EFWD Build

[bumsteer]

i just recently sent an email to Oratex ( Alaska) asking for a quote on material to do the tail feathers of a model 5. I received a detailed reply within 2 days. I just spoke with Paul yesterday and he is swamped with orders and inquiries. He said I could expect shipment in 2-3 weeks. Maybe right after Oshkosh their workload soared?

Rick

[efwd]

Yes his work has significantly increased Im told. I'm looking at being in need of this product very soon if I am going to proceed with my build. Hoping that I can get my panel started this weekend maybe or putting primer in my wing structures. I guess its time to place an order for the firewall forward.
Im done mounting the Garmin Pitot tube with the exception of the tubing. As I a have not purchased the Garmin panel yet can someone tell me about how they did their tubing? Kitfox provided one 30' length of tubing but It seams I will need two as the Garmin has a second line. Presumably its for the AOA line. Can anyone advise as to how they routed the two airlines. I suppose they are routed along the aft wing spar and pass through the butt rib along with the fuel lines and electrical for the nav lights?
thanks
Eddie

[colospace]

Eddie,
I talked pretty often with Lars during my covering. He was always available and helpful. Suggest calling in the evening/night though as he is on Alaska time but often on the phone with Germany until quite late/early our time.
I routed the pitot lines to the aft edge of the fuel tank and then ran them between the tank flange and the spar.

[efwd]

Thank You Gary
Do I need to buy a second air line from Kitfox or Do you think I can get it from Garmin or Aircraft Spruce?

[jrevens]

Ok, since I ran across the Oratex product at Oshkosh I have requested a price quote from the company in Alaska. I first got a "rough" quote as I was told he didn't have the data on the Kitfox SS7 to more accurately price it out. I believe there have been individuals here who have purchased Oratex for the SS7 which I would think the data would have been retained on file. After I gave him the data he required on the plan views provided by the builders manual I have yet to get any information. I have sent an email with a reminder that I am still waiting for the detailed price quote and as of yet, crickets from the other end. Can anyone speak to their experience with customer service from Oratex. This is a bit concerning to me and Im somewhat uneasy with ordering this stuff at all as a result. It seems I can reach them by telephone easy enough but to have emails ignored may just be the start.
Eddie

I've always found Lars to be very accessable on the phone (even fairly late into the night). Paul, a little less so. They're not always real quick with email. There are 2 of us in Colorado building SS 7s with Oratex. They should have the info you need.

[efwd]

Anyone have any photos to offer for the installation of the pitch and elevator Auto pilot Servos? Interested in seeing how you accomplished that. Garmin Servos due in the mail soon.

[airlina]

Anyone have any photos to offer for the installation of the pitch and elevator Auto pilot Servos? Interested in seeing how you accomplished that. Garmin Servos due in the mail soon.

If you search the Teamkitfox archives by typing autopilot installation in the search box, some good ideas and photos from other installs. Bruce N199CL

[efwd]

Thanks Bruce

[airlina]

Eddie, I found a few shots of my A/P servo mountings and attach points. There are a variety of ways to attack this as you will see from this installations by other guys. In my case , because I have an IO-240 up front (read heavy engine) , I needed as much weight aft as possible, so my servos had to go behind my seat as you can see. Pictures 1 & 2 are the roll servo, 3 and 4 are my pitch servo. Roll servo is behind pilot, pitch servo is attached with a homemade bracket to underside of my baggage floor , aircraft center. A couple of points for the installation-make absolutely sure you have no overcenter situations with the A/P arm as this will cause bad things to happen- as in locked controls with no hope to recover! I am sure the Garmin installation manual will cover this with big red letters. And from a operational standpoint, there should be no flex in the servo installation as this will cause the A/P to hunt when you are flying. Bruce N199CL

[DesertFox4]

Nice sturdy looking mounts Bruce. Good installation job.