What a joy to have your dad share your passion with you, treasure him and your relationship with him as much we treasure watching both of you work and fly together. Love when he talks. What a fun inspiring video
it's refreshing to see someone that didn't obsess for weeks over the positioning of that new oil cooler. like you said, the very existence of it was probably enough to do the job.
Wow...I'm in Houston too!! Took a lot of my training at Hooks!! (Weiser and LaPorte too!) Lots of fun!! Great video....so glad you can share it with your dad!!
Ian, really enjoyed this video. Everyone watching loves the airplanes and building, but I would say this video has some of the highest production value I've seen so far. I think you stepped it up for this one.
Appreciate the compliments! I was trying some new stuff on this one. I’ll be interested to see how this compares to my rockhopper build videos for popularity.
Ian, man your videos are great and appreciated. Its also very cool to see a father and son team as that is something beyond words. I remain keenly interested in you scratch built mod project as well. Bravo.
Thanks for sharing the video! Couple of comments if I may: - On the new oil lines, you used push-on barbed fittings. I didn't see you put any clamps on. Never trust the barbs to hold, you'll be in deed doo-doo if one of the oil lines slips off. And they will when they get a bit older and temperature rises. - On the holes, please use some fine sandpaper to smooth the edges. That avoids stress cracks in the doors. - Want to consider another upgrade? Exchange the solid Rans tailwheel for a Matco pneumatic wheel. Only very little extra weight, but fits right on the tailspring (if you tell Matco the dimensions), and it makes for sooo much better taxi experience. Especially on concrete like you land on. Enjoy the rides and stay safe.
Thanks for the input! The oil lines are actually fine. Those are a special AN fitting that works with specially specified lines and is a push for with no retainer. Using a clamp actually will cause problems as clamping onto the barbs will bell out and damage the hose. I didn’t have an sandpaper along with me when I installed those vents but they were cleaned up since. Funny thing, we actually have entirely replaced the rans tailwheel with a matco which is a nice upgrade as you mentioned. Thanks for all the suggestions!
My thoughts too in dressing the edges. I've cut and installed many a lexan and plexiglass panels. The few minutes extra time I consider to be a requirement. Vibration will eventually start fishers that lead to cracks that lead to " I wish I would have dressed the edges " . I have those same vents in my Tailwind. They are extremely effective.
In my personal experience with any kind of lexan or acrylic I would have dressed those edges. I have made windshields and punched holes in them and seeing them crack so I hope yours hold up okay. I have those vents in my Tailwind and they really can cause a tornado inside the cockpit for sure. They are excellent for vents. When it's really hot you just get a lot of hot air circulating through there but it's better than being stifling.
Playing in Nascar we measured the oil temp in the sump (tank) and wanted to see 230 to 260 degrees. Our oils broke down somewhere above 275 or 280 degrees. The oil moves through those engines so fast that the oil temp only goes up about 10 degrees in a single pass. The process of burning hydrocarbons and oxygen produces CO2 and H20, both as a gas. Oil and water don't mix redialy, but if they do it becomes an emulsion and you will not be able to boil the water out before the oil (now an emulsion) actually breaks down. The moisture in the crankcase is from blow by in the form of a very hot vapor; just vent it out. Cook some bacon up and put a drop of water in the hot grease; what happens? In racing we pushed the limits: in aviation they want you to keep things in a narrower band of limits: keep oil and engine temps within those limits. Oil and water don't want to mix, try not to overthink this.
dressing the edges if the newly cut plexy will help stave off cracks (rough chipping cut makes for stress risers that will nucleate cracks). (listen to your dad!)
We dressed the corners by breaking the edges with a careful deburring with a knife. The hole saw actually leaves an amazingly clean cut for the most part if you use a nice fresh one!
The S6 is pretty good in the wind. It has excellent manners in a crosswind and really doesn’t want to get you in trouble. It is light so there’s a limit as to what it can handle. Mine stalls in the low 30s so in a wind closing on 20mph you’re pretty light even if you’re pointed directly into it.
Where did you get your vents? I've replaced the Lexan on my T-Bird II and the old vents were broken. And yes the Rans is a great company. If visiting the factory you could fly over Ft. Hays, KS and see where the story of Dances with Wolves was created.
Aircraft spruce has them. Search for snap vent on their site. I’m planning on taking the s6 to the rans fly in later this year. I flew the s21 demo aircraft at the rans factory about a year ago now.
I’ll take a look at the event. Sadly I don’t think it’s going to work with my schedule for events this year! I’ll be preparing for high sierra fly in the following month.
Thanks for sharing! I really enjoy watching others make improvements to their aircraft. I wish I still had my Dad around to do projects with. Just curious why you didn't consider a Highlander?
We actually came to having the written invoice for our highlander kit on the table and decided not to pull the trigger. I flew many planes and decided I liked how the rans flew better. Also, I’m finished built airplanes there was about a $20k premium on highlanders and kitfoxes over rans when we bought.
Love the video Ian - a beautiful plane. My father and I are planning on buying a kit (probably kit Fox s7) and I was wondering what tips you have for building and transitioning into bush kits?
Try to fly a variety of kit built airplanes before you buy your kit for starters. It sounds like a lot of work but you will probably invest a minimum of $40-50k into your aircraft or more so it’s well worth it to know that you like the Kitfox vs say a highlander or rans. All the manufacturers have Facebook groups that are active and willing to help get you in the air. I did that and it showed me that I prefer the handling of rans kits vs the highlander personally which saved me spending a lot on something I might not have liked as much. Good luck, hope you find the kit for you!
Enjoyed your video. I've been flying since 1986, got my private ticket at Clover Field in Friendswood, now Pearland Regional. Looking at airplanes for my next bird ownership, but hangar space is ridiculously expensive in the area. I live in League City and can't really find anything for less than 450 to 500 per month. Does Hooks have any hangar space that is more reasonable? Thanks.
@@ianslife210 Thanks for getting back with me so quickly. Yeah, that's been my experience as well. Anyhow, thanks for the prompt response and keep the greasy side down, Brother. Stay safe.
Hello Ian, I was wondering about your welds? I see you are using MIG welder to Tack your mod on your Bush plane. Are you going to go over the tacks with a TIG?
I am planning on migging everything on the fuselage much the same that rans and Kitfox do in their aircraft. I have tested both processes and mig produces better results with my skills and is more forgiving of tube fitup.
If your oil is too cold, will it harm your engine? I mention this, because I recall watching another youtube flyer who's engine was suffering from some damages due to oil temps being too cold during flight.
Your oil needs to reach 220 at least once in flight to burn off any water that condenses in it. I may have to add a block off plate in the dead of winter to keep temps up but we’ll see how that goes when it gets cold again.
I’ve got a dozen of them at home but not at the airport. Also, wrong tool for the job for the most part on that thin plexiglass. A little sandpaper would have been perfect.
I enjoy when your dad is helping you out. Cherish that time.
I agree. Cherish the time, I lost my father and wish he was around to work with me now. Do what you can. Time is so short.
No doubt
Great video! You and you dad work well together, and it's cool to see how much you resemble him.
Great stuff. Going to look at a Rans S6 tomorrow. Wish me luck!
What a joy to have your dad share your passion with you, treasure him and your relationship with him as much we treasure watching both of you work and fly together. Love when he talks. What a fun inspiring video
it's refreshing to see someone that didn't obsess for weeks over the positioning of that new oil cooler. like you said, the very existence of it was probably enough to do the job.
Wow...I'm in Houston too!! Took a lot of my training at Hooks!! (Weiser and LaPorte too!)
Lots of fun!! Great video....so glad you can share it with your dad!!
Ian, really enjoyed this video. Everyone watching loves the airplanes and building, but I would say this video has some of the highest production value I've seen so far. I think you stepped it up for this one.
Appreciate the compliments! I was trying some new stuff on this one. I’ll be interested to see how this compares to my rockhopper build videos for popularity.
That mockigbird in the backround is stealing the show. Oil cooler looks great.
Those birds singing in the background sure sound nice.
Ian, man your videos are great and appreciated. Its also very cool to see a father and son team as that is something beyond words. I remain keenly interested in you scratch built mod project as well. Bravo.
Miss having my ol'man around. Enjoy every day and keep on making memories...
Nice job mate! I don't understand why people would question the purchase of a Rans, they are one damn fine looking bird.
AngerIssues42 Well proven as well.
This is cool! Thanks for showing us a little bit of your plane life
Thanks for sharing the video! Couple of comments if I may:
- On the new oil lines, you used push-on barbed fittings. I didn't see you put any clamps on. Never trust the barbs to hold, you'll be in deed doo-doo if one of the oil lines slips off. And they will when they get a bit older and temperature rises.
- On the holes, please use some fine sandpaper to smooth the edges. That avoids stress cracks in the doors.
- Want to consider another upgrade? Exchange the solid Rans tailwheel for a Matco pneumatic wheel. Only very little extra weight, but fits right on the tailspring (if you tell Matco the dimensions), and it makes for sooo much better taxi experience. Especially on concrete like you land on.
Enjoy the rides and stay safe.
Thanks for the input! The oil lines are actually fine. Those are a special AN fitting that works with specially specified lines and is a push for with no retainer. Using a clamp actually will cause problems as clamping onto the barbs will bell out and damage the hose.
I didn’t have an sandpaper along with me when I installed those vents but they were cleaned up since.
Funny thing, we actually have entirely replaced the rans tailwheel with a matco which is a nice upgrade as you mentioned.
Thanks for all the suggestions!
Very smart using the hole saw from both sides.
,,, I think a little sanding would help avoid cracks, but the size was right on, so that might have hurt .
My thoughts too in dressing the edges. I've cut and installed many a lexan and plexiglass panels. The few minutes extra time I consider to be a requirement. Vibration will eventually start fishers that lead to cracks that lead to " I wish I would have dressed the edges " .
I have those same vents in my Tailwind. They are extremely effective.
Great video!
In my personal experience with any kind of lexan or acrylic I would have dressed those edges. I have made windshields and punched holes in them and seeing them crack so I hope yours hold up okay. I have those vents in my Tailwind and they really can cause a tornado inside the cockpit for sure. They are excellent for vents. When it's really hot you just get a lot of hot air circulating through there but it's better than being stifling.
Playing in Nascar we measured the oil temp in the sump (tank) and wanted to see 230 to 260 degrees. Our oils broke down somewhere above 275 or 280 degrees. The oil moves through those engines so fast that the oil temp only goes up about 10 degrees in a single pass. The process of burning hydrocarbons and oxygen produces CO2 and H20, both as a gas. Oil and water don't mix redialy, but if they do it becomes an emulsion and you will not be able to boil the water out before the oil (now an emulsion) actually breaks down. The moisture in the crankcase is from blow by in the form of a very hot vapor; just vent it out. Cook some bacon up and put a drop of water in the hot grease; what happens? In racing we pushed the limits: in aviation they want you to keep things in a narrower band of limits: keep oil and engine temps within those limits. Oil and water don't want to mix, try not to overthink this.
Chuck Howard My 0-200 runs at 230. Cooler in winter obviously. CHT and oil pressure are excellent so I don't worry about 230.
dressing the edges if the newly cut plexy will help stave off cracks (rough chipping cut makes for stress risers that will nucleate cracks). (listen to your dad!)
We dressed the corners by breaking the edges with a careful deburring with a knife. The hole saw actually leaves an amazingly clean cut for the most part if you use a nice fresh one!
Hello, do you have a parts listing with quantities for the secondary cooler addition?
You are the spitting image of your Dad. Ian, I'm seriously considering the S6. How does it handle moderate wind? Thank you. I really enjoy your posts.
The S6 is pretty good in the wind. It has excellent manners in a crosswind and really doesn’t want to get you in trouble. It is light so there’s a limit as to what it can handle. Mine stalls in the low 30s so in a wind closing on 20mph you’re pretty light even if you’re pointed directly into it.
Where did you get your vents? I've replaced the Lexan on my T-Bird II and the old vents were broken. And yes the Rans is a great company. If visiting the factory you could fly over Ft. Hays, KS and see where the story of Dances with Wolves was created.
Aircraft spruce has them. Search for snap vent on their site. I’m planning on taking the s6 to the rans fly in later this year. I flew the s21 demo aircraft at the rans factory about a year ago now.
@@ianslife210 check out the Mid-west LSA in September at Mt. Vernon, IL.
I’ll take a look at the event. Sadly I don’t think it’s going to work with my schedule for events this year! I’ll be preparing for high sierra fly in the following month.
Thanks for sharing! I really enjoy watching others make improvements to their aircraft. I wish I still had my Dad around to do projects with.
Just curious why you didn't consider a Highlander?
We actually came to having the written invoice for our highlander kit on the table and decided not to pull the trigger. I flew many planes and decided I liked how the rans flew better. Also, I’m finished built airplanes there was about a $20k premium on highlanders and kitfoxes over rans when we bought.
you will look just like your dad in 30 yrs.! Nice vid!
And don’t I ever know it! We look a lot alike. No one ever has to ask if we’re related.
Kevo Man You can definitely tell they are father and son.
Love the video Ian - a beautiful plane. My father and I are planning on buying a kit (probably kit Fox s7) and I was wondering what tips you have for building and transitioning into bush kits?
Try to fly a variety of kit built airplanes before you buy your kit for starters. It sounds like a lot of work but you will probably invest a minimum of $40-50k into your aircraft or more so it’s well worth it to know that you like the Kitfox vs say a highlander or rans. All the manufacturers have Facebook groups that are active and willing to help get you in the air. I did that and it showed me that I prefer the handling of rans kits vs the highlander personally which saved me spending a lot on something I might not have liked as much.
Good luck, hope you find the kit for you!
Thanks for the tips - maybe I will fly past you in your rans at some point in the distant future!
Good job on the install. Did you consider adding finned tube oil lines to help with the oil cooling?
I did but I had the oil cooler on my shelf anyway so it was an easy decision to just install it.
Enjoyed your video. I've been flying since 1986, got my private ticket at Clover Field in Friendswood, now Pearland Regional. Looking at airplanes for my next bird ownership, but hangar space is ridiculously expensive in the area. I live in League City and can't really find anything for less than 450 to 500 per month. Does Hooks have any hangar space that is more reasonable? Thanks.
Maybe but not by much. Hangars are expensive!
@@ianslife210 Thanks for getting back with me so quickly. Yeah, that's been my experience as well. Anyhow, thanks for the prompt response and keep the greasy side down, Brother. Stay safe.
Hello Ian, I was wondering about your welds? I see you are using MIG welder to Tack your mod on your Bush plane. Are you going to go over the tacks with a TIG?
I am planning on migging everything on the fuselage much the same that rans and Kitfox do in their aircraft. I have tested both processes and mig produces better results with my skills and is more forgiving of tube fitup.
Noticed that you left your existing oil cooler with an uncapped port, bad news always cap off any hose or port the moment you disconnect them.
Video removes context through editing. The ports were never left open for any length of time. Good way to get a bug in the oil system!
Aren't you going to put clamps on the oil lines? I would.
Push lock fittings are designed to work without clamps. It has flown probably somewhere north of 100 hours since the swap without.
you sold the kitfox?
Yeah, we ended up selling the Kitfox to buy the rans s6. Really happy with our decision ultimately.
IansLife making sure you both can fly is worth it
The lower oil cooler will not be a sludge trap?
It shouldn’t be. Many stock installations are below the engine. I think the stock Kitfox install is now that way in front of the radiator.
If your oil is too cold, will it harm your engine? I mention this, because I recall watching another youtube flyer who's engine was suffering from some damages due to oil temps being too cold during flight.
Your oil needs to reach 220 at least once in flight to burn off any water that condenses in it. I may have to add a block off plate in the dead of winter to keep temps up but we’ll see how that goes when it gets cold again.
Peter Toth That is correct.
So, what were your before and after oil temp?
Depends on outside air temp and climb duration but I’d say at least 20 degrees f cooler.
Of that oil pipe has some damage, pls check all the other pipes
what part of Texas?
Houston! David Wayne Hooks (KDWH) is my Home airport.
👍🏼
What is that behind dad in the plane? Flux Capacitor? 🤭
I suspect you’re talking about the flap teleflex cables that are on that bulkhead
Yes, the red cables behind him in the cockpit. Couldn’t resist.
Nope. Mud valve activation cables.
dam suppose to burp it first before starting
It was burped and spun over prior to starting.
righty tighty lefty loosy
You could use a summer cowling with louvres.
Seriously you don't carry a file in your tool box !
I’ve got a dozen of them at home but not at the airport. Also, wrong tool for the job for the most part on that thin plexiglass. A little sandpaper would have been perfect.
Pro Bro!