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EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats
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Chris In Marshfield



Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 87

PostPosted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:11 am    Post subject: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

There's a really informative article about LSAs seaplanes in this month's EAA Sport Pilot magazine (August 2006). I was surprised that they were more well suited to the task (in many cases) than the aircraft I've normally seen on floats. It's a very good read. If you haven't seen it yet, I can highly recommend it.

Best regards,
Chris


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PostPosted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 6:24 pm    Post subject: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

Thanks Chris. I wrote that article for EAA.

I felt it might be good for people to know there are less expensive (but
still practical) alternatives for recreational seaplanes if frustrated with
the more conventional choices. I've been flying both types for years
(general aviation seaplanes as well as Light Sport seaplanes) and enjoy them
both immensely. But I have noticed a slow down in activity with some of the
more traditional seaplanes, and have concerns it might be caused by
operational costs. Hopefully I'm wrong about that, and it is just a fluke.
But if not, we do have options that will allow us die hard seaplane types to
keep flying...

Paul Seehafer
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Chris In Marshfield



Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 87

PostPosted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 5:40 am    Post subject: Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the great article. I had never given floatplanes any thought until recently. I don't remember what made me think more seriously about them, but it may have been the video for the Murphy Moose that I received with a product information kit earlier this year. I went to Oshkosh for the first time this year and saw a Beaver on amphibious floats, then took a trip over to the seaplane base. After that, I was completely hooked. I now realize that I want to be on floats when I grow up. Now I just need to see if I'll ever be able to afford to fly in that capacity!

I've never really taken a serious look at a fabric-covered aircraft. I always assumed that an all-metal plane was a better option. Perhaps I need to take another look at them, especially for all the reasons you described in your article.

Thanks again for the great read Smile

Best regards,
Chris


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PostPosted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 6:16 am    Post subject: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

Chris,
You should make a trip ip to Bloomer WI (20mi N of EAU). At our field,
we have the nations largest volume Challenger dealer...Don Zank. I have
a Challenger II on Puddle Jumper amphibs. It is sooo much fun. I have
put nearly 80 hours on it since the ice broke up. Come up and we will
treat you to an intro to real fun and in-expensive float flying....ie
plane (used) for around $18K. Floats (new) for $5500. Fly around at 65
to 70 mph on 5 gph!!
John Nielsen
Bloomer WI (WI18)
Chris In Madison wrote:

Quote:


Hi Paul,

Thanks for the great article. I had never given floatplanes any thought until recently. I don't remember what made me think more seriously about them, but it may have been the video for the Murphy Moose that I received with a product information kit earlier this year. I went to Oshkosh for the first time this year and saw a Beaver on amphibious floats, then took a trip over to the seaplane base. After that, I was completely hooked. I now realize that I want to be on floats when I grow up. Now I just need to see if I'll ever be able to afford to fly in that capacity!

I've never really taken a serious look at a fabric-covered aircraft. I always assumed that an all-metal plane was a better option. Perhaps I need to take another look at them, especially for all the reasons you described in your article.

Thanks again for the great read Smile

Best regards,
Chris

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Waunakee, WI




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Chris In Marshfield



Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 87

PostPosted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 11:30 am    Post subject: Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

Hi John,

You're the second person who's mentioned the Challenger aircraft to me. Our kids' sitter's husband's father (yeah, I know...) is a Challenger dealer out here in Waunakee (or is it Madison). He tells me it's loads of fun to fly them as well. If two people say so, it must be true Smile

I briefly looked at a couple of web sites that sell the Challenger, but they were so horrible that I couldn't get a decent look at one. Perhaps I'll try to get a closer look at one from the father-in-law, who's apparently been selling them for a long time out here.

I might have to drop by the next time I'm up in your neck of the woods, so to speak. Thanks for the info Smile

Best regards,
Chris


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PostPosted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 11:44 am    Post subject: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

Good site here on Challengers. http://challenger.ca/

I am not a Challenger owner , but I will say that they have a great group of
owners that help each other out.

That Site has a few videos that compare the 503 and 582 Challenger on
Floats. really shows you why a 582 is so popular although the 503 isa great
engine.
Kitfox or Avid on floats is hard to Beat. Cruise in a side by side cabin
on Amphibs from 80 to 110 mph with ease depending on the engine a 582 or
912 is my comparison.
Shorty


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Float Flyr



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PostPosted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 2:36 pm    Post subject: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

Try:
http://www.challenger.ca/airplane.html

I was looking at a Challenger a while ago. The folding wings on the Kitfox
won out!

Noel

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Float Flyr



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PostPosted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 2:44 pm    Post subject: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

Shorty:

I did some time in a PA 18 Super Cub last week.......finally got most of the
time for the endorsement. Wow what a ride... 160 Hp gets the lead off the
water real fast. Having the instructor in the rear seat was perfect. Most
of the time I was hardly aware he was there. There wasn't the same pressure
as having an instructor sitting beside you. The plane itself behaved like a
'fox on a mega dose of steroids. Landing speed was a bit higher but it
seemed to drop off step very fast..... As for getting up on step 160 Hp says
it all! One notch of flaps was like throwing the hook (anchor) overboard.

Noel

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PostPosted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 8:03 am    Post subject: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

Noel,

I'm surprised you'd find the Supercub that much better performer off water
compared to a Kitfox. Not that a Supercub with 160 hp is any slouch, as it
is a marvelous seaplane. But my little 80 hp amphib kitfox will break water
in 8 seconds with 2 hours of fuel on board and me, whereas a 180 hp amphib
Supercub can't come close to that (amphib vs. amphib comparison) I know
this factually as one of my friends has one of the nicest amphib Supercubs
on the planet. A Husky would be a better comparison to the Fox in my
opinion, but takeoff I'm confident the Kitfox would still win if the
aircraft are flown light. Now, if you load both airplanes up with weight,
horsepower and large wings will win, thereby giving the Husky the advantage.
But give me a 100 hp 912, or a 115 hp 914 in my Fox, and I'm confident I
would turn the tables.

I have some videos I need to get posted for you guys on the kitfox/lazair
site. I have a Avid on floats doing a takeoff contest against a Challenger,
and a Kitfox against an extremely light 90 hp Cub. Both are pretty
convincing of the Light Sport Aircrafts potential as performers. Fwiw -
still the record holder for off the water takeoff is an Avid Flyer on
straight floats.....2.7 seconds from standing still to lift off. You won't
find many airplanes that can do that on pavement. I guess you can all tell
I am biased towards the Avid/Kitfox/ and Highlander, as they are all
derivatives of the original Dean Wilson Avid Flyer. And man do they
perform. After 1300 hours of float time in Avids and Foxes, I can tell you
that you can't find a better performing, more versatile, capable, and
economical seaplane. And the best part is thats they are just a hoooooot to
fly! When was the last time you watched someone do a circular takeoff with
a float plane...on one float? With the Avid and Kitfox they are so nimble
on controls that doing so is not difficult, assuming you are familiar with
your airplane. And talk about versatile; my little Model IV Kitfox on
Amphibs with a 80 hp 912 rotax can fly alongside of any Supercub. In fact,
I have to slow down so they can keep up when at cruise. My Kitfox is much
more compatible in cruise flight to an Aviat Husky seaplane, even though
they have 180 hp and a constant speed prop (and cost about 6 times the money
of the fox).

Ok, ok, probably a little hard to believe. So if my picture goes through,
here is a panel shot from in my 80 hp Kitfox amphib that says it all. Just
check out my gps mph reading in the middle of the panel, my indicated
airspeed, my altitude, and my rpm on the right side of the panel. You will
notice this little seaplane is VERY capable for cross country work, as well
as for small lakes and airports. (incidentally, 5800 rpm is max power on a
912. Also, I more typically fly around at 4900-5000 rpm giving me right
around 100 mph tas while burning all of 3.5 gph of regular unleaded auto
fuel)

I'm not trying to knock anyone elses seaplane here. As personally, I've
never met an airplane I didn't like. But my preference is an Avid and
Kitfox. Not because I'm biased and close minded toward other aircraft, but
because I know how well the Avid and Kitfox work, both as land planes and
seaplanes. So for those of you looking for an economical alternative, the
Avid and Kitfox choice is a very good one in my opinion. And there are a
lot of good used airplanes around, as well as kits from the manufacturers
Kitfox, Just Aircraft co. (Highlander), and Airdale (for the Avid).

Paul
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 8:23 am    Post subject: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

Hi Chris,

Glad you enjoyed the article. I'll be doing more in the future.

I'm also glad you enjoyed EAA's seaplane base. It is in my opinion EAA's
crown jewel. Not big, but very high quality and extra special. It has
introduced most of us to the wonderful world of seaplanes. Keep dreaming
and one day you will find yourself owning one.

Metal airplanes vs tube and fabric....hmmmmm. Well, here's my two cents on
that. If you look at race cars hitting walls at 150 mph, notice what they
are in. Chromoly steel tube frames. Thats because they are light and can
handle loads better pound for pound. So a tube and fabric airplane is much
the same. Look at some of our most famous airplanes (cub, taylorcraft,
stinson, waco, stearman, etc, etc) that have been around the longest. They
have held up very well over the decades. Not that modern day Cessnas and
Pipers haven't, but aluminum is more subject to metal fatigue than would be
the steel tube frame. I fly a lake amphibian as well as my Kitfox. The
lake is built like a tank compared to a Cessna. Yet it has had a lot of
fatigue cracks that had to be patched due to water operations causing
excessive metal fatigue. And the airplane only has a little more than 2000
hours on it. Imagine what it will look like when it hits 20,000 hours like
a lot of old J-3's have probably endured? Don't get me wrong, I love my old
aluminum lake amphib. But if I had to crash in one or the other, I'd prefer
to be in my tube and fabric airplane. Aluminum just doesn't have it when it
comes to hitting the wall...

Keep your dream alive to one day own a seaplane. It's really not as
expensive as you may think.

Paul

ps - here's a pic of a few airplanes doing a stop on one of the lakes we
used for our poker run at the Eagle River Wisconsin Seaplane Fly In this
last weekend. The photo represents about 1/2 of the airplanes in the poker
run. The Highlander amphib is in the foreground with my Kitfox amphib next
to it. This ought to get your heart pumping!
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Chris In Marshfield



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PostPosted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 11:18 am    Post subject: Re: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the follow up. I'm happy to hear a good description of tube and fabric aircraft and how they compare to metal craft. I can't say that I've spent a lot of time researching the differences/advantages/disadvantages between them, but now I've got some incentive to do some more Smile

Al Barger is the president of our EAA chapter (and a friend of yours, I believe) and he had a lot of really great things to say about the Highlander. I'll have to see if I can find some more info on it beyond what's on Just's web site. It's a very attractive plane, and your article definitely touts its positive aspects. I'm sure Al doesn't mind talking about seaplanes since his wife works at the seaplane base Smile

I'd love to have a 4-seat aircraft to haul the family around in, but I'm a little scared how much insurance is going to be on a 4-seater with enough capacity that can live on floats as well (thinking Murphy Moose on the big side; Tundra, Yukon, or Bush Caddy L-164 the next size down). I reckon I've still got some time to think about it, though.

Is a Seaplane Pilots Association membership worth the investment? Is that a good place to get more background information on the subject?

Thanks again for taking the time to write. I find myself reading your article over and over. Feel free to write more of them!

Best regards,
Chris


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Float Flyr



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PostPosted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 4:14 pm    Post subject: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

Paul this cub was on straight 200 floats...around half tanks and beside
myself and the instructor for the float endorsement there wasn't much else
on board. I saw a few of the places that plane had been into and to say it
must have been tight would be an understatement.

The Super cub was a great diversion. Just having the horsepower under your
thumb! It took a bit of getting used to flying with the wrong hand ( I'm a
south paw) I don't think I'm going to try to get into one of the "bog
holes" in my fox any time soon.

Noel

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Float Flyr



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PostPosted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 4:42 pm    Post subject: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

I know, I know! The plane needs to be in the water.

Had a little boo boo Tuesday. I brought the plane up to the pond to do a
bit of work on my float endorsement. Just before launching I did a walk
around and found that when I put the plane in the garage the last time I had
bent the B#$% out of the rudder. I brought it home and stripped the top of
the rudder, straightened the tubing, made one weld at the top of the main
tube and recovered the top half of the rudder. Unfortunately I don't have
any Insignia white Polytone so I gave the refinished area a coat of clear
lacquer over the Polyspray. It's solid enough but doesn't look the way it
should..... More cloth and Insignia white are on their way as I hunt and
peck (I wouldn't dare to call it typing).

Noel
Model III-A
582-UL "B"box three blade Ivo in-flight adjustable.
Aerocet 1100 Straight floats

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Float Flyr



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PostPosted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 4:55 pm    Post subject: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

BTW I'm with you on the tube planes. A couple of years ago I had to do some
work on a Super Cub that flew in from BC (British Columbia) with the tail
bent to a ridiculous angle. We had to resection longerons and replace a
fair bit of the welds in the tail of the plane. My point is if it had been
a Cessna it would never have made the first ten feet of the trans
continental flight. Monocoque construction doesn't like dents let alone
bends.

The ferry pilot said he didn't notice the defect in the tail at all.
Another reason to be very careful when having your plane ferried. I have it
on good authority when the plane left BC it was in perfect condition.

Re: your Lake. For quite a few years I beat all over this island in my
fathers Lake LA-4. Quite the lovely plane but..... Darn there always has
to be a but... But.... With that plane you have to be very careful that
the front gear doors are closing completely before going for a swim. To do
this hold the main gear locked with Vise grips and tie the tail down while
doing a retract. The gear must be able to fully retract and still close the
doors fully.

I remember on time hitting a wake and having water short out our com radio
for several days.

Noel

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PostPosted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 5:53 pm    Post subject: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

I will vote for the Kitfox off the water quicker than a Super cub with 160
hp

Paul's Kitfox off the water in 8 seconds ?

Mine is 100 lbs lighter ..............
Muahahahhwwaaaaa

you did see the under 4 second take off s on ski right Noel ?

Smile
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 1:46 am    Post subject: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

I'd love to have a 4-seat aircraft to haul the family around in, but I'm
a little scared how much insurance is going to be on a 4-seater with
enough capacity that can live on floats as well (thinking Murphy Moose
on the big side; Tundra, Yukon, or Bush Caddy L-164 the next size down).
I reckon I've still got some time to think about it, though.

*prob 4-6K depending on hull value and ur exp... etc. perhaps a bit more

Is a Seaplane Pilots Association membership worth the investment? Is that
a good place to get more background information on the subject?

* YES! nice publication, too. WATER magazine. i have had some stuff
published in it before... i wrote. if u r looking for some swell
floatplane exp... try turner's seaplane port in ME. if u r rated, have
some time, the ses rating, pass their scrutiny... etc... they will rent
172's solo. hardly anyone else in usa will... i went up there and got
siigned off in about 3.5 hrs... i got the ses at over at kenmore in
seattle. that training was great and it made a dif with the folks in
turner. Smile i did a 50 hr block of time there sev yrs back... was a
supper holiday. lots of lakes. mtn flying, too. plenty of challenges. hi
speed water taxi for miles on end.... amazing stuff. gosh, and if they
knew about the fun factor... they'd try to tax it!! the folk at turner's
are quite helpful. the area scenery is to die for. and did i mention...
NO shortage of lakes to fly to land on, fish or what ever... and take
off again. guess i logged about 6-8 hrs a day on floats... one day i did
over 100 water take offs and landings... Smile)

oh, did i mention... TONS a' fun!

hope this helps...

feel free to email me offline if u have any specific questions...

regards

jam'n


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PostPosted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:53 am    Post subject: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

Shorty;

Yeah, my money would be on the fox for short takeoff. But it would be much
more fair to compare straight floats to straight floats. Not an amphib fox
against a straight float Supercub. I'm convinced the S/cub wouldn't stand a
chance then. And if it were a lightweight two stroke in the Fox, it would
be even more disheartening for the S/cub pilot.

Yeah, you are 100 lbs lighter than my lead sled 4 stroke
everything-on-it-but-the-kitchen-sink Kitfox. So I don't plan on
challenging you to any takeoff contests anytime in the future? <GRIN>

Paul
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 5:14 am    Post subject: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

Noel,

That's a very interesting story supporting tube and fabric. And anyone that
has seen how some of the bush planes north of us get used, it is certainly
believable. I guess I won't be hiring any ferry pilots anytime soon
(snicker).

Neat to hear you experienced a Lake with your Dad. They are fun airplanes.
But I do agree with you that you have to be careful with those nose gear
doors. Traditionally they get all messed up when driving up onto a beach
and then when driving back into the water later, the pilot tries to retract
the gear when the nosewheel isn't straight. So whenever I do that, once I
enter the water and the plane is floating, I shut down and crawl out onto
the nose and reach down to verify the nosewheel has centered. If it isn't I
find shallow water and then just swivel it back into a neutral position,
then crawl back in the cockpit and retract it. Never had a problem by doing
so. But it is easy to see when you drive into the water with the gear down
how the nosewheel can not swivel itself back straight, as it is rare to have
enough beach to go straight back into the water. Interesting aside; one of
my lake instructors told me it is extremely important to maintain a correct
hull angle to keep the nosewheel doors from catching a wave. So he spent a
lot of time showing me correct hull angle. After I didn't do it right
numerous times he got a little frustrated and said 'Ok, put it this way.
Just pretend your family jewels are out there between those two nose wheel
doors. Now, do you really want to be dragging them in the water at 50 miles
an hour?" Worked for me. Never since have I let those nose wheel doors
drag too nose low...

Regarding your previous comment about landing a Supercub in a short
place/bog; Once I landed my Avid Flyer on straight floats in a 14 acre lake
(pond) that was in the shape of a circle, with a large circular island in
the middle of it (offering very little landing area width, and none in a
straight line), and power lines running across one end (of course the end
you had to take off over). I know a Supercub wouldn't fare well in that
small body of water, because there is no way he could ever get back out.
The Avid had no trouble. Climbed out right over the highlines with room to
spare. Once again, the Supercub is a phenomenal airplane. But when you do
the horsepower to weight, and wing loading comparisons of the early Avids
and Kitfoxes against it, the Avid and Kitfox will have the distinct
advantage for takeoff, climb, and landing. Remember, early Avids had a 22
mph stall speed. But out of fairness to those reading this, I will admit
that my newer laminar flow wing, four stroke Kitfox would probably require
the same landing area as a Supercub, possible more, as my current Kitfox is
a little hard to slow down. But it will cruise faster than the cub.

Paul

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Float Flyr



Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

PostPosted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 5:41 am    Post subject: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

True but skis a bit lighter than amphib floats. You also have the "C" box
with the GSC/Warp prop.

Noel

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Kitfox III-A
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deej(at)deej.net
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 6:08 am    Post subject: EAA Sport Pilot article on LSAs on floats Reply with quote

jam-n wrote:
Quote:

I'd love to have a 4-seat aircraft to haul the family around in, but I'm
a little scared how much insurance is going to be on a 4-seater with
enough capacity that can live on floats as well (thinking Murphy Moose
on the big side; Tundra, Yukon, or Bush Caddy L-164 the next size down).
I reckon I've still got some time to think about it, though.


I don't know about floatplanes specifically, but I asked my
insurance agent the following:

I'm building an experimental airplane, a Glastar Sportsman. I
have the option of building this airplane with 2, 3, or 4 seats. Is there any significant difference
in the cost of insurance based on the number of seats installed, 2, 3,
or 4? I would be looking for a "full coverage" policy when it gets time
to obtain the insurance.
and her reply:
When you look at a breakdown on premium, the quote is probably 85% hull
premium and 15% liability premium. The number of seats is not going to
make a huge difference. You will be surcharged for 2 to 4 seats, but
not enough that should stop you from putting in 4 seats.

Her contact info is:
Melissa Perkins
mperkins(at)nationair.com
(800) 356-7075
-Dj

--
Dj Merrill - N1JOV
Glastar Sportsman 2+2 Builder #7118
http://econ.duke.edu/~deej/sportsman/

"Many things that are unexplainable happen during the construction of an
airplane." --Dave Prizio, 30 Aug 2005


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