---------------------------------------------------------- Kolb-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Wed 04/23/03: 19 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 04:26 AM - Re: kOLBRA (Airgriff2@aol.com) 2. 05:02 AM - hardware (Clay Stuart) 3. 05:20 AM - seats (Clay Stuart) 4. 05:55 AM - Re: seats (John Hauck) 5. 06:10 AM - Firestar wants to roll (Peter Volum) 6. 07:28 AM - Kolbra (Judy Gitt) 7. 09:30 AM - New Kolbra (John Williamson) 8. 10:48 AM - Gearbox (Hans vanAlphen) 9. 11:03 AM - Re: Firestar wants to roll () 10. 11:21 AM - Re: Zanzottera Gearbox (Hans vanAlphen) 11. 12:00 PM - Re: Firestar wants to roll (Ben Ransom) 12. 01:10 PM - Seat mat'l (Bob N.) 13. 04:40 PM - copper (woody) 14. 05:08 PM - Re: copper (Bob Bean) 15. 05:23 PM - weight (Bob Bean) 16. 06:10 PM - Re: weight (Peter Volum) 17. 06:17 PM - Re: copper (FIXERJONES@aol.com) 18. 06:19 PM - Re: copper (Larry Bourne) 19. 10:30 PM - Graphics (Larry Bourne) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 04:26:36 AM PST US From: Airgriff2@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: kOLBRA --> Kolb-List message posted by: Airgriff2@aol.com > > >> The Feds gave me the Ok Monday, April 21 and that Kolbra just jumped >> right >> off the ground. Larry Gitt - Fremont, Nebraska >> > Congratulations on your 1st. flight in the Kolbra, Larry. Hope you have many hrs. flying and enjoying it. Fly safe Bob Griffin ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 05:02:23 AM PST US From: "Clay Stuart" Subject: Kolb-List: hardware --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Clay Stuart" Here is a link to airplane hardware: http://members.eaa.org/home/homebuilders/authors/bingelis/Are%20You%20Using%20Aircraft%20Hardware%20Correctly_.html#TopOfPage Clay Stuart ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 05:20:37 AM PST US From: "Clay Stuart" Subject: Kolb-List: seats --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Clay Stuart" "Sportplane Construction Techniques" by Tony Bingelis has a nice section on making seats out of lawn chairs. That is how I made the seats for my Xtra. I cut apart Walmart lawn chairs and made them the correct size to fit and then reinforced/spliced all the cuts with inside full-length aluminum tubing left over from my Kolb kit. They are still at the upholsterer, who has rewebbed the seats, cut the foam wedges and is just about to finish sewing the fabric. Clay Stuart ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 05:55:54 AM PST US From: John Hauck Subject: Re: Kolb-List: seats --> Kolb-List message posted by: John Hauck > I thought about using these kevlar things - but > they cost too much and wouldn't fit in a single seater. Possum/Gang: If I had one of those seats in my MK III I would never get out of it. Probably have a hard time staying awake on long flight too. john h DO NOT ARCHIVE ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 06:10:33 AM PST US From: "Peter Volum" Subject: Kolb-List: Firestar wants to roll --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Peter Volum" Kolbers: A retired United (non-computing) pilot friend and LAFA club member has just bought a Firestar II (503 DCDI/3-Blade Ivo) that was meticulously built by another of our club members. Picture: http://lafa.station193.com/Photos/2003-04-05%20AMPS/P1002425.jpg He still owns his previous plane, a Kolb Ultrastar that was built by one of the other members of this group. (Sorry - I don't remember your name). Pictures towards the bottom of page: http://lafa.station193.com/2003-03-29%20Marathon.htm This question is about the Firestar. In straight and level flight, it wants to roll to the left. Right stick pressure is needed to keep the wings level. When stalling, the right wing drops sharply. It seems to want to go into a spin. The drop is controllable with the rudder, but he says it just "doesn't feel quite right" compared to the Ultrastar. Bob is a very experienced pilot with tens of thousands of hours in GA and hundreds of hours in UL's of all makes and models, but he's never built a Kolb. The builder of this plane had previously made a hard landing (a stall from about 5') that broke the undercarriage and bent the frame. It was repaired before Bob bought it and the repairs appear to have been done properly, but it is possible that something may still be out of line. Bob is in the process of taking precise measurements to see if anything is out of whack, but in the meantime he's asked me if I think an adjustment to the angle of attack of one of the wings might rectify this problem. He feels that the right wing dropping before the left during stalls combined with the left roll when in level flight implies that there is a greater angle of attack on the right wing, and that this could be rectified by a slight modification at the pivot point(s) where the wing(s) fold. (ie, by lowering the trailing edge of the left wing a fraction, and/or raising the right one). I suggested he hold off from making any adjustments until I got some feedback from you guys just in case this is a common problem that has a less radical fix (like adding a trim tab). Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated. Peter Volum Kolb Mk. III / 912 ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 07:28:07 AM PST US From: "Judy Gitt" Subject: Kolb-List: Kolbra --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Judy Gitt" Thanks Guys, I started Building in March of last year and had it done in Dec . But the BRS took over 3 Mouths to get hear , Besides it was cold out in the Hanger . Good old Nebr . It stall 40 to 42 at 55 rpm to 58 it indicate 75 -78 Lands great , I like the view looking back at the leading edge of the wing .. That a change,Yes this has a 582 on it . Larry Gitt ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 09:30:53 AM PST US From: "John Williamson" Subject: Kolb-List: New Kolbra --> Kolb-List message posted by: "John Williamson" Larry Gitt was nice enough to let us know of his recent first flight so I am posting some pictures of his Kolbra he sent me a little while back. Looks like he did a great job. http://home.attbi.com/~kolbrapilot/LARRY1.JPG 45.6KB http://home.attbi.com/~kolbrapilot/LARRY2.JPG 33.3KB http://home.attbi.com/~kolbrapilot/LARRY3.JPG 39.8KB John Williamson Arlington, TX Kolb Kolbra, N49KK, Jabiru 2200, 253 hours http://home.attbi.com/~kolbrapilot do not archive ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 10:48:20 AM PST US From: "Hans vanAlphen" Subject: Kolb-List: Gearbox --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Hans vanAlphen" Jim, I had to provide them with a 582 serial no. to get a Rotax C gearbox. Also a Zanzorotta gearbox has been used with the BMW on a Liberty trike for over 100 hours. see http://community.webtv/rlwalden/libertyBMW ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 11:03:19 AM PST US From: Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Firestar wants to roll --> Kolb-List message posted by: Peter, His suspicion of a difference in angle of incidence between the wings is just what I suspect from reading your post. Let us know if his measurements show this to be the case. A digital Smart Level would be real handy for comparing wing incidences. Denny Rowe ----- Original Message ----- From: Peter Volum Subject: Kolb-List: Firestar wants to roll > --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Peter Volum" > > > Kolbers: > > A retired United (non-computing) pilot friend and LAFA club member has > just bought a Firestar II (503 DCDI/3-Blade Ivo) that was meticulously > built by another of our club members. > > Picture: > http://lafa.station193.com/Photos/2003-04-05%20AMPS/P1002425.jpg > > > He still owns his previous plane, a Kolb Ultrastar that was built by one > of the other members of this group. (Sorry - I don't remember your > name). > > Pictures towards the bottom of page: > http://lafa.station193.com/2003-03-29%20Marathon.htm > > This question is about the Firestar. > > In straight and level flight, it wants to roll to the left. Right stick > pressure is needed to keep the wings level. > > When stalling, the right wing drops sharply. It seems to want to go into > a spin. The drop is controllable with the rudder, but he says it just > "doesn't feel quite right" compared to the Ultrastar. > > Bob is a very experienced pilot with tens of thousands of hours in GA > and hundreds of hours in UL's of all makes and models, but he's never > built a Kolb. > > The builder of this plane had previously made a hard landing (a stall > from about 5') that broke the undercarriage and bent the frame. It was > repaired before Bob bought it and the repairs appear to have been done > properly, but it is possible that something may still be out of line. > > Bob is in the process of taking precise measurements to see if anything > is out of whack, but in the meantime he's asked me if I think an > adjustment to the angle of attack of one of the wings might rectify this > problem. He feels that the right wing dropping before the left during > stalls combined with the left roll when in level flight implies that > there is a greater angle of attack on the right wing, and that this > could be rectified by a slight modification at the pivot point(s) where > the wing(s) fold. (ie, by lowering the trailing edge of the left wing a > fraction, and/or raising the right one). > > I suggested he hold off from making any adjustments until I got some > feedback from you guys just in case this is a common problem that has a > less radical fix (like adding a trim tab). > > Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated. > > Peter Volum > Kolb Mk. III / 912 > > ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 11:21:15 AM PST US From: "Hans vanAlphen" Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Zanzottera Gearbox --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Hans vanAlphen" correction http://community-2.webtv/rlwalden/libertyBMW Hans ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 12:00:35 PM PST US From: Ben Ransom Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Firestar wants to roll --> Kolb-List message posted by: Ben Ransom Checking the wing incidence is simple -- really just a piece of the wing alignment process in the build manual. A level placed on the underside of the wings, better if done in a few places such as root, middle, and end of each wing. Doing in a few places reveals any wing twist. See if the incidence angle numbers match between the two wings. You wouldn't really even need to raise the tail to get them to 0 degrees to make the comparison. Another question, and possible adjustment, is whether there is any slop in the rear spar/U-joint. Slop allows the rear of that wing to move up or down with aerodynamic load (blech). Slop corrected by perhaps getting one more slot turn on the castle nut of the Ujoint, and is really nice if you customize the thickness of the washer under the Ujoint (using ~120 grit sandpaper, oil, and elbow grease to take off a few thousanths). The other possible adjustment could come from simply unbolting the wing from the Ujoint, turning the Ujoint over 180 degrees, and rechecking wing incidense -- some fussing with Ujoint assembly combiniations may be required. Of course there is the more troublesome scenario where the cage is still not aligned. However, no cage is perfect and that is why the wing alignment is part airplane building (or rebuilding). Third thing I spose to check -- is the tail straight? The vert stab should be straight and in line with a plumb line hung from top center of the 2" keel tube. Best done if a piece of straight stock placed along the length of the keel tube and hanging plumb from one end, or, hanging a plumb line from each end of the keel tube and seeing if the vert stab forms a straight line to both. I'm thinking these results need not be very exact. He's not flying with one foot out the side is he? Hmmm, wings are the same length too, right? -Ben --- Peter Volum wrote: > --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Peter Volum" > > > Kolbers: > > A retired United (non-computing) pilot friend and LAFA club member > has > just bought a Firestar II (503 DCDI/3-Blade Ivo) that was > meticulously > built by another of our club members. > > Picture: > http://lafa.station193.com/Photos/2003-04-05%20AMPS/P1002425.jpg > > > He still owns his previous plane, a Kolb Ultrastar that was built by > one > of the other members of this group. (Sorry - I don't remember your > name). > > Pictures towards the bottom of page: > http://lafa.station193.com/2003-03-29%20Marathon.htm > > This question is about the Firestar. > > In straight and level flight, it wants to roll to the left. Right > stick > pressure is needed to keep the wings level. > > When stalling, the right wing drops sharply. It seems to want to go > into > a spin. The drop is controllable with the rudder, but he says it > just > "doesn't feel quite right" compared to the Ultrastar. > > Bob is a very experienced pilot with tens of thousands of hours in GA > and hundreds of hours in UL's of all makes and models, but he's never > built a Kolb. > > The builder of this plane had previously made a hard landing (a stall > from about 5') that broke the undercarriage and bent the frame. It > was > repaired before Bob bought it and the repairs appear to have been > done > properly, but it is possible that something may still be out of line. > > Bob is in the process of taking precise measurements to see if > anything > is out of whack, but in the meantime he's asked me if I think an > adjustment to the angle of attack of one of the wings might rectify > this > problem. He feels that the right wing dropping before the left > during > stalls combined with the left roll when in level flight implies that > there is a greater angle of attack on the right wing, and that this > could be rectified by a slight modification at the pivot point(s) > where > the wing(s) fold. (ie, by lowering the trailing edge of the left wing > a > fraction, and/or raising the right one). > > I suggested he hold off from making any adjustments until I got some > feedback from you guys just in case this is a common problem that has > a > less radical fix (like adding a trim tab). > > Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated. > > Peter Volum > Kolb Mk. III / 912 > > > > > > > > ===== http://mae.ucdavis.edu/~ransom http://search.yahoo.com ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 01:10:26 PM PST US From: "Bob N." Subject: Kolb-List: Seat mat'l --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Bob N." Here's another el cheapo souce for that butt-conformal seat stuff: Someone buys a Memory Foam Ultra Mattress Topper (approx 39" wide, 72" long, inch thick) for $99.90+12.95 S&H. It'll cut into 8 pcs 19.5" by 18"--for $14.10 each. No tax if sent to most any state except VA. TechnoScout www.technoscout.com Bob N. ________________________________ Message 13 ____________________________________ Time: 04:40:08 PM PST US From: woody Subject: Kolb-List: copper --> Kolb-List message posted by: woody The club plane is going well but I have not been as active in it's construction recently. In my absence the members have installed the radiator system. It is mounted lower than the engine but the fill is above the engine. They moved it up by soldering 1 1/2 copper tube together. Does anyone see a problem with this? I do not know how well the soldered joints will stand up to the vibration. Any ideas or comments? ________________________________ Message 14 ____________________________________ Time: 05:08:00 PM PST US From: Bob Bean Subject: Re: Kolb-List: copper --> Kolb-List message posted by: Bob Bean Woody, 1 1/2 ' will take a lot of shakin before it separates. -Also depends on the solder 50/50, 95/5, silver solder ? If it has a piece of hose for isolation? Do good preflights. -BB do not archive woody wrote: >--> Kolb-List message posted by: woody > > The club plane is going well but I have not been as active in it's >construction recently. In my absence the members have installed the >radiator system. It is mounted lower than the engine but the fill is above >the engine. They moved it up by soldering 1 1/2 copper tube together. Does >anyone see a problem with this? I do not know how well the soldered joints >will stand up to the vibration. Any ideas or comments? > > > > ________________________________ Message 15 ____________________________________ Time: 05:23:30 PM PST US From: Bob Bean Subject: Kolb-List: weight --> Kolb-List message posted by: Bob Bean Group, I've been reasonably conscious of weight-saving during construction, light seats, aluminum nose bowl, trying to stay at 160 lbs (not easy in the winter). -but after reading the pluses and minuses of the aileron counterweights, and considering that I have had tendencies to exceed the E in VNE during moments of exhuberence...I ordered the things. The brown truck backed begrudgingly up my 600' driveway today and tossed out the box from TNK. Forgot what it might be, opened it, and ---those bars are HEAVY ! Good thing they're pretty close to the cg. -BB do not archive ________________________________ Message 16 ____________________________________ Time: 06:10:55 PM PST US From: "Peter Volum" Subject: RE: Kolb-List: weight --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Peter Volum" I too was quite horrified at the weight of mine when they arrived Bob, but as time went past, they somehow seemed to get lighter. (You start to get used to the weight). One thing that TNK told me was that they needn't be used as-is. If your ailerons are balancing when you still have a significant portion of the counterweight is still in the sleeve, you can chop a small piece off and try again. Just make sure you don't cut off too much at once. Once they are mounted, you will forget about the weight completely. In your hand they might seem big and heavy, but once mounted, they "shrink" visually in relation to the rest of the plane. (600' driveway? Don't you mean runway?) PV Do not archive -----Original Message----- From: owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Bob Bean Subject: Kolb-List: weight --> Kolb-List message posted by: Bob Bean Group, I've been reasonably conscious of weight-saving during construction, light seats, aluminum nose bowl, trying to stay at 160 lbs (not easy in the winter). -but after reading the pluses and minuses of the aileron counterweights, and considering that I have had tendencies to exceed the E in VNE during moments of exhuberence...I ordered the things. The brown truck backed begrudgingly up my 600' driveway today and tossed out the box from TNK. Forgot what it might be, opened it, and ---those bars are HEAVY ! Good thing they're pretty close to the cg. -BB do not archive ________________________________ Message 17 ____________________________________ Time: 06:17:14 PM PST US From: FIXERJONES@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: copper --> Kolb-List message posted by: FIXERJONES@aol.com i'm not a 100%shure but,,?? won't the aluminum engine cooling system when mixing copper with it cause electrolisis(erosion of the parts inside the cooling system? comments anyone? steve j ________________________________ Message 18 ____________________________________ Time: 06:19:37 PM PST US From: "Larry Bourne" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: copper --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Larry Bourne" If it's isolated from vibration, it should be OK.................such as the radiator in a car. If not, it won't last long. Also, if it's a slip, or over-lapping joint, as in an elbow or coupling, it'll be very strong, in comparison to a butt joint. Lar. Larry Bourne Palm Springs, CA Kolb Mk III - Vamoose N78LB www.gogittum.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "woody" Subject: Kolb-List: copper > --> Kolb-List message posted by: woody > > The club plane is going well but I have not been as active in it's > construction recently. In my absence the members have installed the > radiator system. It is mounted lower than the engine but the fill is above > the engine. They moved it up by soldering 1 1/2 copper tube together. Does > anyone see a problem with this? I do not know how well the soldered joints > will stand up to the vibration. Any ideas or comments? > > ________________________________ Message 19 ____________________________________ Time: 10:30:49 PM PST US From: "Larry Bourne" Subject: Kolb-List: Graphics --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Larry Bourne" I think this came up some time ago, but here it is again..................graphics. I've been thinking (??) that it'd be way cool to have either vinyl or mylar (which is best, anyway ??) stick-ons made up with a custom "Vamoose" graphic for the side of the fuselage. Also, as I said a couple of years ago - - - a dirt pawing, steam snorting "moose" on the tail. Today, I started to implement the idea, and got a - rude ! ! ! - awakening. Graphics lady I talked to on the phone was very pleasant, very interested, and a real pleasure to talk to. She knew immediately what I had in mind, and really seemed to like the idea.....................then popped the bubble by quoting a starting price for the design process only, of $800.00. I did say "starting price" and "design only" and I didn't stutter. Then I'd take her graphics to a sign shop for another bite. Called a sign shop she recommended, and they confirmed it all. Threw me for a loop, it did, and I imagine you all can guess that there'll be no $1,000.00+ name tags on Vamoose. Do any of you guys have any suggestions, or options ?? Any (cheap) artists in the crowd ?? Sticker-shocked Lar. Larry Bourne Palm Springs, CA Kolb Mk III - Vamoose N78LB www.gogittum.com