handles

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About handles

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  • Website URL www.skylark-aerialphotography

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  • Gender Male
  • Location UK Carlilse Airport

handles's Activity

  1. handles added a post in a topic Fuel Tank Issue   


    All, been in touch with head of engineering Light Aircraft Association here in UK (equivalent to your Experimental Engineering Office). He is quite happy for me to either:-
    Copy the existing tank using polyester resin but have a gel coat inside using one of the propriety ethanol resistant resins or clean up the old tank inside and reseal with an ethanol resistant resin, or use an aluminium tank.
    In the UK there has been approval given for an aluminium tank which was made for an owner and designed so it would form partial structure and not fatigue, there have been no issues with this tank since it was installed a few years ago.
    So there are options which meet with the approval of regulatory authority.
    I will look at the aluminium tank but change from private mod to standard mod for all UK Avids if I go this way. Working with an approved inspector who is also an aircraft approved welder to submit drawings to design office.
    Keep you updated 
     
     
     
    Simon
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  2. handles added a post in a topic Wing Fuel Tank Needed   

    Thanks will check this out as well, was also thinking of making the tank myself if it had to be done.
     
    Simon
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  3. handles added a post in a topic Wing Fuel Tank Needed   

    OK, so fibreglass tanks could become an issue as they break down from ethanol, the tank I have taken out is breaking down which would I guess compromise the wing structure eventually? So probably done the right thing taking it out
     
    Simon
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  4. handles added a post in a topic Wing Fuel Tank Needed   

    Yes of course, will drop that idea, I'm speaking with my inspector later today for his advice, I will also speak with Kitfox. I have also had a fabricator of Aluminium fuel tanks for light planes come back, so will discuss the options, they say they can do it and will look at the fatigue problem for aluminium. It maybe that things have moved along since Avid did it and this can be factored in. Will keep you all updated as I guess its an issue that will occur again as more ethanol is used. 
     
    Simon
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  5. handles added a post in a topic Wing Fuel Tank Needed   

    Thanks everyone for some very helpful bits of information, We are not really allowed to use sealer in tanks in UK for aircraft. 
    We have been approved for in the last few months to use forecourt gas with up to 5% ethanol officially in any aircraft using Rotax engines in the UK (though of course everyone has been flying with it in their tanks for a long time as most gas contains ethanol here).
    However we have to have it signed off this means all fuel pipes, all engine parts are to be compatible. Fuel tank has to be made of ethanol resistant material, and must not have a sealant in it, also need to conduct a fuel flow test on mechanical and electric fuel pumps, sight glass to be made of glass if possible so fuel can be clearly seen.
    I think I have three options call Kitfox and get a tank sent across, or I get my old tank and cleaned up on the outside and apply a thin layer of glass fibre using Vinlyester resin which is resistant to the outside.
    Last option I use a certified tank fabricator to make an aluminum tank that will not distort in the wing, this would be the very expensive option.
     
    Simon
     
     
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  6. handles added a post in a topic Wing Fuel Tank Needed   

    If anyone knows the supplier for Kitfox tanks that would be great.
    My other option is to get the tank made up in Aluminium, already had a  custom and classic motorcycle makers say they can do the job here in UK.
    Cheers
     
    Simon
     
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  7. handles added a post in a topic Wing Fuel Tank Needed   

    Thanks Jim for information. I have tried wingtanks.com, but have never had a reply despite three emails. 
    I will check the dimensions, again thanks for your feedback. Need to get this plane back in the air ASAP where she belongs.
     
    Cheers
     
    Simon
    • 0
  8. handles added a topic in KitFox General Forum   

    Wing Fuel Tank Needed
    To all the Kitfox owners out there, wonder if you could help me or do you know?
     
    I have an Avid Speedwing Mk 4, the 13 gallon right wing tank (as from the cockpit) has rotted due to ethanol. I see that Kitfox sell ethanol resistant tanks, will a Kitfox tank fit an Avid and if so which model Kitfox?
     
    Simon  G-BUIR
    • 21 replies
    • 3,982 views
  9. handles added a topic in Technical tasks   

    Fuel Tank Issue
    Have posted this on the Avid Forum As well
    Anyone out there help me out? I have an Avid Speedwing Mk4 UK based. The fuel tank has rotted due to ethanol. I have removed the tank.
    Few questions,
    Does anyone have a spare tank I could buy for shipment to UK, its 13 gallon right wing (looking out when in cockpit). I could pay by Paypal if needed
    Will a Kitfox tank fit an Avid Wing, if so which Kitfox model tank? I see Kitfox have ethanol resistant tanks
    Has anyone made an aluminium tank?
     
    Many thanks Simon   G-BUIR
     
    • 20 replies
    • 1,806 views
  10. handles added a topic in Avid Model IV   

    Wing Fuel Tank Needed
    Anyone out there help me out? I have an Avid Speedwing Mk4 UK based. The fuel tank has rotted due to ethanol. I have removed the tank.
    Few questions,
    Does anyone have a spare tank I could buy for shipment to UK, its 13 gallon right wing (looking out when in cockpit). I could pay by Paypal if needed
    Will a Kitfox tank fit an Avid Wing, if so which Kitfox model tank? I see Kitfox have ethanol resistant tanks
    Has anyone made an aluminium tank?
     
    Many thanks Simon   G-BUIR
     
     
     
    • 0 replies
    • 960 views