Kitfox Aircraft Stick and Rudder Stein Air Grove Aircraft TCW Technologies Dynon Avionics AeroLED MGL Avionics Leading Edge Airfoils Desser EarthX Batteries Garmin G3X Touch
Page 3 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast
Results 21 to 30 of 36

Thread: Ventilation

  1. #21
    Senior Member jrevens's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Arvada, CO
    Posts
    2,146

    Default Re: Ventilation

    The 3D printed knob looks like a great idea! I recently modified mine to basically do the same thing, but it took quite a bit longer to accomplish...

    IMG_1791.jpgIMG_1794.jpg
    Attached Images Attached Images
    John Evens
    Arvada, CO
    Kitfox SS7 N27JE
    EAA Lifetime
    Chap. 43 honorary Lifetime

  2. #22
    Rfisher30's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Kemah, TX
    Posts
    17

    Default Re: Ventilation

    Quote Originally Posted by jrevens View Post
    The 3D printed knob looks like a great idea! I recently modified mine to basically do the same thing, but it took quite a bit longer to accomplish...

    IMG_1791.jpgIMG_1794.jpg
    These are quite nice. Oh would that I had a lathe in the garage! It seems we each address the problem differently yet similarly. Well done you.

  3. #23
    Rfisher30's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Kemah, TX
    Posts
    17

    Default Re: Ventilation

    [QUOTE=Rfisher30;93408][QUOTE=Rfisher30;93406]Flying in the Houston area is just "hot!" My solution is to replace the little door knob for a 3D printed knob that allows me to crack open the door about 1". Cruising ~100 mph, the doors are rock solid and the cabin is so much cooler.

    Attachment 25308Attachment 25309

    Lesson learned: If the latch vibrates the knob and the door flies open, there’s a good chance the door will be seriously damaged. A Positive locking mechanism is Required. I removed the *.stl files from Facebook and continue to work the problem.

  4. #24
    Super Moderator desertdave's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    Scottsdale AZ
    Posts
    304

    Default Re: Ventilation

    Built these over the last couple of weekends. It cracks the doors open about 1/2" and positively holds them in place.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Dave
    KitFox 6 Taildragger
    912 ULS
    Whirlwind 70” Prop
    Garmin G3x
    All around nice guy

  5. #25
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Boise, ID
    Posts
    249

    Default Re: Ventilation

    Quote Originally Posted by Jcard View Post
    Got these works of art from someone on Instagram.
    Love them.
    Brian Bush. He's on the Kitfox owners page on Facebook. His latches are perfect.

  6. #26
    Senior Member Delta Whisky's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Amissville, VA
    Posts
    637

    Default Re: Ventilation

    Quote Originally Posted by Jch View Post
    When its warm I leave off the "cuff" that covers the wing (front spar) to windshield junction. Gives me a nice breeze. If it is too warm for that I fly with the doors off. Haven't had a problem with hot feet or legs.
    Yep - this is all I needed flying in the hot days of August in VA. Thanks. BUT - it may mean I'll have to fabricate the cuffs for winter flying.

  7. #27
    Senior Member Kitfox Pilot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Location
    Spring Garden Illinois
    Posts
    859

    Default Re: Ventilation

    Lesson learned: If the latch vibrates the knob and the door flies open, there’s a good chance the door will be seriously damaged. A Positive locking mechanism is Required. I removed the *.stl files from Facebook and continue to work the problem.[/QUOTE]


    What kind of damage was caused? The kitfox videos always show just unlatching the door and letting it go. Just wondering.
    Harlan and Susan Payne
    Sold Piper Archer
    Flying FarmFox STI Kitfox N61HP
    Rotax 915is, Airmaster prop
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5A...oCVUP15G0uB-Yw

  8. #28

    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Location
    Flagstaff, AZ
    Posts
    18

    Default Re: Ventilation

    Coincidentally, I watched a youtube video from bowenaero.com 'Project Kitfox' today and he addressed this exact issue. He's using a latch that provides 2 positions, fully closed, or door held a 1/2 out open but still latched. I thought this was an elegant solution to this problem.

    You can watch the video here; https://youtu.be/MUeRMN9m90Q?t=266. It will start at 4:26 into the video where he starts his discussion of this latch. Might be worth more research.

    Contact Bowen Aero LLC about Brian Bush's door handlesbowenaero@yahoo.com https://www.bowenaerollc.com

    - Mark

  9. #29
    Senior Member efwd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Yorba Linda, CA
    Posts
    2,817

    Default Re: Ventilation

    I love the airflow you get by using this method. One downside. I flew for an hour to San Diego with the door propped open a little. This was the first time I did this and I had about 10" of the door seal come loose from the adhesive that remained on the plexiglass. Now Im researching a different kind of door seal that might have a better adhesive. Sort of the same thing I am doing for the turtle deck foam seal.
    Eddie Forward
    Flying
    SS7, 912iS, Garmin G3X

  10. #30
    Super Moderator desertdave's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    Scottsdale AZ
    Posts
    304

    Default Re: Ventilation

    I stuck the weather seal to the aircraft side of the gap. With the doors cracked the weather-stripping isn't in the airstream and you don't see the adhesive strip when looking at the door from the outside.
    Dave
    KitFox 6 Taildragger
    912 ULS
    Whirlwind 70” Prop
    Garmin G3x
    All around nice guy

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •