ETLB Squawk Forums — Archive

Hi guys!

I haven't been around here in nearly a decade! Im sure some of y'all remember me (as cpd) and my little yellow 1100 from my hun hunting flying adventures with Airbike Ace back between 2008-2011when I sold my max for a Cessna 150. I briefly owned an airbike back in 2014 but life got in the way and I never got to do much with her.

This year however i decided to start the new year off right. On january first i had a chance encounter with a dusty V-Max sitting alone in the back of a quonset hut amongst other farm machinery and me being the kind hearted soul that I am, I just couldnt leave her there! So today I became the 3rd owner of 51S, a 1998 built Vmax with an Eros turtledeck and canopy. She hasnt flown since 2016 but with a good going over, new fuel lines, oil lines, condition inspection, and a bath she should be good as new! Engine is a great planes 1600cc with weber carb and a diehl case running a slick mag. I'll get some pics posted asap for you hungry buzzards!

Chris

Resurrecting a dead bird seems like a noble cause.V max is a rare minimax breed/more so the 1600cc version. Maybe you can give us a personal comparison as you have flown a 1100 also.

Construction wise not much difference between the two other than front steel wing strut,Doublers to the spar caps at front spar strut attach area and doubler plus filler block at rear spar location.

Pics for you hungry buzzards

2 more...….

this is my first Vmax and my 2nd VW powered aircraft so I am sure I will have some questions for you guys.

Chris

Quoted from mullacharjak Resurrecting a dead bird seems like a noble cause.

It looks very much alive to me. Just make sure you dot your "i" and cross your "t" before you fly that bird.

Hey chris, what size prop is that on the V max, I have the same plane and engine. TY James

JGlassFNP, its a culver 56x30 with about 15hrs on it, what prop is on yours?

Chris

Im finishing up mine , that is why I asked, I was told to go with 56/30 or 56/32 so let me ask you, does it climb good, I will be flying out of a short field  and Im in East TN ( objects such as mountains) all around lol.. TY James

Just a guess but the 56x30 should out climb the 56x32. The W/B information for my bird is woefully incomplete simply stating a "loaded weight" of 526lbs and a "loaded cg" of 22.8%.  I would hazard a guess that these numbers are derived from full fuel (10gal in wings) and no pilot but I really have no clue. I do have a line on some aircraft scales so I will be getting some complete data shortly.

if the weather cooperates I should be able to give a flight report on her within the next 4 weeks.

Chris

Definitely interested in how it flies so keep us up to date and scale data as well that would be a great reference to compare mine with. I am just waiting on warm weather to paint and do re assembly. It rains so much here the humidity is tragic on paint not to mention very limited space I have lol. thanks for the feedback. J

I did my weight and balance with a set of bathroom scales up front and a postal scale for the tailwheel.
Worked out fine.

I completed my w/b yesterday afternoon:

Empty weight: 423 lbs, CG: 16%

Weight with me and no fuel: 607lbs, CG 22%

as she sits she's in the specified range of 21%-30%, 10lbs under the stab will bring her back to 26%.

does anyone have the numbers handy for the distance from the leading edge to the center of the wing tanks?

Chris

Welcome back Chris! Glad to have you rejoin the gaggle of pilots who fly the TEAM products. Once you get things sorted out and weather permits, I will fly my AirBike to KWLD to visit you and your bird.
Paul Fiebich
a.k.a. AirBike Ace

There seem to be quite a few air-bikes / Mini-Max's in and around Wichita area.

step number next is to replace all the rotted fuel and oil lines, rebuild the engine driven fuel pump reset valves, clean the oil and grime of the motor, do a condition inspection, and start flying and chasing down all the oil leaks that have developed in 4 years of sitting.

Chris

PS Nonsense Paul! I'll beat you to it! I haven't flown farther than 5 miles from my home airport in the last 5 years! I'll be coming up to see you! and the other member of the old Selby aerodrome crowd!

thanks Chris for posting the stats, J

Quoted from BlueMax Just a guess but the 56x30 should out climb the 56x32. The W/B information for my bird is woefully incomplete simply stating a "loaded weight" of 526lbs and a "loaded cg" of 22.8%.  I would hazard a guess that these numbers are derived from full fuel (10gal in wings) and no pilot but I really have no clue. I do have a line on some aircraft scales so I will be getting some complete data shortly.

if the weather cooperates I should be able to give a flight report on her within the next 4 weeks.

Chris

My scales are in my hangar if you need them...I too am back on the page after a few years off.  You know how i keep my hangar and Lou knows you so go get them if you need them...

Avenger   Hun Hunter extraordinaire

Where you located Blue Max?

Hi Puff! Im from all over...… but back in Wichita now.

Joined the board way back in 2007 at 17 as "cpd" flying a legal eagle out of Wichita followed by a minimax 1100/1500 hybrid from 2009-2011. Moved to Atlanta GA for a year, gave up flying and sold my planes then moved to Mason city IA from 2012 to 2015 owning quite a few different planes in that time airbike, himax, sonerai, phantom, Tbird, C172, then a Weedhopper C. Moved back to Wichita in the spring of 2015 still flying the Weedhopper and acquired a Pietenpol aircamper in 2017. January 1st I added the V-Max to my stable and changed my handle to "Blue Max" to match.

My current crop of planes includes:

Airworthy
V-max
Pietenpol
Weedhopper C

Projects
Weedhopper B
Minimax 1100 (converted from a wrecked himax)
American Aerolights Eagle B
Icarus II (never flown, with 0 time power bee)

approaching 3100hrs logged at this point and having a blast flying anything with wings.

Chris