March 15th, 2003
Some while ago, I found pictures on the internet of a Kiss that looked
exactly like mine, but had a rear luggage pod. I contacted Air Creation and
asked about it, and they said it was available to fit my machine, and I could
order one through Flylight. £419.50, delivered to my home.
This I duly did, and the 3 Kg lump of fibreglass arrived yesterday. A quick
trip to the strip to retrieve the Tryk, and I was back in build mode again!
Flylight have already done the load-testing (it will take a 10 kilo load) and submitted the results to the BMAA
CTO (Chief Technical Officer) Guy Gratton, so hopefully other Kiss owners will be able to
fit one of these bad boys as a pre-approved mod.
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Here's the pod, stood on end.... |
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....and from the bottom.... |
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...the top... |
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...and the front (it's upside down in this pic). |
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Here's the gap under the engine where it will go. I'll have
to reroute some cabling, move the starter solenoid, and shift the fuel
flow meter. |
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The top of the pod attaches to this bolt, which holds the
rear of the engine in place. |
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The front of the pod attaches to the two bolt holes above
the existing trailing arm attachments |
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This is the offending fuel-flow meter which I will have to
move. This is going to be tricky, as it must be oriented
vertically, as shown here. |
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A loose fit first to check for clearances. |
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Still a loose fit, but this picture gives you a good idea
how spanking gorgeous it will look! |
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Wow! Now that's a nice view of my Baby's arse! |
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The pod has already been load-tested by Flylight (who know a
potential good seller when they see one!), and can take a 10 kilo load.
For me, it's not about weight, but convenience. 5 litre of oil and a large
Mr. Funnel will go in there no problem for extended cross-country trips! |
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Hmm. Must remember to reattach the fuel line! |
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This is the bolt that connects to the engine beam, with a
neat grommet to allow the wire-lock to exit. |
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Here are the front attachment points, at the bottom of the
pod. |
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Here is the wire-lock, exiting the grommet and fixed to the
engine beam. |
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Now it's time to fit some adhesive foam to the edges of the
pod door. |
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So here it is all bolted up. Does it finish the plane off,
or what? |
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I have a little shaping to do on the top, rear edge of the
door, as the gap is a little uneven.
Sadly, the quality of the joints in the fibreglass is well up (down?)
to the usual Air Creation standard, but will be hidden with a trim strip. An
'interesting' choice of stud attachment points - I would have done one in
each of the 5 points around the outside, had I the choice. |
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Here's the rerouted fuel line, showing the fuel-flow meter |
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It was tricky getting it to fit just right, without sticking
out the side of the pod, and without too tight a turn radius on the fuel
line where it exist the meter and goes to the fuel pump.
I fitted a new fuel filter for good measure, but it's just occurred to
me it might not be legal. I just bought it from a motor spares shop, but
seem to remember only certain types are approved. I'll post a question on
the eGroup - someone will know for sure. |
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I really wanted to get the starter solenoid mounted on metal
somewhere, but there is nowhere appropriate. The only option was the
engine mount, and I wasn't about to start drilling holes in that!
I chatted with Gary at Flylight, and he confirmed there's no reason why
it shouldn't be mounted on the pod, although this did necessitate running
an earth lead for it. |
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The trim strips are on to match the rest of the plane |
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Apparently, it might make the prop quieter, due to the
smoothing effect on the airflow. |
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The Kiss always reminded me of Stingray (remember that?),
and it does even more now. All I need is some bird called Marina to sit in
the back seat! |
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Wonder how long it will be before I take off without doing
up the door catches? I really hope I never do that!
I've reshaped the door, so the gap is even all the way around.
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| What's left?
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I must fit a safety strap to the pod door, and fit a
neoprene hinge too. After that, it's just a case of doing the paperwork! |
