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cgod(at)cebridge.net
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 Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:13 am Post subject: Somethiing of Interest! |
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Howdy to all from Texas,
I was returning from a three day fly-in/campout at Reklaw, Texas this past weekend. www.reklawflyin.com Any one who has not been to this must put it on their top ten things to do before I die list. There were 345 planes of all sorts (three fellow kitfoxers) and about 1000 people in attendance. No vendors in sight! You landed on the turf at the same time someone was back taxing and people on foot were crossing the runway. It was a mad dash in all directions and usually the fastest one had the upper hand. At least on two occasions, landings were aborted because of people strolling across the turf like they were at a park and not an active and very busy runway. I suppose that adds to all the fun. Kind of a "let's play chicken dance." I am sure there were more when I had my back turned. Being a new member of the tail draqgin club it presented a modest challenge for me but I was excited about the chance. I had never landed on hilly slope before and even though it was 3500 feet long it was hard to see the end because of the hoop de do's. My motocross days were about to become handy once more. I came in at tree top level and floated it on down. The third hoop de found me completely stopped and back taxing among the crowd and oncoming traffic. If you have not seen one of those giant Russian bi-planes landing on the same turf, coming at you over a grassy hoop de do and about to meet prop to prop, then you just have not lived! The strip is of course wide enough to handle all this commotion but it is just so out of the ordinary and completely exciting to see. You simply parked along the make shift flight line and unloaded your lawn chair to watch it all unfold. This went on for three days. My little ole Kitfox could not compete with the loud and fast, might I mention flybys that were only a few feet off the ground, but I wanted a piece of the action. I will give them a show of low and slow. I taxied into position. Holding and waiting for the next guy to come sailing over the tall pines. It was my turn to shine. Brakes on hold, I revved her up and let her go. Once I was airborne, I cut throttle to half and breezed about 20 feet above the turf giving it right rudder then left. Back and forth I continued this dance to the utter amusement of all the onlookers. I knew we had done good, by all the smiles and thumbs up we received on the second pass by. One fan told me later that I looked like a ballerina on the dance floor. I took it as a compliment, but I would never wear one of those pink lacy, fruoo fruoo, you can see my crotch kind of things. So fly Mr. RV and Mr.Tiger Grumman, fly as fast as you can for as me and my fox we will spend time in eternity.
Speaking of eternity and the real purpose of this message. I two am now experiencing the phenomenon known as "carb pop off." I only thought that I had landed a little hard but since have been educated. It is going to cost me about $1300 dollars to learn this lesson. On the last day of the fly in I could not keep those carbs on! Every time I started the 912s they popped off. One of the fellow kitfoxers told me that I had tightened the clamp that holds those two boogers on to tightly and now I have to replace them. I am beginning to wonder what cost more? My diesel pusher motorhome or my little kitfox! The two foxers flew to a nearby "real airport" to load up on fuel before our journey home. His back to Houston, mine back to Kerrville. It was a two hour 20 minute flight there so I was expecting about the same home. But this is where a new pucker factor story begins.
Once fueled we were able to take off without having to pop the cowling to reset the carbs in their normal position. I had begun to wonder maybe they were not supposed to be stuck in those rubber outlets. My new kitfox friend had just told me that once it started the carbs could not come out because of the suction. That gave me some piece of mind for that long trip home. I was looking for 6500 feet when at 3300 my RPM's went from 5650 to 4250. I have an IVO in flight adjustable prop and was messing with that when it happened. After picking up my heart out of the floor board I began a slow banking turn back to the airport which was now on the horizon and barely visible. This is where great visibility comes in handy. You need that when you think there is going to be an off field landing! I bee lined it straight for the runway praying all the way. The engine kept hobbling along at 4250 and the little voice in my head said, "Don't you dare mess with the throttle until you have the runway made." As I turned final I pulled the throttle back and that is all it took to see that prop come to a complete halt. I preferred seeing the giant Russian bi-plane coming at me on the turf over this any day. With a glide pattern established I set her down and we came to a stop before the first turn off. Whewww and a quick prayer to the Lord released the tension I had built up. I popped the cowling and sure enough one of the carbs had popped out of their socket! The FBO attendant came whizzing up in his golf cart wanting to know what happened. I simply asked, "Do you have any safety wire? His trusty electric steed had him humming back in a few minutes with a pair of pliers and some wire. With wire wrapped around the carbs it was time for a test start. Test six and still they would not stay on. This was quickly becoming a night mare and I began to wonder if I would be staying the night under the plane. It was apparent that I also needed to wrap from the bottom of the carb as well. With both carbs wrapped top to bottom another prayer was offered. The flip of the master and a turn of the switch announced with a roar of success. But do I dare switch it all off to install the cowling? I guess test seven would be ok. With cowling on I headed for the motherland. It would be a tense journey home. Once airborne I now discovered that my prop would not work! It apparently quite working in the full climb phase! With only a few hours left of light I decided to proceed. As I glanced at my trusty AV Map IV I could not believe my eyes! ETE 3:33. What! 3:33 hrs? How could that be! My only consolation was that I decided to top off instead of head back with my remaining fuel. I had made it on one tank so I could return on one tank, right?!?. But that was before this nightmare began. With prop stuck on climb it was not long until I reached my now newly adjusted altitude of 4500 feet. Once I leveled off though that 6000 RPM kept flashing at me. It became quite annoying ;0) I pulled back to half throttle to maintain the 5500. My Dynon indicated 90 mph, the GPS told me what I really wanted to know. With a quick glance I began to dig for the trail mix because it was going to be a long trip home! GS 78 mph! ETE 3:33. Now I believe it! I landed at dusk and was never so happy to be home and on the ground! I called Lockwood this morning and ordered two new boots, $85 bucks a piece. They also told me that I should install a Dog clutch of sorts. Not sure what that is exactly but they told me it would be best in the long run. That is where the $1300 dollars comes in. Should I do it? I would love to hear the pro's and cons of this one. Unbeknownst to my wife these exciting events of the last few hours, which will remain that way, she had the house smelling good and she looked the fine woman she is. With candles lit and a smile on her face the last few hours of my nightmare quickly disappeared into oblivion as we slipped into bed. Another prayer and another thanksgiving offered.
Wired Carbs
Michael Stanard
Kitfox V 912s
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Fox5flyer
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| Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:59 pm Post subject: Somethiing of Interest! |
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Great story Michael. Loved it.
I can't personally speak from experience for the clutch, but I understand that it's very effective at reducing engine shake, particularly with the 912S.
Deke
From: MA Stanard (cgod(at)cebridge.net)
[quote] To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com (kitfox-list(at)matronics.com)
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2006 2:12 PM
Subject: Somethiing of Interest!
Howdy to all from Texas,
I was returning from a three day fly-in/campout at Reklaw, Texas this past weekend. www.reklawflyin.com Any one who has not been to this must put it on their top ten things to do before I die list. There were 345 planes of all sorts (three fellow kitfoxers) and about 1000 people in attendance. No vendors in sight! You landed on the turf at the same time someone was back taxing and people on foot were crossing the runway. It was a mad dash in all directions and usually the fastest one had the upper hand. At least on two occasions, landings were aborted because of people strolling across the turf like they were at a park and not an active and very busy runway. I suppose that adds to all the fun. Kind of a "let's play chicken dance." I am sure there were more when I had my back turned. Being a new member of the tail draqgin club it presented a modest challenge for me but I was excited about the chance. I had never landed on hilly slope before and even though it was 3500 feet long it was hard to see the end because of the hoop de do's. My motocross days were about to become handy once more. I came in at tree top level and floated it on down. The third hoop de found me completely stopped and back taxing among the crowd and oncoming traffic. If you have not seen one of those giant Russian bi-planes landing on the same turf, coming at you over a grassy hoop de do and about to meet prop to prop, then you just have not lived! The strip is of course wide enough to handle all this commotion but it is just so out of the ordinary and completely exciting to see. You simply parked along the make shift flight line and unloaded your lawn chair to watch it all unfold. This went on for three days. My little ole Kitfox could not compete with the loud and fast, might I mention flybys that were only a few feet off the ground, but I wanted a piece of the action. I will give them a show of low and slow. I taxied into position. Holding and waiting for the next guy to come sailing over the tall pines. It was my turn to shine. Brakes on hold, I revved her up and let her go. Once I was airborne, I cut throttle to half and breezed about 20 feet above the turf giving it right rudder then left. Back and forth I continued this dance to the utter amusement of all the onlookers. I knew we had done good, by all the smiles and thumbs up we received on the second pass by. One fan told me later that I looked like a ballerina on the dance floor. I took it as a compliment, but I would never wear one of those pink lacy, fruoo fruoo, you can see my crotch kind of things. So fly Mr. RV and Mr.Tiger Grumman, fly as fast as you can for as me and my fox we will spend time in eternity.
Speaking of eternity and the real purpose of this message. I two am now experiencing the phenomenon known as "carb pop off." I only thought that I had landed a little hard but since have been educated. It is going to cost me about $1300 dollars to learn this lesson. On the last day of the fly in I could not keep those carbs on! Every time I started the 912s they popped off. One of the fellow kitfoxers told me that I had tightened the clamp that holds those two boogers on to tightly and now I have to replace them. I am beginning to wonder what cost more? My diesel pusher motorhome or my little kitfox! The two foxers flew to a nearby "real airport" to load up on fuel before our journey home. His back to Houston, mine back to Kerrville. It was a two hour 20 minute flight there so I was expecting about the same home. But this is where a new pucker factor story begins.
Once fueled we were able to take off without having to pop the cowling to reset the carbs in their normal position. I had begun to wonder maybe they were not supposed to be stuck in those rubber outlets. My new kitfox friend had just told me that once it started the carbs could not come out because of the suction. That gave me some piece of mind for that long trip home. I was looking for 6500 feet when at 3300 my RPM's went from 5650 to 4250. I have an IVO in flight adjustable prop and was messing with that when it happened. After picking up my heart out of the floor board I began a slow banking turn back to the airport which was now on the horizon and barely visible. This is where great visibility comes in handy. You need that when you think there is going to be an off field landing! I bee lined it straight for the runway praying all the way. The engine kept hobbling along at 4250 and the little voice in my head said, "Don't you dare mess with the throttle until you have the runway made." As I turned final I pulled the throttle back and that is all it took to see that prop come to a complete halt. I preferred seeing the giant Russian bi-plane coming at me on the turf over this any day. With a glide pattern established I set her down and we came to a stop before the first turn off. Whewww and a quick prayer to the Lord released the tension I had built up. I popped the cowling and sure enough one of the carbs had popped out of their socket! The FBO attendant came whizzing up in his golf cart wanting to know what happened. I simply asked, "Do you have any safety wire? His trusty electric steed had him humming back in a few minutes with a pair of pliers and some wire. With wire wrapped around the carbs it was time for a test start. Test six and still they would not stay on. This was quickly becoming a night mare and I began to wonder if I would be staying the night under the plane. It was apparent that I also needed to wrap from the bottom of the carb as well. With both carbs wrapped top to bottom another prayer was offered. The flip of the master and a turn of the switch announced with a roar of success. But do I dare switch it all off to install the cowling? I guess test seven would be ok. With cowling on I headed for the motherland. It would be a tense journey home. Once airborne I now discovered that my prop would not work! It apparently quite working in the full climb phase! With only a few hours left of light I decided to proceed. As I glanced at my trusty AV Map IV I could not believe my eyes! ETE 3:33. What! 3:33 hrs? How could that be! My only consolation was that I decided to top off instead of head back with my remaining fuel. I had made it on one tank so I could return on one tank, right?!?. But that was before this nightmare began. With prop stuck on climb it was not long until I reached my now newly adjusted altitude of 4500 feet. Once I leveled off though that 6000 RPM kept flashing at me. It became quite annoying ;0) I pulled back to half throttle to maintain the 5500. My Dynon indicated 90 mph, the GPS told me what I really wanted to know. With a quick glance I began to dig for the trail mix because it was going to be a long trip home! GS 78 mph! ETE 3:33. Now I believe it! I landed at dusk and was never so happy to be home and on the ground! I called Lockwood this morning and ordered two new boots, $85 bucks a piece. They also told me that I should install a Dog clutch of sorts. Not sure what that is exactly but they told me it would be best in the long run. That is where the $1300 dollars comes in. Should I do it? I would love to hear the pro's and cons of this one. Unbeknownst to my wife these exciting events of the last few hours, which will remain that way, she had the house smelling good and she looked the fine woman she is. With candles lit and a smile on her face the last few hours of my nightmare quickly disappeared into oblivion as we slipped into bed. Another prayer and another thanksgiving offered.
Wired Carbs
Michael Stanard
Kitfox V 912s
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