LSaupe

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Posts posted by LSaupe


  1. Very clean install.  What kind of trike is that?  Seems like quite a bit of HP for a trike.


  2. I messed around with installing the magnetic shield today.  It did a great job.  But, yep, something on the right side of the bird is messing things up.  Had to move it (the shield) as far right as possible (under the dash) to get an effect, but now have a real nice response around the full range.  Still can't figure what what the source is.  At least I have a band aid for it now.  Had a nice XC flight scheduled for tomorrow, but the airfield has turned into quicksand now that the frost is out.   The deer cant even get across now.  Hopefully better days ahead. 

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  3. Any issues with going with medium weight fabric on these birds?  I was warned by a local builder that the small tubing on these birds might not be able to support the extra tension from the heavier fabrics when they shrink.  Any experience one way or the other with this on these airframes?


  4. For you guys with decent fuel flow meters on a 582, what are you typically seeing for a bur rate at cruise RPM (say 5500 to 5800)?

    Going to be doing some cross country work and want to get a better handle on things.  Most of my flights have been shorter hops and, on average, about 5.0 GPH.

    The book shows more like 5.4 GPH plus, but I don't think I am that high.  Just trying to figure out how conservative the book is.  Understand prop loading  and altitude etc will affect this for a given RPM.

    As a general rule of thumb the carbureted 2 stroke formula is a rough start anyway I guess:  GPH = (Horsepower currently being delivered)/10


  5.  

    I might also lean towards a front (PTO) seal. The possibility exists, however, for a seal to leak one way and not the other (i.e. leak in suction and not under pressure - depending on the defect, kinda like a check valve).  Are you running a C box?  If not would he need to remove the gearbox to gain access to a leak area (to verify leakage)?

    1Avidflyer -  neat set-up, would your test communicate pressure to the PTO side of the case given the center seal?  Maybe it will work its way through the rotary valve system (intake manifold)?  Guess you could always leave your exhaust manifold on and let it communicate that way.

    On the intake side, can the rotary valve cover take 3PSID? 

    Other things to look at:  Carb rigging/balance and maybe even prop loading (as an initial mechanical start point, do both throttle slides reach the top of the carb throat at the same time when you go to full throttle?).  Any chance your prop is way under pitched?

    Other leak sources: RV gaskets, oil injection lines and fuel primer lines (if you have them), and cylinder base gasket.

    Its been a while since I have looked at mine, but any other penetrations on the PTO side case that might be leaking (case drain plugs - not sure of these engines have them) and pulse line, connection tubing, and pump diaphragm (though this I believe is on the mag side).

    Isn't 4500 rpm a typical lean spot for these engines (i.e. would it fall back off at a higher RPM)?  Depending on loading, it might not be that far off.

    If you havent yet done it, a compression check warm would be a good idea as well.

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  6. Just checked my records.  Looks like one gallon per coat, so 1 gallon of white and 3 gallons of red.  If I had to do it over again I would have added another coat of red (4 coats --> 4 gallons) as some of the coverage is not the best in certain lighting conditions.

    Larry, Since you used Stewarts glue, I guess you used that on the tapes too?  Can you describe how you went from there with the Poly Products - Did you then go with Poly brush, Silver ?coats, White and color?  Did you apply 8 coats like Poly describes, or some other procedure?  Did you keep a record of the costs?  Can you send me a copy of the Stewarts letter, or post it?  Thanks, EDMO

    Hi Ed:

    Yes, I used the Stewarts glue on the tape as well.  After that, the brush on Polybrush, then spray on poly brush, then two or three coats of silver, then a coat of white, then three coats of red.  Everything after the Stewarts glue was Polyfiber according to the Poly procedures.  For the Stewarts letter, it might make more sense to have the individual contact them directly as I do not know, as it was intended for me, that it be circulated outside of the intended recipient. I did not keep a record of the costs.  I used lightweight fabric, a few quarts of Stewarts glue and the rest per Aircraft Spruce pricing for the products.

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  7. Thanks for all the feedback.  The driver here is being able to do XC work sans hand held GPS for my PPL.  The bride tends to keep the 150 in use right now so am trying to enlist the Fox.  Knuckledragger - yep I have moved it around quite a bit with little change. I did receive the magnetic shield material from Spruce so will play with it this weekend a bit.  Or... just not fly on a course 280-310 :o)


  8. Just checked my records.  Looks like one gallon per coat, so 1 gallon of white and 3 gallons of red.  If I had to do it over again I would have added another coat of red (4 coats --> 4 gallons) as some of the coverage is not the best in certain lighting conditions.


  9. Trying to calibrate my dash mounted compass (above dash).  This thing calibrates fine in all directions other than 280 to 310 degrees (using the adjustment screws).  In that range it is all over the lot (like +/- 20 degrees).  I have tried another compass (different style without compensation mechanism) with the same result (I also moved this around the cockpit with little change).  This is with and without electrical power or engine on or off.  Just something real strong causing an interference.

    Any of you guys run across this?  Maybe the engine magneto/flywheel or starter causing a magnetic field?  I have a 582 with firewall mounted starter.  Just ordered some compass shielding material from Aircraft Spruce to see if I can do anything here.


  10. Well felt bad making several mice homeless but spent a bit peeling the wings today, insides look pretty good minus the mouse nests, hysol bond on the leading edge of the inboard rib  broke on both wings. Gotta clean them up and re epoxy the ribs but going to wait until the new tanks get here. Going to peel the fuselage tomorrow

    %5BURL=http://s948.photobucket.com/user/neloner/media/C610E2F3-EA56-481E-A7F5-E2FA839085A4_zpswpczqdnu.jpg.html]C610E2F3-EA56-481E-A7F5-E2FA839085A4_zps 

     

    %5B%5BURL=http://s948.photobucket.com/user/neloner/media/3A8BC490-3532-4DDA-90A1-8DBC1448237D_zpsl03llhp0.jpg.html]3A8BC490-3532-4DDA-90A1-8DBC1448237D_zps

    Those ratefaced bastards!


  11. Any recommendations for products to clean plexiglass (acrylics)? I couple I see out there are Plexus  Plastic Cleaner and Clear View (cleaner and polish).

    Any other feedback?

    Plan to use it both on my Kitfox and my wifes 150. She recently picked it up used (1971) and the windshield is like new (not a scratch or blemish to be seen) and I hope to keep it that way.


  12. You definetly want the bigger tails surfaces.  I went with a Model 4 rudder and increased the elevator cord.  Wide body kit and model IV doors are also worth the effort.

    Keep an eye on the GW when you start adding mods.  Not a whole lot of room to spare with a 912 if you plan on taking a passenger.


  13. I used Stewarts system and then finished in Aerothane.  Basically Stewarts glue,... then Polyfiber (pink, silver, white then red aerothane).  Stewart's confirmed it was o.k. to mix the systems (twice, once verbal and once written) before I started.  Nice end result.

    Obviously dont hesitate to give Stewarts a call if you have any concerns.  Great folks out there.

     

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  14. My biggest concern is what the shallow vertical angle, trying to resists a horizontal load, imposes on the airframe (and ropes for that matter).  At say 5 degrees, trying to resist a 100 lb horizontal load would impose an 1,100 pound load on the airframe and rope. Just seems like a risk to me. 


  15. When you tie down (say overnight at an airport etc.) do you typically chock as well?

    It goes back several years, but I always used to chalk a tied down plane,  At the airports here, no-one chalks a plane once it is tied down.  I guess I am the odd man out here.  Any reason to not chalk?

     


  16. I like it and am interested as well.  Can you calibrate out compass errors (or at least try to)?  Any dimensions (depth) and weight?  Just a 12V DC hook up?


  17. The exchanger is an upgrade to the OEM. It is the Merle Williams unit.  Has more surface area than OEM and provides noticeably more cooling capacity in actual operation.

    Lowell at High Wing built the louvers to mate with that exchanger (I sent it to him for a custom fit).  The Louvers used to be part of his standard product offering until he closed up shop last year.  It is controlled via a push-pull cable routed to the cockpit along the coolant lines. When I contacted him last Fall he was amenable to making another set, so I got lucky in that regard.

    Using the High Wing gear as well. I been very impressed with the gears performance (80+ hours now and close to 200 landings in various conditions).  I have seen posts about similar units and spring rates, however no problems on this end.  I do have a lighter unit (Model III with 2 stroke) so that might have some bearing on things.

    Actually, have been very happy with all components I have purchased from both High Wing (electric trim, landing gear and louvers) and Merle Williams.(wide body kit, header tank, door latches and exchanger). 

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  18. Havent been able to fly the Fox much this winter due to snow, however the snow pack has receded enough to get out for a nice flight this morning.  In the Fall I added a heater and airflow control to the radiator (louver kit from HighWing).

    What a difference that made.  Easy now to control temps (and not to mention keeping the heat flowing in the cockpit).

     

    DSCN5375.JPG

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  19. I'm trying to become a college gradiate.... on top of flying around the world, building a plane, and raising a family.  2 more classes to go..

     

    IMG_6953.JPG

    Any plans to cross over to the O side?