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Nick(at)Scholtes1.com
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 Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:27 am Post subject: Tuning a KitFox Airframe |
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Hi Guys!
I just recently purchased a KitFox Model IV Speedster, and flew it home
half-way across the country. During the flight, the airplane handled
really well, I was totally impressed with how well it flew! Awesome!
But, it has a tendency to gently roll to the left, and I want to make
appropriate adjustments so that it will fly straight. In totally smooth
air, trimmed out straight and level in cruise, if you let go of the
stick, it will slowly and gently roll to the left.
My instinct is to adjust the flaperon. But, I've also heard of making
adjustments to the wing strut that connects to the leading edge, and
also to the stabilizer with the adjustable rod end.
So, what are the various "tweak" adjustments that are available on the
Model IV, and what do each one of them do?
Thanks!
Nick Scholtes
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Michel
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 966
Location: Norway
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| Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:11 am Post subject: Tuning a KitFox Airframe |
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| Quote: | From: Nick Scholtes [Nick(at)Scholtes1.com]
So, what are the various "tweak" adjustments that are available on the
Model IV, and what do each one of them do?
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Hello Nick,
My model 3 does the same, only in the other direction. To compensate, I fixed a small aluminum tab near the root of the flaperon, on the left side (right side, for you) slightly bent down. It did perfectly the work.
I am also considering adjusting the struts. But, prior to that, I want to know exactly what is the angle of incidence of the wings at the root and at the tips. (Note: I did't built the plane myself). To do that measurement, I intend to do it with a water hose, paper and arc tangent table. I haven't done it yet because ... it's too cold outside and when it isn't, I'd rather be flying than measuring ... (I have a bag full of excuses, if you want!) 
Anyway, if you decide to give a turn at your strut turnbuckles, let us know how much and how it went, I am interested.
Cheers,
Michel
<pre><b><font size color="#000000" face="courier new,courier">
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Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200 |
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Joel
Joined: 06 Oct 2006
Posts: 57
Location: Bremerton, WA USA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:31 am Post subject: Re: Tuning a KitFox Airframe |
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During phase 1 testing I found that the slight right roll tendency at low speeds became much more noticeable as the airspeed increased. After consulting with a very experienced A&P friend I adjusted the left trailing edge lift strut out 2 turns. The right turn tendency is greatly reduced but still noticeable above 80mph. He suggests turning in the left leading edge lift strut 1 turn. I'll report my findings.
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Joel Mapes Kitfox 5 912 ULS Aerocomp amphibs |
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kerrjohna(at)comcast.net
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| Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:32 pm Post subject: Tuning a KitFox Airframe |
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check the archives about 60 days ago. there was a lengthy discussion on the tweaking of the struts. I can give you a detailed explanation if you want to email me direct. if you opt for an aileron tweak it will a require a tab of some kind attached to one of the ailerons to force it down or else the will fly normally and you will find that the stick has moved.
I found the process very rewarding. It really made the notion of understanding the rigging a an airplane come alive for me.
John Kerr
[quote]-------------- Original message --------------
From: Nick Scholtes <Nick(at)Scholtes1.com>
[quote] --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Nick Scholtes
Hi Guys!
I just recently purchased a KitFox Model IV Speedster, and flew it home
half-way across the country. During the flight, the airplane handled
really well, I was totally impressed with how well it flew! Awesome!
But, it has a tendency to gently roll to the left, and I want to make
appropriate adjustments so that it will fly straight. In totally smooth
air, trimmed out straight and level in cruise, if you let go of the
stick, it will slowly and gently roll to the left.
My instinct is to adjust the flaperon. But, I've also heard of making
adjustments to the wing strut that connects to th ========================================================
[b]
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kerrjohna(at)comcast.net
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| Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 12:37 pm Post subject: Tuning a KitFox Airframe |
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there can be many factors in the turning tendancy, including dihedral not equal as relates to fuselage and horizontal stab. Before beginning the process level the fuselage in both axes. Then measure dihedral, a digital level really helps. Check the horizontal stab for level as well. Finally up on one side front or rear to maintain dihedral and accomplish trim. Test fly between adjustments.
John Kerr
[quote]-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Joel" <foxfloatflyer(at)hotmail.com>
[quote] --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Joel"
During phase 1 testing I found that the slight right roll tendency at low speeds
became much more noticeable as the airspeed increased. After consulting with a
very experienced A&P friend I adjusted the left trailing edge lift strut out 2
turns. The right turn tendency is greatly reduced but still noticeable above
80mph. He suggests turning in the left leading edge lift strut 1 turn. I'll
report my findings.
--------
Joel Mapes Kitfox 5 912 ULS Aerocomp amphibs
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=89820#89820
[b]> [quote][b]
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kitfoxmike
Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Posts: 373
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| Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 2:06 pm Post subject: Re: Tuning a KitFox Airframe |
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First thing is make sure the rudder isn't the problem. Level flight at cruise, center the ball. If it still has a drop on the left, just do what I did and turn out the left front strut one to two turns. First make sure you have plenty of threads on the strut end. Many say to adjust to back not the front. I had a small roll to the left and just adjusted the left front strut, I think that one is much easier to do. That's probably why I did that one, ya, yup, that was why. I didn't have a noticable change in the stall or anything else on the aircraft. I also am not your everyday flier, So far this year I have over 120 landings and 15 flights, with short approaches a norm, slips a norm, slowing to 50mph and turning base so fast and steep, well I make that corner a good one. Like I said, a couple turns means nothing.
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smokey_bear_40220(at)yaho
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| Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:00 pm Post subject: Tuning a KitFox Airframe |
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Before you get too concerned, try flying it with both
seats occupied.  Mine rolls slightly left with
just me too.
Then check the rigging as others said. If the rigging
checks out right on, you can either adjust the strut
length or add a tab. When adjusting the struts, it is
probably safer to adjust the front on in 2 turns on
the rising wing and see what it flys like then. "In"
to the strut will never run you out of safe threads.
Kurt S. S-5
--- Nick Scholtes <Nick(at)Scholtes1.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Hi Guys!
I just recently purchased a KitFox Model IV
Speedster, and flew it home
half-way across the country. During the flight, the
airplane handled
really well, I was totally impressed with how well
it flew! Awesome!
............
|
| Quote: | So, what are the various "tweak" adjustments that
are available on the
Model IV, and what do each one of them do?
Thanks!
Nick Scholtes
|
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kitfoxmike
Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Posts: 373
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| Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 6:55 am Post subject: Re: Tuning a KitFox Airframe |
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doesn't matter in my fox if I have a full tank on one side and empty or near emty in the other, wife in with me, or sitting alone. The fox flies the same as far as heavy wing or not. I went two turns out on the left front because mine also had a heavy left wing. I also have 13 gal tanks in each wing.
Model IV, 1200 speedster
912ul
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dafox(at)ckt.net
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| Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 7:26 pm Post subject: Tuning a KitFox Airframe |
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Hello Nick,
I had the same problem, ( left wing heavy ) a gentle roll to the left
for an unknown reson. After checking everything I could think of, even
the new tires I installed, the new smooth bigger ones that replaced the
skinned tires, thought maybe they were acting like a rudder being a little
out of line, not so. I talked to John McBean about the problem. He
asked me when it started doing it and I said when i flew back from
oshkosh He said he had the same problem when he got back to Idaho.
He thought sense our kitfoxes sat out during the storm that went thru
Oshkosh, the wind might have torqued the wings some how. his
suggestion was to put more washout in the light wing ( right wing ) the
wing that was rolling up. I took the back strut, took the bolt out , gave two
full turns OUT to raise the wing slightly, put it back together, test flew it,
and it flew hands off in a straight and level flight, just like new again.
John McBean had the answer to the problem.
David Kitfox IV 1200
912 UL
[quote] ---
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