How's the kit fox ride?

[peanut]

I'm smashing bugs in the 172 and a day like today, was a bit bumpy at 3000 MSL, 2000 AGL. I don't mind the turbulence too bad, but Is the KF 5 series going to feel similar to a 152 in "weight" and authority? The more videos I watch, the more I am impressed with their performance. Thanks for any input guys.

[Dave S]

Keith,

One of the best references I have found regarding how the Kitfox feels and performs is the one titled "How to fly a Kitfox"......Kitfox aircraft (John McBean) sells these books for a very reasonable price. The book considers the flying and performance characteristics of each Kitfox model; and, I found it to be very accurate on the subject.

FWIW.....although the 152 and Kitfox 7 while pretty similar in max weight, my reaction to the Kitfox was.... 1) "Holy Crap this thing gets off the ground and climbs RIGHT NOW" and, the clear distinction that 2) the kitfox controls don't have any of the slop and drag in the mechanism that a well worn Cessna has plus 3) plenty of control authority in slow flight (think full length flaperons compared to much shorter alierons)

A lot of what we speak about regarding turbulence relates to individual perception and experience. Beyond simply saying that a low wing loading aircraft compared to high wing loading aircraft feels the potholes in the sky differently.... it is not possible to advise how another person will see it.

My best advice to is get out there and find someone with a 5, 6, 7 or Supersport and get some in flight experience......:)

What sold me on the Kitfox was flying it........you'll never know for sure what it is like without getting in one and seeing how it feels to you.:)

Cheers,

Dave S
KF7 Trigear, Flying
912ULS Warp Drive

[rwaltman]

... "Holy Crap this thing gets of the ground and climbs RIGHT NOW"
One of the planes in the last NE Kitfox fly-in was a Cessna 150 (or 152?)
I watched it depart. It got off the ground at a point in the runway where the Kitfoxes that left before were already at an altitude of at least 250 or 300 feet.

Roberto

[kmach]

I think turbulence wise, the KF 5 feels similar to a 150 on a bumpy day , maybe slightly more bumpy. I think the KF with the 32' wingspan has a lower wing loading, but don't know for sure.

I flew a 150 to get my license and that was it, the rest has been kitfox . the KF outperforms the 150 in all areas, and some areas by allot .

Take off is really different , you better be ready to fly , because it happens quick. I think on a hot day , it would take about max 2.5-3 seconds from throttle application to climbing. This is with no flaps and no brakes held.

[kitfox2009]

Hi Guys
I have a long wing Vixen (model5) and, yes in rough air you get bounced around a bit. Yesterday I was on the Alberta prairies and it was HOT for this time of year and yes in was rough at low altitude (1000 AGL).
This was my "virgin trip" through the Rockies from the Okanagan to the Prairies!!! Came home this morning from Drumheller to Penticton in 4 hours (slight headwind) 360 NM. Wonderful flight smooth like silk!!
Thanks Kevin and Mic for your offers of hospitality!!!
Cheers
Don:):)

[peanut]

What is your ktas?

[Renard]

:)Went flying the other day with a friend who flys a 152. On the second leg he said "You fly this one". We swapped seats and I took off. My first thought was "What a truck". After my model 4 the Cessna is a pig. As to the turbulence, hey, if you fly at all you are going to get bounced around a little. Relax and go with the flow as they say. That Kitfox is NOT going to come apart.

[ackselle]

How does it ride?.... take a look... too much fun!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk4TmylevOw&feature=plcp

[SkySteve]

Very cool Ackselle. Nice smooth flying. How do you like your headset? Ever compare it to Bose?

[kmach]

Hi Steve,
I have tried both headsets.

I started with the Zulu bluetooth, everything was real nice, except the blue tooth when I called some one . they could not understand me , it was like I was "under water" . Contacted Zulu they were helpful, but I could not resolve the bluetooth problem, so I reurned the Zulus . It could have been my phone a samsung galaxy II or the two together .

I now have the bose a20 , and everything works well, with the same phone, the bose have slightly larger ear wells .

Both are real nice, with radio calls .

[peanut]

What engine is in yours? Wingovers are fun!

[kmach]

Nice video Ackselle !

[kmach]

What engine is in yours? Wingovers are fun!


It looks like he has a 912 80 hp.

this is by looking at his signature at the bottom of his post.

[ackselle]

Zulu headset..... ASL works well, however, the headset does not cover/seal as well as my David Clarks. I have not tried the Bose, however the ASL circuitry is identical, so it would only be the actual headset fit/seal that would make any difference.

Engine.... 912 80HP.... however, I have a Hoffman constant speed prop, which makes climbing, winovers, etc a real treat as I don't need to do anything to control engine speed.

[peanut]

Well, useful load? Ifr certified, more comfortable ride? Has cabin heat. Remember, I will be taking my wife with me. She is extremely low maintence, but also it needs to be suitable for a long xc. You are talking S7, which is out of my price range. I can afford an S4 perhaps... And still rent the 172 for the 200 mile trips. That's what I am saying.

[ackselle]

Just my $0.02..... I have a KF IV, 80hp, I put cabin heat in for the winter....up here (Manitoba, Canada... just north of Minnesota), I'll often fly down to -20 or -25 (I flew at -30 last year....even with cabin heat it was just too cold). Anyway, my wife and I often enjoy medium long (200-300 mile) trips in our KF IV. Great little plane....VERY low operating costs....comfortable..... flies great!

For our long trips 500+ miles, we have a share in a Cirrus SR22..... gets there a touch faster.... but the Kitfox is WAY more fun. If we're weekend flying (ie. not trying to get to a meeting on time) we prefer the Kitfox.