---------------------------------------------------------- Kitfox-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Tue 01/14/14: 5 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 01:02 AM - Re: Ballast in front for models 2 & 3 582 engines (Michel) 2. 04:04 AM - Re: Re: Ballast in front for models 2 & 3 582 engines (Michael Laundy) 3. 06:08 AM - Re: Re: Ballast in front for models 2 & 3 582 engines (Mike Chaney) 4. 08:07 AM - Ballast in front for models 2 & 3 582 engines (Joe & Jan Connell) 5. 08:55 PM - Re: Re: Ballast in front for models 2 & 3 582 engines (Noel Loveys) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 01:02:48 AM PST US Subject: Kitfox-List: Re: Ballast in front for models 2 & 3 582 engines From: "Michel" In my humble opinion, when considering the CoG of a Kitfox, the most important thing is that, in case of elevator failure, the aircraft climbs at full throttle and descent at idle throttle. Next, can you do a 3-points landing without difficulties? After the 582, I installed a Jabiru on my Kitfox 3 and that added weight forward. I couldn't get the tailwheel to touch the ground first when at stall speed. I then moved the battery from the bulkhead (standard place, I think, for the model 3) to, behind the seat. I still had difficulties to land 3-point. I then gap sealed the elevator and not it works. Any lead ballast in an aircraft seems to me like a poor idea. I am sure the CoG can be placed in a better place by other means. Cheers, Michel -------- Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200 Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=416883#416883 ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 04:04:37 AM PST US From: Michael Laundy Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Re: Ballast in front for models 2 & 3 582 engines I suggest you have the aircraft accurately weighed so you can check the C o f G is within limits. In my MK3 the battery is just aft of the engine bulkh ead, the C of G is nicely within limits although I do find I run out of up elevator approaching the stall or when trying to do a 3 point landing.=0A =0AAlso on my mk 3 the angle of incidence on the horizontal stabiliser is a djustable, you may be able to adjust that on your aircraft to make it feel less tail heavy provided the C of G is within limits.=0A=0AMike Laundy=0A =0AMk3 Rotax 582 -Cornwall UK=0A=0A=0A=0AOn Tuesday, 14 January 2014, 9:0 8, Michel wrote:=0A =0A--> Kitfox-List message posted by : "Michel" =0A>=0A>In my humble opinion, when considering the CoG of a Kitfox, the most important thing is that, in case of elevator failure, the aircraft climbs at full throttle and descent at idle throttle .=0A>=0A>Next, can you do a 3-points landing without difficulties? After th e 582, I installed a Jabiru on my Kitfox 3 and that added weight forward. I couldn't get the tailwheel to touch the ground first when at stall speed. I then moved the battery from the bulkhead (standard place, I think, for th e model 3) to, behind the seat. I still had difficulties to land 3-point. I then gap sealed the elevator and not it works.=0A>=0A>Any lead ballast in an aircraft seems to me like a poor idea. I am sure the CoG can be placed i n a better place by other means.=0A>=0A>Cheers,=0A>Michel=0A>=0A>-------- =0A>Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200=0A>=0A>=0A>=0A>=0A>Read this topic online here: =0A>=0A>http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=416883#416883=0A>=0A> =====0A>=0A>=0A>=0A>=0A>=0A> ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 06:08:48 AM PST US From: Mike Chaney Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Re: Ballast in front for models 2 & 3 582 engines Michel=0A=0AWhen I had a 582 attached to the front of my Mod. IV I added so me weight.- I put lead shot in a two inch PVC pipe and then glued two end caps to contain the shot.- I then attached the pipe to the cabin side of the firewall.=0AOn a side note.- From what I hear about melting lead you need to be careful about the fumes produced from the melting process.- =0A=0AMike=0A1996 Kitfox IV/Jabiru=0A=0A=0A=0A=0AOn Tuesday, January 14, 20 14 4:12 AM, Michael Laundy wrote:=0A =0AI suggest you have the aircraft accurately weighed so you can check the C of G is wi thin limits. In my MK3 the battery is just aft of the engine bulkhead, the C of G is nicely within limits although I do find I run out of up elevator approaching the stall or when trying to do a 3 point landing.=0A=0AAlso on my mk 3 the angle of incidence on the horizontal stabiliser is adjustable, you may be able to adjust that on your aircraft to make it feel less tail h eavy provided the C of G is within limits.=0A=0AMike Laundy=0A=0AMk3 Rotax 582 -Cornwall UK=0A=0A=0A=0AOn Tuesday, 14 January 2014, 9:08, Michel =0A>=0A>In my humble opinion, when considering the CoG of a Kitfox, the most important thing is that, in case of elevator failure, th e aircraft=0A climbs at full throttle and descent at idle throttle.=0A>=0A> Next, can you do a 3-points landing without difficulties? After the 582, I installed a Jabiru on my Kitfox 3 and that added weight forward. I couldn't get the tailwheel to touch the ground first when at stall speed. I then mo ved the battery from the bulkhead (standard place, I think, for the model 3 ) to, behind the seat. I still had difficulties to land 3-point. I then gap sealed the elevator and not it works.=0A>=0A>Any lead ballast in an aircra ft seems to me like a poor idea. I am sure the CoG can be placed in a bette r place by other means.=0A>=0A>Cheers,=0A>Michel=0A>=0A>--------=0A>Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200=0A>=0A>=0A>=0A>=0A>Read this topic online here:=0A>=0A>http ://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=416883#416883=0A>=0A>=0A>=0A>=0A> ============= ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 08:07:24 AM PST US From: "Joe & Jan Connell" Subject: Kitfox-List: Ballast in front for models 2 & 3 582 engines Hi Charles, I have a Kitfox-II with a 582. My battery (lawn mower type) is located aft of the firewall on the pax side. Two 6 gallon wing tanks with the header tank behind the seat... Joe Time: 09:58:48 PM PST US Subject: Kitfox-List: Ballast in front for models 2 & 3 582 engines From: Charles Do any of you mod 2 or 3s have any weight added to front? I saw a model 2 and model 3 with weight added under the front engine mount. It was ice tray with lead melted in it. I have no idea how much it weighs but my model 2 tail has always seemed heavy in flight. My battery is behind my seat. C Cook ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 08:55:57 PM PST US From: Noel Loveys Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Re: Ballast in front for models 2 & 3 582 engines I agree that C of G needs to be accurately measured .- My preference is t o set up the plane according to the construction manual.- The only deviat ion to that is the set up for floats... Instead of measuring the step locat ion I prefer to calculate the cg of the floats and then locate that cg dire ctly below the cg of the plane sans wheels... That way the plane will balan ce properly for take off.=0A=0ANoel=0A=0ASent from Yahoo Mail on Android=0A =0A ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message kitfox-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Kitfox-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/kitfox-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/kitfox-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.