Empty weights on various models and engine combinations

[Freedom2]

Hello Everyone, I am at the stage of my project that I will have to make my final decision on an Engine selection with 3 engines in mind of which i will provide later once I make my decision and why. In the meantime I'm still gathering all info to help make this decision. If anyone could provide some EW's on their finished project that would help alot. With that EW also mention model, engine and covering. I'm specifically interested on any EW info on Floats( Kraus Rotec/SS7 Czech floats) as this is my end goal. PM if you like as well. Thx for any info!!!

Freedom2

[Maverick]

Kitfox series Five (49FK), Continental 0200, basic eight analogue instruments, micro-air radio and txp = 890lbs
Kitfox series Five (36KJ), Rotax 912uls, basic instruments, some analogue with GRT E4000 EIS, Garmin radio and txp = 777lbs
Performance difference between the two is astounding with the 912uls outperforming the Continental in every category.
Fred

[tracstarr]

Model 6, 912is, Full garmin stack (about 30lbs at the dash), BRS, oratex, 26" airstreaks. 905.5lbs

[Av8r3400]

Model 4 Classic 1200. Lots of modifications and reinforcements from the original design. 912 UL with a Hal Stockman Zipper big bore kit to 105 hp. 700 empty weight on 26" Airstreaks.

[Freedom2]

Kitfox series Five (49FK), Continental 0200, basic eight analogue instruments, micro-air radio and txp = 890lbs
Kitfox series Five (36KJ), Rotax 912uls, basic instruments, some analogue with GRT E4000 EIS, Garmin radio and txp = 777lbs
Performance difference between the two is astounding with the 912uls outperforming the Continental in every category.
Fred


Thx Fred for that info, should i be surprised??? power to weight ratio!!!

Happy Flying!

[Freedom2]

Model 4 Classic 1200. Lots of modifications and reinforcements from the original design. 912 UL with a Hal Stockman Zipper big bore kit to 105 hp. 700 empty weight on 26" Airstreaks.



Thx for this info!!!

[Freedom2]

Model 6, 912is, Full garmin stack (about 30lbs at the dash), BRS, oratex, 26" airstreaks. 905.5lbs


Interesting! thx!

[avidflyer]

Kitfox 4 Classic 1200. 80 HP 912 Rotax. 645 lb. If I held a part up above the work bench and dropped it, and it hit the bench, I didn't put it on. Almost any way :-) (kidding) Did everything to keep it as light as possible though. Except for the Grove gear which was on the plane when I got it and still is there. JImChuk

[DesertFox4]

Kitfox 7Super Sport Tri-gear- 912uls, Ivo prop, Polyfiber covering, AirTech paint, one MGL Lite 8.5” glass panel, custom Grove 1320 rated gear, all carbon fiber cowls, 2 layer light fiberglass strut fairings, Magnesium Grove Wheels 5” with 5” mains, brakes pilot side only, Appareo ESG ADSB-out transponder, Garmin Aera 500 portable gps with weather/traffic, Laker Leading edge, Kitfox Aircraft’s carbon fiber wingtips. AeroLED strobe/nav, landing lights.
763 lbs. empty weight. Extreme attention to weight savings throughout build.
26756

[Freedom2]

Kitfox 4 Classic 1200. 80 HP 912 Rotax. 645 lb.... JImChuk


That is definitely one of the lower EW's !! good Job!!!!

[Freedom2]

Kitfox 7Super Sport Tri-gear- 912uls, Ivo prop, Polyfiber covering, AirTech paint,...


I can see that attention sure payed off! Nice Fox!!!!

[4Hummer]

Kitfox 4 Classic 1200. 80 HP 912 Rotax. 645 lb. If I held a part up above the work bench and dropped it, and it hit the bench, I didn't put it on. Almost any way :-) (kidding) Did everything to keep it as light as possible though. Except for the Grove gear which was on the plane when I got it and still is there. JImChuk


1996 Kitfox Model IV 1050, Rotax 912 80 HP, 560 LBS

About to go up a bit once I install the Grove Gear


560 LBS
26759

Basic Dash. Could probably save some weight replacing those analogue gauges

26758

[Freedom2]

Wow that is an low Empty Weight!!! How did you manage that one?? Any tricks up your sleeve you'd like to share??

[4Hummer]

I didn't originally build this aircraft, just restored it when I bought it,

[Agfoxflyer]

Series 5, steam gauges, vacuum system, Grove Spring gear, 912ULS 833 lbs

[Freedom2]

Just want to thank everyone for contributing and sharing their EW's! I was trying to to determine what was common to create a low EW As that is high on my priority list on my model IV build. I found it hard to determine as Some items listed I'm not familiar with. I'm not up on landing gears as I'm a float flyer. I know grove gears are heavy but don't know about 26" airstreaks. Some items are obvious and of course engine choice is huge. A couple of kitfoxs stood out, "Desertfox" EW 763 and see carbon fiber makes a difference and whatever else he did. Also "4Hummer" EW 560! A Model IV 1050 (912). I'm not sure the weight saving difference between the model IV 1050 and 1200 kit from the start but EW 560 seems unbelievable! I was really trying to see if I could also see similarities between kitfoxes that used polyfiber over Oratex? Too hard to tell as those that may have used Oratex used other items countering that weight saving and visa versa with polyfiber. Any comments?

[jmodguy]

KF5 IO340 1013lbs GRT MiniAP, Trig radio and Xpndr. 2600'/min easy

26912

[Freedom2]

thats impressive!!! thx

[alexM]

KF5 IO340 1013lbs GRT MiniAP, Trig radio and Xpndr. 2600'/min easy

26912
If I may ask, what prop are you running on that beast? How much ground clearance do you have with the tail up?

[taff]

Below, a photo of the Classic IV that I had.
Also the weight and balance. I had a 912 UL

[Scot]

Kitfox Classic IV, Subaru EA81, steam gauges, stock gear legs & Matco wheels/brakes, polyfiber fabric with PPG polyurethane pant, EW 792.5
26948

[rocketman2tm]

Super sport 7, Rotax 912is Sport, Whirlwind, Oratex, 10 inch Dynon Skyview, Aeroled lights, Ack elt, 8.5 x 6.00 Dessert Aero Classic tires. Aluminun Grove gear, faired wing struts (not the new streamlined ones), Rust-oleum cherry red (matches the red Oratex pretty well and easy to touch up)

821 lbs

One thing to keep in mind is empty weight means different things to different people. I drained the fuel out at the fuel pump until I saw the level in the vent line go down, which means there is still a gallon of fuel in the header tank and probably a gallon of unusable fuel in each wing. To me, it made the most sense to include this in the empty weight.

[jiott]

I agree, empty weight makes most sense to include engine oil & coolant, unusable fuel in wings and header (header fuel could be argued that it is usable, but I hope to never have to use it). Empty weight is used as a base number in W&B calculations, and added flying weight is always usable fuel, baggage, pilot and passenger.