My reasons for giving up on www.ctfyer.com

[FastEddieB]

Sorry if this seems odd, but I needed a place to post this that I could link others to that would not automatically get deleted.

I’ve owned a 3i Sky Arrow for about 2 1/2 years. Before that, I owned a Cirrus, and was very active on the Cirrus Owners and Pilots site (and still am).

I missed having a forum where I could give and receive advice on the Sky Arrow - there’s no user group for them specifically and there really aren’t that many of them out there. That left me at a bit of a loss when I had questions about my plane. There was the Sport Aviation Yahoo group in general and Helen Woods in particular (thanks, Helen!), but not much specific to the Sky Arrow.

Not too long ago I was searching on Google for something ROTAX-related and the “unauthorized” CT design forum came up (http://www.ctflyer.com). Seemed to be people on that site with lots of experience with the ROTAX. I joined, introduced myself and quickly found myself both getting and giving advice on the ROTAX and other areas not specific to the CTDesign (since I’ve never flown one).

So far, so good...

Then earlier today, someone on the site had a question about stained finish. I replied that Cirrus airplanes, also composite, had issues with oil and exhaust staining and that a household cleaner, Scrubbing Bubbles™ worked for a lot of us (with proper precautions).

Innocent, right?

Well the site owner PM’d me with a warning to keep any reference to any plane or product not CT-related out of my posts. I went back to my post to find that even the word “Cirrus” had been replaced with asterisks. Funny that he would go amend his list of banned terms to include “Cirrus” - in the future that might even make discussions of high cloud formations problematical. I had previously had to ask what kind of plane was being discussed in a thread - all I was seeing was asterisks. Someone spelled out R-E-M-O-S for me in a post. I made a joke about it and moved on.

In any case, this is NOT a case of censorship - ctflyer.com is a private site and can moderate (or over-moderate) and limit speech in any way it sees fit.

But its not the place for me.

I have made some contacts on that site and will continue to stay in touch. Other than that, adios!

[Daidalos]

Why not start your own Yahoo Group. It is easy and free. Administration will be a pain in a$$. I started a Ham radio group (EchoIRLP) there years ago and it is still going.

You could approach this boards admin about creating a Sky Arrow sub-category under Light Sport Aircraft. That of course could lead to a SIG for each aircraft. Not a bad idea actually!

[FastEddieB]

Especially about make/model-specific forums on this site.

I'd even volunteer to moderate, whatever that entails.

I'll contact the site honchos and see what they think.

BTW, I posted a link to this thread over on the ctflyer.com site. It was part of my introduction post, just saying I chose to leave and that the reasons could be found here. That whole thread seems to be missing - why am I not surprised?

In any case, to quote The Godfather (loosely), that site is dead to me.

Too bad - their loss more than mine (if that doesn't sound conceited).

However, for anyone who still frequents that site, I'd still love to get a flight in a CT and can swap a ride in my Sky Arrow, if that floats anyone's boat.

Happy Flying!

[dstclair]

FastEddieB,

I believe the CTFLYER forum started off as spinoff from SportPilotTalk a few years back. There was (and is) sufficient volume to support CT-specific chat. But, as you mention, there is also the opportunity for common discussion such as Rotax 912, avionics and airframe (composite repair/cleaning for example ).

I joined the CTFLYER forum when I was in investigation mode for purchasing a plane. In the end, I'm a 'low-wing' guy and passed on a CTSW. CTSW was/is a fine plane just not the one for me.

I maintain my membership to CTFLYER for information cited above. There are some great, knowledgable folks who frequent the other forum and, unfortunately, don't make their way over here.

Seems in recent months, CTFLYER has become more vigilent in filtering out non-CT related content. I can only guess as to why -- one poster cited legal but that seems a stretch. Interesting that all LSA's are invited to their various fly-ins.

I saw your deleted post over there. I am somewhat incredulous as to why 'Scrubbing Bubbles' was an issue. BTW -- what are the proper precautions needed? I've got a composite plane that doesn't have stains (yet) but I'm sure I'll need something at some point.

I've enjoyed your posts and hope they keep coming. Learning from other's experience is, after all, the beginning of wisdom

Don't know if there's sufficient volume to create subgroups based on aircraft manufacturer. CTFLYER has done well but I've seen a few others fail (when spun off as seperate forums). In the end there's only around 1000 LSA's flying (S-LSA, that is) which limits the posters.

And on the practical side on cleaning, I find Turtle Wax Foam Away as ato be an ideal cleaner/waxer. No water needed. Cost $3/can with around 2-3 spinner-to-tail cleanings per can. I usually clean bugs off the leading edge/wheel pants with it after each flight and really haven't needed to do a full cleaning more than twice a year. I've had folks ask if my plane was new and it's 2.5 years old.

[N89WD]

I feel bad that fast eddie has signed off the ct forum. He had alot of good input. All I wanted to inquire about was some cleaner for my CT!

[FastEddieB]

Thanks for the support, guys.

As to Scrubbing Bubbles™...

...if it says "Not For Use On Painted Surfaces" (or words to that effect) there must be a reason. My assumption is that there are situations where it can soften or otherwise damage paint. In my experience with it, there has not been a problem as long as its thoroughly washed off when done.

As long as I'm at it, two other products I get a lot of use from:

Bugs Away And More (http://www.nblproducts.com/)


A water-based cleaner that seems to do a pretty good job at removing bugs, and making future bugs and dirt easier to wipe off. I used it on my Cirrus and now use it on my Sky Arrow,mostly on the leading edges and usually after a flight.

Also used regularly is (ta daaaa):



I use it for all sorts of things, but it works really well on Plexiglass. It also seems to keep rubber and plastic parts more "supple". Good stuff, and I've never heard of it doing damage.*

*as long as you're sure you've flushed your plexiglass of all abrasive bits before using.

[Cub flyer]

Which cleaners attack the foam. If it is ok on the finish it may be dissolving the foam core behind the carbon.

Same with acid rain. The foam can dissolve inside. There was the comoclean (sorry spelled wrong) which was supposed to be safe.

The Long EZ guys were having trouble with the aluminum fittings buried in the composite core corroding. How many composite LSA have metal fittings?

I have seen where the carbon layers have a cap of fiberglass on metal contact areas to keep dissimilar metal corrosion down.

A few years ago I remember reading about a composite low wing demo airplane at a fly in which had it's leading edge skin core damaged during cockpit tours. It was unnoticed and the wing failed on the trip home.

I'd be very careful what cleaners were used. Even simple green is corrosive to aluminum except for one special blend.

[FastEddieB]

Not questioning your concern for the "foam" and aluminum parts, but...

...I'm talking about stuff you'd lightly spray on the finish and then wipe right off. Unless the finish is severely compromised, it should never even touch either "foam" or aluminum.

But if you're concerned, stick with approved products - I'm just sharing what has worked for me.

[Cub flyer]

It shouldn't be a problem unless you are really soaking things down.

A guy at our airport had some new wonder green bug removal stuff you dilute with water. He would mix and put it on his Tripacer leading edges for about 5 min and then come back and spray them off. worked great. But a year later the finish started growing soft rubbery blisters about 1/2" around and 1/8" high. In several areas. The polyurethane topcoat was breathing and the chemicals had gotten to the dope underneath. We had to slice off the bubbles and patch things up.

The poly paints are not 100% impervious to chemicals. This was Superflight two part paint over dope underneath. The topcoat was done in 2000 and the fabric was Ceconite in 1986. No problems up to this spring with either.

This happened only in the areas he had sprayed with the bug stuff.

[Helen]

Eddie, if you want to chat Rotax, why don't you join me at Rotax school after SNF in April? I and one of my graduates who is flying down with me are going. It's $450 and two days for the service level class we are taking. Starts right after SNF. PM me and I'll send you the info if you like.

Helen

[Jim Stewart]

Sorry ctflyer didn't work out. I'm active both there and here so I'll continue to see your posts which, BTW, I find very interesting.

[chrisw]

Sorry ctflyer didn't work out. I'm active both there and here so I'll continue to see your posts which, BTW, I find very interesting.

I am new at everything LSA, and didn't even know that the CTFlyer forum existed. I suppose I'll take a quick look around over there since the CT is the aircraft I'm most interested in acquiring (I blame Roger Fane! ), but it sounds like this is the place to be.

Chris

[Jim Stewart]

Ctflyer is the number one resource for anyone interested in flying and/or owning a Flight Design aircraft. I own a 2006 CTSW and I'm over in the Sacramento area.

[rfane]

I am new at everything LSA, and didn't even know that the CTFlyer forum existed. I suppose I'll take a quick look around over there since the CT is the aircraft I'm most interested in acquiring (I blame Roger Fane! ), but it sounds like this is the place to be.

Chris,

Don't go blaming it on me! You haven't even seen my plane yet. Once the weather improves, we will go take a ride. Then you can blame me!! Especially if you have flown the other LSA's I pointed you to.
I figured you would show up at the CTFlyer site, if you had enough interest in the CT. It comes up on most search engines.