flywise

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Everything posted by flywise



  1. flywise added a post in a topic Avid Catalina take off performance   

    I started with a rotax 912 ul 80Hp and now I have upgraded my engine to to the 912 uls specs + special camshaft = 110Hp 912.
    I really believe that performance comes with keeping it light. If your 582 catalina is lighter than my 912 catalina (750 Lbs empty) you can surely match my performance. The only thing I believe is hard to to, is increase speed.....I get my 90Mph cruise speed at 5200rpm (~90Hp / 79%) . When I go lower @ 4900rpm (59Hp) it only drops to 83Mph and full bore is about 100Mph max.....to resume, a lot more HP does not give much more speed......but it does get off the ground/water in a hurry and climbs great.
    I found there are a few things you can do to make it lighter:
    remove the water rudder, replace steel tailwheel spring with fibreglass, install lightweight battery, remove main tire tubes to run tubeless, Install lightweight tailwheel with air in the tire, replace all old mechanical instruments (Alt, Vsi, Vhf, compass, ELT,  etc...) with new lightweight solid state electric instruments, install plastic screws to hold rear windows (lighter and safer as the original steel wood screws can come loose and go through prop. Also allows you to break out rear window if upside down in water).
    If you're crazy enough ( I am getting there) you can install some titanium screws in some locations, choose lighter nuts (all steel stop nuts vs nylocks) and on and on it does.
     
    Hope that helps
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  2. flywise added a post in a topic rotax 912 edge performance big bore kit failure   

    Thank you Avr8r3400 for shedding light, my bad as I thought they had the edge performance kit fitted vs the zipper big bore. Also after some research it seems the big bore kit fitted to the accident aircraft is an old/outdated version. Edge performance have changed the shape of their pistons a few years ago..
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  3. flywise added a post in a topic rotax 912 edge performance big bore kit failure   

    Why not the detailed investigation to help others but without the overregulation....now that would be smart!!
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  4. flywise added a topic in Avid Catalina   

    Avid Catalina take off performance
    Here a little video showcasing the Catalina performance. The runway is 3600ft long and the catalina takes about 150ft. At the end of the runway I am at about 1200ft altitude when taking off at the half runway mark (1800 ft distance travelled).....do you think this is too much fun?
     
     
    avid_takeoff.mp4
    • 4 replies
    • 1,797 views


  5. flywise added a post in a topic rotax 912 edge performance big bore kit failure   

    It would be good if the FAA or the Canadian TC did an as good job as the Norwegian civil aviation authority.....
    It seems that in the US and Canada if you have an incident (like an engine failure) without any dead people they don't do any meaningful research and don't establish an in depth report for us.....a shame
     
    my 1/2 cent
    • 1


  6. flywise added a topic in 4-strokes   

    rotax 912 edge performance big bore kit failure
    Hey Guys,
    just came across this very detailed Norvegian (in english) accident report involving a rotax 912  fitted with the edge performance big bore kit. Among other things, It seems clear that the small piston skirt on the big bore kit is problematic and induces a connecting rod failure on the original 912 connecting rods according to the rotax engineers.
    Also I remembered Trent palmer having a rod failure...even Hall had a rod failure going to Oshkosh .....all running the edge performance kit.
    I have not read anything about this issue and am wondering if I am the only one who did not know about this.
    Let me know your thoughts....
     
    2019-04 LN-DLH eng.pdf
    • 15 replies
    • 11,413 views


  7. flywise added a post in a topic Dash redo and organize   



  8. flywise added a post in a topic Kitfox 1 questions   

    first Kitfox with retractable landing gear....wow looks gooood
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  9. flywise added a post in a topic Double Ender Honda Style   

    I believe this is designed to use electric propulsion hence the small/tight fit cowl.
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  10. flywise added a post in a topic engine mount engineering   

    How about my engine mount, crazy complex


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  11. flywise added a post in a topic Ground wind to tip   

    On my Catalina I see about 37 Mph stall....which means that at 37 Mph head on steady wind I will land with zero ground speed (cool thing to do), anything above, you're in a bad spot as you will go backwards on touch down. I believe your avid is safe sitting on the ground at any wind velocity below your stall speed. It will produce maximum lift with winds coming head on. When the wind is coming sideways, it will always try to weathervane into the wind. 
    If you tie it down obviously the wind can be higher and you're still safe.
    This is what I think from what I have experienced.....but have been wrong before..
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  12. flywise added a post in a topic NR Propeller   

    Hey Willy,
    It is quite tricky to set the blade angles the same on both blades on the NRprop....here is why: the reference for setting the blade angles is the top surface of your half-hub using the simple angle tool to measure... and the problem I found is that if your two hub halves are not EXACTLY torqued to be parallel then your blades have quite a big difference in angles (I found up to 1,5deg). Make sure the gap on your hub halves is the same all way round (use a feeler gauge or vernier calliper). Last and not least after everything is torqued down make sure your prop tips are tracking within 1/16 th inch for best result. 
    Hope that helps, regards, Laurent
    Ps you can use an electronic inclinometer to set the blades more precisely ...make sure you measure angles with propeller hub in the same spot/location to prevent different/wrong readings
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  13. flywise added a post in a topic Avid Catalina for sale on ebay   

    Hey Chris,
     
    welcome to the avid 'water bird' club. Your Catalina seems to be a nice build. I have a few items I have questions about....
    First I noticed that you have two lower struts on each side of the horizontal stab....originally and per plan there is only one on each side. The Catalina is very long and each ounce is  bad when installed in the very back. The Catalina is tail heavy....
    I saw there are cover plates between the horizontal and vertical stab, can you tel us how these are installed. I'd like to install some on mine too.
    I would like to know your empty weight and empty C of G please.
    Do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance to get you in the air.
    Flywise
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  14. flywise added a post in a topic Radios and intercoms   

    One more thought.....happened to me, Check your PTT switch. I had a bad quality PTT switch and that gave me a very LONG troubleshooting to find out that stupid 5$ switch was bad!!!
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  15. flywise added a post in a topic Radios and intercoms   

    Did you check your antennae ground plane ? It should be quite big, roughly 22inch radius (or ~24x24 in square) Last and not least, check you have a good quality coax cable and the connectors are good . Disconnect both ends of coax cable and make sure there is no continuity between the pin in the middle and the metal shielding. Then measure resistance of the center conductor---should be minimal. Then measure good continuity of metal shielding at the connectors/connector housing through to the other connector housing at the other end.
    Also make sure your VHF coax cable is not routed close to your transponder cable....
    These are just some more easy troubleshooting you can do....
     
    P.s NEVER transmit without antennae connected to radio!!
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  16. flywise added a post in a topic Radios and intercoms   

    From experience, static most times comes from a bad ground. Check the radio grounds/radio rack grounded/headphone jack grounds/antennae ground and intercom system ground. Also try to ground all vhf related systems on one ground spot to prevent ground loops. I don't think your radio is toast.
    Hope that gives you an idea where to start....
    • 2


  17. flywise added a topic in Technical tasks   

    Avid high camber wing modifications
    Hey Guys, 
    here a great video of one avid owner who decided to go for many mods on his high camber stol wings.....airfoil shape/fuel tank/ailerons and flaps install/wingtip mod  etc....
     
     
    • 6 replies
    • 1,663 views


  18. flywise added a post in a topic Avid STOL airfoil -some calculations   

    Hey Turbo,
     
    I'd like to ad that Dean designed the avids to be fitted with floats...and for a floatplane config (avids on floats/amphibian & Catalina) there is absolutely nothing better than a very high lift wing to get you off the water ..in a short distance ......avid has the water take off distance record...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjDSatUSoCY
    On the other extreme...the worst floatplane ever....the cessna  caravan on floats (not even amphibs) at 30 seconds still on the water making wind. I have a caravan driver friend who has experience and he said some water take offs can take forever/never happen . The Caravan was not destined to be on floats, the wing is optimized for good cruise and payload...not at all a low stall high lift wing...flaps and turbine don't help. Many fitted with floats have crashed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dDmUI2vEdM
    There are so many tiny mountain lakes I can land on no other floatplane can (except the light Avids and similar of course)....
    My 2 cents
     
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  19. flywise added a post in a topic Damn Brakes!!! / Seats   

    Is your remote firewall reservoir vented / plugged vent?? It needs a very small vent and sometimes it gets plugged with old dirty oil?
    Just a thought....
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  20. flywise added a post in a topic Avid Catalina for sale on ebay   

    +on Jack's comments, I found the hard surface vs water landing most challenging in the beginning. I nearly ground looped a couple times.....found the best way out if this happens, hit full power (it will straighten the catalina instantly) and go again. From your point of 'nearly ground looping' to flying again is very quick (maybe a second or two).
    My 2 cents
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  21. flywise added a post in a topic Avid Catalina for sale on ebay   

    Hey Jack, just to add to your post...
    regarding the very valid water-in-fuselage danger before take-off, I included in my pre-take off check a quick way to make sure there is no water (my bilge pump my be on and still not do its job to remove water for many reasons).  At once from idle I power up a couple seconds (water rushes rearward) and then chop the power back to low idle, at this point if there is any water in the bottom it will rush forward and I can see it just behind the fwd cockpit floorboard (a quick glance down). This I find easier to do than to turn your body around 180 degrees to look at the rear passenger floor.
    As much as I respect Jack's input (I got a lot of questions answered a few years ago, thank you so much Jack) I disagree that the rear seat could not be used by any human being....I often fly with my family, wife in the RH seat and our 11 year old (5feet tall) in the back. even my Wife sat in the back and found it roomier than sitting beside me up front...
    For safety, I installed plastic (nylon) screws in the backseat windows so that my son could kick open the rear window (at the lower rear corner) to exit in an emergency. Also the plastic screws vs metal would not damage my prop If one were to get loose...
     

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  22. flywise added a post in a topic Fiberglass and epoxy to reinforce flaperon hangers?   

    Hey Buckchop,
    I understand you used Oratex to patch your non-oratex fabric system. What is your original fabric and paint? When you say "light scuffing" you mean just the top coat paint or did you go back to the sun barrier coat?
    Thanks for your input
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  23. flywise added a post in a topic Avid Catalina for sale on ebay   

    Hey Chris,
    I agree the Catalina is best suited for us underfed people...I weigh 127Lbs and I don't find the cockpit too roomy. The good part is that once in flight you feel a sense of space as you have about 270 deg unobstructed view to the outside.
    don't worry about the full aileron control / stick hitting your leg. The aileron inputs needed are deflecting the stick maximum 1/2 in to 1 1/2 inch maximum in flight. The only time I needed near full deflection was on ground/water when taxiing to counter strong crosswinds...
    Regarding the empty weight I doubt it's 600Lbs...
    I would replace the original heavy wing sponsons for the full lotus ones...saves about 17Lbs !!!!
    Looking forward seeing more details of your new bird
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  24. flywise added a post in a topic Avid Catalina for sale on ebay   

    Hey Chris,
    welcome to the Catalina owners/flyers....If I can be of any assistance let me know. Even though I have a rotax 912, the Catalina flies more or less the same than a 2 smoke...
    I am just curious about 'your' new cat empty weight??? empty aircraft C of g location?
    Laurent
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  25. flywise added a post in a topic Avid Catalina for sale on ebay   

    If this includes all the wing / tailfeather materials, then it's a steal of a deal......I would buy that one if I had not a Catalina already !!!!
    There are hardly any unfinished kits for sale anymore...
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