First, Build a Shed

[Cherrybark]

I don't have the instructions handy but there is a small dimple on the parking brake shaft that is used to orient the handle. Obviously I have my lined up incorrectly. I don't remember reading any operating instructions and thought you simply "shifted" the lever to "On" and the brakes were set. Likewise, "Off" would release the brakes. Finally, someone showed me how the parking brake works. Think of the parking brake as a one-way valve that is brought in-line when the lever is moved to "On". The parking brake doesn't really move any hydraulic fluid but it will only let the fluid move in one direction. With the parking brake on, depress one of the brake pedals. Fluid will operate the caliper, the brake pads will squeeze, and the brake is set on that wheel. Release the brake pedal and the pads will continue to squeeze because the one-way valve continues to hold the pressure. Press the other brake pedal and both brakes will be set. Move the parking brake lever to "Off", the valve will open, and the brakes will be released. Now I need to dig out the instruction and figure out how to orient the lever. Or more likely, since I misread the instructions the first time, I'll try the four 90 degree orientations and see which one works.

[Eric Page]

Ah, OK. Now that you mention it, I do remember the actuator stub being square, so it's not a panic-worthy event if the handle doesn't set the brake; just remove the handle, spin the actuator 90 deg and try again. Thanks, Carl!

[Cherrybark]

In an, "I Learned About Building" style admission, I had the tail wheel installed incorrectly. Now that I've watched a few videos and played with the lifted tail wheel, the operation makes more sense. There are two steering wings on my Matco tail wheel. They control the steering of the wheel by pressing against a steering pin. The slightly tensioned springs, that are part of the connection to the rudder horn, pull the steering arms forward and keep them engaged against the steering pin. This Matco drawing clearly shows how the arms are positioned when the wheel is in a neutral position. It's been awhile since I installed the tail wheel and I don't remember my thinking. Today I checked the tail wheel and the main gear alignment. I was surprised that the wheel rotated freely with no apparent clutching. It took a bit of playing to realize I had rotated the steering mechanism 180 degrees from the correct orientation and the steering arms didn't have a chance of making contact with the pin. After a noticeable bounce, with overinflated tires on a concrete runway, I'm sure the Kitfox wasn't nicely aligned with the direction of travel. Things were happening quickly but the second touch down was in more or less a 3-point landing. Unfortunately, the tail wheel was rotating freely, the plane wasn't neatly aligned, and I was soon just along for the ride.

I installed incorrectly. Three experienced builders and a very good DAR went over the plane carefully. None of noticed the tail wheel had a problem.

[efwd]

Thank You Carl for that Pearl. That is going to be so nice. I will get that update ASAP.
Fortunately that temp sensor is inexpensive assuming its the manifold air intake temp sensor you speak of. I had one go bad as well.

[efwd]

The tiny screws are from one or more of your backshell connectors of the wire harnesses I bet. I had the same happen to me. I used loctite on all my backshell screws. Those screws all have a small dot of loctite but as many times as I removed them I had to drop fresh loctite on all of them for the final install. Hope it is that easy for you. Wish I had grass to land on. Chino has gobs of grass around as they grow sod at nearly every end of the property. So tempting.

[Cherrybark]

The Garmin G3X software update Ver 8.81 (4/5/21) is well worth doing. Before this update, the only way to read engine codes from a FADEC engine, such as the Rotax 912iS, was to reboot the G3X in configuration mode. That's right, to find out why the scary Lane A or B LED started blinking you had to shut down your avionics package, restart in configuration mode, read the message, then reboot again for normal operation. This update gives the ability to read engine codes while in normal, avionics mode. This is a very welcomed updated. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ip3X8BlD-I

My intermittent Lane A light turned out to be a temperature sensor. The problem fixed itself. If it starts again, I'll start checking contacts.