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What are the differences between FS KXP and the plain FS?

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firebug

Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Posts: 36
Location: Montgomery Alabama

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:30 am Post subject: What are the differences between FS KXP and the plain FS?

Can someone explain the benefits or negatives of the FireStar KXP compared to the FS, if there are any. Thanks for everyones response to my recent posts.

John Jung

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 108
Location: Surprise, AZ, USA

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 7:13 am Post subject: Re: What are the differences between FS KXP and the plain FS

 	  firebug wrote: 	
		  Can someone explain the benefits or negatives of the FireStar KXP compared to the FS, if there are any. Thanks for everyones response to my recent posts. 	




I will assume that by FS, you mean "original Firestar". The KXP uses a wing that has a few more ribs, like the Firestar II and Mark II.  I believe that the extra ribs allow for a higher gross weight and VNE. The cage is also different. The 447 was the largest engine recommended of an original while the KXP can handle the 503. 



I trust that someone will correct me if I am wrong.



If you are willing to live with a 70 mph VNE and a 447, the original is a great plane. But after flying with a dual ignition 503, I would not want to fly with a single ignition again.

_________________
John Jung
Firestar II N6163J
Surprise, AZ

David.Lehman

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 265
Location: "Lovely" Fresno CA

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 7:53 am Post subject: Re: What are the differences between FS KXP and the plain FS

 	  John Jung wrote: 	
		  If you are willing to live with a 70 mph VNE and a 447, the original is a great plane. But after flying with a dual ignition 503, I would not want to fly with a single ignition again. 	




Oops, I have the 5 rib wing with a single ignition 503, belt drive to boot!...  Are my days numbered?  ...



Seriously, should I be concerned about this combination?...



DVD

_________________
ô¿ô

"Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute."

--- George Bernard Shaw

John Hauck

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 4639
Location: Titus, Alabama (hauck's holler)

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 8:30 am Post subject: What are the differences between FS KXP and the plain FS?

| Oops, I have the 5 rib wing with a single ignition 503, belt drive 

to boot!...  Are my days numbered?  ...

|

| Seriously, should I be concerned about this combination?...

|

| DVD



DVD/Gang:



If it were my 5 rib wing, I would fly it as a 5 rib wing, and not a 7 

rib wing.



That wing was designed for a 377 Rotax.  If built and flown within the 

design envelope, should last forever.



john h

MKIII

_________________
John Hauck
MKIII/912ULS
hauck's holler
Titus, Alabama

rsanoa

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 71
Location: Bell Buckle,TN

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:22 am Post subject: What are the differences between FS KXP and the plain FS?

David,

            Just my personal thoughts. I have owned and flown many, many hours with three 'store bought' aircraft with single ignition. Never a problem. I have owned and ridden thousands and thousands of miles on four different motorcycles with single ignition. Never a problem. I'm 88 and have driven too many miles to put down here in autos, from Model T Fords to the present, all single ignition. Never had one stop me beside the road with dead ignition. How many do you see today pulled to the side of the road with dead ignition.  Most autos have high millage with no preventative maintenance we give our aircraft engines and keep chugging along. My point, modern single ignition fright is far, far, far over blown.

   

  Proper belt drive with modern belt materials can be the smoothest transfer of power you will find. Many motorcycles are now going to it. My Suzuki 650 has it. Many automobiles use belt drive internally for various applications.  Easy on the engines transfer of power. Lots of old wives tales out there about both. 

  Ray ...... TN

  UltraStar

  Do not archive     



"David.Lehman" <david(at)davidlehman.net> wrote:

  

John Jung wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   If you are willing to live with a 70 mph VNE and a 447, the original is a great plane. But after flying with a dual ignition 503, I would not want to fly with a single ignition again.


	




Oops, I have the 5 rib wing with a single ignition 503, belt drive to boot!... Are my days numbered?  ...



Seriously, should I be concerned about this combination?...



DVD



--------

Any pilot can describe the mechanics of flying. What it can do for the spirit of man is beyond description.

Barry M. Goldwater, US senator.





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=6746#6746

  

			

---------------------------------

_________________
Ray S.Anderson

David.Lehman

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 265
Location: "Lovely" Fresno CA

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:56 am Post subject: Re: What are the differences between FS KXP and the plain FS

 	  rsanoa wrote: 	
		  Lots of old wives tales out there about both. 

  Ray ...... TN

  UltraStar

  Do not archive 	




Thanx Ray, good observations...  I'm not suicidal, so I'll be careful all the same...



DVD

_________________
ô¿ô

"Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute."

--- George Bernard Shaw

pj.ladd(at)btinternet.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 2:59 am Post subject: What are the differences between FS KXP and the plain FS?

single ignition 503, belt drive to boot!...



Hi Dave,



thats what I have had on my Challenger for a number of years. Not a great 

number of hours but it has been no trouble. I HAVE had trouble with the 

toothed belt drive. The belts    have shed their teeth twice, leaving the 

engine screaming and the prop idling, and me on my way down into the nearest 

field. No idea what causes it, might be just my particular set up, but I 

change belts at about 25 hours now. The engine has been fine.



Cheers



Pat 



--

David.Lehman

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 265
Location: "Lovely" Fresno CA

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 5:47 am Post subject: What are the differences between FS KXP and the plain FS?

Thanx Pat...



Just my luck, I have a cog (toothed) belt...



Where do you purchase new belts?...



DVD

On 1/26/06, pat ladd <pj.ladd(at)btinternet.com> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  

 



 single ignition 503, belt drive to boot!...



 Hi Dave,



 thats what I have had on my Challenger for a number of years. Not a great

 number of hours but it has been no trouble. I HAVE had trouble with the

 toothed belt drive. The belts    have shed their teeth twice, leaving the

 engine screaming and the prop idling, and me on my way down into the

 nearest

 field. No idea what causes it, might be just my particular set up, but I

 change belts at about 25 hours now. The engine has been fine.



 Cheers



 Pat

_________________
ô¿ô

"Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute."

--- George Bernard Shaw

pj.ladd(at)btinternet.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 6:27 am Post subject: What are the differences between FS KXP and the plain FS?

Where do you purchase new belts?...>>



Hi David,



I get mine from an auto parts store which happens to specialise in belts of 

all shapes and sizes. I suspect that I should buy them from an `approved 

supplier` and get a certicate with each one but that sort of thing won`t 

matter in the US.



It really is no problem. The belts are cheap and fitted in a few minutes. 

There do not seem to be any telltales that the belt is getting weak.Just be 

aware .



The first time it happened to me I took several seconds to sort out what was 

going on from the fact that the speed was dropping and  the engine was 

speeding up. The second time I of course recognised the symptoms quickly and 

had the engine

switched off in jig time.

In the case of engines playing up I reckon it is better to kill the engine 

completely or as sure as the Lord made little green apples the darn thing 

will start up and run for ten seconds just as you have your glide approach 

pinned down.



Cheers up. It may never happen



Pat



--

n79rt(at)kilocharlie.us
Guest

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 6:35 am Post subject: What are the differences between FS KXP and the plain FS?

Can someone explain the benefits or negatives of the FireStar KXP

compared to the FS, if there are any. Thanks for everyones response to

my recent posts.

<snip>



If by plain FS you mean the original Firestar then the differences

aren't to many...the KX and KXP are basically original Firestars except

they have the side tubes of the cockpit lowered to ease entry and exit.

I believe they were beefed up somewhat in the cage to handle the bigger

engines.  If I recall the original Firestar was limited to a 447.  The

KXP was OK'd with a 503 thanks to the 7 rib wing, where the KX had a 5

rib wing and was limited to a 447.



Only reason I even threw the "KX" into the mix is because some folks

don't realize that there was a difference there...so if the seller calls

it a KXP, be sure and count the full ribs...7 is KXP (503 OK) 5 ribs is

KX (447 max...)



Jeremy Casey



KXP-based mutant Kolb builder

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