lycoming or continental builders?

[Billy]

how many builders using continental or lycoming power plants ? I am typing that into the search bars and nothing shows. Thank you , Billy

[ken nougaret]

Continental O-200

[PapuaPilot]

Continental IO-240

[airlina]

Continental IO-240 Bruce N199CL

[n85ae]

Continental IO-240B

Jeff

[Billy]

Hello to those that responded, Would you mind sharing your empty weight? Thanks much Billy

[n85ae]

Mine with IO-240B is 952. More of an issue though is having a fat passenger, or if I ate too
much breakfast ...

Jeff

[ken nougaret]

900 lbs. I know, heavy. Custom interior and heavy steam gauges.

[PapuaPilot]

Currently 893#.

It started around 886#, but I have added autopilot servos and ADSB out since new. I worked hard during the build to keep it light. The EWCG was managed by doing several things to lighten the front end and locating the avionics & battery in the tail. I have since upgraded to an EarthX battery up front, but needed to leave the 15# Odyssey battery in the tail for W&B purposes. Hopefully when I install the T3 tailwheel spring and move my tool kit to the tail I can remove the battery and shave another 10# from the EW.

[alexM]

This thread has many installations of the larger engines. I found it when I was curious about the forward wing speed.

https://teamkitfox.com/Forums/threads/10020-whats-the-heaviest-motor-ever-put-on-a-Kitfox

[airlina]

Looks like I win , mine weighs 960 lbs . Still performs well with the 125 HP IO-240. After 17 years no regrets , its a great airplane. Just helped a buddy spec out his order for a carbon cub EX-2 -about 150K in kit form, a nice airplane but ouch . Bruce N199CL

[airlina]

Phil ,Still can't figure out how you shaved so much weight from your plane, pretty amazing. Bruce N199CL

[n85ae]

I have to challenge Phil on that one ...

886? I am very skeptical, I suspect a scale problem. There is no way possible you could remove
50'ish+ pounds from N85AE, simply not possible. Bruce and I are very close, and I suspect correct at
950 or so

Even if I removed some major items (like the prop) I couldn't get it that light.

Airframe cannot be that much different, and I know I don't have 50 pounds of paint on it ...

However even if the scale is off, Balance matters more anyway, and if it flies good weight really
is just a number that changes every flight.

Jeff



Currently 893#.

It started around 886#...

[PapuaPilot]

You are absolutely right Jeff, it was 887 lbs. ;) Here is the picture of the certified scales I borrowed from work to do it. I weighed it twice and came up with the same numbers.

I can't explain 50 lbs. But, I didn't do steam gauges and a vacuum system which saved a lot, probably 20-25 lbs. I have a single screen bare minimum Garmin G3X panel. I kept the paint from getting overly thick at the recommendation of a friend who put too much on his Cub and got cracking within a few years. I shaved 6 lbs. by using 3 in 1 LED wingtip lights instead of using the Whelen lights, power pack and heavy wiring that came with it. The Catto prop is only 11-12 lbs. I took off the alternator that came on the engine and got the orange B&C 30 amp alternator, which shaved about 6 lbs. I have the fiberglass formed instrument panel, not the aluminum one. Right here I see potentially 40 pounds, so it may not be that far off.


25436


25434

[n85ae]

Still though, that's 74 lb less than Bruce, and I know he didn't build heavy. I suppose
it's possible, but he didn't do a vac system (I did and ended up lighter). I could take my
entire panel and put it on the scale along with all the wiring in the plane, and the vaccum
system, and it would not be 74 pounds ...

For sure things like a lighter alternator, and strobes would make some difference, but wow
74 pounds ...?

Maybe it's really that light, it's just very surprising to me that it's possible.

Guess I need to pedal my bike a LOT more to lose more weight ...

Jeff

[Billy]

Thank you everyone for your weight replies. Now I am wondering if those with the 915's could add some input on your empty weights, and possibly a brief comment on options, Many Thanks again, Billy

[jrevens]

I know you've asked for 915-powered birds, but for comparison my 7SS has a relatively heavy all-"steam gauge" beefed-up aluminum panel with iFly 740 GPS, Garmin radio and transponder with separate altitude encoder and uAvionix ADS-B in/out. It has a single-axis DigiTrak autopilot and standard servo, "standard" AGM battery, T3 tail spring, heavy duty Grove main, 22" smooth tundra tires, and 912 ULS with oil & coolant thermostats, Whirlwind 3-blade prop & carbon fiber spinner, LED combo position/strobe wingtip lights & single LED AeroSun landing/taxi light. Oratex covering. Also a few custom "extras" like an oil separator on the breather system, heater control ball valve, extra handle for ground handling on the fuselage, extended cargo area aluminum floor behind the standard cargo bay "sack" (with zippers). 819# empty weight with oil (includes fire extinguisher & 2 headsets).

[Billy]

Thanks you so much for your description, Sounds like a very nice plane and I am sure you are enjoying the flying experience ! All of this info is very helpfull in making my decisions. billy

[Billy]

Thank you for all your great input and sharing of numbers. Helps out tremendously , See you in the air soon I hope to say !! billy

[jmodguy]

IO-340 1013 empty. Flies great!

[Billy]

Thanks Jim,
And everyone else that gave good advise and commented on the Question. There is interest in the 0-200, 0-240's, 0-235's and 0-320's, so it is good info for decision making. The 915 turbo empty weights are comparable (?) to these other engine options, and seems to be a few of them around for rebuilding IF , one chooses to do so. Almost twice the torque at half the RPM. Thanks again for all your input. billy

[jiott]

Don't get hung up on torque. Its torque x rpm that equals power, and its power that gives you performance. A million ft-lbs of torque at 10 rpm is useless. Twice the torque at half the rpm is the same power (performance) as half the torque at twice the rpm. Remember, on aircraft engines you don't ever lug them down to a low rpm like you might a diesel truck. Weight and power is where its at!

[WhereTheHellIsJames?]

118 hp Lycoming O-235-L2C in my '02 Series 5 Outback.
I was at 870 lbs. last time it was weighed (1,550 gross).

[Maverick]

My 03' KF5 with an O200 came in at 870 lbs. Bare bones instruments and very light weight Microair radio and txp. No lights on wings. Light weight baggage compartment by using fabric for sides and 1/8 in plywood for bottom and back of compartment.

My 20' KF5 with 912ULS came in at 777 lbs. Again, bare bones instruments except addition of electric T&B and this time with Wellen strobes marker lights. Garmin 200 and GTX325 with Uavionics ADSB. Used aluminum sheet for baggage compartment walls and floor. Could loose some weight by taking out the side walls and putting in fabric but, I'm getting 1,100 ft/min climb on a standard day so why bother. I would very much like to redo the panel with a carbon fiber one. I wish there were available a carbon fiber seat pan available.
Fred