---------------------------------------------------------- Kitfox-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Sat 02/14/04: 50 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 12:34 AM - Re: Kit for first time buyer (kurt schrader) 2. 01:03 AM - New Kitfox Mk4 (Kitfox) 3. 06:21 AM - Re: Kit for first time buyer (Clifford Begnaud) 4. 07:15 AM - Re: Kit for first time buyer (Lowell Fitt) 5. 07:43 AM - Re: engine mount mis-alignment (Tom Jones) 6. 08:06 AM - Re: engine mount mis-alignment (Dcecil3@aol.com) 7. 08:09 AM - Re: Re: Ailerons - To trim or not to trim . . . (Tom Jones) 8. 08:13 AM - Re: engine mount mis-alignment (Paul) 9. 08:20 AM - Re: New Kitfox Mk4 (Tom Jones) 10. 08:25 AM - (off-topic) What a nice day! (Michel Verheughe) 11. 08:29 AM - Re: Kit for first time buyer (dsherburn) 12. 08:36 AM - 912S surging/rough (Dave & Wendy Grosvenor) 13. 08:43 AM - Re: (off-topic) What a nice day! (Don Pearsall) 14. 08:54 AM - Re: 912-S Oil Cooler Failures (John E. King) 15. 09:10 AM - Re: (off-topic) What a nice day! (Torgeir Mortensen) 16. 09:11 AM - Re: (off-topic) What a nice day! (RiteAngle3@aol.com) 17. 09:20 AM - Re: (off-topic) What a nice day! (Jeff Thomas) 18. 10:13 AM - Re: (off-topic) What a nice day! (JMCBEAN) 19. 10:21 AM - Re: engine mount mis-alignment (Dcecil3@aol.com) 20. 10:23 AM - Re: engine mount mis-alignment (JMCBEAN) 21. 10:31 AM - Re: (off-topic) What a nice day! (Dcecil3@aol.com) 22. 10:39 AM - Re: engine mount mis-alignment (kurt schrader) 23. 10:43 AM - Re: Kit for first time buyer (jareds) 24. 10:57 AM - Re: (off-topic) What a nice day! (kurt schrader) 25. 11:06 AM - Re: Note to First Time Builders!! (Dcecil3@aol.com) 26. 11:14 AM - Re: Kit for first time buyer (kurt schrader) 27. 11:44 AM - Re: Opinions on preparing to fly kitfox (JMCBEAN) 28. 11:55 AM - Re: (off-topic) What a nice day! (Fox5flyer) 29. 11:55 AM - Re: Kit for first time buyer (JMCBEAN) 30. 11:58 AM - Re: engine mount mis-alignment (Fox5flyer) 31. 12:29 PM - Re: 912-S Oil Cooler Failures (Randy Daughenbaugh) 32. 02:02 PM - Re: (off-topic) What a nice day! (Fred Shiple) 33. 03:26 PM - Temperature on a 582 (Tc9008@aol.com) 34. 03:30 PM - Re: (off-topic) What a nice day! (Marc Arseneault) 35. 03:34 PM - Re: Temperature on a 582 (Marc Arseneault) 36. 04:01 PM - engine mount mis-alignment (Arthur Nation) 37. 04:01 PM - Kitfox Maintenance (Clem Nichols) 38. 04:22 PM - Re: (off-topic) What a nice day! (Kitfox) 39. 04:29 PM - Re: (off-topic) What a nice day! (Dee Young) 40. 05:10 PM - Re: Note to First Time Builders!! (kurt schrader) 41. 05:24 PM - Re: Re: Ailerons - To trim or not to trim . . . (Lowell Fitt) 42. 05:59 PM - Re: 912S surging/rough (John E. King) 43. 06:07 PM - Re: engine mount mis-alignment (Jeff Hays) 44. 06:41 PM - Re: Temperature on a 582 (Bob Robertson) 45. 06:45 PM - Re: engine mount mis-alignment (Arthur Nation) 46. 07:59 PM - Re: 912S surging/rough (Herbert R Gottelt) 47. 08:10 PM - Re: Kitfox Maintenance (Don Pearsall) 48. 08:50 PM - Re: Kitfox Maintenance (JMCBEAN) 49. 09:22 PM - Re: 912S surging/rough (Dave & Wendy Grosvenor) 50. 11:50 PM - Re: (off-topic) What a nice day! (Kitfox) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 12:34:59 AM PST US From: kurt schrader Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Kit for first time buyer --> Kitfox-List message posted by: kurt schrader Hi Dan! Welcome. If I could say a few things to start you off... First you have to want to build the plane, and not just want to fly it, if you buy a kit. Building is a big comittment and it should be a pleasure for you to build to get it done. If it is a chore, it is a very long one and easily set aside, especially when money is short too. Second, a kit plane will seldom sell for what it cost to build. Here come the options: 1. If you buy one already built, the cost is up front, but lower for quite some years. Still, you can't legally do your own major maintenance without a repairman's certificate, and you most likely need to be the builder to get one. That ups the operating costs and you will pay more as you go. But you are flying it now... 2. If you buy a kit, you can spread the costs over the years by buying part of the kit at a time. Many end up buying firewall aft, then firewall forward, then avionics, over several years of building. You can even buy the firewall aft in seperate sections to spread out the costs more. But you take the risk of seeing the company go under when you don't have all the parts to finish it. 3. You can buy one partially built. Make sure you can meet the requirements for the repairman's certificate, then finish it and fly it sooner. Partially complete kits usually sell at well below cost and you could be flying it years ahead of a new kit built from the start. You just need someone along who inspects well enough that you don't by an expensive mistake that sets your building and costs back. As for which plane to buy, we should be able to give you no less than 300 opinions here alone. I have several suggestions myself. :-) For your described flying, there is no KitFox that couldn't do it, but some just barely. I think all the new kits, except the single seater, will work. For your size, you might like the KitFox Series 5, 6 or 7 with the Rotax 912 100 hp engine. The Sport plane will do it too and allow you to have less risk of not flying it later do to some minor medical problem, etc that pops up. If you put a 100 hp Rotax in a Classic 4 KitFox, you will sit a little tighter, but performance is great. Some people like to sit in tandem and not next to each other. If your are alone most of the time, tandem airplanes are good choices for economy (less draggy) and better visibility. Rans makes some pretty good ones. I would say to look at an RV-9 too. Good low speed performance, but you don't have to stay at 100 mph. You have to love rivets and need a partner more often to build this one though. If you can swing a trip to Oshkosh this summer, sit in them all and when they have to peal your hands off one, you are home. :-) Kurt S. __________________________________ http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 01:03:04 AM PST US From: "Kitfox" Subject: Kitfox-List: New Kitfox Mk4 --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Kitfox" Hi all, In a mad moment yesterday I handed over loads of money & beacme the owner of a second Kitfox. This one is currently bent but repairable and is a Mk4. As the fuse already needs major welding I would like to incorporate as many Classic 4 upgrades as possible. Does anyone have details of the changes or photos of uncovered Classic 4 fuse, (full views or detail). Any input would be great. Thanks Martin Dovey Kitfox Mk3.5 G-BTSV Kitfox Mk4 G-BZIP do not archive ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 06:21:32 AM PST US From: "Clifford Begnaud" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Kit for first time buyer --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Clifford Begnaud" Kurt wrote: > > 1. If you buy one already built, the cost is up > front, but lower for quite some years. Still, you > can't legally do your own major maintenance without a > repairman's certificate, and you most likely need to > be the builder to get one. That ups the operating > costs and you will pay more as you go. But you are > flying it now... > Kurt, :-( I know of nothing that an owner CAN'T legally do on an experimental he didn't build, other than the annual condition inspection. My local DAR told me that an owner can do all of the maintenance and every experimental owner I know agrees. If I am missing something, please tell me what it is that I CAN'T do? OH, btw Dan, I have a kitfox for sale that would probably suit you well. And it's only a little more than half the cost of building one. Cliff ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 07:15:40 AM PST US From: "Lowell Fitt" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Kit for first time buyer --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Lowell Fitt" I have lots of thoughts on this one. I read Kurt's reply and will give some additional thoughts. What are you planning on doing with your airplane? This might seem like a funny question to ask, but the type of flying you plan to do should be a big factor in the airplane you buy. From your brief description, it sounds like you have a reason to fly for transportation - 200 miles - is that in addition to recreational flying? The Kitfox is absolutely great for recreational flying - low and slow. I am associated with a group that flies regularly together and we usually fly at the FAA minimum altitudes and sometimes lower than that when in totally uninhabited areas. Flying the river bends dirt roads and buzzing the private dirt and grass strips. Sort of what you would do with a "dirt bike" vs. a Honda Gull Wing. I often describe my airplane as like a dirt bike. Your 200 mile trip sounds real practical in the KF - any model. I fly a Model IV and one of the guys in our group - about your size - flies a Model IV. He has been in all the Idaho back country strips we all have, and only once had any problem getting out. That trip he had his son, also about 200 lbs.,with him and had to use a little flap to get over some trees at the end of the strip on one departure. I think the Model IV would fit you fine, with the only consideration, baggage. The later models, if configured properly will carry 200# more in the baggage sack. I use a backpack in the passenger seat to fill out my baggage needs. I also like the Rotax 912 UL. The 912 ULS is a great engine also, but there seem to be a few more issues with it because of the torsional vibration at slow speeds I.e. start up and shut down. A lot of guys prefer a little more horsepower than available in the Rotax engines, but you trade payload for that in every instance. All in all, I would consider what your primary use will be, then monitor the list for a while and get a feel for what the various list members are flying or doing. I like to fly and don't much like the doing part although I tinker with stuff. My Model IV and the Rotax 912 UL has been virtually bullet proof - 570 hours and in an hour or two will put another hour on it as we fly to Jackson to plan our Summer Idaho flying. Regards, Lowell ----- Original Message ----- From: "dsherburn" Subject: Kitfox-List: Kit for first time buyer > --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "dsherburn" > > Listers, > I'm 6' , 200 lbs. and am looking for my first kit to > build. I'm an instrument rated private pilot with no > tail dragger time. I work for a living and money isn't > as available as it should be. > > What's a good Kitfox to build? > Any other recommended kits? > What is a good engine choice? > Should I buy new, or try to find a pre-purchased, but > "not built" kit? > > At the end of the day, it will still be up to me to decide. But > I'd like to hear any and all opinions and biases. > > 100 mph is fine...mostly alone, occasionally one other person. > Probably 100 hours per year, 200 mile trips average (one way). > > Thanks in advance.... > > Dan Sherburn > Spring Lake, MI > > ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 07:43:24 AM PST US From: Tom Jones Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: engine mount mis-alignment --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Tom Jones . > I think everyone should check their engine mounts for alignment with the > airframe and firewall. Please respond with your results. I may not be the only > one with this problem. > Arthur Nation > Tacoma, WA > partial S7 kit (for sure) Arthur, I had a very difficult time "Tweaking" the engine weldment to line up with the fuselage mounting holes on my Classic 4. When I asked on this list almost five years ago (by the dates of notes I wrote in my builder's manual) I remember several replys from others with the same problem. One recommendation I rember well was to save my best swear words for this job. They were needed several times. I contacted Skystar for advise. Skystar support said that it was a common problem due to weld warp. He said if I could pull the mounting holes into alignment by hand, get a bolt in and get a nut started, it was okay to use a wrench on the nut to finish pulling the weldment into place. It seems like mine was out of alignment about like what you describe. It was a struggle! Tom Jones ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 08:06:14 AM PST US From: Dcecil3@aol.com Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: engine mount mis-alignment --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Dcecil3@aol.com Aurther My mount was the same way.I think it's best that way on airplanes. It's best if other than control surfaces things are tight and don't have any play.I painted my mount and had to run a 1/4" bit through it to get the paint out. Get the Bottom bolt First with the mount out away from the plane. Then the 2 at the top. The two on the sides after that workout should be easy.Oh by the way my Gusset was welded in backwards the oil tank wouldn't fit had to get out the grinder and it's best done with the mount were you can get to it. So check that first. Use a Rubber Mallet to lightly tap the bolts into place just enough to get the nuts on the bolts and draw it tight working your way around the frame so you don't bend it.I can Lift 200Lbs No Problem and I had to Strain pretty hard to get the Bolts in. If your not up to it GET SOME HELP no use being down with your back (Takes away from your building) Best to all David Cecil KF3#950 ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 08:09:59 AM PST US From: Tom Jones Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Re: Ailerons - To trim or not to trim . . . --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Tom Jones >Because the dihedral now measures 1/2=B0 less in the left wing than the right, I will now readjust the >washout so that they are exactly the same for both wings, then adjust the dihedral so that it too is equal for >both wings. I will then expect the plane fly nearly as designed. If there is still a slight need I will try a small >trim tab. > Ron Carroll > KF3/582 - Oregon Ron, Washout is the most important adjustment here. You are right to make sure it is equal in both wings. I don't think you would be able to detect a small dihedral difference between the wings in flight. As you know, any adjustments you make to the wing rigging once the plane is finished come from flexing the wing spars. You can also end up "Chasing" the rigging between dihedral and washout until you go nuts. After adjusting the washout to be equal and still a heavy wing in flight, I would check all other rigging specs before I changed the dihedral on a finished plane. The test will be: wings level without pressure on the stick and stalls without dropping a wing. Tom Jones ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 08:13:18 AM PST US From: Paul Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: engine mount mis-alignment --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Paul Are you talking about a significant distance? Just how far off were the holes and how many were misaligned? Just curious because small misalignment is normal for welded structures. For a half or even a full bolt diameter on one or two holes is not an issue IMO. Paul =========== At 6:47 PM -0800 2/13/04, Arthur Nation wrote: >--> Kitfox-List message posted by: Arthur Nation > > >To the List: > I have just discovered another Skystar foul-up. > While looking at various engine options, I decided to attach the 912S >engine mount to the firewall (not mounted on airframe). This is a Skystar FWF >kit for the S7. To my horror, the upper four mounting holes did not match. I >decided I could drill new holes but was the error in the firewall holes, or >was the engine mount welded incorrectly. > I found that by placing the engine mount against the airframe mounting >holes, THEY DID NOT MATCH!!! To make sure I was not just off because I was >holding the mount up by hand, I reamed one set of matching holes. This was >the upper left set as viewed from outside the cockpit. > The AN4 bolt was installed in the upper left set of holes and the other >holes checked. The lower left hole was in good alignment but the two right >side holes were not even close. The upper hole was out by the diameter of the >tubing on the engine mount, while the bottom right hole was more than 1/4 inch >out of alignment. > In other words, this engine mount is JUNK. Not bad as part of a FWF kit >costing $3825.00. > I must commend Skystar for there ability to let me have it in every way >possible. > I think everyone should check their engine mounts for alignment with the >airframe and firewall. Please respond with your results. I may not be the only >one with this problem. >Arthur Nation >Tacoma, WA >partial S7 kit (for sure) > > -- ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 08:20:49 AM PST US From: Tom Jones Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: New Kitfox Mk4 --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Tom Jones > Does anyone have details of the changes or photos of uncovered Classic 4 > fuse, (full views or detail). > Any input would be great. > Thanks > > Martin Dovey Martin, from "History" on Skystar's web page: "The Classic 4 has heavier lift struts and gear legs, as well as beefed up carry through tubes in the fuselage, to allow for a higher gross weight than the earlier Model 4 kits. The height of the vertical stabilizer and rudder was increased by 10 inches, and the rudder depth was increased by 2 inches to allow for improved handling." You can get the whole story at http://www.skystar.com/history.htm then go to their "Upgrades" link for more. http://www.skystar.com/upgrades.htm Tom Jones ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 08:25:45 AM PST US From: Michel Verheughe Subject: Kitfox-List: (off-topic) What a nice day! --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Michel Verheughe Friends, Today is my birthday and the weather gods gave me a nice present: CAVOK and no wind. After three weeks without flying, I couldn't do anything else than ... fly to celebrate the day. What a nice day! Here, I come on final. Not easy to see the runway in the snow. Do you see it? http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/final.jpg This is my hometown of Tonsberg. You see an arm of the fjord, frozen and covered with snow, and in the background, the main entrance to the Oslo fjord, free of ice. http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/tbg.jpg Just for Kurt, my viking helmet: http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/pic4.jpg And for everyone: my lovely Tango: http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/parked2.jpg No wind on the ground but some wind at 1,000 ft. Cold ground + mild air inversion and a bit of turbulence in the transition layer. A typical winter weather. I did touch and go, landed one three wheels, two wheels, one wheel. Landed sooo smooth. Last landing, on two wheels and kept the tail up all the way to the exit way. Just loved it! What a beautiful day! Cheers, Michel do not archive ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 08:29:34 AM PST US From: "dsherburn" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Kit for first time buyer --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "dsherburn" Good points, all. I really won't need the plane for transportation. Low and slow would suit my needs just fine. There are some island based strips in Michigan that are about 200 miles away; that's how I came up with the basic "mission description". For the most part, my trips would be shorter and purely for recreation. The engine discussion has my interest.I casually ride off-road motorcycles (dual sport-kind of like the old enduro's) and recently switched to a four stroke. It's heavier, but I absolutely love the sound and performance. My two strokes were always noisier, "peakier", revved higher, vibrated more, etc. However, I don't have any experience with the newer two stroke aircraft engines like the 582. It seems like there are pilots that really like them...they're certainly less expensive. I'll be taking my little Toyota motorhome to Oshkosh...hope to meet some of you there. Sorry to take up all this bandwidth with all these "rookie" questions. It's been my experience this group is very helpful and friendly. Thanks again. Dan ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lowell Fitt" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Kit for first time buyer > --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Lowell Fitt" > > I have lots of thoughts on this one. I read Kurt's reply and will give some > additional thoughts. > What are you planning on doing with your airplane? This might seem like a > funny question to ask, but the type of flying you plan to do should be a big > factor in the airplane you buy. From your brief description, it sounds like > you have a reason to fly for transportation - 200 miles - is that in > addition to recreational flying? The Kitfox is absolutely great for > recreational flying - low and slow. I am associated with a group that flies > regularly together and we usually fly at the FAA minimum altitudes and > sometimes lower than that when in totally uninhabited areas. Flying the > river bends dirt roads and buzzing the private dirt and grass strips. Sort > of what you would do with a "dirt bike" vs. a Honda Gull Wing. I often > describe my airplane as like a dirt bike. > > Your 200 mile trip sounds real practical in the KF - any model. I fly a > Model IV and one of the guys in our group - about your size - flies a Model > IV. He has been in all the Idaho back country strips we all have, and only > once had any problem getting out. That trip he had his son, also about 200 > lbs.,with him and had to use a little flap to get over some trees at the end > of the strip on one departure. > > I think the Model IV would fit you fine, with the only consideration, > baggage. The later models, if configured properly will carry 200# more in > the baggage sack. I use a backpack in the passenger seat to fill out my > baggage needs. > > I also like the Rotax 912 UL. The 912 ULS is a great engine also, but there > seem to be a few more issues with it because of the torsional vibration at > slow speeds I.e. start up and shut down. A lot of guys prefer a little more > horsepower than available in the Rotax engines, but you trade payload for > that in every instance. > > All in all, I would consider what your primary use will be, then monitor the > list for a while and get a feel for what the various list members are flying > or doing. I like to fly and don't much like the doing part although I > tinker with stuff. My Model IV and the Rotax 912 UL has been virtually > bullet proof - 570 hours and in an hour or two will put another hour on it > as we fly to Jackson to plan our Summer Idaho flying. > > Regards, Lowell > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "dsherburn" > To: > Subject: Kitfox-List: Kit for first time buyer > > > > --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "dsherburn" > > > > Listers, > > I'm 6' , 200 lbs. and am looking for my first kit to > > build. I'm an instrument rated private pilot with no > > tail dragger time. I work for a living and money isn't > > as available as it should be. > > > > What's a good Kitfox to build? > > Any other recommended kits? > > What is a good engine choice? > > Should I buy new, or try to find a pre-purchased, but > > "not built" kit? > > > > At the end of the day, it will still be up to me to decide. But > > I'd like to hear any and all opinions and biases. > > > > 100 mph is fine...mostly alone, occasionally one other person. > > Probably 100 hours per year, 200 mile trips average (one way). > > > > Thanks in advance.... > > > > Dan Sherburn > > Spring Lake, MI > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 08:36:32 AM PST US From: "Dave & Wendy Grosvenor" Subject: Kitfox-List: 912S surging/rough --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Dave & Wendy Grosvenor" I'm still struggling to get my 912S running smoothly. I've pulled off the carbs and cleaned them out in case there was some dirt in the jets. Up to 4800rpm she runs smoothly. From 4800 to 5200 she surges and sounds rough. 5200 to my max I get in flight of 5400 is smooth again. If I slowly decrease the throttle from full, as it gets to around the 5000rpm mark the revs drop rapidly then surge up and down, almost like it's looking for a happy medium to run at. I have manually balanced the carbs as per the manual, and done it a few times to be sure. Someone suggested it may be running too lean, and I tried lowering the clip on the needle fron position 3 to 4. However in position 4 it is definately running too rich, and can be seen on the plugs. At the current position 3 the plugs look great. The only other thing I can think of trying is balancing the carbs with a manometer. Can you make up a simple water manometer for this? Any suggestions will be appreciated. Dave ________________________________ Message 13 ____________________________________ Time: 08:43:25 AM PST US From: "Don Pearsall" Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: (off-topic) What a nice day! --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Don Pearsall" Happy Birthday Michel! Thanks for putting the photos on line too. Your town looks cooooooold. I also notice your 'fox has smooth tires and the snow is hard packed. Any braking problems? Don Pearsall Seattle, WA USA ________________________________ Message 14 ____________________________________ Time: 08:54:38 AM PST US From: "John E. King " Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: 912-S Oil Cooler Failures --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "John E. King " Randy, I have just uploaded five pictures of the oil cooler and mounting bracket for my Rotax 912ULS installed in my Series 6. These are listed under "Add-Ons/Modifications" on the SportFlight web site. I have since beefed up the vertical mounting supports shown in the pictures using heavier aluminum material. -- John King Warrenton, VA Randy Daughenbaugh wrote: >--> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Randy Daughenbaugh" > >As one of many who may be installing an oil cooler on a 912S at some point >in the not too distant future, I am requesting that you post the pictures on >Sport Fllight or the Matronics site if you could. It sounds like a key >issue and your information could be real valuable. > >Randy - Series 5/7 and a partially installed 912S > >. > > > > ________________________________ Message 15 ____________________________________ Time: 09:10:12 AM PST US From: Torgeir Mortensen Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: (off-topic) What a nice day! --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Torgeir Mortensen Hi Michel, Gratulerer med dagen Michel! Means; Happy Birthday! What a blast, -and nice weather too. Up here, in the "cold North", it's raining and sleeting.. I'll have "one in my leg" - for you!! :-) .. Cheers, Torgeir Michel Verheughe wrote: > > --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Michel Verheughe > > Friends, > > Today is my birthday and the weather gods gave me a nice present: CAVOK and no > wind. After three weeks without flying, I couldn't do anything else than ... > fly to celebrate the day. > > What a nice day! > Here, I come on final. Not easy to see the runway in the snow. Do you see it? > > http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/final.jpg > > This is my hometown of Tonsberg. You see an arm of the fjord, frozen and > covered with snow, and in the background, the main entrance to the Oslo fjord, > free of ice. > > http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/tbg.jpg > > Just for Kurt, my viking helmet: > > http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/pic4.jpg > > And for everyone: my lovely Tango: > > http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/parked2.jpg > > No wind on the ground but some wind at 1,000 ft. Cold ground + mild air inversion and a bit of turbulence in the transition layer. A typical winter weather. > I did touch and go, landed one three wheels, two wheels, one wheel. Landed sooo > smooth. Last landing, on two wheels and kept the tail up all the way to the > exit way. Just loved it! What a beautiful day! > > Cheers, > Michel > > do not archive > ________________________________ Message 16 ____________________________________ Time: 09:11:14 AM PST US From: RiteAngle3@aol.com Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: (off-topic) What a nice day! --> Kitfox-List message posted by: RiteAngle3@aol.com In a message dated 2/14/04 8:43:54 AM Pacific Standard Time, donpearsall@comcast.net writes: I also notice your 'fox has smooth tires and the snow is hard packed. Any braking problems? I think it is always dark this time of year, how can it be a nice day :-) Oh thats right you are in S part of country. As cold as the temperature gets, the Density Altitude is several thousand feet below sea level, they actually land going backwards there is so much lift, and use the prop to stop :-) Must be lots of great people born in Feb, mine was on the 11th, Michels yesterday ~~ just don't know who the great ones were :-) Elbie DO NOT ARCHIVE Elbie ________________________________ Message 17 ____________________________________ Time: 09:20:17 AM PST US From: "Jeff Thomas" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: (off-topic) What a nice day! --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Jeff Thomas" Happy Birthday Michel, Is it impolite to ask how old you are today? Unfortunately the weather in England today is not so good, we have low cloud drizzle and rain so I could not go flying. But it is Valentines day today and I am taking my wife out for a romantic dinner this evening which is some recompense. Best regards Jeff Do not archive ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michel Verheughe" Subject: Kitfox-List: (off-topic) What a nice day! > --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Michel Verheughe > > Friends, > > Today is my birthday and the weather gods gave me a nice present: CAVOK and no > wind. After three weeks without flying, I couldn't do anything else than ... > fly to celebrate the day. > > What a nice day! > Here, I come on final. Not easy to see the runway in the snow. Do you see it? > ________________________________ Message 18 ____________________________________ Time: 10:13:41 AM PST US From: "JMCBEAN" Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: (off-topic) What a nice day! --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "JMCBEAN" Happy B-day !! Not a better we to celebrate it !!!! Blue Skies!! John & Debra McBean "The Sky is not the Limit... It's a Playground" -----Original Message----- From: owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Michel Verheughe Subject: Kitfox-List: (off-topic) What a nice day! --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Michel Verheughe Friends, Today is my birthday and the weather gods gave me a nice present: CAVOK and no wind. After three weeks without flying, I couldn't do anything else than ... fly to celebrate the day. What a nice day! Here, I come on final. Not easy to see the runway in the snow. Do you see it? http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/final.jpg This is my hometown of Tonsberg. You see an arm of the fjord, frozen and covered with snow, and in the background, the main entrance to the Oslo fjord, free of ice. http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/tbg.jpg Just for Kurt, my viking helmet: http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/pic4.jpg And for everyone: my lovely Tango: http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/parked2.jpg No wind on the ground but some wind at 1,000 ft. Cold ground + mild air inversion and a bit of turbulence in the transition layer. A typical winter weather. I did touch and go, landed one three wheels, two wheels, one wheel. Landed sooo smooth. Last landing, on two wheels and kept the tail up all the way to the exit way. Just loved it! What a beautiful day! Cheers, Michel do not archive ________________________________ Message 19 ____________________________________ Time: 10:21:42 AM PST US From: Dcecil3@aol.com Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: engine mount mis-alignment --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Dcecil3@aol.com Arthur , As I said,my mount was the same way but the frame will mount to your plane ! a 1/4" is not bad, the frame will move enough to get the bolts in.It's an easy thing to do.1.) slide the bolts ALL the way into the airframe(2.) starting with the bottom bolt slide the engine mount on just enough so it doesent come off (3.) Now work the top 2 on makeing sure the bolts go in about a 1/4" (4) Now useing some force push the motor mount back against the firewall/ or airframe (.5) now useing the Rubber Mallet lightly tap the bolts so the threads appear (6.) now you have 3 bolts in and the other 2 will move up or down easy. To remove them use a 1/4" drift work around the mount lightly tapping until all the bolts are out.I don't think your mount is Junk,there is alot of Vibration there. I would think it Should be that tight , so the vibration would be transmitted to the rubber and not the delicate airframe Hope this helps you out Best to All David Cecil KF3#950 ________________________________ Message 20 ____________________________________ Time: 10:23:41 AM PST US From: "JMCBEAN" Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: engine mount mis-alignment --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "JMCBEAN" Arthur, I was waiting for some other responses before I piped in. I have installed several engines in aircraft (Cessna, Kitfox, Mooney, Piper, etc..) and I do not believe I have ever had one engine mount that didn't require the list of cuss words to go along with it. It's best if you have another person assist.. but I believe you install the center bolts and leave them loose then the bottom and then the upper. It will require elbow strength... OK maybe a little more then elbow strength.. but you shouldn't need to use anything other then your hands. Make sure that you do not ream the bottom bolt in the mount... it is tapped. You will need to run a tap in there to clean out the threads. Also.... The bottom bolt is a little too long and may require one or two extra washers under the head of the bolt. Before going off half cocked one should check the facts..... Lord knows.. I've have never gone off half cocked :) Blue Skies!! John & Debra McBean A good friend will come and bail you out of jail.. but, a true friend will be sitting in the cell next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!" -----Original Message----- From: owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Arthur Nation Subject: Kitfox-List: engine mount mis-alignment --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Arthur Nation I forgot to mention, in my original post, that the bottom mounting hole is also out of alignment as well as not reaching the firewall.The engine mount there lacks about 3/16 inch of being against the airframe and the hole is out by 1/2 of the bolt width. Arthur Nation ________________________________ Message 21 ____________________________________ Time: 10:31:45 AM PST US From: Dcecil3@aol.com Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: (off-topic) What a nice day! --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Dcecil3@aol.com HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! And to All in Love Whatever your Age. HAPPY VALINTINES DAY!!!!!!!!!!(Lets not forget the ones who put up with our love of building Airplanes) Best David Cecil KF3#950 ________________________________ Message 22 ____________________________________ Time: 10:39:37 AM PST US From: kurt schrader Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: engine mount mis-alignment --> Kitfox-List message posted by: kurt schrader Now I feel bad. My NSI engine came ready on the mount and two of us hung it on the plane while holding it up ourselves. Everything slipped together with nar more than a jiggle. Hung it before covering the plane, then removed it and rehung it after covering. Am I just lucky, or did I do it wrong? Did the rest of you NSI users have any trouble? I thought it was just SS that had trouble until now. Kurt S. --- JMCBEAN wrote: > --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "JMCBEAN" > > > Arthur, > I was waiting for some other responses > before I piped in. I have installed > several engines in aircraft (Cessna, Kitfox, Mooney, > Piper, etc..) and I do > not believe I have ever had one engine mount that > didn't require the list of > cuss words to go along with it. __________________________________ http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html ________________________________ Message 23 ____________________________________ Time: 10:43:56 AM PST US From: jareds Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Kit for first time buyer --> Kitfox-List message posted by: jareds Dan, IMHO: Last year was my first year flying mine after building from scratch. If i had to do it over, I'd look for a model IV 1200 gross or higher with a 912 for sure. My model IV 1050 doesnt leave me much useful load. Also the 582 vs the 912 and that whole debate. Kurt is absolutely right about the commitment to building. I liken my kitfox to my old ape hanger harley chopper! There is definitely maintenance and having built it you know its nuances which is extremely helpful when troubleshooting. Legally unless you rebuild 51% of it you have to have a signoff but even GA guys do their own work then get the sign off. If your budget is an issue there are always guys looking to sell. If you are resourceful, you can get most everything you need for far less money than starting from scratch. You've already taken the biggest step which is to lean on the huge wealth of knowledge on this list. Don't worry about taking up bandwidth because most of these guys live to help guys not make the same mistakes they did! Good luck Jared dsherburn wrote: >--> Kitfox-List message posted by: "dsherburn" > >Listers, >I'm 6' , 200 lbs. and am looking for my first kit to >build. I'm an instrument rated private pilot with no >tail dragger time. I work for a living and money isn't >as available as it should be. > > What's a good Kitfox to build? > Any other recommended kits? > What is a good engine choice? > Should I buy new, or try to find a pre-purchased, but > "not built" kit? > >At the end of the day, it will still be up to me to decide. But >I'd like to hear any and all opinions and biases. > >100 mph is fine...mostly alone, occasionally one other person. >Probably 100 hours per year, 200 mile trips average (one way). > >Thanks in advance.... > >Dan Sherburn >Spring Lake, MI > > > > ________________________________ Message 24 ____________________________________ Time: 10:57:10 AM PST US From: kurt schrader Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: (off-topic) What a nice day! --> Kitfox-List message posted by: kurt schrader Hey Michel, Happy Birthday! When you were a kid, did you ever think it would get this good? I can hear the snow crunch just looking at your pictures. I imagine it billowing up in a dusting behind your might 582 as you power up to take off. Tango tastes the crisp air and the sound of her rings through the valley as others in town can only admire the fun you are having. And though you have struggled to get here, today the fun has just begun. As for me, I share my birthday with Hitler. Guess I am just destined to terrorize distraught experimental pilots with weak attempts at humor. You are all just stuck with me. Now if I had a Viking helmit, you'd have to laugh every time. :-) Kurt S. Do not archive. __________________________________ http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html ________________________________ Message 25 ____________________________________ Time: 11:06:13 AM PST US From: Dcecil3@aol.com Subject: Re: Kitfox-List:Note to First Time Builders!! --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Dcecil3@aol.com This is my Third Aircraft I've built. My first was a Challenger, I restored a Buccaneer Amphibian, and now I am working on a Kitfox Model 3. The one thing I've learned is, we tend to treat our projects, like most Adults look at Computers. We don't like pushing buttons for fear of messing up.....Well I've learned (with 4 Kids) that it's Really hard to Mess one up. Kids these days are "Computer Wizards" because their not scared to see what "This Button does?" Our Airframes are light but really strong don't be afraid to knock them around alittle most of these 4130 chromoly tubes have a 90,000 PSI rating! you aint gonna Mess them up, with no more pulling and tugging you have to do with them. They aint made of Glass!!!!!! I'm not saying that if "all else fails get a bigger hammer" but just that if it looks right to you it probably is! Don't throw it in the trash just because it doesn't seem to fit the first time. Remember your supposed to have FUN building this plane, if your not, Sell it and buy a Cessna,it will be the best money you ever spent. I love building planes as much as flying them. I like the feeling I get when People come over and look at what I've built and say "You built that? Wow!" but on a more Somber note if you don't, get the Cessna your aircraft will be much safer, because it was'ent thrown together. OK Guys blast away lol Hope everyone got something out of this!!! Sunday Sermons over lol Best to All David Cecil KF3#950 ________________________________ Message 26 ____________________________________ Time: 11:14:43 AM PST US From: kurt schrader Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Kit for first time buyer --> Kitfox-List message posted by: kurt schrader Well Cliff, I may have mis-spoke from memory. I came from the school (the Marines) that says, "Unless someone tells you you can't, you can!" Backed that up with "It is easier to get forgivness than permission". Some live the other way around and have to get permission for everything. So my first thought is to not get in your way. It was my understanding that, without the repairman's certificate, you were more limited on maintenance. Thought I read it, but given the above philosophy, I am not inclined to look for restrictions to put on you. If the DAR said it, I would not stop until someone shows you in writing that you can't. Kurt S. > I know of nothing that an owner CAN'T legally do on > an experimental he didn't build, other than the > annual condition inspection. My local DAR told > me that an owner can do all of the maintenance and > every experimental owner I know agrees. If I am > missing something, please tell me what it is that I > CAN'T do? > Cliff __________________________________ http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html ________________________________ Message 27 ____________________________________ Time: 11:44:53 AM PST US From: "JMCBEAN" Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: Opinions on preparing to fly kitfox --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "JMCBEAN" Tom, IMHO... as an instructor.. I would gladly have helped you rent and fly the tail wheel aircraft.. However, I would have suggested that the two of us go fly something you are a little more familiar with to get back "in the groove" It's been eight years.. lets get you back in the seat again. Get with someone that teaches tail wheel aircraft to do your re-currency in the tri-gear... If he's doing his job he'll have you landing the tri in preparation for the tail wheel training. Here is some reasoning: 1.) A brand new student pilot does not bring bad flying habits to the table. So starting that student in a tail wheel aircraft can work out great and IMHO. 2.) A licensed current pilot (100+ hrs) with no tail wheel experience will be comfortable with the aircraft but may have created some bad habits that need to be corrected. Or wasn't taught correctly to begin with. Some learn to fly in spite of their instruction. 3.) A pilot that hasn't flown in some time needs to regain some confidence and possibly correct some bad habits that have been learned. Here's an example... I do several flight reviews throughout the year. My job is to evaluate if you have command of the aircraft and that you can operate safely within the limitations of your certificate. Most pilots do not even realize that they are not landing straight.... And they do not fly the aircraft all the way to the tie downs. They simply stop flying and start driving. A tail dragger will have that pilot for breakfast, lunch and dinner. OK, so you say that is why you get training in tail wheels.... This is a habit.. and needs to be broken... if you were taught correctly, every aircraft is flown from the instant it starts to the instant it stops..... if the winds are howling you better be flying it until it's put away. OK.. off my soap box...... I would suggest that you get back in the saddle with a tri-gear... Let that instructor know that you are going to be transitioning to tail wheel aircraft and hopefully he or she will guide you in the correct direction. Blue Skies!! John & Debra McBean A good friend will come and bail you out of jail.. but, a true friend will be sitting in the cell next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!" -----Original Message----- From: owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Tom Jones Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Opinions on preparing to fly kitfox --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Tom Jones Here's some clarification on my question. I contacted a flight school with a champ and they told me to go get 5 or 6 hours dual in a nose wheel plane first. That kind of surprised me. I figured money would be better spent all on tail wheel rental and instruction. Using my kitfox for instruction is not an option. It is in phase one. I know there are opinions otherwise, but I won't do it. Tom Jones > I'm looking for opinions on how to best prepare myself to fly my kitfox. > I'm a 300 hour Cherokee pilot that has not flown for eight years except to > ground loop and damage my new kitfox with an instructor four years ago. > Would it be of any value to start with a few hours instruction in a nose > wheel plane to get current before starting tail wheel training? FWIW, it > will be a different instructor and not in my kitfox. > Tom Jones, La Pine, OR ________________________________ Message 28 ____________________________________ Time: 11:55:22 AM PST US From: "Fox5flyer" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: (off-topic) What a nice day! --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Fox5flyer" > Is it impolite to ask how old you are today? Unfortunately the weather in > England today is not so good, we have low cloud drizzle and rain so I could > not go flying. So what's new Jeff? Isn't it that way almost every day? :-) Hope the dinner goes well. Darrel Banbury resident in a previous life... ________________________________ Message 29 ____________________________________ Time: 11:55:29 AM PST US From: "JMCBEAN" Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: Kit for first time buyer --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "JMCBEAN" If I bought the aircraft used, I can still do the maintenance ? A. Assuming the aircraft you buy is certificated in the experimental light-sport aircraft category you can perform the maintenance consistent with the manufacturers continuing airworthiness instructions and any restrictions in the operating limitations section of the airworthiness certificate without specific maintenance training. In order to perform the 12-month condition inspection and approve the aircraft for return to service, you would need to attend the 16-hour inspection training course and obtain an FAA repairman certificate (light-sport aircraft) with inspection privileges. B. However, if the aircraft you buy is certificated as an amateur-built experimental aircraft then you can perform maintenance on the aircraft but cannot approve the aircraft for return to service after a 12-month condition inspection. This is because you are not eligible for the repairman certificate under 65.104 on account of the fact that you were not the original builder of the aircraft. Blue Skies!! John & Debra McBean A good friend will come and bail you out of jail.. but, a true friend will be sitting in the cell next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!" -----Original Message----- From: owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of kurt schrader Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Kit for first time buyer --> Kitfox-List message posted by: kurt schrader Well Cliff, I may have mis-spoke from memory. I came from the school (the Marines) that says, "Unless someone tells you you can't, you can!" Backed that up with "It is easier to get forgivness than permission". Some live the other way around and have to get permission for everything. So my first thought is to not get in your way. It was my understanding that, without the repairman's certificate, you were more limited on maintenance. Thought I read it, but given the above philosophy, I am not inclined to look for restrictions to put on you. If the DAR said it, I would not stop until someone shows you in writing that you can't. Kurt S. > I know of nothing that an owner CAN'T legally do on > an experimental he didn't build, other than the > annual condition inspection. My local DAR told > me that an owner can do all of the maintenance and > every experimental owner I know agrees. If I am > missing something, please tell me what it is that I > CAN'T do? > Cliff __________________________________ http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html ________________________________ Message 30 ____________________________________ Time: 11:58:44 AM PST US From: "Fox5flyer" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: engine mount mis-alignment --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Fox5flyer" Nope, mine popped right on. Darrel > Am I just lucky, or did I do it wrong? Did the rest > of you NSI users have any trouble? I thought it was > just SS that had trouble until now. > > Kurt S. ________________________________ Message 31 ____________________________________ Time: 12:29:40 PM PST US From: "Randy Daughenbaugh" Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: 912-S Oil Cooler Failures --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Randy Daughenbaugh" John, Thanks much for the great pictures. I had some questions as I went through them, but the next picture answered them. Great workmanship! Thanks, Randy . -----Original Message----- From: owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of John E. King Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: 912-S Oil Cooler Failures --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "John E. King " Randy, I have just uploaded five pictures of the oil cooler and mounting bracket for my Rotax 912ULS installed in my Series 6. These are listed under "Add-Ons/Modifications" on the SportFlight web site. I have since beefed up the vertical mounting supports shown in the pictures using heavier aluminum material. -- John King Warrenton, VA ________________________________ Message 32 ____________________________________ Time: 02:02:07 PM PST US From: Fred Shiple Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: (off-topic) What a nice day! --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Fred Shiple Michel, Happy Birthday! Thanks for taking the time to send the picures. I had a chance to see a small part of your country last summer and it's truly beautiful. Fred ________________________________ Message 33 ____________________________________ Time: 03:26:22 PM PST US From: Tc9008@aol.com Subject: Kitfox-List: Temperature on a 582 --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Tc9008@aol.com I have a 97 Model IV w/ 582 water cooled engine. While doing touch and goes on climb out the temp goes to 180. In the pattern it cools back to 160-170. Is this a problem that I need to address or is everything ok. The outside temp is 50F. Everything else is good and it really runs well. ________________________________ Message 34 ____________________________________ Time: 03:30:32 PM PST US From: "Marc Arseneault" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: (off-topic) What a nice day! --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Marc Arseneault" Happy Birthday Michel and many more years of good health and of course offlying! Best Regards, Marc Arseneault Ontario Canada ============================================================ ________________________________ Message 35 ____________________________________ Time: 03:34:54 PM PST US From: "Marc Arseneault" Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: Temperature on a 582 --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Marc Arseneault" I also have a Model IV with a 582 and on climb out my temps go to 180. This is the maximum you want it to get and to lower this you could lower the rad by approx. one inch. I lowered mine 1" and I will be lowering it another one. Best Regards, Marc Arseneault Ontario Canada ________________________________ Message 36 ____________________________________ Time: 04:01:33 PM PST US From: Arthur Nation Subject: Kitfox-List: engine mount mis-alignment --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Arthur Nation To the List: Thanks for all the replies and various comments. I used a pry bar (3 ft crowbar) to see that the second upper bolt could be inserted. Now, having two upper bolts in place, I elected to use my theory that ' it is easier to go down, than up'. I had my wife (125 lbs) pretend she was the engine, and hang on to the front end of the engine mount. This brought the bottom-center hole in alignment. After that, using the same pry bar, I aligned the outside two mounting holes. Now all is happy in Kitfox land. I guess that I have been too accustomed to having mating parts in various mechanical apparatus be in almost perfect alignment. Not requiring the use of a crow-bar to, say, 'adjust the carburetor'!! Kurt-- I agree that you must have been one lucky person in hanging your NSI engine with no trouble. Perhaps this was a manufacturing mistake in the right direction!!! (Smiley) ... -.- Arthur do not archive ________________________________ Message 37 ____________________________________ Time: 04:01:58 PM PST US From: "Clem Nichols" Subject: Kitfox-List: Kitfox Maintenance --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Clem Nichols" I purchased my Model IV already built, and therefore obviously cannot do an annual inspection on it. It is registered in the experimental category because there was not at the time it was built, and still isn't at present a sport plane category. My question is this: Does anyone know if I will be able to somehow get my plane reclassified when sport-plane goes into effect? If I can, then am I correct in assuming that after taking the required 16 or 18 hour course that I can do my own annual? A second question which the first one brings up is will that training course have to be given by Skystar? It's my understanding that this is the case. Thanks for your response. Clem Nichols ________________________________ Message 38 ____________________________________ Time: 04:22:49 PM PST US From: "Kitfox" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: (off-topic) What a nice day! --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Kitfox" Michel, Happy Birthday 'old chap' and may you (and your Kitfox) have many more :>) Hopefully we (and the Kitfoxes!!) will get to meet up further south and in warmer places at sometime! Best wishes Chris Bates G-BSFY Kitfox Owners Club (UK) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michel Verheughe" Subject: Kitfox-List: (off-topic) What a nice day! > --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Michel Verheughe > > Friends, > > Today is my birthday and the weather gods gave me a nice present: CAVOK and no > wind. After three weeks without flying, I couldn't do anything else than ... > fly to celebrate the day. > > What a nice day! > Here, I come on final. Not easy to see the runway in the snow. Do you see it? > > http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/final.jpg > > This is my hometown of Tonsberg. You see an arm of the fjord, frozen and > covered with snow, and in the background, the main entrance to the Oslo fjord, > free of ice. > > http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/tbg.jpg > > Just for Kurt, my viking helmet: > > http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/pic4.jpg > > And for everyone: my lovely Tango: > > http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/parked2.jpg > > No wind on the ground but some wind at 1,000 ft. Cold ground + mild air inversion and a bit of turbulence in the transition layer. A typical winter weather. > I did touch and go, landed one three wheels, two wheels, one wheel. Landed sooo > smooth. Last landing, on two wheels and kept the tail up all the way to the > exit way. Just loved it! What a beautiful day! > > Cheers, > Michel > > do not archive > > ________________________________ Message 39 ____________________________________ Time: 04:29:12 PM PST US From: "Dee Young" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: (off-topic) What a nice day! Seal-Send-Time: Sat, 14 Feb 2004 16:28:58 -0800 --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Dee Young" Michel, your plane caught me by surprise, my thoughts went back to the time of the "Grey Gost". Dee Young Model II Do not archive To: kitfox-list@matronics.com Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2004 8:19 AM Subject: Kitfox-List: (off-topic) What a nice day! --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Michel Verheughe > Friends, Today is my birthday and the weather gods gave me a nice present: CAVOK and no wind. After three weeks without flying, I couldn't do anything else than ... fly to celebrate the day. What a nice day! Here, I come on final. Not easy to see the runway in the snow. Do you see it? http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/final.jpg This is my hometown of Tonsberg. You see an arm of the fjord, frozen and covered with snow, and in the background, the main entrance to the Oslo fjord, free of ice. http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/tbg.jpg Just for Kurt, my viking helmet: http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/pic4.jpg And for everyone: my lovely Tango: http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/parked2.jpg No wind on the ground but some wind at 1,000 ft. Cold ground + mild air inversion and a bit of turbulence in the transition layer. A typical winter weather. I did touch and go, landed one three wheels, two wheels, one wheel. Landed sooo smooth. Last landing, on two wheels and kept the tail up all the way to the exit way. Just loved it! What a beautiful day! Cheers, Michel do not archive ________________________________ Message 40 ____________________________________ Time: 05:10:35 PM PST US From: kurt schrader Subject: Re: Kitfox-List:Note to First Time Builders!! --> Kitfox-List message posted by: kurt schrader Hi David, When people came over to see what I was building, the replies went from, "I would never fly in anything I built." (or anything you built either - implied) to "It's made of kindling!" to "Fabric? What happens when you hit a bird?" Then when it was done, the story changed. First came "Wow, you built that?" Then they still said they would never fly in anything THEY built, but "Hey, when can I fly in yours?" Now things like that help, but days like Michel had for a birthday.... those are what you build it for. IMHO. Do not archive Kurt S. --- Dcecil3@aol.com wrote: > OK Guys blast away. lol > Hope everyone got something out of this!!! Sunday > Sermons over lol > Best to > All > David Cecil __________________________________ http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html ________________________________ Message 41 ____________________________________ Time: 05:24:33 PM PST US From: "Lowell Fitt" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Re: Ailerons - To trim or not to trim . . . --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Lowell Fitt" Ron, I would put all my energy into the washout part. Dihedral is a non issue fro practical reasons. With both wings balanced for washout, the fuselage will simply hang beneath. A half inch on one side won't make any difference. When I was building SS sent out a service letter on this. The initial builders manual said to adjust the dihedral so the wings would be even when folded. I guess someone challenged them on this. Anyway, this was changed to make the dihedral correct when extended, but due to weldment inaccuracies, it resulted in one wing high when in the folded position.. A lot of builders, concerned with the esthetics of the airplane with wings folded went ahead and made them even despite a slight variance when in fling position. No one seemed to complain about flying characteristics after this adjustment. Lowell ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom Jones" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Re: Ailerons - To trim or not to trim . . . > --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Tom Jones > > > >Because the dihedral now measures 1/2=B0 less in the left wing than the > right, I will now readjust the >washout so that they are exactly the same > for both wings, then adjust the dihedral so that it too is equal for >both > wings. I will then expect the plane fly nearly as designed. If there is > still a slight need I will try a small >trim tab. > > Ron Carroll > > KF3/582 - Oregon > > Ron, > Washout is the most important adjustment here. You are right to make sure > it is equal in both wings. I don't think you would be able to detect a > small dihedral difference between the wings in flight. As you know, any > adjustments you make to the wing rigging once the plane is finished come > from flexing the wing spars. You can also end up "Chasing" the rigging > between dihedral and washout until you go nuts. After adjusting the washout > to be equal and still a heavy wing in flight, I would check all other > rigging specs before I changed the dihedral on a finished plane. The test > will be: wings level without pressure on the stick and stalls without > dropping a wing. > Tom Jones > > ________________________________ Message 42 ____________________________________ Time: 05:59:20 PM PST US From: "John E. King " Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: 912S surging/rough --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "John E. King " Dave, A water manometer is a very simple device to make. All you need is some clear plastic tubing and a piece of wood or similar material approximately 2 1/2 feet long by 6 inches wide. Something to secure the tubing to. Size is not critical. The simplest manometer would consist of forming a U-shape configuration with the plastic tubing on the surface of the board. The ends of the tubing extending beyond the board should be long enough to attach to each carb. at the same place as the primer is attached. Primer should be disconnected. You can also make a dual manometer, one for each carb. That will require two separate pieces of clear plastic U-shaped tubing each mounted on the same board, side by side. One end of each u-shaped tube should be connected to each carb, while the other ends of the tubing should be left to vent to the atmosphere. This end should be near the top of the board. A small amount of water should be placed in the u-shaped tubes prior to being attached to the engine. When the engine is running the water in the tubes will travel up or down to a fixed position depending on the amount of vacuum generated by each carb. When the carbs are balanced the water levels will be the same. I prefer a mercury manometer because the mercury is heavier and provides a more stable reading than water, but that is just my preference. Water will give you a more sensitive reading because it is lighter. Don't put too much water in the tubing and hold the board below the level of the carbs just so the water won't have a tendency to be sucked into the carbs due to the vacuum. It has been a long time since I did this, so I hope I remembered it correctly. Hope this helps. -- John King Warrenton, VA Dave & Wendy Grosvenor wrote: >--> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Dave & Wendy Grosvenor" > >The only other thing I can think of trying is balancing the carbs with a >manometer. Can you make up a simple water manometer for this? > >Any suggestions will be appreciated. > >Dave > > > > ________________________________ Message 43 ____________________________________ Time: 06:07:32 PM PST US From: "Jeff Hays" Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: engine mount mis-alignment --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Jeff Hays" Arthur - If it makes you feel better, I used an 8' 2x4 to align the vertical stab on my Series-5. By the "Brute Force" bending method prior to fabric. Jeff Hays -----Original Message----- From: owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Arthur Nation Subject: Kitfox-List: engine mount mis-alignment --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Arthur Nation To the List: Thanks for all the replies and various comments. I used a pry bar (3 ft crowbar) to see that the second upper bolt could be inserted. Now, having two upper bolts in place, I elected to use my theory that ' it is easier to go down, than up'. I had my wife (125 lbs) pretend she was the engine, and hang on to the front end of the engine mount. This brought the bottom-center hole in alignment. After that, using the same pry bar, I aligned the outside two mounting holes. Now all is happy in Kitfox land. I guess that I have been too accustomed to having mating parts in various mechanical apparatus be in almost perfect alignment. Not requiring the use of a crow-bar to, say, 'adjust the carburetor'!! Kurt-- I agree that you must have been one lucky person in hanging your NSI engine with no trouble. Perhaps this was a manufacturing mistake in the right direction!!! (Smiley) ... -.- Arthur do not archive ________________________________ Message 44 ____________________________________ Time: 06:41:39 PM PST US From: "Bob Robertson" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Temperature on a 582 --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Bob Robertson" Sounds like it is working just right. There is nothing wrong with the temps going up to 180 in a hard extended climb. The manual states that 180 is the max allowed temp and you are just getting there. The engine is perfectly happy with 160-170 as that is the preferred temps. Those temps just mean that you are getting the engine up to the operating temps it was designed to operate at. Relax and enjoy the flight...... regards Bob Robertson Light Engine Services Ltd. Rotax Service Center St. Albert, Ab. Can ----- Original Message ----- From: Subject: Kitfox-List: Temperature on a 582 > --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Tc9008@aol.com > > I have a 97 Model IV w/ 582 water cooled engine. While doing touch and goes > on climb out the temp goes to 180. In the pattern it cools back to 160-170. Is > this a problem that I need to address or is everything ok. The outside temp is > 50F. Everything else is good and it really runs well. > > ________________________________ Message 45 ____________________________________ Time: 06:45:36 PM PST US From: Arthur Nation Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: engine mount mis-alignment --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Arthur Nation On Friday 13 February 2004 22:58, kurt schrader wrote: Hi Kurt, Yes the engine mount is the correct version, I think!! Apparently the welding process leaves the mounting holes out of alignment. I really don't understand this as a jig is used. Perhaps the stresses from welding distort the frame after cooling and release from the jig. The firewall holes are near perfect. I am really thinking of something besides the 912S that I have ordered, but don't expect to get. How many hrs do you have on yours and do you find your plane 'nose-heavy' as one other person commented? Arthur > --> Kitfox-List message posted by: kurt schrader > > > Arthur, > > I wonder if they just sent an engine mount for the > wrong series plane? Is it for the -7 for sure? Does > the firewall match the plane and it is only the mount > that is off? Or does nothing match? > > Kurt S. > > __________________________________ > http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html > > ________________________________ Message 46 ____________________________________ Time: 07:59:07 PM PST US From: Herbert R Gottelt Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: 912S surging/rough --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Herbert R Gottelt If anybody wants to build a cheap manometer for checking dual carb calibration, here is my method: Get 8 ft of clear plastic tubing, fill it about half with engine oil. Holding the ends up, attach each end to the small vacuum port under the carbs. Off course, you must disconnect the primer lines if you got a primer installed. Bring the 1/4" tubing around the engine and muffler. The idea is to have both plastic lines close together so you can compare the oil level. After engine start you have an immediate indication of your carb calibration by watching the level of the oil change. Keep the tubing away from hot exhaust parts. The higher oil level indicates the higher vacuum. I check my synchronization at idle (make sure both carbs are against a positive stop around 1600 to 1800 rpm with a warm engine), and at around 2200 rpm off the stops. The oil level should be equal. I use oil in case the calibration is so out of wack that the engine would ingest oil instead of water. You get better results with the equalizer tube ports closed, but it also works with it in place but not as ac curate. Happy fiddling! Herbert Gottelt, 912UL Mt. Prospect IL (off the stops) Dave & Wendy Grosvenor wrote: --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Dave & Wendy Grosvenor" I'm still struggling to get my 912S running smoothly. I've pulled off the carbs and cleaned them out in case there was some dirt in the jets. Up to 4800rpm she runs smoothly. From 4800 to 5200 she surges and sounds rough. 5200 to my max I get in flight of 5400 is smooth again. If I slowly decrease the throttle from full, as it gets to around the 5000rpm mark the revs drop rapidly then surge up and down, almost like it's looking for a happy medium to run at. I have manually balanced the carbs as per the manual, and done it a few times to be sure. Someone suggested it may be running too lean, and I tried lowering the clip on the needle fron position 3 to 4. However in position 4 it is definately running too rich, and can be seen on the plugs. At the current position 3 the plugs look great. The only other thing I can think of trying is balancing the carbs with a manometer. Can you make up a simple water manometer for this? Any suggestions will be appreciated. Dave ________________________________ Message 47 ____________________________________ Time: 08:10:24 PM PST US From: "Don Pearsall" Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: Kitfox Maintenance --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Don Pearsall" Clem, maybe John McBean will chime in, as he is the Sport Pilot expert as he worked closely with Ed Downs. As I understand it, if you take a maintenance class, you will be able to do work and annual your Model IV yourself. Depending on weight, your Model IV will be able to classify as a sport plane. Don Pearsall Seattle, WA ________________________________ Message 48 ____________________________________ Time: 08:50:13 PM PST US From: "JMCBEAN" Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: Kitfox Maintenance --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "JMCBEAN" Thought I had put this out once..... If I bought the aircraft used, I can still do the maintenance ? Assuming the aircraft you buy is certificated in the experimental light-sport aircraft category you can perform the maintenance consistent with the manufacturers continuing airworthiness instructions and any restrictions in the operating limitations section of the airworthiness certificate without specific maintenance training. In order to perform the 12-month condition inspection and approve the aircraft for return to service, you would need to attend the 16-hour inspection training course and obtain an FAA repairman certificate (light-sport aircraft) with inspection privileges. However, if the aircraft you buy is certificated as an amateur-built experimental aircraft then you can perform maintenance on the aircraft but cannot approve the aircraft for return to service after a 12-month condition inspection. This is because you are not eligible for the repairman certificate under 65.104 on account of the fact that you were not the original builder of the aircraft. Also... try this link http://www.sportpilot.org/nprm/aircraft_maint.html Blue Skies!! John & Debra McBean "The Sky is not the Limit... It's a Playground" -----Original Message----- From: owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Don Pearsall Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: Kitfox Maintenance --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Don Pearsall" Clem, maybe John McBean will chime in, as he is the Sport Pilot expert as he worked closely with Ed Downs. As I understand it, if you take a maintenance class, you will be able to do work and annual your Model IV yourself. Depending on weight, your Model IV will be able to classify as a sport plane. Don Pearsall Seattle, WA ________________________________ Message 49 ____________________________________ Time: 09:22:14 PM PST US From: "Dave & Wendy Grosvenor" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: 912S surging/rough --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Dave & Wendy Grosvenor" Thanks John, I'll give it a go. Dave ----- Original Message ----- From: "John E. King " Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: 912S surging/rough --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "John E. King " Dave, A water manometer is a very simple device to make. All you need is some clear plastic tubing and a piece of wood or similar material approximately 2 1/2 feet long by 6 inches wide. Something to secure the tubing to. Size is not critical. The simplest manometer would consist of forming a U-shape configuration with the plastic tubing on the surface of the board. The ends of the tubing extending beyond the board should be long enough to attach to each carb. at the same place as the primer is attached. Primer should be disconnected. You can also make a dual manometer, one for each carb. That will require two separate pieces of clear plastic U-shaped tubing each mounted on the same board, side by side. One end of each u-shaped tube should be connected to each carb, while the other ends of the tubing should be left to vent to the atmosphere. This end should be near the top of the board. A small amount of water should be placed in the u-shaped tubes prior to being attached to the engine. When the engine is running the water in the tubes will travel up or down to a fixed position depending on the amount of vacuum generated by each carb. When the carbs are balanced the water levels will be the same. I prefer a mercury manometer because the mercury is heavier and provides a more stable reading than water, but that is just my preference. Water will give you a more sensitive reading because it is lighter. Don't put too much water in the tubing and hold the board below the level of the carbs just so the water won't have a tendency to be sucked into the carbs due to the vacuum. It has been a long time since I did this, so I hope I remembered it correctly. Hope this helps. -- John King Warrenton, VA Dave & Wendy Grosvenor wrote: >--> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Dave & Wendy Grosvenor" > >The only other thing I can think of trying is balancing the carbs with a >manometer. Can you make up a simple water manometer for this? > >Any suggestions will be appreciated. > >Dave > > ________________________________ Message 50 ____________________________________ Time: 11:50:09 PM PST US From: "Kitfox" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: (off-topic) What a nice day! --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Kitfox" Some great photos there Michel (not so sure about the third one :) ). Winter can bring some amazing flying weather. I remember taking an aerotow in my glider on a similar day. Once we were off the deck I took my hands and feet off the controls and she just follwed the tug to 3000ft, smooth as silk. Martin Dovey Kitfox Mk 3.5 G-BTSV Kitfox Mk 4.0 G-BZIB > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Michel Verheughe" > > Friends, > > > > Today is my birthday and the weather gods gave me a nice present: CAVOK > and no wind. After three weeks without flying, I couldn't do anything else than > > fly to celebrate the day. What a nice day! > > Here, I come on final. Not easy to see the runway in the snow. Do you see > it? > > http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/final.jpg > > This is my hometown of Tonsberg. You see an arm of the fjord, frozen and > > covered with snow, and in the background, the main entrance to the Oslo > fjord, free of ice. > > http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/tbg.jpg > > Just for Kurt, my viking helmet: > > http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/pic4.jpg > > And for everyone: my lovely Tango: > > http://home.online.no/~michel/tmp/parked2.jpg do not archive