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You guys have great fun. I'm still not airworthy with a LOT of things going on as previously mentioned.

Chomp down on a few delicious goodies for me guys and stay in touch. Like to know how much fun, how many innovative approaches and good fixes, hangar flyer stories, etc. I eat it up. Have fun, be safe, see ya ... Jim

Hey Av8r3400 Wisconsin fellow. There's nothing better than having contact with a friend of a guy who seems to be a real resource for guys like me (I never, EVER use one or two words when I can just as easily use a thousand).
Thanks for the comeback man, this kind of info is treasure at it's finest to me. I tried to call Brett once, left a voicemail, he called back - I wasn't here and so it goes. I've certainly got my eye on him and will get back with him. Crazy schedule right now. You're a standup dude to ring me back (love this website) and it won't be forgotten. Be well and prosper greatly ... Jim

Hey Subie AVID guys,
I'm still tied up with a home addition, a beloved dad in the hospital with a broken neck (88 yrs old), and a need to get all my stuff moved from my old address 45 min one way, to my new residence (two new storage buildings/garages wich I have built just to contain all the junk, tools, and what-nots of my life to this point). Am presently adding two more rooms onto my house (contracting a remodeling job is definitely worse than herding cats). Now have a total of five buildings on this property and still wonder if I'll cram everything in. Have any of you dealt directly with AIRDALE? If so could you give me a general idea of your experience? My initial impression would be favorable toward them. In the future would like to think in terms of a longer fuselage and wider gear on my MKIV. Do they sell just complete kits or can individual items be purchased? I know I should just call them but I'm working a rather hectic pace at the moment. Randy, haven't got the Ellison throttle body shipped back to get it overhauled yet - got to get these builders, electricians, dry wallers, painters, etc to step up the pace. There are times I just have to leave for about 30 minutes or so to keep from blowing a big-time fuse. Haven't physically assualted anyone. You guys take care ... Jim

Randy, it means a lot to have a buddy who gives the kind of consideration you have. THANKS. Dad is not lucid at this time (they're keeping him under for obvious reasons), but his vitals are good and they just placed a filter to trap any clots from getting to his heart yesterday. He's always been a hard working man with a great constitution and maybe we can get him back to the status relative to when he had his stroke (came through that pretty well). Your prayers and concerns mean a lot as dad (and I) are two people you've never met.
Yeah, this whole affair has been a bit of a jugelling act, better men than I have had worse problems - we'll get through.
I too would like wider gear, at some point I would like to see if I might be able to fabricate or modify what I have presently. I've certainly given it some thought.
Randy, if you can lay hands on the NSI maitenance particulars I would really appreciate it. I hadn't checked out AIRDALE, but I will. I too believe our engines must be quite similar. One thing else, I don't know my prop diameter. Maybe you are swinging a somewhat larger diameter. That could also explain some things.
As soon as dad comes around (it's a process) I'll tell him he has a buddy by the name of Randy Tyler up in Alaska. Be well buddy, I enjoy corresponding with you ... Jim.

Right on Randy, love the detailed feedback you give. I have my battery as far back in the tail as possible. My CG is also quite positive and was really interested in your response regarding this. Have some lead in the tail along with the battery. Have also thought about a baggage access door to allow me to keep some extra weight in this area. Your info on the brakes, I find this very informative. Have also thought of going to a multiple puck caliper at some time. Seems like you're getting much better effectiveness with yours. Hope you get the chance to test fly the Subie under construction. It will be good also, to have another config around to compare notes on. You sound like a standup guy Randy. Thanks once again for your input ... Jim

Randy,
Thanks for the comeback guy. I've been out of pocket lately (my 88 yr old dad fell off the porch and broke his neck). His vitals are in the green, had to do an operation and fuse three of his vertebrae. I had just left him approx 10 min before. He's a tough old bird, but I have been @ the hospital pretty much since the incident. Also am jockying with a carpenter and electrician adding two rooms to my home.
I appreciate your tech info, I had talked with Mike at STRATUS and he seemed like a nice dude. Wondered how your BINGs were, seems like they are working fine from your post. Also had wondered about carb heat and EGT (thanks for the detail). Really do love your radiator treatment (looked good along with other particulars in your photos). I've not been at full throttle with my machine yet - still in the process of getting it back airworthy. Don't anticipate any real problems doing this, just a finite time element at the moment. My engine idles at approx two grand, at three the EGTs settle in at pretty much 1000 degrees.
I've found new info for Ellison, called them and they say they will rebuild my EFS-2 throttle body (yeah!). Need to get it off and send it to them in Renton, WA as I remember. I'm not running any carb heat, I do have mixture, with the EFS. My NSI unit has 375 hours by the Hobbs meter. I think my engine should be good for about 1000 hrs before overhaul and would hope the NSI reduction unit will do the same. I'm going to stay on top of the fluids. Just from taxing and playing around with the engine/reduction unit on it's custom built trailer, the package is very smooth, nice throttle response - no complaints. It likes a fairly defined cold startup process but nothing drastic. My little bird is pretty short coupled for the power and weight, but I think I'll get the groove down. She's a little twitchy with thw weight of the battery back in the tail (26 amp POWER SONIC). Wish I had maybe another 18 to 20 inches of fuselage length and a little wider main gear but the guy who built her has flown her far and wide. Says it takes a little practice getting use to the quick rudder response. I owned a KR-2 with a full swiveling nob of a tail wheel (no steering at all below approx 20 mph except with the heel brakes). Guess I'll get this little beast down pat also. Randy, my engine appears to be 9:1 also. Most probably not that much difference in the internals of yours and mine. My valves were set to .012 lash although I've seen some evidence that the intakes can be .010 and the exhaust .014. Will probably go through the lash adjustment before flying her and re-adust as necessary. BTW Randy, I have a split MASTER switch arrangement which allows me to start the engine with battery online only. I then switch on the alternator and full electrical config. I highly recommend this to anyone in a position to employ it. Using a smaller battery is easier if you can cut down on the initial load. Perhaps most people already use this setup.
Don't know that I've covered everything you referenced but feel free to give me a shout anytime, gotta go and see about my 'Iron Man' dad. Take care guy - Jim

Hey Randy,
Just talked to EFS and ascertained that they are still very much in business and will overhaul my EFS-2 throttle body if I send it back to them. It feels like Christmas all over again. They gave me another website (ELLISON-TBI.COM) and even had my serial number on record. To put it mildly, I'm in a most joyous mood! Gonna ship it out as soon as possible, they give a return time of around two weeks. Price seems right for the overhaul (approx. cost as per LOU) and I'm gonna be flying behind a nice overhauled EFS-2. Miracles do still happen and this will be one step closer to climbing back in the seat. Hope I don't knock down my buddy's fence like last time, but that's another story for later. Be well and keep s abreast of you and your bird. BTW, I'll be able to give you more definite performance data on the engine/NSI PRU/prop etc. later on. Jim

Randy, Forgot to ask - are the BINGs working out for your configuration? Are they very expensive, what about carb heat, manifold, etc. I think I had BINGs on my PEGASUS trike with ROTAX 503, don't remember. I'm sure the BINGs for the 912 are a little different. Thanks man ... Jim.

Hey Randy,
I'm running an NSI gear drive, not exactly sure just what the final drive ratio is. It has a clutch unit that engages as soon as the engine starts. You can freel-wheel spin it in one direction and it freely spins with no friction. I'm told (got some NSI literature) that it stays locked up if the engine quits, haven't tried that out(for sure). It uses thirty weight non-detergent oil and man the exploded few in the manual shows about a million parts (give or take). I've owned three different aircraft with ground adjustable WARP DRIVE props. The first one I bought came about after I inadvertently proped off my KR-2 with chocked wheels, but FULL THROTTLE. It went straight over on it's nose and sprayed tooth picks from the two blade fixed pitch prop all over the airport (I don't recommend doing this, kids). I used a needle type protractor from a PEGASUS trike on which I also had a WARP DRIVE to set the pitch. I set it using the tip of the prop as the point of reference, about three or four inches inboard. My NSI EA81 manual showed 19 I/2 degrees as the best climb vs. cruise compromise. I'm cranking out about 100 HP with the EFS-2 throttle body (still don't have a repair/rebuild solution but trying to contact STRATUS). Don't know about the difference in rpm you and I are turning but would guess that final drive ratio would be a likely explanation. Oh yes, my engine was built with a non-standard cam also. My torque curve would likely be a little different than yours.
Thanks for the info Randy, anything I can learn or impart I'm all ears and hopefully not so much mouth. Give me a shout-out anytime ... Jim.

Bobby,
Don't have any specific info but have seen some of the big gear tricycle geared machines on YOUTUBE. You might be able to get some info from someones profile there. Good luck ... Jim

Hey guys ... your knocking me out! I'm trying hard to get my EA81 Subaru back into the air and thought I was the only person in the world doing so. Randy, I'm gobbling up your PIREPs and the detailed blow by blow. Even though yours is an A+ and mine is a Heavy Hauler (MKIV), this stuff is like manna from heaven. Saw your photos you referenced and man is that some sweet looking machine. I like the 'cheek' radiators, mine is mounted transversly between the main gear (hope to rework this in the future). Like the looks of your larger tires, I've got the small ones we most often use down south on the lower half of US of A.
Randy, where is your battery located? Had to locate mine in the tail due to my short fuselage and the heavier 4 banger. I'm going to let the guy who built mine take the old one out (a real project I'm told) so I can install a brand new Power Sonic 26 amp unit.
Any of you guys care to comment on hydraulic brake effectivenes? I've got a Scott steerable tailwheel but haven't seen much anchor power, at high taxi or manuvering tight.
It's a real pleasure to run into some kindred spirits - thanks all. Keep us informed Randy. Jim

Just noticed this guy I'll get on it pronto. Thanks much guy. Jim

Thanks Randy for the heads-up on your EA81. I'm not familiar with the STRATUS config, but man do I want to suck up any details on ANY Subaru powered AVID. I'm running the EA81 with the NSI reduction system. Friend of mine built it and has flown it all over the southeastern US. I've got an Ellison EFS-2 throttle body on it and have been trying to get either a rebuild kit or info as to where I may send it for a rebuild. Ellison seems to have gone the way of the DODO bird. I to am running a WARP three blade with 19 1/2 degrees of pitch in it - engine turns 5000 rpm on take-off. I've done some taxi test since purchase but need to tweek a few things before going for the glory. Just received a new battery (located in the tail end for weight and balance), some fluids, lubricants, filter, aviation hydraulic fluid (no right brake), and am awaiting the FAA to send me an application to re-register this baby (GRRR..). Engine runs fine, but feel like I need to replace the diaphram in the EFS-2 throttle body (got some time on it).
Thanks loads guy for getting back to me, got to run right now but will sure check out any pics of your machine and will get back with you to swap some data. Be well man and 'keep one foot on the ground'. Jim

BANDIT and other fellow sojourners,
I'm lookig high and low for any info on a rebuild kit (or rebuild strategy) for the EFS-2 throttle body on my Subaru powered EA81 (NSI) MKIV Heavy Hauler. Any info or leads would be appreciated. EFS is now defunct, my throttle body works fine but has some time on it. Would like to just get a rebuild kit (have certified A&P/A&I support). Any vendors or people of knowledge, I would like to hear from you. Thanks to all - Jim

Warms my heart profusely 'akflyer'! Thanks many for your reply. I'll try to keep up with you guys, not on here before. Jim

Hey guy, had a lot of fun things like this happen to me at about your level of experience. I got away with a few things, some of my friends didn't and paid the cost. I decided to go up one day from a little crop duster strip in a 150 and just check out the conditions. I knew I was in trouble when it took me three attempts to even tune my xceiver to unicom for an airport 30 miles away. Made my pattern (no flaps) and had the stall warner beeping steady at thirty feet up. Went almost full power and rejoined mother earth with wobbly knees. Sat out the rest of the day and finally flew back to the duster strip. Times like these either make you or break you (literally). Been told I could write a book or two on some of my more glorious moments. Truth is, I really don't want people to know just how stupid some of us can be. You brought back a memory or two (or 15, maybe 100 give or take a thousand). Hang tough guy, it ain't over 'till it's over' (original expression of mine). Jim

Pretty neet man (or can we still use that word). Getting mine ready, a little warmer here in 'BAMA though.

A lot of the posts seem to be a little 'dated'. Is there anyone out there??