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yellowbird1
Joined: 01 Nov 2012
Posts: 88
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 Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 6:23 pm Post subject: New Purchase of Used Xtra |
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I will be purchasing a used Xtra with a 912 100hp Rotax shortly as this will be my first airplane purchase this will be unfamiliar territory. Any pointers and suggestions on the buying process and evaluating the airplane would be appreciated. Are there any specifics related to the Kolb/Kolb Xtra or Rotax that I should be looking for?
I'm so excited!
Once again, thanks in advance,
Brad
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Brad Nation,
Albuquerque, NM
MK3 Xtra |
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rickofudall
Joined: 19 Sep 2009
Posts: 1392
Location: Udall, KS, USA
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| Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 5:44 am Post subject: New Purchase of Used Xtra |
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Brad, The most important thing for a IIIX is the wing angle of incidence. Early models were set up exactly like IIIC's and this resulted in the duck bill flying at a negative angle of attack causing a lot of unnecessary, parasitic drag. How to tell if the incidence is correct? Fortunately, it's relatively easy.
First, look at the forward attach points of the horizontal stabilizer. If they are on the center line of the boom tube, the wings most likely have the new, factory recommended, lower incidence angle. If the attach point is high up on the boom, like a Mk IIIC, the wings are most likely set too high. The high mounting point causes problems when you move them downward into the low position. They will be slightly bound by the change as the rear attach point stays the same while the front becomes wider.
Second, aluminum gear legs. If the aircraft has aluminum gear legs (you can tell them because they are straight and tapered from where they come out of the fuselage to the wheel fittings) the wings are almost certainly set in the high position. If they are not, the aircraft will be difficult to lift off and land properly. Most specifically, it will tend to land tail wheel first.
Third, and this is a little harder to see, Pull the wing gap cover. If the bottom of the wings are above the top of the windshield, i.e., above the top windshield former tube, the wings are set in the high position.
Even if your new baby has the wings set in the early, high position, it can be fixed. It's a PITA, but it can be done. The most time consuming, and expensive, is making a new gap cover. The new, lower incidence will put the bottom of the wing below the windshield frame so the gap cover becomes a bit more complex to fit.
One other thing to look at concerning wings. Check the condition of the forward spar attach pin holes. They should be round and fit the pin snugly. If they are oblong or a sloppy fit this is an unsafe condition, IMHO, and should be fixed before the plane is flown.
Last, before you fly it, get some time in a sailplane and learn to wheel land. Regardless of where the wing is set, the Mk III, either model, is very easy to land tail wheel first. If you have aluminum gear legs, they will almost certainly get bent. The other issue that learning to wheel land will fix is landing too high, another main gear bender.
watch my video; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQ-YaW9WgEU and pay attention to how the sight picture changes as more flap is used and how low to the ground your sight line is.
Make all your landings without flaps at first, but make your take offs with one notch of flaps. Take off is almost automatic with one notch of flaps. Hold the stick in neutral position and feed in power. You'll be off the ground in less than 200 feet and you will not have moved the stick at all. Watch for the nose to come up when you take the flaps off.
Good luck and enjoy your new plane. Try not to drool and consult a physician if your smile lasts more than four hours.
Rick Girard
On Thu, May 9, 2013 at 9:23 PM, Brad Nation <nationcap(at)comcast.net (nationcap(at)comcast.net)> wrote:
| Quote: | --> Kolb-List message posted by: Brad Nation <nationcap(at)comcast.net (nationcap(at)comcast.net)>
I will be purchasing a used Xtra with a 912 100hp Rotax shortly as this will be my first airplane purchase this will be unfamiliar territory. Any pointers and suggestions on the buying process and evaluating the airplane would be appreciated. Are there any specifics related to the Kolb/Kolb Xtra or Rotax that I should be looking for?
I'm so excited!
Once again, thanks in advance,
Brad
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Zulu Delta
Mk IIIC
Thanks, Homer GBYM
It isn't necessary to have relatives in Kansas City in order to be unhappy.
- Groucho Marx
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