---------------------------------------------------------- Kolb-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Thu 12/29/05: 12 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 04:58 AM - HKS on a FS11 (Edward Steuber) 2. 08:11 AM - Navman 2100 Fuel Flow Indicator... (David Lehman) 3. 08:22 AM - Re: Navman 2100 Fuel Flow Indicator... (Robert Laird) 4. 08:48 AM - Re: HKS on a FS11 (Michael Bigelow) 5. 09:44 AM - Re: HKS on a FS11 (lucien stavenhagen) 6. 03:54 PM - Re: HKS on a FS11 (Richard Pike) 7. 06:01 PM - Re: Tie downs, gust locks (David L. Bigelow) 8. 07:12 PM - Re: Re: Tie downs, gust locks (ray anderson) 9. 08:17 PM - Re: Re: Tie downs, gust locks (Steve Garvelink) 10. 08:32 PM - Re: Navman 2100 Fuel Flow Indicator... (ElleryWeld@aol.com) 11. 08:35 PM - Re: Navman 2100 Fuel Flow Indicator... (ElleryWeld@aol.com) 12. 10:00 PM - Re: HKS on a FS11 (WillUribe@aol.com) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 04:58:27 AM PST US From: "Edward Steuber" Subject: Kolb-List: HKS on a FS11 --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Edward Steuber" I have had the opposite problem trying to slow down my Ultrastar, believe it or not...I finished modifying my Ultrastar ( photo share Sept 18 ,2004 ) and was surprised with high cruise speed that made the ailerons feel like they were set in cement...... Modifications I had made changed the angle of the wing to the boom and the angle of the engine to the boom ....I was able to correct the wing incidence , change the engine angle , add dihedral and change the prop pitch . I discovered a poorly calibrated RPM gauge (new) that had me running the engine faster than it should have been ...the IVO was set for WOT according to the gauge and was pulling full power at cruise....SMOKIN !... I could do fly -bys at close to a 100 with a shallow dive....impressive but scary...and not good for an airframe designed for 60mph... I know my initial speed claims on this list were met with skepticism to say the least... On the other hand , the slow speed characteristics of the Ultrastar were degraded and that is what I really wanted... So when you think you can make something better by tinkering you might want to remember the old saying....Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it... The only modifications I would do again to an Ultrastar are the centerline stick, the enclosure, the Firestar gear legs, and wheels and brakes. The guys that designed these Kolbs did a great job and some small improvements are OK but when you start changing the aerodynamics it can bite you...leave it alone ! I have recently added a Navman fuel monitor ...I have a seat tank and it is impossible to monitor the capacity with any accurracy and this may be the solution ( thanks to Ellery in Maine ) . I will not be flying for a while due to repairs being done after an engine out resulting in a corn field visit. Not much damage but just getting around to it due to other more important things.....making a living mostly... Humbled ED in Western NY ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 08:11:48 AM PST US From: David Lehman Subject: Kolb-List: Navman 2100 Fuel Flow Indicator... --> Kolb-List message posted by: David Lehman Where's the best deal on this?... Thanx... David ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 08:22:25 AM PST US From: Robert Laird Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Navman 2100 Fuel Flow Indicator... --> Kolb-List message posted by: Robert Laird I bought one from BoatersWorld.com... -- Robert On 12/29/05, David Lehman wrote: > --> Kolb-List message posted by: David Lehman > > Where's the best deal on this?... > > Thanx... > > David ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 08:48:56 AM PST US From: "Michael Bigelow" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: HKS on a FS11 --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Michael Bigelow" The HKS looks like a really neat little engine, if I was building a firestar, that is what would go on it. I know the HKS is very expensive, but its worth every penny when it comes to 4 stroke reliablility, fuel economy, not having to constantly worry about jetting, mixture, etc etc. The list is endless. I did not even consider building my MK-III until I could afford the 912S , I would rather walk than fly with a 2 stroke engine ! Even my dirtbike has a 4 stroke engine on it, 2 strokes are just a substandard engine these days and are going the way of the dinosaur... Hopefully one day the price on HKS and the other 4 stroke engines will come down to all our benefit. As far as the speed on the firestar, if you can clean it up without adversely affecting the aerodynamics, and short of changing the wings, that is always a plus. If it becomes to fast, you just reduce the power, and increase your fuel economy and range by a huge amount. It makes no sense why Edward is unhappy with his slippery ultrastar, if it goes to fast, just pull back the power until it does not scare you anymore. The airliner that I fly will easily go past redline in level flight, I just use the throttle to keep it from happening. Same with an ultralight, if you have a big engine and a clean airframe, and it goes to fast, get off the throttle a bit, that is a great thing, not at all a problem... Michael A. Bigelow Do Not Archive ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 09:44:30 AM PST US From: "lucien stavenhagen" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: HKS on a FS11 --> Kolb-List message posted by: "lucien stavenhagen" >The HKS looks like a really neat little engine, if I was building a >firestar, that is what would go on it. I know the HKS is very expensive, >but its worth every penny when it comes to 4 stroke reliablility, fuel >economy, not having to constantly worry about jetting, mixture, etc etc. >The list is endless. I did not even consider building my MK-III until I >could afford the 912S , I would rather walk than fly with a 2 stroke engine >! Even my dirtbike has a 4 stroke engine on it, 2 strokes are just a >substandard engine these days and are going the way of the dinosaur... >Hopefully one day the price on HKS and the other 4 stroke engines will come >down to all our benefit. Noooo! Must resist.... must resist... must keep mouth shut.... ;) On the topic of speed, one thing I wonder about with the efforts to speed the plane up is the increased likelihood of overstressing the plane in turbulent conditions. I.e. 80 mph in a FS might be below VNE but I'd be concerned about speeds that high in strong turbs (what is the actual max. maneuvering speed on our firestars anyway?)..... I fly my FSII at 60mph pretty much all the time, mainly to save gas but also to keep the scenery going by a bit slower as well. On trips in turbulent air, I don't go over 60 either as a conservative measure as far as stressing the plane. It'll still whack me pretty good, but it's still a pretty long ways from overstressing the airframe. But I don't know, it may be strong enough to handle heavy turbs in speeds as high as 80, particularly at higher weights... Anyone know? LS N646F ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 03:54:58 PM PST US From: Richard Pike Subject: Re: Kolb-List: HKS on a FS11 --> Kolb-List message posted by: Richard Pike Michael Bigelow wrote: >--> Kolb-List message posted by: "Michael Bigelow" > >The HKS looks like a really neat little engine, if I was building a >firestar, that is what would go on it. I know the HKS is very expensive, >but its worth every penny when it comes to 4 stroke reliablility, fuel >economy, not having to constantly worry about jetting, mixture, etc etc. >The list is endless. I did not even consider building my MK-III until I >could afford the 912S , I would rather walk than fly with a 2 stroke engine >! Even my dirtbike has a 4 stroke engine on it, 2 strokes are just a >substandard engine these days and are going the way of the dinosaur... >Hopefully one day the price on HKS and the other 4 stroke engines will come >down to all our benefit. > >As far as the speed on the firestar, if you can clean it up without >adversely affecting the aerodynamics, and short of changing the wings, that >is always a plus. If it becomes to fast, you just reduce the power, and >increase your fuel economy and range by a huge amount. It makes no sense >why Edward is unhappy with his slippery ultrastar, if it goes to fast, just >pull back the power until it does not scare you anymore. The airliner that >I fly will easily go past redline in level flight, I just use the throttle >to keep it from happening. Same with an ultralight, if you have a big >engine and a clean airframe, and it goes to fast, get off the throttle a >bit, that is a great thing, not at all a problem... > >Michael A. Bigelow > >Do Not Archive > > > It would be nice to have the best. If I could afford to swap my 582 for a 912, that would be nice. But I can't - however, I would rather fly with a 2 stroke than walk. Have for years. Am a founding member of the Loud Birdmen Society, having flown ultralight type aircraft from the days when they had to be foot launched, weight shift, and I was in front of a McCulloch go-cart engine that required 2 hours maintainence for every half hour of flight. Cross countries consisted of planning all legs of the flight to go from one suitable landing area to the next, because the engine would probably quit. And sometimes it did. Met some nice and helpful people that way. That's one reason I fly a Kolb MKIII with a 2 stroke and don't worry about it, even in the hills of Tennessee. I fly with the assumption that eventually it will probably quit and I don't worry about it, because I figure I can land it almost anywhere and probably still walk away. Unfortunately, people flying jetliners don't have that luxury... Richard Pike MKIII N420P (420ldPoops) PS - Would you send me one of your "Friends Don't Let Friends Fly 2 Strokes" stickers? ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 06:01:07 PM PST US From: "David L. Bigelow" Subject: Kolb-List: RE: Tie downs, gust locks --> Kolb-List message posted by: "David L. Bigelow" Forgot to mention that I park tail into the wind when I've stopped somewhere for just a few minutes to attend to the "call of nature". The wind here blows pretty steady at 15-25 a lot of the time. Usually there is no tie down for the wings. I always carry a set of chocks and a tie down kit, but can't use the tie downs on some of the paved ramps with no tie points. I started parking tail into the wind after almost bending the plane. I taxied off the runway and chocked the FS nose into the wind. I got out and things seemed OK, so walked away. When I turned around, my FS was moving merrily down the ramp backwards towards the airport fire station. I caught it just before the tail crunched. A gust of wind had lifted the nose enough to jump the chocks. I agree that nose into the wind with both wings well secured is the best way for any real security. A really strong wind could conceivably bend the wing struts when parked tail into the wind. John, when I built the wing bow tips, I used 1" x .058 tubing. I've had past experience with the thinner wall tubing getting bent or dinged easily. The 3/8 inch hole doesn't seem to be a structural problem through the heavier tubing. It sure was a job bending that stuff, though. Dave Bigelow Kamuela, Hawaii FS2 Rotax 503 DCDI ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 07:12:08 PM PST US From: ray anderson Subject: Re: Kolb-List: RE: Tie downs, gust locks --> Kolb-List message posted by: ray anderson I hesitated to tell this story about lack of tie downs but I swear it happened. I was there. In 1937-38 when I was young and foolish, I connected with a barnstormer over in N.C. who was flying a Tri Motor Ford hauling passengers in and out of country 'cow pastures'. $1.00 a head, sometimes .75. I was making parachute jumps out of the Ford, (long before 'sky diving') using an Irvin 24 ft. seat pack. He parked the Ford one evening on a dirt strip, never used tie downs, it was a pretty heavy clunker, and every one went into town for the night. The strip was bordered on one side by a long row of closely spaced pine saplings or young trees, about 20 - 25 feet in height. The next morning when every one wandered back to the strip, the Ford was nowhere to be seen. Panicville, Joe the owner assumed someone had flown the Ford out some time during the night. Someone finally noticed that a few of the pine trees seemed to have their tops disturbed. A quick trip through the pines to a large open field on the other side disclosed the old Ford setting there upright as if nothing had happened. Incredibly, apparently high winds had come up sometime during the night, lifted the Ford up high enough to carry it across the pines, just brushing the tops, and put it down for a perfect three point landing. Very little damage. Some minor tears of the aluminum corrugated skin on the horizontal stabilizer and one side of the fuselage toward the rear. Joe called Ford Motor Company and they still had an employee and equipment , plus replacement panels to make the repairs. He came down from Detroit and the Ford was back in the air in about one week. We were back h auling passengers out of incredibly short fields and I was jumping. The Ford wing had amazing lift. It came to a sad end about two years later, but that is another story. Tie em' all down, big or small, if you leave them out. Ray .... UltraStar Do Not Archive "David L. Bigelow" wrote: --> Kolb-List message posted by: "David L. Bigelow" <<>> --------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 08:17:54 PM PST US From: "Steve Garvelink" Subject: RE: Kolb-List: RE: Tie downs, gust locks --> Kolb-List message posted by: "Steve Garvelink" Ray, If you were the only one on this list I would subscribe. Your stories really make it worthwhile. Thanks. Steve Garvelink -----Original Message----- From: owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kolb-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of ray anderson Subject: Re: Kolb-List: RE: Tie downs, gust locks --> Kolb-List message posted by: ray anderson I hesitated to tell this story about lack of tie downs but I swear it happened. I was there. In 1937-38 when I was young and foolish, I connected with a barnstormer over in N.C. who was flying a Tri Motor Ford hauling passengers in and out of country 'cow pastures'. $1.00 a head, sometimes .75. I was making parachute jumps out of the Ford, (long before 'sky diving') using an Irvin 24 ft. seat pack. He parked the Ford one evening on a dirt strip, never used tie downs, it was a pretty heavy clunker, and every one went into town for the night. The strip was bordered on one side by a long row of closely spaced pine saplings or young trees, about 20 - 25 feet in height. The next morning when every one wandered back to the strip, the Ford was nowhere to be seen. Panicville, Joe the owner assumed someone had flown the Ford out some time during the night. Someone finally noticed that a few of the pine trees seemed to have their tops disturbed. A quick trip through the pines to a large open field on the other side disclosed the old Ford setting there upright as if nothing had happened. Incredibly, apparently high winds had come up sometime during the night, lifted the Ford up high enough to carry it across the pines, just brushing the tops, and put it down for a perfect three point landing. Very little damage. Some minor tears of the aluminum corrugated skin on the horizontal stabilizer and one side of the fuselage toward the rear. Joe called Ford Motor Company and they still had an employee and equipment , plus replacement panels to make the repairs. He came down from Detroit and the Ford was back in the air in about one week. We were back h auling passengers out of incredibly short fields and I was jumping. The Ford wing had amazing lift. It came to a sad end about two years later, but that is another story. Tie em' all down, big or small, if you leave them out. Ray .... UltraStar Do Not Archive "David L. Bigelow" wrote: --> Kolb-List message posted by: "David L. Bigelow" <<>> --------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 08:32:58 PM PST US From: ElleryWeld@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Navman 2100 Fuel Flow Indicator... --> Kolb-List message posted by: ElleryWeld@aol.com Dave I purchased my NAVMAN from Boaters world also but I told another guy about NAVMAN and he got one cheaper than I did but there worth every nickle you pay for it no matter what it is You can Go to the navman Website @ (NAVMAN.com) click on Products,Marine,fuel solutions and from there you can locate a distributor and there price Ellery Batchelder Jr in Maine Original Firestar ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 08:35:56 PM PST US From: ElleryWeld@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Navman 2100 Fuel Flow Indicator... --> Kolb-List message posted by: ElleryWeld@aol.com Sorry forgot the DO NOT ARCHIVE in the last post so Do Not Archive Do Not Archive Do Not Archive I hope this will wash away my sins Ellery do not archive ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 10:00:56 PM PST US From: WillUribe@aol.com Subject: RE: Kolb-List: HKS on a FS11 --> Kolb-List message posted by: WillUribe@aol.com Greetings, I keep hearing that the 2 stroke engine is not reliable or they are not trustworthy but my 2 stroke has worked fine all these years. For two weeks Dave and I flew our FireStars with 2 stroke engines every day for hours and they never gave us problems. Dave's engine had over 300 hours when we took the cross country flight from Texas to the west coast of Oregon. Every time I pull the rope it start right away after more then 200 hours and keeps going until I shut it down. The engine has never let me down, I don't know how the rumor started. I guess back in the early days the 2 stoke was not as reliable as it is now a days. If you don't take care of your engine it will not take care of you. I love to fly my FireStar low and slow, something I would never do with my Cessna. The "HKS on a FS II" subject line got me to read some of the posts so I looked up the price of this HKS. You either have a lot of money to throw away or your nuts to pay all that for an ultralight type engine. Sorry but I'm a poor man so I will stick with the reliable 2 stroke Rotax 503. Regards, Will Uribe El Paso, TX FireStar II N4GU C-172 N2506U Rebuilding a PA-22-108 N4551Z _http://home.elp.rr.com/airplane/_ (http://home.elp.rr.com/airplane/) Do Not Archive PS - Where do I get the "Real Men fly 2 strokes" sticker? ;-)