ulflyer(at)verizon.net
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 Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 7:04 pm Post subject: FireFly - Stits - Weight - Wheels-Tires & Optional Items |
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We went over weight with our Firefly but we made that choice. It can
make the weight - I feel we could have but you don't get much in the
way of extras to do it. We silvered all surfaces with more on top
(two coats) for greater UV protection.
If I recall right when I measured the assembled instrument panel it
weighed right near15#. Had a 3-1/8" airspeed, a 3-1/8" sensitive
altimeter, a electric Variometer (VSI) - (nice & fast reacting), and
G-Meter (heavy little critter) and a few other things. One thing
where a builder of the FireFly can save weight is wheels, we went
with Kolb 6" wheel barrow style wheels with Shin (thin) tires. Later
upgraded to higher quality bearings to reduce the brakes from
grabbing. It had Azusa style internal expansion brakes. I think
there using plastic wheels on them now, I like the 6 inch wheels
better, doesn't work the gear as hard on turf. The FireFly doesn't
need powerful brakes so lighter band brakes with drums rather than
heavy internal expansion type could be used. Another thing is I used
to ride a motor cycle back 35 years ago, but my partner and I found
the wind in a UL is much worst we so added the wrap over front part
of the full enclosure. Much nicer and faster too. Never installed
the flexible vinyl rear portion of the full enclosure.
One note of interest is the tires used on the FireFly. The person
who bought the plane from us thought it was a little touchy on ground
control. My partner and I were both experienced tail wheel pilots
and didn't think it was bad. He claimed with the 400x6's on there,
as soon as you made any power change, it wanted to veer off one way
or the other, and wanted to do it NOW. That made him more than a
little nervous about flying and landing, as he had no tail dragger
time. He went up to the 600x6 tires on the same wheels and it made a
world of difference. Got em from Aircraft Spruce under the
Ultralight Tires section. Reported that with the 600x6's that
problem is all but gone.
jerb
At 05:06 PM 4/12/2009, you wrote:
| Quote: | John
My understanding..and I may be incorrect ...is that the Firefly
(and that is all that was only airframe I meant to discuss) can go
overweight very easily...with the proscribed paint method... Herb
At 03:36 PM 4/12/2009, you wrote:
>Not saying Herb's method won't work, but it is not the prescribed
>method for the Polyfiber System.
>
>Personally, I'll continue to cover and process like the book
>dictates. Don't won't to take chances with improperly processed
>fabric to save a nickle.
>
>john h
>mkIII
> A Firefly needs its fabric treated with a 50-50 mix of brush
>and spray...after the first coat of poly brush is applied in the
>normal way...and use 50-50 til you are satisfied that the uv
>protection is good... Two cross coats is good enough IMHO
>... you are trying to make weight after all... and this stuff does add wt...
> Herb,
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