Av8r3400

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Everything posted by Av8r3400

  1. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Bush Spring Gear   

    You guys need to talk to Brett at Airdale.

    He has just what you are talking about. He's been working on a spring gear setup, but can easily incorperate it into the current gear, maybe even do a "Bungee Elimination Kit".
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  2. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Classic IV Restoration   



    Lots more to do before that, Leni. Remove the engine and build a new firewall, rewire the whole thing, fab and install a home made wide body kit, new doors, yadda, yadda, yadda...
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  3. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Classic IV Restoration   

    More disassembly...


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  4. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic SW kitfox   

    Okay. That helps explain what you are looking for from your plane.

    A very good friend of mine is doing exactly what you are suggesting. He is currently building a heavily modified C model Avid, but using Model IV Kitfox wings (the famous Riblett airfoil).

    The Riblett airfoil that was sold to Kitfox, but not Avid is very similar to the speedwing profile (probably why they didn't buy it). If you compare the two, the Riblett has a very subtle undercamber in the first 1/3 to 1/2 of the chord and by subtle, I mean less than 1/4". The speedwing is nearly flat on the bottom.

    I believe that you will be surprised at the performance of the (unmodified) speedwing profile with the extensions added. If you build the plane as light as you intend the performance will be astounding.

    That being said (and I'm sure Leni will disagree - I don't have his hundreds of hours of bush flying experience), I think 900 feet is too short no matter what wing you have. That isn't to say the plane won't do it, I'm sure it will - with a bit of room to spare - but you as the pilot will have to be near perfect on your performance every time, especially on landing. There will be little, if any, room for error. If your strip has wide open approaches on both ends I will take this concern away (mostly).


    IMO, I think you are needlessly modifying your wing for the gain of only a couple of MPH on the landing and TO speeds.
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  5. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Classic IV Restoration   

    Russ, probably not. I'm hoping to fly this plane in the spring of '12. That might not be a realistic estimate, either, but that is what I'll be shooting for. I'll be back at OSH next year with my Yellow Kitfox, though...

    I did some more tear down of the electrical (mess) system tonight. Nothing that shows well in a photo. Most of what I did tonight was around removing and organizing the Sigtronics SP400/RES401 intercom/stereo system. Fairly intricate with a control box, two switching boxes and 4 pounds of multicolored spaghetti...
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  6. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic SW kitfox   

    The greater question is, Manu, WHY do you want to do this? What type of performance are you looking for?
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  7. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Classic IV Restoration   

    The rest of the fabric is off...


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  8. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Classic IV Restoration   


    Can you tell me where you are talking about? The elevator pushrod rod-end?
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  9. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Classic IV Restoration   


    Okay, Doug. Critique taken to heart. I have reset my camera to take smaller pics, this is the easiest way to do this. You must have one of those new fancy fandangled computers. My ol POS doesn't have that function (XP Pro).

    For the record, I didn't do anything on the plane tonight. Too tired...
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  10. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Classic IV Restoration   

    Day #4, 11-28-10

    Today I removed the IVO prop, drained and removed the rubber lines in the cooling system and took off some more fabric from the back of the fuselage.

    Here is an "exploded view" of the stack-up of parts on my adjustable IVO prop hub, a couple of detail shots of the heater core valve that was installed, and the progress on the fabric removal.





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  11. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Classic IV Restoration   

    Day #3 11-27-10

    I started removing fabric today. I'm starting on the tail. The hardware attaching the rudder is rust-frozen in place, so that will be an on-going project. I might actually rework the hinge design for the rudder. I really don't like the "rod-end" style hinges that are on the plane. I may go to a more standard "pin" style hinge, like on my 1050 model IV.



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  12. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Classic IV Restoration   

    Day #2, 11-26-10

    With the help of some information from BRS, I removed the recovery parachute from the plane today. I do not plan on reinstalling the parachute. In my opinion, it is unnecessary, excess weight on a very safe designed airplane. Here is the information I got from BRS:
    BRS-5CanReturn.pdf
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  13. Av8r3400 added a topic in Kitfox IV   

    Classic IV Restoration
    This is going to be an ongoing documentation of the restoration of my Kitfox Classic IV. Hopefully by documenting my trials and tribulations this can help someone else who is doing a project like this.

    Day #1, 11-21-2010

    Organized the shop and pulled off the wings of the plane. The h-stab and elevator were already off and hanging on the wall


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  14. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Project is off the ground   

    Would anyone be interested in following the rebuild process if I post pictures and a narrative here?
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  15. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic BRS Chute   

    Update:

    I got it out without an explosion.
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  16. Av8r3400 added a topic in Technical tasks   

    BRS Chute
    Here is the information I got from BRS in answer to my question on how to safely remove the unit from my Kitfox.
    BRS-5CanReturn.pdf
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  17. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Project is off the ground   



    Doug, believe it or not, the inside of the wings was pretty clean. The fabric was really bad, but the structure is pretty good needing only very minor repairs (on the worse wing).
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  18. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Project is off the ground   

    I haven't got permission, YET, but I'll be doing some documenting on my buddy's build he is starting, too. Maybe I'll get him on over here to put up some info.

    He just bought a Avid-C/IV/Extended fuselage from Brett and is planning Kitfox IV wings, Rotax 912 and a combination of other custom mods and parts that he will build. This will be his 4th tube and fabric plane (Vagabond, Champ, 150hp Clipper) and his first experimental. He a retired millwright and fabricator extraordinaire of custom early 1900's Indian motorcycles!

    We'll be doing some stuff together and common mods to both planes. I'm getting pretty stoked on this one.
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  19. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Project is off the ground   

    Here's a couple of shot to start the process...


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  20. Av8r3400 added a topic in Kitfox IV   

    Project is off the ground
    With the help of a friend (who is building a Avid/KF hybrid), I have finally begun the process of restoring/rebuilding my 1200. Today was just the start of disassembly. Wings, tail, cowling and the start of removal of the BRS. (Any help with this will be appreciated. I don't want it to go off...)

    (I'll get some photos to put up shortly. For got the camera.)

    DHolley is familiar with this plane. It is pretty ugly on the outside, but it's looking better and better from the inside.
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  21. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic tundra tires for Friends Rans S7   



    He a hold of Brett at Airdale. I think he has a set of Kitfox brakes (Matco) in the shop. If not, I need to take mine apart soon to mount up my skis, I can make a drawings of the discs and brackets for you and get you the pn off the calipers.
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  22. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic tundra tires for Friends Rans S7   

    Joey, he only has 6" wheels. He would have to redo his wheels and brakes to 8" for those to work. That's the i$$ue...
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  23. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic Need some prayers   


    Joey-- Again, my best to you and yours. I'm very sorry for your loss. As you say, she has moved onto a better place.
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  24. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic AVID Fly=In 2011   


    I know a lot of folks that would love to fly to AK, but the big problem is Canada.

    Most of our group are sport pilots, so no flying in Canada, so no trip to AK...
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  25. Av8r3400 added a post in a topic AVID Fly=In 2011   

    Looks like you know how to have a good time with the flying buddies!

    I belong to a very active EAA chapter, UL 75. In the summer (when we have daylight) we have fly-nights every other Tuesday evening, where we have mini-fly-ins at different member's homes with private strips.

    Our monthly meetings are all fly-ins at different places every month. In the winter they turn into ski-ins with all the ski planes.


    Airplane people certainly are the best...
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