---------------------------------------------------------- Kolb-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Tue 02/22/05: 18 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 02:45 AM - Re: Safety Pins (JIM HEFNER) 2. 06:00 AM - Cuyuna parts (Dale Sellers) 3. 07:11 AM - Safety pins-circle cotters (ray anderson) 4. 07:50 AM - Re: Fluids (George E. Thompson) 5. 08:41 AM - Re: Safety Pins (George E. Myers Jr.) 6. 09:01 AM - Re: Safety Pins (ray anderson) 7. 10:56 AM - Re: Safety Pins (Aircraft Spruce) 8. 01:48 PM - Re: Safety Pins (N27SB@aol.com) 9. 04:30 PM - Re: 912 Radiator Locations (Kolbdriver) 10. 05:53 PM - Sport Pilot Medical (Dave & Eve Pelletier) 11. 06:52 PM - Re: Sport Pilot Medical (robert bean) 12. 07:21 PM - Re: Sport Pilot Medical (Dale Sellers) 13. 07:22 PM - Re: 912 Radiator Locations (John Hauck) 14. 08:18 PM - Re: 912 Radiator Locations (J.D. Stewart) 15. 08:18 PM - Re: Safety Pins (David Paule) 16. 08:34 PM - Re: Safety Pins (WhiskeyVictor36@aol.com) 17. 08:59 PM - Engine Oil Thermostats (John Hauck) 18. 09:29 PM - Re: q (Steve Kroll) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 02:45:27 AM PST US From: "JIM HEFNER" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Safety Pins Seal-Send-Time: Tue, 22 Feb 2005 03:40:30 -0700 --> Kolb-List message posted by: "JIM HEFNER" Time: 09:39:44 AM PST US From: HShack@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Safety Pins --> Kolb-List message posted by: HShack@aol.com In a message dated 2/21/2005 7:14:33 AM Eastern Standard Time, hefner_jim@msn.com writes: The idea of using the round rings on the lower struts is something I will start doing. The lower strut attach point bolts are much easier to access, so this should not add significant setup time and would be safer than the normal safety pins for all the reasons that have been discussed. Do you remove the lower strut attach pins when you fold? When I used to fold my FS II I never did- just made a PVC pipe device to hold the struts up while folded. That would save a couple minutes. Howard Shackleford FS II SC Howard, yes I remove the lower strut attach pin when folding. I have a Firefly, which has two struts on each side, two attach points on the wing and one attach point at the lower strut attach point. You have to remove the lower strut pin to fold the wings on a Firefly. Since there are two upper strut attach points on each wing, the struts form a V, so there is nothing required to support the struts when folded, they just ride along inside of the wing when folded. I'm not familiar with folding a FS-II but it must be quite different than a Firefly, assuming I'm not missing something. Regards, Jim Hefner ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:00:40 AM PST US From: "Dale Sellers" Subject: Kolb-List: Cuyuna parts --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Dale Sellers" To the party looking for a drive pulley for a Cuyuna, I suggest you contact J-Bird Power Supplies, POB 476, Kewaskum, WI 53040, 262-626-2611. I have purchased parts from them and they seem very knowledgable abour Cuyunas as well as others. I bought a drive pulley for a Cuyuna from them and the price was good and delivery was prompt. The also have new and rebuilt engins of all makes and sizes and the prices are great. For example, a Kawasaki 440, 40 h.p. for $890. They don't have a website but they do have a catalog of regularly stocked stuff and a they have many items that are not in the catalog. A phone call will get you much info. Give them a call. Dale Sellers Georgia UltraStar ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 07:11:59 AM PST US From: ray anderson Subject: Kolb-List: Safety pins-circle cotters --> Kolb-List message posted by: ray anderson Chuck Davis FireFly 028, My message to you at Comcast.net keeps bouncing. Let me know your postal mailing address off line and I'll get them to you when my order arrives. Also a correct e-mail address, as the one heading your mail doesn't work. Ray Do Not Archive. --------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 07:50:50 AM PST US From: "George E. Thompson" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Fluids --> Kolb-List message posted by: "George E. Thompson" The note had nothing to do with fluids, It was just an easy way to get on the Kolb chat list. The image of the wreak was only on the TV screen so I am now sure by your description that it must have been the Skyboy. And thankfully none of our Sky pilots went to meet there maker.Thanks for clearing this up for interested flyers. Az. Bald Eagle ----- Original Message ----- From: "Beauford" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Fluids > --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Beauford" > > Brother Thompson... > Re: your Kolb-list note on fluids... > Have seen absolutely zero-zilch-nada in the Tampa press about a Kolb > accident last week, this week , or whenever... > > Of some UL interest, however, two hapless individuals successfully > conducted > a fatal soil-sample drill in a trike somewhere just north of here last > week....(NFI). Also, two geezers, one an "ultralight instructor", the > other > his erstwhile student, executed a virtually flawless stall-spin entry demo > in one of the mighty Skyboy machines in the middle of the Zephyrhills FL > airport last week... Numerous witnesses all agreed that it was a textbook > performance and the cards held up by the appreciative crowd ranged from a > near perfect 9.9 to a low of only 9.7, the high scores reflecting the > spirited wing-over-wing cartwheels with which the routine reportedly > climaxed.... The stalwarts have four broken legs, two sets of over-grossed > Depends, one set of missing "uppers" and tons of breathtaking memories > between them, but fortunately neither met the Big Ranger this trip....(Of > note, the authorities said the trusty Rotax was still bellowing its little > heart out when they reached the wreckage some minutes later ...had to find > the switch and shut it down before geezer extraction from the largest > single > remaining Skyboy artifact could be accomplished...) There was no word yet > as to whether a replacement Skyboy had been ordered from bedside at the > Tampa hospital... > > And that's the news from West Central Florida.... > > Trust 'ol Beauford, Borther Thompson... I ain't a'holdin out on ye.... If > I > hear anything about a Florida Kolb wreck hereabouts, I will promptly pass > along the morbid details to the Listers... If I happen to be the > principal > in the event, I trust that one of my tasteless Florida buddies will step > up > and report on my behalf.... > > Best Regards, > > Beauford, The Aluminum Butcher of Brandon, FL > FF #076 > Do Not Archive > P.S. What did your note have to do with "Fluids"....? just wonderin'.... > b. > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "George E. Thompson" > To: > Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Fluids > > >> --> Kolb-List message posted by: "George E. Thompson" >> >> >> Am I the only one who saw the crashed two place Kolb in Florida last >> week?. >> It was on the TV news and defiantly shown a two place Kolb. It said that >> the >> two people in the plane were not killed. Good Thing. >> I have seen no one from Florida who knows any thing about this >> accident. Speak up, We Kolb drivers need to know how to avoid this kind >> of >> trouble. >> Az. Bald Eagle >> >> > > > ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 08:41:38 AM PST US From: "George E. Myers Jr." Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Safety Pins --> Kolb-List message posted by: "George E. Myers Jr." I would certainly like 15 to 20 of them. Thanks George At 02-21-2005, you wrote: >--> Kolb-List message posted by: ray anderson > >I have just found a supply house for the circle cotter pins ( the ones >with the inner end bent for easy start) but they are sold in 100 lots. I >have ordered 100. This of course makes them cheap. They are 3/4"dia. and >are zinc plated steel. I will share some of them if you need them for what >they cost plus shipping. You can see a picture and description at the link >below. Click on line catalogue and then circle cotters. >http://www.pivotpins.com/catalog/catidx.html > George E. Myers Jr. 1500 IH 35 S San Marcos Tx. 512-353-4860 www.geohome.sytes.net/ gmyers@corridor.net -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 09:01:34 AM PST US From: ray anderson Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Safety Pins --> Kolb-List message posted by: ray anderson George, I will send yours as soon as my shipment arrives. I'm down to only 15 available now but maybe that will help. The cost will be minimal. "George E. Myers Jr." wrote: --> Kolb-List message posted by: "George E. Myers Jr." I would certainly like 15 to 20 of them. Thanks George At 02-21-2005, you wrote: >--> Kolb-List message posted by: ray anderson > >I have just found a supply house for the circle cotter pins ( the ones >with the inner end bent for easy start) but they are sold in 100 lots. I >have ordered 100. This of course makes them cheap. They are 3/4"dia. and >are zinc plated steel. I will share some of them if you need them for what >they cost plus shipping. You can see a picture and description at the link >below. Click on line catalogue and then circle cotters. >http://www.pivotpins.com/catalog/catidx.html > George E. Myers Jr. 1500 IH 35 S San Marcos Tx. 512-353-4860 www.geohome.sytes.net/ gmyers@corridor.net -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. --------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 10:56:43 AM PST US From: Aircraft Spruce Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Safety Pins --> Kolb-List message posted by: Aircraft Spruce I noticed your posting to the Kolb group regarding AN416-1 cowling safety pins ordered from Aircraft Spruce, and we contacted the manufacturer to see why we were now receiving stainless pins. We were informed that the original spring steel cadmium plated pins have been superceded by pins made from stainless steel spring wire, Type 316. The safety pins Aircraft Spruce is supplying are the current AN416-1 pins (as superceded). We no longer have the older types available although there still may be some available from surplus sources. Our thanks to Steve for bringing this matter to our attention, we will update our catalog and website accordingly. Jim Irwin President, Aircraft Spruce --- ray anderson wrote: > --> Kolb-List message posted by: ray anderson > > > George, > I will send yours as soon as my > shipment arrives. I'm down to only 15 available now > but maybe that will help. The cost will be minimal. > > > "George E. Myers Jr." wrote: > --> Kolb-List message posted by: "George E. Myers > Jr." > > I would certainly like 15 to 20 of them. > Thanks > George > > At 02-21-2005, you wrote: > > >--> Kolb-List message posted by: ray anderson > > > >I have just found a supply house for the circle > cotter pins ( the ones > >with the inner end bent for easy start) but they > are sold in 100 lots. I > >have ordered 100. This of course makes them cheap. > They are 3/4"dia. and > >are zinc plated steel. I will share some of them if > you need them for what > >they cost plus shipping. You can see a picture and > description at the link > >below. Click on line catalogue and then circle > cotters. > >http://www.pivotpins.com/catalog/catidx.html > > > > George E. Myers Jr. > 1500 IH 35 S > San Marcos Tx. > 512-353-4860 > www.geohome.sytes.net/ > gmyers@corridor.net > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > > > > --------------------------------- > > > > Contributions > any other > Forums. > > http://www.matronics.com/subscription > http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Kolb-List.htm > http://www.matronics.com/archives > http://www.matronics.com/photoshare > http://www.matronics.com/emaillists > > > > > > __________________________________ http://my.yahoo.com __________________________________ http://mobile.yahoo.com/maildemo ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 01:48:59 PM PST US From: N27SB@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Safety Pins --> Kolb-List message posted by: N27SB@aol.com In a message dated 2/22/05 12:57:30 PM Central Standard Time, fun_plane@yahoo.com writes: > Spruce is supplying are the current AN416-1 pins (as > superceded). We no longer have the older types > available although there still may be some available > from surplus sources. Our thanks to Steve for bringing > this matter to our attention, we will update our > catalog and website accordingly. > > Jim Irwin > President, Aircraft Spruce > Thank you Jim for your kind reply, It is pretty impressive that you found and responded to a small item like this. I did not mean to be a pain but I wanted to make sure I got the right part. Thanks again for your personal attention to detail. Steve B FireFly007 ACS customer since 1972 ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 04:30:33 PM PST US From: "Kolbdriver" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: 912 Radiator Locations --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Kolbdriver" Thanks to all who replied about 912 radiator location. It seems that it functions equally in front of and behind the engine from the responses I got. I chose to mount it in front for 2 reasons 1) less hose and piping means less weight. 2) to keep the CG from getting more toward the rear. The brackets, rubber mounts, and hardware tipped the scales just under one pound. Thanks again Steven do not archive ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 05:53:16 PM PST US From: "Dave & Eve Pelletier" Subject: Kolb-List: Sport Pilot Medical --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Dave & Eve Pelletier" Guys, I got my 3rd Class Medical today - Finally. For those of you who don't know, I was denied a medical a couple of years ago. I didn't worry about it because of the driver's license medical that was supposed to come out with Sport Pilot. As you know, when the final rule came out, they said that if you've had a 3rd class medical revoked or denied, you need to fix that before you can use your driver's license for a medical. OK, I jumped through all their hoops and sent them a big package of stuff around the first of Dec. Last week I got a letter from them saying "Our review of your medical records.....has established that you may be granted Authorization for Special Issuance of a third-class medical certificate......." It goes on to say that I have to retake my physical and if they don't find anything else wrong "...an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certification letter will be issued containing the protocol for continued certification." As with most government correspondence, the letter was kinda confusing. On the one hand it sort of "undenied" my denial and that would seem like I shouldn't have to do anything. On the other hand, it said I had to retake my medical. I called EAA and we jawed about this for an hour. They agree that my denial has been "undenied" by the letter, but they have also fought this battle with FAA before and FAA says "retake the medical" so I did even tho I don't intend to get a Private Pilot's ticket. In any case, I'm now cleared to take the Sport Pilot test, take the practical, N number my airplane, and get an airworthiness certificate. Arrggghhhhh! Oh well, the first hill has been climbed. If anyone else is in this boat, I'd be glad to help in any way I can. Contact me off line. AzDave ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 06:52:54 PM PST US From: robert bean Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Sport Pilot Medical --> Kolb-List message posted by: robert bean Dave, it's a shame you have to jump so many hoops. Your case should get the attention of all who may think they are again a shoo-in to pass their next 3rd class. All the doc has to do is think your ticker sounds a little funny and you not only don't have that certificate, you now can't use the driver's license provision either. -The moral of the story is, if you intend to fly only airplanes that fall into the SP category, DON"T bother to go for the 3rd class! Good luck in your travails. -BB do not archive On 22, Feb 2005, at 8:52 PM, Dave & Eve Pelletier wrote: > --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Dave & Eve Pelletier" > > > Guys, > > I got my 3rd Class Medical today - Finally. For those of you who > don't know, I was denied a medical a couple of years ago. I didn't > worry about it because of the driver's license medical that was > supposed to come out with Sport Pilot. As you know, when the final > rule came out, they said that if you've had a 3rd class medical > revoked or denied, you need to fix that before you can use your > driver's license for a medical. OK, I jumped through all their hoops > and sent them a big package of stuff around the first of Dec. Last > week I got a letter from them saying "Our review of your medical > records.....has established that you may be granted Authorization for > Special Issuance of a third-class medical certificate......." It goes > on to say that I have to retake my physical and if they don't find > anything else wrong "...an Authorization for Special Issuance of a > Medical Certification letter will be issued containing the protocol > for continued certification." > > As with most government correspondence, the letter was kinda > confusing. On the one hand it sort of "undenied" my denial and that > would seem like I shouldn't have to do anything. On the other hand, > it said I had to retake my medical. I called EAA and we jawed about > this for an hour. They agree that my denial has been "undenied" by > the letter, but they have also fought this battle with FAA before and > FAA says "retake the medical" so I did even tho I don't intend to get > a Private Pilot's ticket. In any case, I'm now cleared to take the > Sport Pilot test, take the practical, N number my airplane, and get an > airworthiness certificate. Arrggghhhhh! Oh well, the first hill has > been climbed. > > If anyone else is in this boat, I'd be glad to help in any way I > can. Contact me off line. > > AzDave > > ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 07:21:13 PM PST US From: "Dale Sellers" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Sport Pilot Medical --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Dale Sellers" Dave, It was my understanding that if your medical had expired or you currently held one, you didn't have to do anything except fly a plane that qualified as a light sport plane. There was no sport pilot's test except for a bi-annual flight review. Was I mistaken? Dale S. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave & Eve Pelletier" Subject: Kolb-List: Sport Pilot Medical > --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Dave & Eve Pelletier" > > > Guys, > > I got my 3rd Class Medical today - Finally. For those of you who don't > know, I was denied a medical a couple of years ago. I didn't worry about > it because of the driver's license medical that was supposed to come out > with Sport Pilot. As you know, when the final rule came out, they said > that if you've had a 3rd class medical revoked or denied, you need to fix > that before you can use your driver's license for a medical. OK, I jumped > through all their hoops and sent them a big package of stuff around the > first of Dec. Last week I got a letter from them saying "Our review of > your medical records.....has established that you may be granted > Authorization for Special Issuance of a third-class medical > certificate......." It goes on to say that I have to retake my physical > and if they don't find anything else wrong "...an Authorization for > Special Issuance of a Medical Certification letter will be issued > containing the protocol for continued certification." > > As with most government correspondence, the letter was kinda confusing. > On the one hand it sort of "undenied" my denial and that would seem like I > shouldn't have to do anything. On the other hand, it said I had to retake > my medical. I called EAA and we jawed about this for an hour. They agree > that my denial has been "undenied" by the letter, but they have also > fought this battle with FAA before and FAA says "retake the medical" so I > did even tho I don't intend to get a Private Pilot's ticket. In any case, > I'm now cleared to take the Sport Pilot test, take the practical, N number > my airplane, and get an airworthiness certificate. Arrggghhhhh! Oh well, > the first hill has been climbed. > > If anyone else is in this boat, I'd be glad to help in any way I can. > Contact me off line. > > AzDave > > > ________________________________ Message 13 ____________________________________ Time: 07:22:59 PM PST US From: "John Hauck" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: 912 Radiator Locations --> Kolb-List message posted by: "John Hauck" engine from | the responses I got. | Steven Steven G/Gang: Well, not exactly. The 912 is a much cooler running engine than the 912S. With the radiator mounted up front, it will run cold most of the time unless you run a very small radiator, or mask the normal 912 radiator. When I was running my 912, with radiator in the rear, I had difficulty keeping CHT above 120F. This is far to cold to be operating the 912 engine. They perform best when CHT is kept up around 180F. There is no heat on the long intake system, and there are two intake manifolds, to keep the temps up. My normal procedure was to by pass the oil cooler in the winter to get engine temps up to at least 190F. Hook it back up the following spring. Also mask portions of the radiator to bring up CHT to around 180F. After well over 2,000 hours operating in the same configuration, I have no problems with my system. john h ________________________________ Message 14 ____________________________________ Time: 08:18:18 PM PST US From: "J.D. Stewart" Subject: RE: Kolb-List: 912 Radiator Locations --> Kolb-List message posted by: "J.D. Stewart" I've used an oil cooler thermostat from Summit Racing. That way my oil temp is always where it should be. Warm-ups are faster, too. A picture is on http://www.ultrafunairsports.com/titanfinal.htm 6th picture down. J.D. Stewart UltraFun AirSports, LLC www.ultrafunairsports.com > > When I was running my 912, with radiator in the rear, I had difficulty > keeping CHT above 120F. This is far to cold to be operating the 912 > engine. They perform best when CHT is kept up around 180F. There is > no heat on the long intake system, and there are two intake manifolds, > to keep the temps up. My normal procedure was to by pass the oil > cooler in the winter to get engine temps up to at least 190F. Hook it > back up the following spring. Also mask portions of the radiator to > bring up CHT to around 180F. > > After well over 2,000 hours operating in the same configuration, I > have no problems with my system. > > john h > ________________________________ Message 15 ____________________________________ Time: 08:18:49 PM PST US From: "David Paule" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Safety Pins --> Kolb-List message posted by: "David Paule" Be careful with those devious little things. I use them on my sailboat to safety the turnbuckles of the rigging, and I would routinely find that they had worked themselves halfway out. After reading of various rigging failures (that is, the mast came down, along with the sails, and cost several grand to fix) I now tape them with rigging tape. They tend to stay put now; rigging tape is pretty tenacious. But it's not suitable for removing after flight.... I would never use those rings in any application where my life depended on it. They are too dangerous. I've seen them part-way out too many times. Dave Paule Boulder, CO FS II ============================ -- "JIM HEFNER" wrote: Has anyone ever had a "standard Kolb issue safety pin" fail and come out during flight? Never a hint of one coming out. I use the stainless ones used for sailboats that have the easy-start center. They overlap only a half turn, but they cannot come loose because they would have to overcome the ring tension. The main wing clevis pins always want to back out to the ring. If I forgot the ring, it would come out and this would not make my day. Ralph Original Firestar 18 years flying it ________________________________ Message 16 ____________________________________ Time: 08:34:39 PM PST US From: WhiskeyVictor36@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Safety Pins --> Kolb-List message posted by: WhiskeyVictor36@aol.com In a message dated 2/21/2005 8:40:40 AM Eastern Standard Time, ul15rhb@juno.com writes: The main wing clevis pins always want to back out to the ring. Hi Ralph, One of mine, the left wing, also wants to move out to the ring. So now I put the pin in from the rear, with the safety ring at the front. Now when the pin moves forward, the flanged head of the pin stops it from going thru the spar fitting. Bill Varnes Original Kolb FireStar Audubon NJ Do Not Archive ________________________________ Message 17 ____________________________________ Time: 08:59:25 PM PST US From: "John Hauck" Subject: Kolb-List: Engine Oil Thermostats --> Kolb-List message posted by: "John Hauck" oil temp | is always where it should be. Warm-ups are faster, too. Hi JD/Gang: I did some research on engine oil thermostats a few years ago. Finally, decided a couple wraps of gaffers tape around the radiator was not than much problem in the winter time. I also heard from folks that ran these thermostats that they did not bring the oil temp up to the desired minimum of 190F. I figured it was not worth the time, money, and effort. Plus, something else hung on the engine and airplane. How about some numbers on engine oil temps compared to OAT? How many hours have you used the thermostat? Any related problems with that system? I'll take a look at the oil thermostat in Summit's catalog. Thanks, john h ________________________________ Message 18 ____________________________________ Time: 09:29:08 PM PST US From: Steve Kroll Subject: Kolb-List: Re: q --> Kolb-List message posted by: Steve Kroll Russ, all I'm about to build a bungee trim like John h talks about. I'll let you know how it works. I'm also mounting my radio antenna to the tail boom just in front of the vertical stab using tie wraps to hold the wire down to the boom all the way to the fuselage.....a bunch of extras where the co-ax goes by the prop. The antenna itself is a straight out of the box Radio Shack truckers mirror antenna....32 dollars and it's mounted to a home made mount using eighth inch alumimum angle and held tothe boom with hose clamps. I've had it that way before I painted the boom and it worked great.I think part of the reason that the signal is so good is the fact that the co-axial cable is laid out there for quite a stretch on the boom I shoot strictly digital now using Olympus with a 10x zoom I shoot air to air and send them to the owners. They love it and are willing to pay just about anything for a digital copy to show their friends. I also advertise local and get quite a few hits that way. I use the honor system for payment and once in awhile I get bit but,that's their charma.....not mine. After the 170, you're going to love the Kolb for visibility. The view coming down final to the flare is absolutely fantastic. You ain't going anywhere in a hurry but I gave that up years ago. I like to piddle in the thermals locally....see how little power it takes to stay up ( I learned to fly in gliders) I fly a Mk-2 which is the predecessor to the Mk-3. The Mk-2 really wasn't a two place airplane and therefore, wasn't around long. It's ok by me though because I don't want the responsibility for somebody else's life in my own hand built airplane. Sounds like too much liability to me. That gives me the second seat for my camera gear, radio stuff, and whatever else I want to stuff in a flight bag and it's all there right next to me. You can take the canopy all the way off whenever you like but if you keep the polycarbonate scratch-free, you can shoot through it with good results. You're also going to love the climb performance of any lightly loaded Kolb. It's a hoot to make pattern altitude before you leave the end of the runway. Last but not least, no I am not comfortable flying from the right seat but I bet itsure would help the roll left tendency of all the Kolbs, particularly flown solo. Russ...I hope you don't mind I published to the list. If you do, let me know and I'll keep any further correspondence with you off list. Steve Kroll do not archive Steve In re shooting from aircraft -- I've been spoiled, done a LOT of photography out of my 170, made some mods & it would fly hands-off forever. At least it did for 2700 hrs. Now planning to get a Kolb -- can't they be rigged for hands-free? John H described an adjustable bungee for the stick, for roll-control. Do you feel comfortable flying from the right seat? That should do it. I rigged a helmet-mounted camera for parachuting years ago, tripped by a switch in one hand; but I doubt you want to get that complicated. Are you shooting 35mm or something bigger? Have you made an openableport in the door, or use half doors? If I have any bright ideas I'll write again Good luck, Russ Kinne ---------------------------------