Kitfox S7 Questions

[WingingIt74]

Does anyone have any pics of one in a single car garage? With myself being 6' and 290 lbs, would I fit? I'll probably have more questions later.
:D

[HansLab]

I got pics of a IV in a garage (Europe style) if y'want?
HL

[jtpitkin06]

You will need to measure your garage carefully to see if a SS7 will fit inside. The specs are listed on the Kitfox website but they don’t tell the full story. Most residential garages have 7 foot door height and are 22 feet deep.

First the height issues
A tail dragger SS7 height is listed at 5’ 8”; but that is the airframe and does not include the prop. A three blade prop puts the height close to 7 feet. If you will store your airplane in a garage you should consider a two blade prop to clear the door and ceiling. A tricycle gear Kitfox tail is 8’ and will not clear a standard door without a little jockeying. You will have to push down on the tail to clear the door. Some owners use a dolly to raise the nose gear and lower the tail.

Next the length

The Kitfox SS7 is 22’ 7” long with the wings folded. It’s 13 inches longer than the Classic IV. So you might find it a bit tight in your standard garage. This is often the most limiting dimension.

Width

The SS7 is 8’ 0” wide with wings folded. Many single car garages have 8 foot doors so check this one carefully. Even 9 foot doors can be tight because the door casing reduces the width sometimes by 6 inches or more.

And now the pilot.

A 6 foot tall pilot will fit in a Kitfox about the same as you fit in a coach seat of an MD-80. Leg and head room is not a problem. However, at 290 lbs you might be a little more than cozy with a passenger at the hips and elbows.


You should be aware that getting into and out of a Kitfox is a bit like a yoga exercise or playing “Twister”. There are various techniques. I stick my head inside first, turn my back to the center of the cockpit and scoot my rear in the seat. Next I swing my legs inside then lift my right leg over the joy stick. I recommend you find a Kitfox near you to see if you are comfortable in the seat and if getting in and out is reasonable.

John Pitkin
Greenville, Texas

[84KF]

Not a "one" car....., but it's something. Just use the seam in the floor cement to get an idea of a single.

It rolls right in an out, no problem. Even with the type of door I have.

[WingingIt74]

Those are great pics, how wide is it folded up?

[84KF]

8 ft with the wings secured up tight, which the left one is not in the pictures.

Here's 2 more..., before and after, with the parachute cover.

A full size SUV will fit along side it. Tight, but the room is there.

[WingingIt74]

Thanks all. I already picked out the paint scheme. I photoshopped the pic to make it a tail dragger and changed the black trim to red (same colors as one of my late grandfather's planes, I hope I can get his old tail number as it is avaliable). I'm excited :D I hope to have it some day. Gotta sell my 56 Chevy first and get my certificate :)

http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4143&d=1284174857

[N82HB]

Nice photoshopping CLSSY56!

Steve,
What gear is that? I love it. Mine is not that tall, but I wish it was.
Kelly

[84KF]

Kelly,

I too asked that question here once...

This might help. http://www.teamkitfox.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=239&highlight=grove+gear

[Paul Z]

I like the Photo Shop of my plane 703KA, It looks good as a Tail Dragger!

[Agfoxflyer]

Travis (CLSSY56),

I like your paint scheme. I helped my brother build this RV-9A with the same scheme. He lets me fly the 9 anytime I want to, but I'd rather be in a Kitfox. More Fun!

[WingingIt74]

Here's my grandfather's plane that I took the colors from. This was always my favorite plane of the 3 he had.

1) Cessna 172 (yes that little guy is me :) )
http://www.tri-5chevy.com/Family/N7318G.jpg

2) Bonanza A36 (Company Plane)
http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1557&stc=1&d=1254458923

3) Bonanza A36 (Company Plane)
http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1560&stc=1&d=1254459288

[WingingIt74]

I got a chance today at the Scott AFB airshow to sit in a Kitfox 3. It was a tight fit, but I did have to buy a raffle ticket :D The guy was actually surpised when I asked if it was a Kitfox IV, I guess a lot of people don't know what they are like us who are plane nuts :eek:

[WingingIt74]

Well, I'm still hanging around. Haven't stopped in, in a while. I did sell the 56, but then bought a motorcycle. I'm still dreaming of flying, just haven't done it yet. I may get to start my lessons in the fall, but for right now it's up in the air.

I'm still tossing around the idea of a Kitfox SS7 or my Grandpa's C172.

Last year my wife got me a lesson for my B-day. Below are the only two lessons I've had, beside flying with Grandpa.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry60K4ifnSE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DV3JWbvCmc


Jeremy in my signature has been my best friend since 1985. Both of our Grandfathers were pilots, so we became best buds :)

-Travis

Winging It! with Travis & Jeremy
On FaceBook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Winging-It/140289936081468) & YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/WingingItTandJ)

[ken nougaret]

i've seen a few people say the wing folded width is 8', as the specs say. but , even though my ss7 is still under construction, i took a measurement of what my width will be, and it is 97 1/4" plus covering. this includes the plastic leading edge pieces. this is important when your trying to find an enclosed trailer that it will fit in. i've been unsuccessful in finding a trailer that will work. have these plastic leading edges always been used?
ken

[jdmcbean]

We have a local company that says they will build a trailer for the aircraft... with a custom door opening. A typical requirement as most door openings on a 102 wide trailer are 95" or less.

[dholly]

Ken- I know for a fact that Aerotrek just had a new trailer commissioned. It has a wider rear opening and should be at OSH this year.

[WingingIt74]

I'm still hanging around. Still haven't decided what plane I want.

• Kitfox SS7
• My Grandpa's 172
• Zenith CH-750
• Legend Cub

[DesertFox4]

Glad you're still with us Travis.

Get Ye to AirVenture 2013 right away, look over the quality of the display aircraft at the Kitfox booth and then put a deposit down on a 7 Super Sport. You deserve the very best aircraft out of the choices you listed. Kitfox. Fun to build and even "funner" to fly and it includes great factory support and a very generous bunch of folks here that will be happy to offer guidance if needed, from purchase through the build process, test flights to even finding you a wing man or two to fly with, no charge.;)

Now go get started on the best chapter of your flying life.

Tell John & Deb we sent you.:)

[WingingIt74]

I've never seen an S7 in person, not sure if I'll fit at 6' & 280 lb.

[Pilot4Life]

After spending a couple hours with Lowell gawking over his 4-1200, and talking shop. THANKS AGAIN BTW, it's not so much about standing height as it is seated height. A 6' guy, 280 lbs will fit, snugly, single pilot but will be cramped dual. I flew with Peteohms in his Model 3 and we were closer after the flight than before....workable, but tight. Width is greater than a 150/152 for the 7. The 7 will be better for a big guy...I'm 6'2" & 225, and will look for the smaller 4-1200 if the price is right....unless I win the lotto, then I'll buy the 7! Hope this helps.

[t j]

it's not so much about standing height as it is seated height.


I'm 6'3" and long in the waist (32" inseam I have to roll my cuffs up if barefoot:)). My model four fits perfect.

[WingingIt74]

I've sat in a 4, I didn't fit very well.