Kitfox iii on floats - empty weight

[mdock]

I just finished putting my kitfox iii on aerocet 1100 floats and was surprised by the 750 lb empty weight. I'd like to hear from other kfiii floatplanes on their empty weights.
Thanks,
Matt

[Av8r_Sed]

Matt, are those the amphibs? I guess that's about what I would expect. Be nice if you had the 1200 gross of some of the model IV's.

[mdock]

Yep, those are the Amphibs; I expected less.

[SkyPirate]

if my memory is correct,..you can add 100 lbs to gross weight if floats are mounted regardless of their actual weight..I think that's for both ultralight and lsa

[SkyPirate]

with the floats I've flown I gained 5 mph cruise,.. and stability,..these were the flat bottom composite floats,(can't think of the brand right now)..I took tractor trailer seat airbags and 12 volt seat pump and made a set of retracts for the mains and built a fold forward and up front wheel centered between floats that was cable operated with a second cable operated dead lock on the down position ,..it worked pretty good,..and the air bags could lift 5 guys on each side standing on the floats with me in the pilot seat :)

[vetdrem]

I had my model III on aerocet 1100 amphibs for awhile. The empty weight was 764 lbs.

[Dave F]

I just finished putting my kitfox iii on aerocet 1100 floats and was surprised by the 750 lb empty weight. I'd like to hear from other kfiii floatplanes on their empty weights.
Thanks,
Matt


What did you start at ?
I think the 1100 amphibs are about 220 lbs plus you lose about 20 lbs when you remove the tube gear and wheel assembly.

[vetdrem]

594 on wheels

[Dave F]

594 on wheels


WOW that is one HEAVY KF 3

should 500 at the most no wonder is so heavy on floats

Is is a 582 ? I hope so or 912 --
Aerocets are underfloated especially at the front of floats.

[mdock]

My kitfox 3 was at 582. I weighed the gear at 60 lb, so 522 + 225 is around 750. I guess i expected it to be less, considering i took out the mechanical actuator. I switched to electric, but didn't have a chance to weigh just the floats. I flew it today and hope to put it on the water next weekend.

[WWhunter]

Had a buddy that had the same exact setup as you have. The 582 of his might have been in need of a tune-up or something but he could not get it off the water. Actually if I remember correctly he had a hard time even getting it on the step. He promptly removed the floats and sold them on Barnstormers.
I think a guy from SC bought them and then he also had them back up for sale shortly after. I haven't flown with the 582 on amphibs but as has been suggested, they may be a little heavy and one would be better with a little more HP.

[mdock]

Very interesting... I bought my floats in SC!!! It will be interesting to see how they do in the water. If you buddy has no objections, have him contact me, I'd like to know if they are the same floats.
Thank you,
Matt

[WWhunter]

Hmmm, I think the one's my friend had were red in color. I had looked at them for one of my planes and even though they were nice looking floats, I figured I would be a little under floated. I needed a set for a RANS S7. I have heard a lot of good things on the small Aerocets, with the only downside of them being they are heavy, particularly when a guy is using a lower horse powered plane. All you can do is try them and see if they work for you. Every plane is a little different and maybe he had the wrong pitch prop on. I just remember he tried his darndest to get it off the water to no avail.
Found a set of Full Lotus amphibs so am going to put them on. Ugliest danged float out there but everyone I know that has used them likes their versatility. I do know of another set for sale but they are without rigging. They were on an ultralight and have the 3-wheel gear.
Sadly, you won't be able to speak to my friend. He was killed last fall in a trike accident. Our local EAA Chapter was having a get together and he was giving rides when it happened. Very sad day....he was one of those guys that when you first meet him it was like you knew him your entire life.:(

[mdock]

I'm very sorry to hear about your friend.

The floats I have are white, hopefully I can give a report next week.
Matt

[Dave F]

GO watch this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oydv9uBxt4

582 kitfox on aerocet
582 Beaver on full lotus

[WWhunter]

That was AWESOME!!! Great performance!!

I am guessing my friend had something not quite right. Because the one in that video sure has no problem getting off the water. Are you floats amphibs? His were.

[Dave F]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDECbJEq4-g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1eiQC6X1BI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK62uRiw2Ec

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9y9ct0MndA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd_v9cMJ-Fg

[mdock]

Dave,
Great video, very inspiring. I noticed that you have two mirrors mounted, one on each float, inboard. Are you able to see the gear using those mirrors? I have really worried about verifying that the gear are up/down. It would be great if those mirrors would allow verification of gear up/down. Let me know if the mirrors work effectively,
Thanks,
Matt

[Dave F]

Mirrors work excellent. Also every few years I will spray the inside of all 4 gear bright orange and it does help in low light conditions.
This is why I like the cable style gear actuation on the Aerocets.
You can feel if something is wrong and it you set up the over centre properly then it is trouble free.

Unless you beat them up on grass strips. The aerocets amphibs are ok but fragile. I have does many "stiffner mods" to make them hold up.

Hope this helps and enjoys the videos -- I got hundred more that I never published yet :)