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#1
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Avid flyer
I have an opportunity to buy an Avid Flyer at a very atrative price.
There seem some drawbacks, though, and I'll be glad to learn how to weigh them. -) It is 17 year old and has not flown for 5 years. Seller claims it spent those 5 years in a dry hangar, though. But I have my concerns about corrosion on the frame, plus about having to redo the covering. -) The engine is a Rotax 912UL, i.e. the basic 4-stroke Rotax, 80 hp. Somewhere I heard that older Rotaxes have a lower TBO than the recent ones, if so how to make sure? And what measures ought to have been taken before storing for 5 years? How to test if the long hibernation was well survived? -) It is a taildragger and I am but a beginner pilot, took all my training on tricycles. Can a taildragger Avid Flyer be converted to tricycle? If so, how much of an effort does it take? -) I hear rumours that even if all taildraggers are nasty suckers, the Kitfox and its relatives are particularly nasty - and they're all descended from the Avid Flyer. Any comments? Thanks in advance, KA |
#2
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Avid flyer
Don't know about Avid specifically but more than a year ago I bought a
Kitfox III that is 17 years old and sat quite a bit over the years and also has a 912 engine. The original GCS prop was trash and had to be replaced. Other than that I have put on 150 hours with only normal maintenance. As for 912 TBO yes it was shorter but I believe if you do all the updates it will equal or exceed TBO. Now I have never flown an Avid but my Kitfox is NOT any harder than most Taildraggers. Can't speak for other Kitfoxes but whoever said "Kitfox and its relatives are particularly nasty" is a girlyman and should turn in his pilot's license. Pete "jan olieslagers" wrote in message ... I have an opportunity to buy an Avid Flyer at a very atrative price. There seem some drawbacks, though, and I'll be glad to learn how to weigh them. -) It is 17 year old and has not flown for 5 years. Seller claims it spent those 5 years in a dry hangar, though. But I have my concerns about corrosion on the frame, plus about having to redo the covering. -) The engine is a Rotax 912UL, i.e. the basic 4-stroke Rotax, 80 hp. Somewhere I heard that older Rotaxes have a lower TBO than the recent ones, if so how to make sure? And what measures ought to have been taken before storing for 5 years? How to test if the long hibernation was well survived? -) It is a taildragger and I am but a beginner pilot, took all my training on tricycles. Can a taildragger Avid Flyer be converted to tricycle? If so, how much of an effort does it take? -) I hear rumours that even if all taildraggers are nasty suckers, the Kitfox and its relatives are particularly nasty - and they're all descended from the Avid Flyer. Any comments? Thanks in advance, KA |
#3
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Avid flyer
Much more likely, whoever said it (about most types) happened to fly an
example with the main undercarriage missalligned. Have a mechanic check it who is familiar with tail wheel aircraft. Peter "Pete Christensen" wrote in message m... Don't know about Avid specifically but more than a year ago I bought a Kitfox III that is 17 years old and sat quite a bit over the years and also has a 912 engine. The original GCS prop was trash and had to be replaced. Other than that I have put on 150 hours with only normal maintenance. As for 912 TBO yes it was shorter but I believe if you do all the updates it will equal or exceed TBO. Now I have never flown an Avid but my Kitfox is NOT any harder than most Taildraggers. Can't speak for other Kitfoxes but whoever said "Kitfox and its relatives are particularly nasty" is a girlyman and should turn in his pilot's license. Pete "jan olieslagers" wrote in message ... I have an opportunity to buy an Avid Flyer at a very atrative price. There seem some drawbacks, though, and I'll be glad to learn how to weigh them. -) It is 17 year old and has not flown for 5 years. Seller claims it spent those 5 years in a dry hangar, though. But I have my concerns about corrosion on the frame, plus about having to redo the covering. -) The engine is a Rotax 912UL, i.e. the basic 4-stroke Rotax, 80 hp. Somewhere I heard that older Rotaxes have a lower TBO than the recent ones, if so how to make sure? And what measures ought to have been taken before storing for 5 years? How to test if the long hibernation was well survived? -) It is a taildragger and I am but a beginner pilot, took all my training on tricycles. Can a taildragger Avid Flyer be converted to tricycle? If so, how much of an effort does it take? -) I hear rumours that even if all taildraggers are nasty suckers, the Kitfox and its relatives are particularly nasty - and they're all descended from the Avid Flyer. Any comments? Thanks in advance, KA |
#4
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Avid flyer
Peter Dohm wrote:
Much more likely, whoever said it (about most types) happened to fly an example with the main undercarriage missalligned. Have a mechanic check it who is familiar with tail wheel aircraft. Peter Or the guy just had two left feet? |
#5
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Avid flyer
On Oct 5, 1:05 pm, jan olieslagers
wrote: -) It is a taildragger and I am but a beginner pilot, took all my training on tricycles. Can a taildragger Avid Flyer be converted to tricycle? If so, how much of an effort does it take? I bet it would probably cost as much money and time to convert that airplane to a trike as it would to convert you to a taildragger pilot. Best thing about becoming a TD pilot is that you will be ably to fly any subsequent airplane, not just your triked Avid. Isn't that a better investment? Dan |
#6
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Avid flyer
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#7
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Avid flyer
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#8
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Avid flyer
cavelamb schreef:
LEARN Don't want to be rude, Richard, but I am coming here for answers, not for orders. |
#9
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Avid flyer
Apologies offered, jan.
But understand, this is the perfect airplane to learn the art. If it's set up at all right, they don't come any more docile. Add the ultra low speed for takeoff and landing, a steerable tailwheel, and differential braking (I'm happy with heels - some want to toe dance), it's just doesn't get much better! So, in my humble opinion, go forth and do it. You are going to love it! Richard jan olieslagers wrote: cavelamb schreef: LEARN Don't want to be rude, Richard, but I am coming here for answers, not for orders. |
#10
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Avid flyer
"jan olieslagers" wrote in message ... schreef: On Oct 5, 1:05 pm, jan olieslagers wrote: -) It is a taildragger and I am but a beginner pilot, took all my training on tricycles. Can a taildragger Avid Flyer be converted to tricycle? If so, how much of an effort does it take? I bet it would probably cost as much money and time to convert that airplane to a trike as it would to convert you to a taildragger pilot. To make that assumption, one must be able to estimate both factors. Being a slow learner, I think the effort to make me a taildragger pilot might be considerable; with the added complication of having to find an adequate instructor, available when I am, &C Best thing about becoming a TD pilot is that you will be ably to fly any subsequent airplane, not just your triked Avid. Isn't that a better investment? Acquiring the technique is one thing, keeping it up is another. Your reasoning applies for someone flying often, and in different planes. Bar major financial progress, this is not my outlook. And in the long run a tricycle will be intrinsically safer, I believe, but that's another discussion. So allow me to repeat the question: what kind and amount of work would it take to convert a taildragger Avid Flyer to tricycle? Once your feet get woke up learning to takeoff and land the taildragger you will not lose the skill. I went for a few years not flying a TD and had no problem getting back in to one. I think you will find this true for anyone who has mastered TD's. -- We have met the enemy and he is us-- Pogo Anyolmouse |
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