---------------------------------------------------------- Kolb-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Fri 04/18/08: 27 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 02:50 AM - Re: Monument Valley 2008 Photo Contest (David Lucas) 2. 04:43 AM - Re: Re: New engine package, ( FireFly alternate maybe) (N27SB@aol.com) 3. 04:49 AM - Re: Acme Gravity Catapult (David Lucas) 4. 06:21 AM - Aluminum Cleaning (Arran Addington) 5. 06:30 AM - decarbon check advice (Jimmy Young) 6. 06:34 AM - Re: Re: Acme Gravity Catapult (Jack B. Hart) 7. 06:38 AM - Firestar Project (BMWBikeCrz@aol.com) 8. 10:18 AM - New engine package, ( FireFly alternate maybe) (Mark) 9. 10:26 AM - Re: decarbon check advice (lucien) 10. 10:56 AM - Re: New engine package, ( FireFly alternate maybe) (Bill Rayfield) 11. 11:55 AM - Re: Emergency Parachute (JetPilot) 12. 12:08 PM - Re: tail feathers (JetPilot) 13. 01:04 PM - Homer Kolb (william sullivan) 14. 01:14 PM - Re: tail feathers (Ralph B) 15. 01:50 PM - Re: New engine package, ( FireFly alternate maybe) (Dana Hague) 16. 02:05 PM - Re: tail feathers (JetPilot) 17. 02:10 PM - Re: Homer Kolb (JetPilot) 18. 02:25 PM - Re: Re: Emergency Parachute (Dana Hague) 19. 02:30 PM - Re: Homer Kolb (Dana Hague) 20. 02:51 PM - Re: New engine package, ( FireFly alternate maybe) (Mike Welch) 21. 03:13 PM - Re: Homer Kolb (Mike Welch) 22. 03:36 PM - Re: Re: decarbon check advice (gary aman) 23. 03:53 PM - Re: Homer Kolb (Dana Hague) 24. 04:00 PM - Re: decarbon check advice (possums) 25. 04:27 PM - expert in everything (Jim Hauck) 26. 06:06 PM - Apologize (Jim Hauck) 27. 09:04 PM - Re: Acme Gravity Catapult (henry.voris) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 02:50:55 AM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Monument Valley 2008 Photo Contest From: "David Lucas" > Submit your photo from past Monument Valley trips Well, I don't exactly qualify, not having been there . . . Yet, but it looks like an awe inspiring place and this is my favourite view of it. Check out ; http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap071225.html David. Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=177579#177579 ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 04:43:39 AM PST US From: N27SB@aol.com Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: New engine package, ( FireFly alternate maybe) Don, You hit the nail on the head. steve In a message dated 4/17/2008 11:36:58 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, donghe@one-eleven.net writes: What the powerplant needs is a new airframe designed around it just as they are putting it together, to support slow turning 74 or 76 inch prop to optimize the thrust, and make the components last along time. **************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car listings at AOL Autos. (http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851) ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 04:49:52 AM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Acme Gravity Catapult From: "David Lucas" Greetings Henry ! Was just reading an article in the April issue of ' Kit Planes' which reminded me of your post on Kolb List Aug ' 07, re operations out of your short sloped strip on the slopes of Haleakala, Hawaii. Now you've probably got it ' pinned down' by now but this article may be of interest to you anyway. It's a simple DIY glide-slope guidance device that virtually anyone could build and might just be worth your trouble to investigate. It's actually based on the 'Inner Glideslope Indicator System' that the space shuttle uses as it transitions from its (something like) 18 degree glide/plummet after re-entry into the final approach phase profile, and that, in turn, was based or developed from the system the navy uses for carrier landings, so the system has quite some heritage. It just needs to be adapted to Kolb approach profiles to work. It's basically a ' ball and bar' arrangement where something like a round trash can lid painted a bright colour is mounted on a pole to the side of the strip just ahead of and adjacent to the touch down point and facing towards, and thus visible from, the approach area. A little further back (about 24 ft mentioned in this article) and mounted lower than the aforementioned trash can lid, another really high tech device, like a piece of corrugated roofing iron, also painted a bright but contrasting colour, is mounted horizontally and at a calculated level somewhat lower than the trash can lid in such a way that when the said trash can lid and the corrugated iron bar are in alignment as you are on approach, then it equates to the desired approach gradient to the touch down point and thus helps overcomes the false allusions of sloped terrain that is also in your vision. If, on approach, the trash can lid appears above the corrugated roofing iron then your ' too low' on profile and if it's below the roofing iron your ' too high'. Fine tuning is done by simply moving the trash can lid up or down the pole a little bit to suit your desired approach profile. If you've got access to a copy of Kit Planes it might be worth the read anyway. David. Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=177586#177586 ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 06:21:48 AM PST US From: "Arran Addington" Subject: Kolb-List: Aluminum Cleaning Hello Everyone, I am finally getting around to working on the MkIII kit that I purchased this past fall. It was bought in 1992 and partially assembled before it was put in a trailer and sat for a number of years. Jim Kmet who is on the list and lives near me in Tennessee came out and helped me verify that it was in rig, and that there were no major issues. I am at the point where I will soon be thinking about covering the wings and tail feathers. My concern, and the question to the group is how to clean the aluminum on these parts before I cover. They don't have any real corrosion, just some light white in some parts, but mainly dust and dirt. I would really like to make sure that once I cover them, I won't have to worry about them for a long time (even though I am planning on installing inspection plates). My thought is to use "Corrosion X" inside the big tail boom and wing spars, but I really want to know how to clean up the external surfaces for the long term without damaging them. I am interested in hearing the wisdom of the group. I appreciate everyone's help. Sincerely, Arran J. Addington Transportation Planner Office of Local Programs Suite 600, James K. Polk Building 505 Deaderick Street Nashville, TN 37243-0341 voice: 615-253-8526 fax: 615-741-9673 ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 06:30:25 AM PST US From: "Jimmy Young" Subject: Kolb-List: decarbon check advice I need some advice as to what it is I'm looking for on a decarbon checkon a 503 DCDI. I've got the exhaust port open, and I see two very clean looking piston skirts. The piston tops have a little carbon build up on top, not much. The underside of the heads are very clean and shiny. Regarding the rings, they lok clean to me, but I can't get them to "move" very easily, more so because I'm afraid I'll break them than anything else. I only see one ring, maybe about a 1/2" down from the top. There is another possible ring right at the top, not sure. What is the best way to check their movement, and what with? Thanks - Jimmy Young FS II ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 06:34:31 AM PST US From: "Jack B. Hart" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Acme Gravity Catapult At 04:47 AM 4/18/08 -0700, you wrote: > > >It's basically a ' ball and bar' arrangement where something like a round trash can lid painted a bright colour is mounted on a pole to the side of the strip just ahead of and ................... David Elegant and neat. I my do this to get down over some unmarked power lines at the end of my undeveloped home strip. Jack B. Hart FF004 Winchester, IN Do not archive ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 06:38:19 AM PST US From: BMWBikeCrz@aol.com Subject: Kolb-List: Firestar Project WE have a fairly new Kolb Owner in O'Brian Fl Very High Time Navy Pilot ... First Kolb Flight was a real White Knuckle Experiance for him ! Have Your Brother In Law Get Some Dual in a taildragger Ultralight FIRST !!! How do I know this ... "Personal Experiance" Dave ************** Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car listings at AOL Autos. (http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851) ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 10:18:34 AM PST US From: "Mark" Subject: Kolb-List: New engine package, ( FireFly alternate maybe) I have been working with Larry at Valley Eng.on my direct drive Generac. It will be installed in an ultrastar in a month or so.The belt reduction version turns too big of a prop,DD is about 54". Hopefully the weight will be the same as the Cuyuna with 5 more HP.Mark in Florida ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 10:26:02 AM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: decarbon check advice From: "lucien" Jimmy Young wrote: > I need some advice as to what it is I'm looking for on a decarbon checkon a 503 DCDI. I've got the exhaust port open, and I see two very clean looking piston skirts. The piston tops have a little carbon build up on top, not much. The underside of the heads are very clean and shiny. Regarding the rings, they lok clean to me, but I can't get them to "move" very easily, more so because I'm afraid I'll break them than anything else. I only see one ring, maybe about a 1/2" down from the top. There is another possible ring right at the top, not sure. What is the best way to check their movement, and what with? > > Thanks - > > Jimmy Young > > FS II There are two rings, the lower one is a regular "square" compression ring and the one at the top is a Dykes type ring. To check for free movement, center the two rings in the exhaust port and then carefully rotate the crank. You should see oil squeeze out of the ring gaps, and the piston should move microscopically while the rings stay put. Generally, the rings begin to stick at the gap, tho, which you can't see from the exhaust port. That starts at about 100 to 150 hours usually, depending on how often and how rich the motor is run.... LS -------- LS FS II Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=177679#177679 ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 10:56:49 AM PST US From: "Bill Rayfield" Subject: Re: Kolb-List: New engine package, ( FireFly alternate maybe) OOO, keep us posted - I'm interested in that setup! The information contained in this communication is the property of Southwire Company and intended only for the use of the addressee. The information contained in this communication is the property of Southwire Company, may contain confidential or proprietary information, and is intended only for the use of the addressee. The unauthorized use, disclosure, forwarding, or copying of this communication or any part thereof, is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and destroy this communication and all copies thereof, including all attachments. ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 11:55:36 AM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Emergency Parachute From: "JetPilot" If you want to know about how many BRS saves there have been, you should look here: http://brsparachutes.com/files/Documents/Lives-Saved.pdf If you want a chute on your plane, you should just spend the money and get the proven, quality system BRS sells. If you try to get to cheap, you may end up spending money and effort on something that wont work in many situations. Mike -------- "NO FEAR" - If you have no fear you did not go as fast as you could have !!! Kolb MK-III Xtra, 912-S Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=177696#177696 ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 12:08:57 PM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: tail feathers From: "JetPilot" I would not fly with a Rebent tang. I had seen and was going to post the same AD that jeremy was talking about on the RANS airplanes, but he beat me to it. The AD on the rans planes are for the same tangs our Kolbs use. A Rans has two tail wires, you would probably live if one broke, but Rans has still seen fit to send out an AD for this. A Kolb has one set of wires on the tail, if one breaks you will die. I think all Kolbs should do the inspection for cracks in the tangs as outlined in the AD from Rans. Flying with rebent tangs is just asking to die, you might as well put a gun to your head and pull the trigger. Its that serious. Mike -------- "NO FEAR" - If you have no fear you did not go as fast as you could have !!! Kolb MK-III Xtra, 912-S Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=177702#177702 ________________________________ Message 13 ____________________________________ Time: 01:04:52 PM PST US From: william sullivan Subject: Kolb-List: Homer Kolb Curiosity question- I know Homer Kolb experimented with various designs. There was even a reference to a multi-engine design. Did he ever experiment with a bi-plane version? The only plane mentioned today that is a lot different than today's production versions is the Ultrastar. Apparently there are a lot of them still flying. When did the Ultrastar go out of production? Does anyone know if Homer still has some radically different version on paper, tucked in a drawer, that never even hit prototype? I can't see a man like him letting his ingenuity retire. do not archive Bill Sullivan FS/KX/447 Windsor Locks, Ct. ________________________________ Message 14 ____________________________________ Time: 01:14:21 PM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: tail feathers From: "Ralph B" williamtsullivan(at)att.n > ="How tight are the support cables for the horizontal stabilizer supposed to be? Mine seem a bit slack. The plan got flipped in a storm, so I may not be looking at the right parts- I don't have another Kolb around to compare with. > > Bill Sullivan > FS/KX/447 > Windsor Locks, Ct. > I know that if the tail wires aren't tight enough, the tang will wear through the thimble prematurely. Once they reach the cable, you know what might happen. I wouldn't fly a plane that had the tangs bent once then bent in another direction or re-bent. Ralph -------- Ralph B Original Firestar N91493 E-AB 21 years flying it Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=177721#177721 ________________________________ Message 15 ____________________________________ Time: 01:50:56 PM PST US From: Dana Hague Subject: Re: Kolb-List: New engine package, ( FireFly alternate maybe) At 01:15 PM 4/18/2008, Mark wrote: >I have been working with Larry at Valley Eng.on my direct drive Generac. >It will be installed in an ultrastar in a month or so.The belt reduction >version turns too big of a prop,DD is about 54 . Hopefully the weight will >be the same as the Cuyuna with 5 more HP Mark, please DO keep us posted! I have the Cuyuna in my US and it's running great, but improved fuel economy sure would be nice... If it's 60 lbs and 35HP that'd be REALLY amazing! -Dana -- Help, I've fallen up and I can't get down ________________________________ Message 16 ____________________________________ Time: 02:05:35 PM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: tail feathers From: "JetPilot" Just to make the AD very clear, they are saying to check the tangs for CRACKS, not wear. I would check the bend itself for cracks while looking at the tang, but the AD is saying to check around the bolt holes for cracks where there is less material and the tang is being loaded in bend. If you tighten the tail wires to tight, it can cause these cracks form as per this AD. You need to get the wire tension tight, but not to tight either... To tight can be even more dangerous than not tight enough due to cracks and sudden failure. Mike -------- "NO FEAR" - If you have no fear you did not go as fast as you could have !!! Kolb MK-III Xtra, 912-S Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=177734#177734 ________________________________ Message 17 ____________________________________ Time: 02:10:11 PM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Homer Kolb From: "JetPilot" Dave put multi engines on a Kolb Firestar :) Great idea, but there was interaction between the props that produced to much vibration. Mike -------- "NO FEAR" - If you have no fear you did not go as fast as you could have !!! Kolb MK-III Xtra, 912-S Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=177736#177736 Attachments: http://forums.matronics.com//files/ultralightkolbdavetwinengine_169.jpg ________________________________ Message 18 ____________________________________ Time: 02:25:51 PM PST US From: Dana Hague Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: Emergency Parachute At 02:52 PM 4/18/2008, JetPilot wrote: >If you want to know about how many BRS saves there have been, you should >look here: > >http://brsparachutes.com/files/Documents/Lives-Saved.pdf > >If you want a chute on your plane, you should just spend the money and get >the proven, quality system BRS sells. If you try to get to cheap, you >may end up spending money and effort on something that wont work in many >situations. A BRS is like many things; you balance the cost vs risk vs reward. In my own case, if I wouldn't fly without a BRS then I couldn't fly... a new BRS costs significantly more than my airplane cost, thus a lower priced alternative was an interesting option (that, this time, didn't pan out). Now, I know that a hand thrown chute (the same kind I was looking at) save John Hauck's ass twice and Dennis Souder's once, but two of those (they admit) were deliberately abused aircraft (aerobatics) leading to structural failure. Structural failure is EXTREMELY rare in a properly designed, constructed, and maintained aircraft. As for the list of BRS "saves"... I have no doubt that a BRS _has_ saved lives, and for flight test of a new aircraft it _definitely_ makes sense, but I'd credit about 25% of that list as being valid "saves". Component or structural failure or midair collision, yes. Failure during aerobatics in a plane not designed for same, that's pilot error. Ditto "loss of control". Engine failure, 90% of the time (probably 99% of the time in slow airplanes like we fly) you're better off flying it in under control than popping a chute and surrendering yourself to the ride. Some of the items on the list are really weird. "Fuel leaking"... "installation of improper propeller"... and perhaps the strangest, "struck obstacle on landing approach" at 25'... THAT's a BRS emergency??? For that matter, my own Ultrastar took a parachute ride. The original owner had an engine out at 3000' directly over his home airport... panicked, and deployed the chute (another one I wouldn't count). The plane went into power lines, blacking out the local area, resulting in ultralights being banned from that airport. Another guy bought and rebuilt the wreck, whereupon it passed through two more owners before getting to me. -Dana -- Blow your mind, smoke gunpowder. ________________________________ Message 19 ____________________________________ Time: 02:30:52 PM PST US From: Dana Hague Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Homer Kolb At 04:02 PM 4/18/2008, william sullivan wrote: >Curiosity question- I know Homer Kolb experimented with various designs. >There was even a reference to a multi-engine design. Did he ever >experiment with a bi-plane version? The only plane mentioned today that is >a lot different than today's production versions is the Ultrastar. >Apparently there are a lot of them still flying. When did the Ultrastar go >out of production? Does anyone know if Homer still has some radically >different version on paper, tucked in a drawer, that never even hit >prototype? I can't see a man like him letting his ingenuity retire. Well, there was the Kolb Flyer (predecessor to the Ultrastar) which looked like an US with two 14HP Solo engines mounted on a short crossbar where the US engine is. I think there were a few even simpler aircraft earlier. Later, there was the Kolb Laser, a conventional low wing tractor airplane of which only a couple of examples were ever built. Never heard of a Kolb biplane. -Dana -- Blow your mind, smoke gunpowder. ________________________________ Message 20 ____________________________________ Time: 02:51:47 PM PST US From: Mike Welch Subject: RE: Kolb-List: New engine package, ( FireFly alternate maybe) > > OOO, keep us posted - I'm interested in that setup! > The information contained in this communication is the property of Southwire Company, may contain confidential or proprietary information, and is intended only for the use of the addressee. The unauthorized use, disclosure, forwarding, or copying of this communication or any part thereof, is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and destroy this communication and all copies thereof, including all attachments. Oh Great!! Another guy that can tell us something, but then he has to kill us. We can't win, fer losin'. Mike Welch Do Not Archive _________________________________________________________________ Going green? See the top 12 foods to eat organic. http://green.msn.com/galleries/photos/photos.aspx?gid=164&ocid=T003MSN51N1653A ________________________________ Message 21 ____________________________________ Time: 03:13:37 PM PST US From: Mike Welch Subject: RE: Kolb-List: Homer Kolb Curiosity question- I know Homer Kolb experimented with various designs. There was even a reference to a multi-engine design. do not archive Bill Sullivan Bill, Awesome as the idea may be, to have a new twin-engined Kolb (especially a twin-engined Xtra), if I'm not mistaken, this could NOT be flown under Sport Pilot Rules. You would need a regular pilot's license, with a multi-engine endorsement. I have the pilot's license. Let's get TNK to work on the twin Xtra design, and I'll get a "multi" rating. Just musing, Mike Welch (with only one engine) _________________________________________________________________ Get in touch in an instant. Get Windows Live Messenger now. http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_getintouch_042008 ________________________________ Message 22 ____________________________________ Time: 03:36:01 PM PST US From: gary aman Subject: Re: Kolb-List: Re: decarbon check advice Jim, There is another ring about 1/16th from the top.I use a popcicle stick to push in on the rings.To see a little oil squeeze out would be best,but free movement is essential.There is considerable tension by the rings against the cyl walls,got to push a little.How many hours on it,and is it oil injected? ----- Original Message ---- From: lucien Sent: Friday, April 18, 2008 10:23:22 AM Subject: Kolb-List: Re: decarbon check advice Jimmy Young wrote: > I need some advice as to what it is I'm looking for on a decarbon checkon a 503 DCDI. I've got the exhaust port open, and I see two very clean looking piston skirts. The piston tops have a little carbon build up on top, not much. The underside of the heads are very clean and shiny. Regarding the rings, they lok clean to me, but I can't get them to "move" very easily, more so because I'm afraid I'll break them than anything else. I only see one ring, maybe about a 1/2" down from the top. There is another possible ring right at the top, not sure. What is the best way to check their movement, and what with? > > Thanks - > > Jimmy Young > > FS II There are two rings, the lower one is a regular "square" compression ring and the one at the top is a Dykes type ring. To check for free movement, center the two rings in the exhaust port and then carefully rotate the crank. You should see oil squeeze out of the ring gaps, and the piston should move microscopically while the rings stay put. Generally, the rings begin to stick at the gap, tho, which you can't see from the exhaust port. That starts at about 100 to 150 hours usually, depending on how often and how rich the motor is run.... LS -------- LS FS II Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=177679#177679 ________________________________ Message 23 ____________________________________ Time: 03:53:27 PM PST US From: Dana Hague Subject: RE: Kolb-List: Homer Kolb At 06:10 PM 4/18/2008, Mike Welch wrote: >Awesome as the idea may be, to have a new twin-engined Kolb (especially a >twin-engined Xtra), if I'm not mistaken, this could NOT be flown under >Sport Pilot Rules. > > You would need a regular pilot's license, with a multi-engine > endorsement... The old twin engined Kolb Flyer was 103 legal, needing no license at all... -Dana -- Hard work has a future payoff. Laziness pays off now. ________________________________ Message 24 ____________________________________ Time: 04:00:13 PM PST US From: possums Subject: Re: Kolb-List: decarbon check advice At 09:27 AM 4/18/2008, you wrote: >I need some advice as to what it is I'm looking for on a decarbon >checkon a 503 DCDI. I've got the exhaust port open, and I see two >very clean looking piston skirts. The piston tops have a little >carbon build up on top, not much. The underside of the heads are >very clean and shiny. Regarding the rings, they lok clean to me, but >I can't get them to "move" very easily, more so because I'm afraid >I'll break them than anything else. I only see one ring, maybe about >a 1/2" down from the top. There is another possible ring right at >the top, not sure. What is the best way to check their movement, and what with? > Thanks - > Jimmy Young Is it time to decarbon? I've got way over 700 hours without doing it, but I run mine pretty regular. "What you should see is oil ooze in the ring groove if you rock the piston up an down with the prop".I would buy a compression tester at you local auto parts dealer for about $20 as an additional way to test weather your rings are sticking. If you've got a starter, it works great. Mine still has 120 psi on both cylinders, believe it or not. Also read this article. http://www.800-airwolf.com/pdffiles/ARTICLES/part47.pdf ________________________________ Message 25 ____________________________________ Time: 04:27:03 PM PST US From: "Jim Hauck" Subject: Kolb-List: expert in everything Ron; I don't interact very often on the Kolb list, just read and chuckle. Ron, It seems that you give a bunch of advice in areas that you have no experience, or you fail to state your experience in certain subjects, i.e. parachutes. As to parachutes, what is your experience factor on this subject? Are you getting a rebate from BRS so you promote their product? There is more than one solution to a recovery parachutes than BRS. There is nothing wrong with a hand deployed parachute. It eliminates the malfunction of a mortar. If the individual using that item rehearses how he is going to deploy it. That is the paramount item in a hand deployed parachute. Same with a BRS or any other recovery parachute. How many on this list has every went through emergency procedures of when and how they will deploy a parachute. I will bet you that most have never considered rehearsing the procedure. Just take for granted that piece of nylon will save their butt. Hand deployed or mortar deployed, the individual has to know when to deploy and how. It should be second nature to grab the deployment handle without even looking. I also bet you if some of the folks on this list was sitting in their airplane and you told them to deploy their recovery parachute, they would have to sit there and think a few seconds of where the hell the handle is, Seconds wasted is altitude. I think that a person should rehearse this until it is second nature to them. For a mortar actuated recovery parachute, the activating handle should be in easy reach, in case G loads from a catastrophic failure should incur they could overcome the G forces generated by the failure. Hand deployed, is simple, it is either attached to your chest or in a very close proximity to the pilot. On hand deployed I would suggest throwing the deployment bag down and out from the airplane. This will keep it away from most areas where it could get entangled. Also, you have more force in strength throwing it down and away.( This method saved my brothers butt on two occasions) Yes, I packed both of them. Unlike silk prior to WWII which was sensitive to the environment and had to be handled with kid gloves, thanks to DuPont that created a nylon fabric for parachutes that is almost indestructible. Very few things will cause nylon to go south, acid, direct sunlight. Age is really not a factor on a parachute made of nylon that has been properly cared for. The biggest thing I see with recovery parachutes is the bridle, if it is a synthetic material exposed to the sun, that is always an iffy question of whether or not it will hold the load on deployment. Ultra violet rays works on all man made synthetic materials and it is undetectable by eye ball whether the item has deteriorated or not. I would suggest using a wire cable. Experience with parachutes, I have a wee bit. I jumped out of airplanes for over 20 years, certified military parachute rigger,was involved with development of several parachute systems and many other air item systems. I have over 2000 parachute jumps ranging from 500 feet to 43,500 feet. ( that is higher than most of you have ever flown commercial). Don't get me wrong I am not blowing my horn, just hope that I can give a hint to the folks on this list that a parachute whether hand deployed or mortar, regardless of how it is deployed and used properly will save your bacon. But, you have to be the one to be able to deploy it properly. That comes from practicing how to properly deploy it. Of course, Murphy may have something to say about! Jim Hauck The Older better looking Brother To John H ________________________________ Message 26 ____________________________________ Time: 06:06:20 PM PST US From: "Jim Hauck" Subject: Kolb-List: Apologize If I sent this under the wrong name, I apologize. Jim Hauck ________________________________ Message 27 ____________________________________ Time: 09:04:29 PM PST US Subject: Kolb-List: Re: Acme Gravity Catapult From: "henry.voris" David, Thanks for the heads up on the April Kit Plane... I'll trot down to the bookstore tonight and pick it up. I wish I could say that I have perfected my landings, but I find the shorter the field the higher the pucker factor... Also, now, my mother needs my help, so for the past two months I've been staying with her in Honolulu. I am able to get back to Maui for only two days, every two weeks. During this period I haven't even seen my beloved FireFly, more or less fly it. The ferry has started to run again, so I may bring the plane to Oahu and fly here. If so I'll have to swap out the 10 gallon tank and maybe off the brakes and larger wheels, to at least look like I comply with part 103... I'll be using a real airport and I fear polyester on the ramp. Back on Maui I fly out of the Hawaiian Homelands where polyester in any form means lunch... The term is "long hog"... Thanks again for the tip... If I build one of those gizmo's I'll write up something and post it to "the list"... -------- Henry Firefly Five-Charlie-Bravo Do Not Archive Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=177799#177799 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message kolb-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Kolb-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/kolb-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/kolb-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.