Larry

Larry's Activity

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   Larry added a post in a topic Stretching the AVID    11 Dec 2018

   OH that's a terrific reply by Van, LOL. 
   We currently have a fella running up and down the runway with a Mazda Rotory in his Long-Eze. OMG, the very worst auto engine conversion ever conceived! Very loud and so annoying with only 2/3s the thrust required to push the Long-Eze around. No way is that going to work out and there isn't a noise cancelling headset built to offset this sucker's noise, to help either he inside or us on the ground, LOL. Awful 
   Now, the little Subaru turns a reasonable low RPM and this particular conversion I have is so nicely done. It's Turbo-Charged and suppose to produce a sweet 118 HP.  I've got everything that went with this original installation too. The old guy (original seller) had it mounted in a Zenith, which was previously wrecked by the very same builder (he bought this upgraded NSI converted engine to replace whatever he had in there initially, so I understand). After a time, along with threats from his wife, it was mutually decided to discard the airframe entirely, choosing not to attempt further repairs to the airframe, which was poorly built initially, from what I gather. So heck, I've got a really nice set up for somebody:  Complete wire harness back to the panel, very complete & great instrument panel cluster, key start switch & breakers, the complete & new Zenith chrome-molly engine mount to the firewall, heat wrapped exhaust system all there, all of the beautiful NSI produced dampened engine mounts in place with the new Zenith mount, the NSI polished gear reduction unit with all of the very well thought out engine mods they provided back then, including the dual ignition system they built in, and so much more. 
   As a bonus feature, I've even got the beautiful NSI cockpit adjustable electric propeller hub with the 3-bladed Warp Drive set up. Everything is brand new, never run, never flown, still in the crate, if you will, as built by NSI. This is truly a smoking great deal for someone with the right airframe (another Zenith most likely, but there are other great candidates for this water-cooled powerplant). Man, I'll accept any reasonable offer for the whole package at this point. $3,500 will take it all. THAT is a good CASH conversion in my view, LOL. Nothing else comes close, value wise, otherwise. 
   I was hell bent on modifying the little Avid Model C, but ain't happening. I don't have that much time left on this earth to hammer out all that I'd need to do to make it happen. 
   So pass the word my friends. This IS a good buy for a Mark IV or some other suitable kit plane. 
   Thanks all for your inputs. 
   LKL
    
    
    
    
   

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   Larry added a post in a topic Stretching the AVID    10 Dec 2018

   Win some loose some then. I recall loosing $100K not long ago in the stock market. The aviation game ain't for sissies either. 
   The fella's Down Under might appreciate the NSI more than us yanks anyway, so we'll see how it plays out. Damn nice engine in so many respects too 
    
   LKL
   

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   Larry added a post in a topic Stretching the AVID    30 Nov 2018

   Hey all. Just back onto the thread and the "...what to do..." question. Had a great 10 day, 50 hr road trip to ponder it all...
   I'll get out to the hangar before long and scope out the footwell possibility more closely. That would surely help, as far as added pilot comfort goes. My Long-Eze had TWO footwells, so that worked well for my lanky condition. Even so, not sure I'd ever fit comfortably, head to toe, in the Avid.  We bought it to fit my wife's tiny frame, but she's had enough of flying. Nuff said.
   I'm mostly worried sick that I can't take advantage of this gorgeous 118hp NSI turbo Subaru. It is just too heavy up front, especially when factoring in the trick cockpit adjustable electric WARP 3-blade I've got  (id: heavy hub assembly). Dang! The little Avid Model C fuselage will have to be kicked back 20" minimum and still kick back both rudder & elevator too. Chances ARE that it still wouldn't be enough to counter-act the front end weight. So there is a fair amount of work to do there, including the extended footwell, if I am to proceed with this project. Yuck!
   So now we also have the "...Dean Wilson's designed useful load & gross weight..." considerations, so rightly pointed out above. And let me say my friends, I appreciate every submission to this thread! I'm paying close attention! The Gross Weight this airplane was designed around is no joke; heavy modifications are pushing to the outside envelopes all around. 
   I've given a tiny bit of thought to the ultra-light APU 90HP Turbines available, but just not feeling it enough, you know? Great thought however...…...
   Honestly, I hate to admit it, but for me, at 66 years old, I'm probably best off selling the NSI Engine & Prop for $5K and then just take the hit on the stock Avid Model C Airframe, including the wing extension kit, for $10K to an eager buyer. If the eager BUYER fits well in the airplane, it will be a better performer with a 4-cyl Rotax or lighter power-plant and no further mods required. It's a quick finish from here! Hell, my Avid is ready to cover & paint. I hate to bail, but I'm currently flying a very fast COZY (that I fit into nicely) and Sailing quite a bit. I just don't have the luxury of time to rework my Avid; my lack of motivation couldn't be worse either  :-(
   Unless someone chimes in from the forum, I'll probably test the waters on Barnstormers before too long. 
   

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   Larry added a topic in Technical tasks    19 Nov 2018

   Stretching the AVID

   My Model C Kit is unfinished since new, not covered as yet. I am awaiting some mandatory re-engineering to fall into my lap and then make it happen someday, if I'm ever going to be comfortable flying the AVID (I'm 6'2" and yeah, I know: Wrong Airplane Pal, LOL). However I did sell off the 582 in favor of my newly acquired, brilliantly assembled, zero time, factory new Turbo NSI Subaru, 118 hp., W/cockpit adjustable WARP Drive 3-blade up front. Ahhhh, now it is even more mandatory to shift the Bench Seat more AFT, 4-6 inches, AND stretch the Fuselage 18-20 inches, while also enlarging both the elevator & rudder 20% or so. With the wing extension kit done on my Aerobat Wings, I figure this AVID will be a strong, fine cruiser here, leaving 6,500 ft MSL, Colorado Springs. I dig the Harley configuration totally, but I'm still in disparate need of stretching the cockpit or buying some leg room anyway! Maybe I can just knock my footwells forward? That would help! Ain't happening with the Subaru up front though. 
   At this point, I welcome all ideas and especially, photos of those that have already been there, done that. This project may be a dead end for me, but I don't give up any too easily, LOL. 
   And let me say this: I would certainly consider any reasonable offer to buy to anyone that would like to assume completion of this project. I'll make you one heck of a great deal :-)
   Thanks
   LKL
   (I sure do miss my O-360 Long-Eze :-(
    
   

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   Larry added a post in a topic stretching avid mk4    8 May 2018

   Well, I could certainly use a little assist as to how best extend the fuselage on my C-Model AVID. I did purchase the wing extension kit some time ago from Airdale. I'm in the process of getting that task done right now. Next task will surely be to extend the fuselage to accommodate the heavier Subaru EA-81 Engine & electric Warp Drive prop I just purchased. 
   And and all help on the Fuselage Extension is welcomed :-) Not sure how best to get after it. The airplane has not been covered & painted yet, which is a big help at this stage. 
    
   Thanks to anyone with experience extending their fuselage. 
    
   Larry Laughlin
   

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   Larry added a post in a topic Kitfox 912 Mount    23 Jan 2017

   Still have the 912 mount? 
    
   LKL
   

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