---------------------------------------------------------- Kolb-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Mon 09/20/04: 17 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 02:02 AM - Re: Firefly Axle attach fitting alignment (jerb) 2. 02:22 AM - Re: Firefly Axle attach fitting alignment (jerb) 3. 03:33 AM - Re: Pictures from the Michigan Thumb Tour flight (jerb) 4. 06:12 AM - Firefly: Tires and nose over tendency/mountain bike brakes (herbgh@juno.com) 5. 01:39 PM - Re: Fuel Mizer vrs NavMan (Jack & Louise Hart) 6. 02:00 PM - Re: Fuel Mizer vrs NavMan (ElleryWeld@aol.com) 7. 02:06 PM - Re: Stainless Steel Rivets (Richard Swiderwski) 8. 03:38 PM - firestar (Paul Petty) 9. 04:11 PM - Re: firestar (chris davis) 10. 04:20 PM - Re: Fuel Mizer vrs NavMan (Jack & Louise Hart) 11. 04:29 PM - firestar (Paul Petty) 12. 04:43 PM - Re: firestar (HShack@aol.com) 13. 04:47 PM - Re: firestar (GeoR38@aol.com) 14. 04:56 PM - Re: Fuel Mizer vrs NavMan (Robert Laird) 15. 05:15 PM - Re: Fuel Mizer vrs NavMan (J.D. Stewart) 16. 05:17 PM - rare fair air (robert bean) 17. 05:39 PM - Re: firestar (bryan green) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 02:02:58 AM PST US From: jerb Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Firefly Axle attach fitting alignment --> Kolb-List message posted by: jerb Herb, below is copy of the message Guy posted about the tires he switched to and his claimed results. Maybe he will see this and post exactly what tires he used. >Hey Herb, that was me. I have 6in wheels on my Fly, but they had 400x6 >tires on them. I went up to the 600x6 tires and it made a world of >difference. I got em from Aircraft Spruce under the Ultralight Tires >section. With the 400x6's on there, as soon as you made any power change, >she wanted to veer off one way or the other, and she wanted to do it NOW. >That made me more than a little nervous about flying and landingher, as I >have no taildragger time. With the 600x6's that problem is all but gone. >It doesn't actmuch differenttaxiing, or landing,than the Challenger II >thatI took my lessons in or the Sprint MXII I rented a few time. It's alot >different in the air though (in a good way), but that has nothing to do >with the tires, and everything to do with it being an awesome aircraft. > > >Guy Morgan At 07:38 PM 9/18/04 -0500, you wrote: >--> Kolb-List message posted by: herbgh@juno.com > >Jerb, all > > Wonder why Kolb built the Fly so light on the tail? Has anyone >addressed it by installing the wheels a few inches more forward?? > > I was aware of the tendency to go up on its nose but still did it >twice!! Little slow on the learning curve. Never had the problem with >the MkIII . > > I have made new axle/gear leg sockets. I cut and welded the sockets to >have a "small side" angle of 37 degrees. Wish I had made them 35 . I >have just about zero camber now. The old sockets were 42 and 43 degrees. > I made the tube that fits over the gear leg, about a half inch longer >to accept a new hole about an inch further up the gear leg(from the old >hole). > > I am using Cheng shen tires--4.00X6 and think that they will do ok. >Wheel borrow tires. The rims are probably std issue for the MkIII. I >have a replacement set of bearings. Wonder what size tires the fellow >you sold the plane to is using?? > The bird sits a bit "Hauck High" but I like that stance . I have to >raise a leg to fall back into the seat! > > With the current tail wheel; differential braking seems to be very >limited in its affect on ground handling. No better than the Mini Max >that I had previously. I had to deplane sometimes to turn the max around >. > Guess a break over tail wheel would cure the problem? Ain't going to >happen on this puppy however. > > Looking for some mountain bike disc brakes. Herb > > do not acrchive >On Sat, 18 Sep 2004 09:49:56 -0500 jerb writes: > > --> Kolb-List message posted by: jerb > > > > Herb, > > Be careful how much braking power you put on the FireFly or you will > > need a > > roll skate attached under the nose cone as in certain situations it > > doesn't > > take much to put it on its nose. If you be a skinny folk you may be > > fine > > but much weight in the seat and the FireFly can nose over pretty > > easy - > > like many things you just have handle it carefully - as long as you > > can > > control the braking power and it's not to strong you'll be fine. > > > > What wheels do you have the 5" or the 6" and are they plastic or the > > steel > > wheel barrow wheels. We had the 6" wheel barrow wheels and had to > > swap out > > the China bearing for better quality ones - takes four of them at > > about $5 > > each. That reduced the tenancy of brakes to grab with the Azusa > > internal > > expansion brakes (go-kart). I had always thought that bands brakes > > would > > be better for the FireFly. If properly install they float well and > > don't > > grab. The Tracy O'Brien hydraulic brakes are great for a heavier > > plane but > > would be too much braking power for the FireFly. > > A shirt time back the fellow that bought our FireFly put different > > tires on > > it and according to him, it made it much more controllable. I guess > > I and > > my partner being tail dragger pilots didn't think it was bad but if > > > > changing only the tire size improved the ground handling > > characteristics, > > that's wonderful. > > jerb > > > > At 08:39 AM 9/17/04 -0500, you wrote: > > >--> Kolb-List message posted by: herbgh@juno.com > > > > > >Ed > > > I hadn't considered that it might have been built that way > > until I > > >took the wheels and brakes off yesterday and noticed that the axles > > are > > >aligned. So , it could not be fixed by alignment! > > > > > > Bending the axle will mess up my already suspect brake drum > > >alignment. Won't it? The bend will necessarily occur outboard of > > the > > >brake backing plate attach point. > > > > > > My solution is to weld up another set of fittings with a > > longer > > >collar so that I can drill a hole a bit further up the gear leg. > > Think > > >that will weaken the gear leg? > > > > > > Anybody tried the mountain bike disc brakes? They are very > > lite > > >and seem to work well. At least on the J3 Kitten that I helped to > > install > > >them on. Herb > > > > > > > > > > > > >> > >> > >> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 02:22:02 AM PST US From: jerb Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Firefly Axle attach fitting alignment --> Kolb-List message posted by: jerb At 07:38 PM 9/18/04 -0500, you wrote: >--> Kolb-List message posted by: herbgh@juno.com > >Jerb, all > > Wonder why Kolb built the Fly so light on the tail? Has anyone >addressed it by installing the wheels a few inches more forward?? > > I was aware of the tendency to go up on its nose but still did it >twice!! Little slow on the learning curve. Never had the problem with >the MkIII . Herb & All, The wheels need to be moved just slightly forward by changing the gear leg socket angle to reduce the nose over tenancy. As I said I brought this up to Dennis at the old Kolb Company but they stayed with the original configuration. While the gear legs could be made longer to achieve the effect it would then make it set higher thus would change the three point full stall landing stance. It would also made it a harder for us short folk getting out. In the original configuration it was just about to high for me to get out with out risking falling on my face. I had to stick a leg out over the side but had to go over center and hope I touched down on level ground or I was on my way landing on my face. The plane flys nice - those that have a FireFly might look into Guys results of changing to the larger tires, sounds like it clammed it down some although I didn't think ground handling during the landing phase was all that bad. ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 03:33:53 AM PST US From: jerb Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Pictures from the Michigan Thumb Tour flight --> Kolb-List message posted by: jerb Might think about cutting the resolution down - takes less server storage space and for those folks using dial in, it takes a while to load a 1-MB file (photo). Some people live in the country...DSL or high speed connections for a moderate cost are not available. jerb At 11:16 PM 9/19/04 -0400, you wrote: >--> Kolb-List message posted by: "kfackler" > >For those of you interested, there are a -few- pictures from the photo >plane taken during yesterday's Michigan Thumb Tour flight at this URL: > >http://www.staliteaviation.com/gtuf/tour_ken > >I couldn't upload them all because there's over 240 and they take up too >much space on the server. These are a sampling that are, as you will >obviously see, of special interest to me, mostly because I'm in them! ;-) > >I hope you enjoy them too. > >Special Note: Al Bumhoffer, as in the past, made all the arrangements for >our flying club to have a pizza lunch brought in and ready for the pilots >at our third stop. He also flew one of the legs with us in his brand-new >Firefly. Al says the plane flies great and I can attest personally that it >looks fantastic!! > >-Ken Fackler >Kolb Mark II / A722KWF >Rochester MI > > ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 06:12:22 AM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Firefly: Tires and nose over tendency/mountain bike brakes From: herbgh@juno.com --> Kolb-List message posted by: herbgh@juno.com Thanks Jerb I have a set of the 6.00x6 tires and will consider using them if Ground handling is poor. I did a wheel alignment yesterday and am satisfied that the mains are true to the tail wheel. Just a slight toe in. Noticed some deals on Mountain bike brakes on Ebay. Anybody tried them on our kolbs? I keep trying!!:-) Herb > >Jerb, all > > > > Wonder why Kolb built the Fly so light on the tail? Has anyone > >addressed it by installing the wheels a few inches more forward?? > > > > I was aware of the tendency to go up on its nose but still did > it > >twice!! Little slow on the learning curve. Never had the problem > with > >the MkIII . > > Herb & All, > The wheels need to be moved just slightly forward by changing the > gear leg > socket angle to reduce the nose over tenancy. As I said I brought > this up > to Dennis at the old Kolb Company but they stayed with the original > > configuration. While the gear legs could be made longer to achieve > the > effect it would then make it set higher thus would change the three > point > full stall landing stance. It would also made it a harder for us > short > folk getting out. In the original configuration it was just about > to high > for me to get out with out risking falling on my face. I had to > stick a > leg out over the side but had to go over center and hope I touched > down on > level ground or I was on my way landing on my face. The plane flys > nice - > those that have a FireFly might look into Guys results of changing > to the > larger tires, sounds like it clammed it down some although I didn't > think > ground handling during the landing phase was all that bad. > > > ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 01:39:13 PM PST US From: Jack & Louise Hart Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Fuel Mizer vrs NavMan --> Kolb-List message posted by: Jack & Louise Hart At 10:30 AM 9/18/04 -0500, you wrote: >--> Kolb-List message posted by: jerb > > >Jack Hart we need you to investigate the difference of the two units. If >any one can come up with a sound answer, you can. >jerb > Jerb, My fuel flow meter has "Navman" printed on the meter face. I purchased it in 2000 from navman@planet.net.au. They can be purchased from: http://www.boss-products.com <-located in Australia Their web page states: " The MIZER fuel flow meter has proved itself to be the best value for money fuel flow meter around today. With more than 4000 sales world wide and very few repairs it can not be beaten on performance, reliability or price. Specially modified and approved for Ultralight and homebuilders it is easily installed without cutting in to the tank. At a glance you will know how much fuel is being burned at any throttle setting as well as knowing how much fuel is left. It also have a low level alarm and trip log. It is important to notice that the marine version can not be used on an aircraft and all warranties are void if such an attempt is made." ------------------------ I do not know, but I speculate that the panel/display module is fabricated by/for Navman and currently labelled Mizer. The sensor or fuel flow meter transducer is probably supplied by some one else. I believe this is done so the requirement is met that if the transducer fails that fuel flow will not be blocked. Another fuel flow meter has become available that may be a little better for smaller engines it is the "elba". It has the advantage that it displays after taking a ten second sample. This means that the low fuel flow readings displayed will not fluctuate as much as they do on the Mizer. Also this lets the elba read down to 0.1 gph where the Mizer can read down to 0.5 gph. For what it is worth. Jack B. Hart FF004 Jackson, MO Jack & Louise Hart jbhart@ldd.net ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 02:00:00 PM PST US From: ElleryWeld@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Fuel Mizer vrs NavMan --> Kolb-List message posted by: ElleryWeld@aol.com Where can I purchase one of the elba fuel flow meters ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 02:06:25 PM PST US From: "Richard Swiderwski" Subject: RE: Kolb-List: Stainless Steel Rivets --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Richard Swiderwski" Dave, Yes, I too remembered that tip, but I forgot to punch out the remnant of the old pull pin ( I kindly reminded off list). It would have been much easier. -----Original Message----- From: owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Dave & Eve Pelletier Subject: Kolb-List: Stainless Steel Rivets --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Dave & Eve Pelletier" Richard, The original builder of my MKIII used hinges the full length of the wings. I drilled out 520 SS rivets in each wing. In any case, I ordered 1400 SS rivets and ran out - I was short 60 of 'em. When I took mine out, every @#$%& one spun. I found John Hauk's idea of the modified hack saw blade to be a big help. Have fun. AzDave Do Not Archive ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Swiderwski" Make sure you replace the nose cone with the longest version if you > don't have it already, you may need it as a battery ballast with larger > engine. I'm in process of replacing mine now. Some idiot used 3000 > stainless steel rivets to attach it & I'm waiting on Home Depot to > backorder > a case of cobalt drill bits. > > Richard Swiderski > SlingShot 003 > > Do not archive > > > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com > [mailto:owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of > 13brv3c@bellsouth.net > To: kolb-list@matronics.com > Subject: Kolb-List: Ivan damage > > --> Kolb-List message posted by: <13brv3c@bellsouth.net> > > Very glad to hear John H, and plane are OK! > > We made it through OK, but with about $50k damage to our house. Insurance > will take care of this, and the house is still structurally OK. Aside > from > the generator my (very good friend) just brought back from Arkansas, we > won't have power for at least a few weeks. > > My airport, 2R4 is significantly damaged. The T hangers have doors that > face north, and south. ALL the south facing doors are gone. They were > sucked out at the bottom, folded over the top of the hanger, and blown > down > wind. Most of the south facing planes were damaged by doors, and some > were > even sucked out of their hangers onto the ramp. > > Almost all of the nouth facing doors were blown out at the bottom, but > usually, > they stayed attached at the top rollers. My hanger faces North, and 2 out > of 4 > of the door panels blew outward at the bottom. If that's all that > happened, > it > would have been fine. Unfortunately, the south wind entering the doorless > south facing hangers offered another problem. The eastern wall that > separated > me from the south facing hanger next to me was pushed in. The wall pushed > my > workbench, and shelves into the right wing of the RV-3, but fortunately, > this > caused no damage. Unfortunately, an entire steel panel from the rear > portion > of that wall blew off and traveled through the hanger. It struck the tail > of the RV-3, destroying the rudder. > > The panel then smashed in the nose of the Slingshot, and continued down > the > side. The canopy is trashed, as well as the fabric on the left side. > There > may be some damage to the fuselage cage as well, but I won't know until I > get the fabric off. The bottom of the left wing was hit, which bent in > some ribs it appears, and it looks like the right wingtip hit the wall of > the hanger. The tail tube is also dented, but the tail seems OK. At this > point, I'm probably going to consider the plane scrapped as parts, and > I'll > take it home to rebuild it as a new aircraft. This will also let me make > some of the changes I wanted to make with a new kit. As soon as I can get > the hanger doors moved so I can get the plane out, I'll fold it up, and > haul > it home. Not sure when I'll get around to the rebuild though. > > BTW, thanks for all the well wishes. As bad as this sounds, it's not the > worst thing that can happen, and I'm looking at it with a positive > attitude. > First, my rotary RV-3 is perfect, except for an easily rebuildable rudder. > Second, I originally wanted a project SS, rather than a complete plane, so > this will give me that (careful what you wish for ). Sad to see Bill's > great paint job destroyed, but there's no avoiding it with as much fabric > as > I need to replace. He should be happy to have N62BW retired from > liability > though :-) > > Rusty (N62BW gone before it's time) > > > ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 03:38:59 PM PST US From: "Paul Petty" Subject: Kolb-List: firestar --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Paul Petty" Kolbers, What's the difference between a Fire star and a Fire star KXP? Paul Petty Building Ms. Dixie Kolbra/912UL/Warp do not archive ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 04:11:44 PM PST US From: "chris davis" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: firestar --> Kolb-List message posted by: "chris davis" two ribs ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 04:20:40 PM PST US From: Jack & Louise Hart Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Fuel Mizer vrs NavMan --> Kolb-List message posted by: Jack & Louise Hart At 04:59 PM 9/20/04 EDT, you wrote: >--> Kolb-List message posted by: ElleryWeld@aol.com > >Where can I purchase one of the elba fuel flow meters > A quick search on Google provided the following: SKYSports Online Ordering -> $368 http://www.ismi.com/airstuff/category.cfm?categoryid=315 Jack B. Hart FF004 Jackson, MO Jack & Louise Hart jbhart@ldd.net ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 04:29:28 PM PST US From: "Paul Petty" Subject: Kolb-List: firestar --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Paul Petty" Two more two less? Paul Petty Building Ms. Dixie Kolbra/912UL/Warp do not archive ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 04:43:17 PM PST US From: HShack@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: firestar --> Kolb-List message posted by: HShack@aol.com In a message dated 9/20/2004 7:29:59 PM Eastern Standard Time, Lynnp@c-gate.net writes: Two more two less? KXP has 7 ribs [same as a Firestar II] as opposed to just 5 on the Firestar. Howard Shackleford FS II SC ________________________________ Message 13 ____________________________________ Time: 04:47:56 PM PST US From: GeoR38@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: firestar --> Kolb-List message posted by: GeoR38@aol.com In a message dated 9/20/04 6:39:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Lynnp@c-gate.net writes: Kolbers, What's the difference between a Fire star and a Fire star KXP? Paul Petty Building Ms. Dixie Kolbra/912UL/Warp do not archive --> Kolb-List message posted by: "chris davis" two ribs I have a KX, without the P....therefore I have 5 ribs per wing. The K part means there are a few other minor modifications. One is to the tail fold technique.....I should have had the new K fold technique, but I ended up with the "original" which is a long pin through 3 holes which must line up everytime you insert the pin and safety pin. I ended up with this because I bought the 1st KX made and it was delivered before the plans were finished....soooooo I ended up with an original with a 447 instead of the old 377 as well. I bought mine from Homer in '91. I think it was at Oshkosh or S n F,........... CRS. Was flying it by '92....before it was even painted....and was clearly transparent against the sun, just one coat of clear on it......whew! Bob Morrison of Bristolville, Ohio flew it hands off, first time....only problem was....the engine wouldn't go full throttle for more than 30 seconds...nother story. george Randolph Firestar driver from The Villages ________________________________ Message 14 ____________________________________ Time: 04:56:49 PM PST US From: Robert Laird Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Fuel Mizer vrs NavMan --> Kolb-List message posted by: Robert Laird A couple of years ago, I had a RANS S12XL with a 503... I installed a NavMan fuel flow meter (which, by the way, I got from BoatersWorld.com for MUCH less than SkySports or any of the other aviation places) and installed the transducer in-line between the tank and the engine. I was careful to make sure that the transducer was cushioned (via foam) from the vibrations of the airframe. Not only did the NavMan perform flawlessly, it helped me detect a partial failure in the check-valve in my electric fuel pump. YMMV, but I was quite happy with it. -- Robert P.S. The installation manual states, "The fuel flow transducer is designed for installation in Coast Guard approved 9.5 mm (3/8") flexible fuel line. The transducer MUST be installed AFTER the main fuel filter. It should be located well away from any area where it will be effected by excessive heat or vibration from the engine. It is preferable to mount the transducer in a vertical position." ... and I followed it to the letter. ________________________________ Message 15 ____________________________________ Time: 05:15:29 PM PST US From: "J.D. Stewart" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Fuel Mizer vrs NavMan --> Kolb-List message posted by: "J.D. Stewart" Has anyone hooked up the NavMan transducer to an EIS? I'm looking at Catalog # 319860151 for $89.99. Seems to be a nice alternative if it works. Thanks, J.D. Stewart UltraFun AirSports www.ultrafunairsports.com Challenger List and Website administrator http://challenger.inebraska.com Titan Aircraft E-mail List http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Titanaircraft/ > --> Kolb-List message posted by: Robert Laird > > > A couple of years ago, I had a RANS S12XL with a 503... I installed a > NavMan fuel flow meter (which, by the way, I got from BoatersWorld.com for > MUCH less than SkySports or any of the other aviation places) and installed > the transducer in-line between the tank and the engine. I was careful to > make sure that the transducer was cushioned (via foam) from the vibrations > of the airframe. > > Not only did the NavMan perform flawlessly, it helped me detect a partial > failure in the check-valve in my electric fuel pump. YMMV, but I was quite > happy with it. > > -- Robert > > P.S. The installation manual states, "The fuel flow transducer is designed > for installation in Coast Guard approved 9.5 mm > (3/8") flexible fuel line. The transducer MUST be installed AFTER the main > fuel filter. It should be located well away from any area where it will be > effected by excessive heat or vibration from the engine. It is preferable > to mount the transducer in a > vertical position." ... and I followed it to the letter. ________________________________ Message 16 ____________________________________ Time: 05:17:39 PM PST US From: robert bean Subject: Kolb-List: rare fair air --> Kolb-List message posted by: robert bean kolb komrades, the majority of my first hours, attempting to satisfy the feds have been in less than ideal atmospheric conditions. Trying to grind out these hours confined to an isolated grass strip lying innocently between various patches of agriculture, bobbing up and down, this old guy looking down through the gaping nothingness of my doorless kolb mutation. Can I admit, without being cast out as a spineless wimp, that much of this time has been spent in something less than glorious delight? Ahhh, but tonight, before sundown, was a laggardly reward.....crisp, clear, breezeless. once again I got to experience the strange trance-inducing glide that one has to keep reminding oneself that the ground really is coming up at me. Sure hate to stuff it back in the cave, but the calendar doesn't kid around at these latitudes. -Besides, improvements don't happen unless you corner it in the shop. -BB, MkIII, suzuki 4 stroke, 65"" powerfin, hardly ever needs gas. do not archive ________________________________ Message 17 ____________________________________ Time: 05:39:39 PM PST US From: "bryan green" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: firestar --> Kolb-List message posted by: "bryan green" Hi paul, the KXP has the seven rib wing and the original Firestar has a five rib wing. Bryan Green Elgin SC Firestar I 19LBG 377 BRS ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Petty" Subject: Kolb-List: firestar > --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Paul Petty" > > Two more two less? > > Paul Petty > Building Ms. Dixie > Kolbra/912UL/Warp > > > do not archive > >