concerned about the water.
    S&L flight RPM was 6700 (although it was as turbulent as hell so there may have been some residual RPMs in there from the conditions) - Water about 185, EGT about 1200 F max (although I have seen it trying to peak higher than this - as soon as I see it is heading that way I am back on the throttle.

    During climbs at low altitude I am seeing the water temps heading up above 180, by the time I am up to 3000' that is solved.
    Also, at 3000' AMSL things are a lot better with the EGTs.

    At 1000' AMSL and 6100 RPM in straight and level I have about 180 water and 1200 EGT
    At 1000' AMSL and 6000 RPM in Straight and level I have about 175 water but the EGT tries to edge its way above 1200, which I can either adding more RPM, or taking a climb.
    At 1000' AMSL and 5800 RPM in Straight and level the water temp is well within range, but the EGT goes up really fast and if I don't catch it in time I am forced to pull the throttle and descend.

    At 3000' AMSL and 6100 RPM in straight and level the water was still about 180 but the EGT was down slightly to about 1150
    At 3000' AMSL and 5800 RPM in normal straight and level flight, water about 165 and EGTs back up to 1200
    At 3000' AMSL and 5800 RPM in reverse power command (i.e. nose somewhere pointing to heaven and anchoring on to the stall), everything settled down - water 160ish and EGTs down to 1050.

    So, any thoughts? Is this an indication that I am running too lean? Should I change my jets? Change the notch for the needle? (lowest notch is richest isn't it?).

    I am due for a 50 hour check in about 6 hours, so I shall be spending quite a bit of time learning the engine - we should also get our new hangar on the airfield (an old fire station garage - plenty of room for an Avid ) by that stage.

    Anything special I should look out for during the 50 hour check? I have the Rotax manual which I am going to spend a bit of time with before taking the baby apart.

    OK, that's it for now - I have had my hopes of flying tomorrow crushed by the director of the CAA (I have to come to the office tomorrow), and by the weather forecast - looking like the proverbial !

    In advance, thanks guys - all thoughts welcomed!

    Jezz
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  11. Jezz added a post in a topic Lost a friend to an accident yesterday   


    Hi Joey

    I'm pleased you took me up on the suggestion - I remember being just as cautious after my first.

    It is perfectly normal that your confidence takes a hit when you have lost someone who you knew well, and who you considered to be a good pilot. I remember after my first I spent the biggest part of the flight thinking about everything that could go wrong with the aircraft, with my piloting etc. Just a few flights later and everything was back to normal for me. I hope you get back to 100% confidence soon!

    dholly, I think what we are talking about is the hit that your confidence can take. I have, over the years lost many friends to accidents, 1 midair, 1 in-flight breakup, 1 during a display, several through very poor decision making resulting in pilot error accidents. After each of them I spend some time looking over what I could improve to ensure I do not end up in the same boat, but what I do now is not a patch on the mulling and musing that I did after the first. Had I not gotten straight back into the thick of it after the first, I think I know I would have started to analyze which would have caused me to worry which would have made me analyze more and so on. It may have been that I would never have gotten my confidence back to where it was before had I not taken the bull by the horns.

    Jezz
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  12. Jezz added a post in a topic Lost a friend to an accident yesterday   


    Hi Joey

    Sorry to hear the bad news. I never know what to say at a time like this except to be assured that, as one global community, our thoughts are always with our fellow pilots who fail to come home, and with those friends and family they leave behind.

    From experience though, may I suggest you take your own bird for a little trip ASAP. My first really knocked the confidence out of me, but my friends forcing me to fly the very next day was the best thing they did.

    Once again, sorry for the loss.
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  13. Jezz added a post in a topic Lost a friend to an accident yesterday   


    Hi Joey

    Sorry to hear the bad news. I never know what to say at a time like this except to be assured that, as one global community, our thoughts are always with our fellow pilots who fail to come home, and with those friends and family they leave behind.

    From experience though, may I suggest you take your own bird for a little trip ASAP. My first really knocked the confidence out of me, but my friends forcing me to fly the very next day was the best thing they did.

    Once again, sorry for the loss.
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  14. Jezz added a post in a topic Buying my new Avid   


    Hi Leni

    Too many number for off the top of my head, but I am going flying tomorrow and will check all of them.

    Last time I flew I noticed the water temp edging towards the redline (I should know the number of the top of my nut, but I am at the end of an 18 hour day so bear with me ... better I check the actual figures tomorrow - I will be taking an attractive assistant so there is hope of her taking note of the numbers while I take note of her , sorry, I mean the flying). But anyway, the water isn't the thing that is worrying me.

    My EGTs have crept up to the 680 mark (sorry, degrees centipedes and brain too fried to work it out - will do for tomorrow). The EGTs seem to be sitting very high in the cruise though. I remembered what you told me about keeping the prop loaded so I have been running her slightly above 6000 rpm which keeps things stable(ish), but in the thermals we have been getting lately, that is not too easy.

    I will get the figures when I go play with the young lady ... I mean the airplane ... I mean ....

    Till then, Jezz is going to do a little bit of and be out for the count in about 10 minute flat!

    Happy landings!

    Jezz
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  15. Jezz added a post in a topic Buying my new Avid   


    Joey, you win the ballsy competition for flying 300nm over Nevada. The thought of doing 300nm over that patch for me would be about 300nm out of my comfort zone. Sure, the freedom levels in Europe are not there like they are in the USA, but it has the benefit that you can't let you attention slip too far and therefore you reduce your possibilities for getting things out of shape. Back in the early 00's I spent a few months hour building in Florida, and that had to be the best flying of my life - you guys really do have a superb system over there.

    Back here in Europe, you are spot on about the restrictions and costs. As I work for the CAA, you would think I could smooth over some of the restrictions, but in fact the opposite is true and I have to do absolutely everything "by the book". The good thing for me right now is that Latvia is one of the easier States in Europe to do everything "by the book".

    As for the costs ... That's why we got the Avid! It was such a good option for us based on all costs combined.

    You are spot on about flying in the UK - one of my main motivators for leaving. Where were you gliding in the UK? I used to do quite a bit at Lasham and Marchington (now called Cross Hayes), but that was way back in the early 90s.

    I will not forget to post the pics on here as soon as I have some of them from Vadim.

    Jezz
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