---------------------------------------------------------- Kitfox-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Fri 07/04/08: 12 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 04:35 AM - Re: Model II Cabin Vents (Beemer) 2. 05:49 AM - Re: Tire Balance (Mike Chaney) 3. 07:33 AM - Re: Tire Balance (JetPilot) 4. 07:45 AM - Re: Kitfox on hard surface compared to grass (JetPilot) 5. 07:58 AM - Re: Re: Tire Balance (Guy Buchanan) 6. 03:19 PM - Re: Re: Kitfox on hard surface compared to grass (Pete Christensen) 7. 03:55 PM - Re: Re: Kitfox on hard surface compared to grass (RAY Gignac) 8. 03:55 PM - Re: Tire Balance (Lowlead) 9. 03:56 PM - Re: Re: Kitfox on hard surface compared to grass (John W. Hart) 10. 04:06 PM - Re: Tire Balance (kitfoxmike) 11. 04:10 PM - Re: 912S Oil and Coolant (kitfoxmike) 12. 06:04 PM - Re: Re: Kitfox on hard surface compared to grass (Sbennett3@aol.com) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 04:35:16 AM PST US Subject: Kitfox-List: Re: Model II Cabin Vents From: "Beemer" Forget about the NACA scoops that come with the early kits; they're useless. Go get these: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/vistavents.php ...and put them in the doors/windows. They'll work much better. Bradley -------- Beemer KF2 (and now an M3!) Middle Georgia Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=191210#191210 ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 05:49:24 AM PST US From: Mike Chaney Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: Tire Balance Twenty seconds may be a bit long now that I think about it.- Because it j ust began, I have only had about five take offs since the new tires, I have not actually watched the tires.- I will take Lowell's suggestion and tap the brakes as soon as I notice this and see if it stops. - Mike --- On Thu, 7/3/08, Bob Brennan wrote: From: Bob Brennan Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: Tire Balance "The vibration ends after about twenty seconds or so." - Can we assume that the tires (both?) are rotating for 20 seconds and then s top? If so does the vibration rate slow as the tires slow? - Bob Brennan 1991-UK Model 2 Kitfox Rotax 582 with 3 blade prop Wrightsville Pa - - From: owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-serv er@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Mike Chaney Sent: 03 July 2008 1:17 pm Subject: Kitfox-List: Tire Balance - I have just installed my third set of tires on my Kitfox.- I have never h ad the tires balanced in the past and have never found the need.- However , I am noticing that right after lift off it feels like there is some vibra tion either in the gear or the tires.- I suppose this could be due to poo r take off technique and-I'm leavining the ground a bit uncoordinated (no sarcastic comments please) or the tires need balancing.- The vibration e nds after about twenty seconds or so.- I began noticing this right after I installed the new tires. - Any comments would be appreciated.- If in fact the tires need balancing i s there any way I can balance the tires myself or would-I need to take th em off and take them to a tire dealer. - Mike 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= 3D href='3D"http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List"'>http://www.matr onics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= 3D href='3D"http://forums.matronics.com"'>http://forums.matronics.com 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= 3D href='3D"http://www.matronics.com/contribution"'>http://www.matronics.com /contribution 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= 3D =0A=0A=0A ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 07:33:48 AM PST US Subject: Kitfox-List: Re: Tire Balance From: "JetPilot" Twenty seconds is not long at all for out of balance tires to spin and cause shaking, I have seen it a lot. If it is the mains, tapping the brakes will stop the shaking, if its the nose wheel, it will not. There is nothing in your takeoff technique that could cause the plane to shake for 20 seconds after it leaves the ground, the tire balance is a pretty sure bet. Mike -------- "NO FEAR" - If you have no fear you did not go as fast as you could have !!! Kolb MK-III Xtra, 912-S Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=191233#191233 ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 07:45:28 AM PST US Subject: Kitfox-List: Re: Kitfox on hard surface compared to grass From: "JetPilot" A Tail dragger is much harder on pavement then on grass. If you are even slightly yawed, which you will be, the tires will grab the pavement instantly and jerk you sideways. The grass gives a nice smooth transition for a slightly yawed condition, the pavement will not. Even when you are on the ground, if you are fast, there will be no give like the grass, it will be much easier to ground loop on pavement. Its very doable, just be ready for it, pavement is much harder in a tail dragger. Mike -------- "NO FEAR" - If you have no fear you did not go as fast as you could have !!! Kolb MK-III Xtra, 912-S Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=191236#191236 ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 07:58:27 AM PST US From: Guy Buchanan Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Re: Tire Balance At 11:18 AM 7/3/2008, kitfoxmike wrote: >I have my wheels turn forever after take off, with them balanced it >is smooth as can be. I can remember my tires before balancing and I >always had to hit the brakes, what a pain. Now I just take off and >forget about it. Mike, Stupid question time. Where did you get them balanced. (I mean generally.) Car shop? Aircraft shop? Guy Buchanan San Diego, CA K-IV/1200 w/ 582 C-box & Warp 3 blade 100% and flying thanks mostly to Bob Ducar ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 03:19:48 PM PST US From: Pete Christensen Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Re: Kitfox on hard surface compared to grass Then some of us have never been on grass and don't know better. Pete JetPilot wrote: A Tail dragger is much harder on pavement then on grass. If you are even slightly yawed, which you will be, the tires will grab the pavement instantly and jerk you sideways. The grass gives a nice smooth transition for a slightly yawed condition, the pavement will not. Even when you are on the ground, if you are fast, there will be no give like the grass, it will be much easier to ground loop on pavement. Its very doable, just be ready for it, pavement is much harder in a tail dragger. Mike -------- "NO FEAR" - If you have no fear you did not go as fast as you could have !!! Kolb MK-III Xtra, 912-S Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=191236#191236 ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 03:55:22 PM PST US From: RAY Gignac Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: Re: Kitfox on hard surface compared to grass Come on guys=2C paved is not hard to land a tail dragger on!! I fly on both and find both just as nice. As a matter of fact=2C I learned to fly the F ox from a paved runway and had no problems=2C and been doing it for 4 years now and no ground loops. Ray Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Re: Kitfox on hard surface compared to grassTo: k itfox-list@matronics.com Then some of us have never been on grass and don't know better. Pete JetPilot wrote: on pavement then on grass. If you are even slightly yawed=2C which you wil l be=2C the tires will grab the pavement instantly and jerk you sideways. T he grass gives a nice smooth transition for a slightly yawed condition=2C t he pavement will not. Even when you are on the ground=2C if you are fast=2C there will be no give like the grass=2C it will be much easier to ground l oop on pavement. Its very doable=2C just be ready for it=2C pavement is muc h harder in a tail dragger.Mike--------"NO FEAR" - If you have no fear you did not go as fast as you could have !!!Kolb _________________________________________________________________ It=92s a talkathon ' but it=92s not just talk. http://www.imtalkathon.com/?source=EML_WLH_Talkathon_JustTalk ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 03:55:23 PM PST US Subject: Kitfox-List: Re: Tire Balance From: "Lowlead" Don't know if you've already tried this, but I've read that if the tire has a red paint dot on it, the dot should be aligned with the valve stem for the best balance. Here's a quote from Skytreads.com/mounting : Tire/Wheel Alignment for Balance. The "red" balance mark indicates the light point of the tire's balance. Align this mark with the heavy point of the wheel. Many wheel manufacturers today identify either the light spot or heavy spot of the wheel with markings in the flange area. Follow their instructions on assembly and balance. Be sure to align the tire's light spot 1800 from the wheel's light spot or directly in line with the wheel's heavy spot. In the absence of specific wheel markings, align the tire's red balance mark with the wheel inflation valve. Some aircraft tubes feature balance marks to indicate the heavy portion of the tube. These marks are approximately 1/2" wide and 2" long. When inserting the tube in the tire, its balance mark should be aligned with the balance mark on the tire. If the tube has no balance mark, align the valve with the balance mark on the tire. A properly balanced tire/wheel assembly improves the tire's overall wear characteristics. In addition to severe vibration, an unbalanced assembly will cause irregular and localized tread wear patterns that can reduce the overall performance life of the tire. Dan H. Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=191271#191271 ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 03:56:15 PM PST US From: "John W. Hart" Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: Re: Kitfox on hard surface compared to grass Yep! And in the 46 years I've been a pilot, I've never had a Kitfox, J-3, BC-12D, PA 14, PA 18, C-140, C-170, C-180, C-185, or Maule M6-235, jerk me any direction on pavement, gravel, grass, mud or snow. I've lost control of a couple of them back when I first started flying, and that was from mistakes I made, not the aircraft. John Hart From: owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Pete Christensen Sent: Friday, July 04, 2008 5:17 PM Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Re: Kitfox on hard surface compared to grass Then some of us have never been on grass and don't know better. Pete JetPilot wrote: A Tail dragger is much harder on pavement then on grass. If you are even slightly yawed, which you will be, the tires will grab the pavement instantly and jerk you sideways. The grass gives a nice smooth transition for a slightly yawed condition, the pavement will not. Even when you are on the ground, if you are fast, there will be no give like the grass, it will be much easier to ground loop on pavement. Its very doable, just be ready for it, pavement is much harder in a tail dragger. Mike -------- "NO FEAR" - If you have no fear you did not go as fast as you could have !!! Kolb ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 04:06:38 PM PST US Subject: Kitfox-List: Re: Tire Balance From: "kitfoxmike" Guy Buchanan wrote: > At 11:18 AM 7/3/2008, kitfoxmike wrote: > > > I have my wheels turn forever after take off, with them balanced it > > is smooth as can be. I can remember my tires before balancing and I > > always had to hit the brakes, what a pain. Now I just take off and > > forget about it. > > > > > > Mike, > Stupid question time. Where did you get them balanced. (I > mean generally.) Car shop? Aircraft shop? > > > Guy Buchanan > San Diego, CA > K-IV/1200 w/ 582 C-box & Warp 3 blade > 100% and flying thanks mostly to Bob Ducar Motorcycle shop for the ATV tundra tires on the fox. for the RV7 with 500x5 I had to go the big airport and have the FBO do them, those where way out of balance also, even matching up the red dot to the valve stem. Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=191275#191275 ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 04:10:07 PM PST US Subject: Kitfox-List: Re: 912S Oil and Coolant From: "kitfoxmike" I use amzoil motor cycle oil, I think it's 15/40. Dexcool. Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=191277#191277 ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 06:04:13 PM PST US From: Sbennett3@aol.com Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Re: Kitfox on hard surface compared to grass The deal landing on hard surface is staying on the rudders and flying it even after its planted on the ground. One wheel may come up, but just keep her pointed down the center. It truly does take some getting used to but very doable if you know your plane. SB Durham NC **************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. 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