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   Post on I'm new to this forum in Introduce yourself

   By skypics, posted 12 Nov 2013

   My name is John. I have owned an Avid model B STOL since 1990 and hav flow in for 4150 hours so far.
    
   I have been through 5 different engines. 1) Rotax 532 with rope start 2 & 3) Rotax 582s 4 & 5) Jabiru 2200.
    
   The 532 was swapped for the 1st 582 for the dual ignition feature. The 1st 582 had no starter so I hand propped it. The 2nd 582 had an E box with starter. 
    
   I wanted a 4 stroke and installed the 1st Jabiru 2200. They had just changed to hyd lifters and the engine had many issues and problems. I had it rebuilt after an exhaust valved head popped and destroyed the number 2 piston, head rod, etc. My dealer replaced the bad stuff and rebuilt it. 
    
   After getting it back from him I fired it up and it threw a rod. I was pissed as you might imagine. 
    
   I contacted the dealer and he said he would provide me with a brand new , up to date Jab 2200 if only I wouldn't publish my experience on the Jabiru forum. I agreed and have been well pleased with this latest engine. I have flown it for 850 hours with nary a hick-up.
    
   I did not build my Avid, but I have modified it to make it all that it can be.
    
   Removed the panel tank. Don't like gas hanging over my legs. It still carries 28 gallons in the wings.
   Removed the flberglass bucket seats and replaced with the sling seat
   Moved the rudder peddals forward 3 inches.
   Added extensions on the elevators for better pitch authority
   Split the windshield. Now it has a clear .060 front Lexan and a .125 tinted top glass.
   Changed the 600 x 6 tires for 800 x 6 x 21" Tundras for that back country flying.
   Installed a leaning device similar to HacMan for the Bing carb.
   Installed a vacuum gauge similar to that used on autos to monitor my engine health.
   Installed VGs which gave much lower stall with flaperons OFF and some benefit with flaperons ON.
   Installed VGs on pilot side of the vertical stab to compensate for the vert stab offset designed for the Rotax spinning the other direction.
   Installed gap seals on horizontal surfaces
   Installed fairings in jury struts, horizontal lift struts and tubes that go from the bungied to the axels.
   Installed a Dynon D6 for those times when you wish you had gyros on board.
   Installed fuel flow meter
    
   My Avid cruises at 100-105 TAS running 2900 RPM burning 2.8 GPH. Range is about 10 hours or 1000 miles...cough...cough. Bladder range is 3 hours.
   Climb is 1000-1400 FPM depending on load and DA.
    
   The Avid was built in 1988 by Craig Johnson
    
   John