X oz

[PapuaPilot]

Have a safe trip Ross. What an adventure! Sounds like you have done thorough planning.

I am now at 39.5 hours. Only 1/2 hour to go and I will be done with Phase I flight testing and off the "leash". Yesterday I did a flight to check the service ceiling and got up to 17,200' in 50 minutes. I think that is my personal altitude record.

Safe travels.

[Paul Z]

Long flight, have fun.

[rosslr]

Night 1. Broken Hill

We got away ok but had to pick our way through some fog patches and low cloud until we got away from the hills.

The two fearless aviators!
IMG_3582.jpg

And then we were out in the flat country that is looking fabulous now that it has rained!

IMG_3585.jpg


Hay is a pretty simple arrangement but they have fuel!

IMG_3586.jpg

And then the clouds finished and we were in the really remote areas - here is a station homestead - mostly several hundred or thousands of square kms.

IMG_3593.jpg

enjoying the night in Broken Hill before heading north tomorrow - we don't expect internet for a few days!

cheers

r

[Planesmaker]

You and Gayle are going to have such an awe inspiring trip, across this great country of ours. I hope to do something like that in the years to come. Have a wonderful, safe trip! Tom & Marsha

[rosslr]

DAy 2 - Broke Hill - nth to Malparinka - then to Noccundra Pub overnight.

A good days flying with some pretty fun places to land - the Milparinka pub is interesting and historical - you taxi down a road to the pub. Same at Noccundra - where we camped outside the pub - how convenient! RMQ is humming along although we have had headwinds most of the way. But not in hurry so that doesnt really matter. There has been a lot of rain up this way so the roads are closed and the desert looks very wet!

[rosslr]

Day 3 - Noccundra Pub - Dig Tree - Birdsville

Magnificent day for flying so we were up early and on the go - first stop was The Dig Tree - an historical site on the copper Ck where a group of our early explorers left carved signs in the trees to let the other members of their party know where they buried rations. Then on to Birdsville - pretty remote area across that stretch but again, the desert had rain so the water holes were full. We went low to look for camels but only found roos.

In Birdsville now for the night. All good the Kitfox is going great! The big tyres really have proven themselves already.

cheers

[kitfox2009]

Hi Ross
Whenever you get to internet connections, keep the travelog going! Especially when you arrive in the Kimberleys. This will be a wonderful insight into the wilds of Australia that many of us may never get to see.
Safe travels and Have Fun!!
Don

[kitfoxJeff]

Have a safe trip Ross. What an adventure! Sounds like you have done thorough planning.

I am now at 39.5 hours. Only 1/2 hour to go and I will be done with Phase I flight testing and off the "leash". Yesterday I did a flight to check the service ceiling and got up to 17,200' in 50 minutes. I think that is my personal altitude record.

Safe travels.

Hello,
I just bought a KF-5 with an IO-240 and it needs a prop, wondering if you can share some insite for me? Last owner told me to call Senich but I wanted to ask a few others with IO-240's but I cant find anyone else.

I fly from sea level, most flights would be 2000 to 5000 ft. I like fast climb and take off, but still want a good cruise,

Thanks

[PapuaPilot]

I have a Catto prop that is a 74 x 47. When I ordered it I asked them to make one balanced between a climb and cruise prop. I'm really happy with it.

[airlina]

Hi Jeff , welcome to the IO-240 minority. here is a copy of a response I recently sent to a new IO-240 powered owner: There are a few of us out here that love this aircraft/engine combo. I finished my Series 5 Outback back in 2003 and can't believe that I have been flying it for 13 years already. The IO-240 has been bulletproof in the 750 hours I have flown it so far. As far as my prop history goes , I started with a warp drive (Skystar recommended prop) never got installed as it was found not to hold up to the IO-240 power pulses and developed cracks. That prop was sent back and I bought a Sensenich W74EK-2-58. this is a 72 inch dia. prop (thats what the -2 means-2" cut off from the 74 " prop at the factory) This prop only only developed about 2200-2250 static rpm at full power on takeoff. I called Sensenich and they recommended trimming the prop , so I got up some nerve and took a saw to the blade and trimmed 3/4" from each end-it got static rpm to 2300-2350 and helped takeoff perf and is my most of the time prop. I was very careful and used a fine furniture builders hand saw to make the cut , then sanded the tips to the same profile they were before and added some epoxy varnish to the cut areas. i did not rebalance in any way with no noticeable vibration change. Jeff hays , another I0-240 guy on the list had the same prop and did the same thing to his. My takeoff distance solo from grass is around 350' and I cruise at 115 to 120 mph at 2400-2500 rpm variable with alt and temp. I live in snow country in western NY so I fly on skiis in the winter and needed a good up and out prop for winter ops so I bought another Sensenich prop which is my climb prop. it is designated W74EK-54 and is a true 74 inch dia. With this prop , my static RPM is 2400-2450 RPM and is a good climb prop. Cruise speed will suffer by 5-10mph with this prop which isn't a problem since I stay close to home in the winter anyway. As far as recommended torque values go, Sensenich says for AN6 bolts (3/8'') 200 +/- 25 inch-lbs and thats what I use. Like you I have always wondered about other props like a Catto or whirlwind, but at what they cost, I need to know exact specs from someone operating an IO-240 with those props to see if there would be a significant perf increase. There is a guy Phil on the list who recently completed a Series 5 with an IO-240 who is using a Catto prop but I haven't gotten enough specific data from him to make the buy. I would lean toward the Catto as guys seem to love them. It would mean no more seasonal retorques and flying in rain wouldn't erode the prop -which are 2 of my wood prop complaints. Can you tell me the history of your vixen, I thought I knew of all the IO-240 guys out there but didn't recognize your handle when I saw your post on the list. Any help you need don't hesitate to holler. I still really enjoy my airplane after all these years and know I built the right one for me. see ya later Bruce N199CL