Looking to buy Kitfox. What questions to ask?

[gregsgt]

Hi guys.

I'm ready to bite the bullet and start actively looking to purchase a plane. My budget is around $25k which seems to be a pretty good match for a Model IV 1200 with a 912. I'd love to get a model 5 or higher but I think they would be out of my budget and I'd like to keep the cost low because I plan on self insuring before I get some time accumulated.

So when looking at a plane what questions are key questions to ask the seller? What should I look out for?

I am a very mechanically oriented person and would have no problem looking at cars or boats but these are completely new to me. I'm going to use it to learn on with the end goal of eventually putting it on floats. I've got time accumulated in a 172 but have decided that the ELSA route is most attractive to me right now. I have flown a couple model IV KF and really think they are a good match for me.

[Av8r_Sed]

If you want to hit that price point you'll have to be prepared to move quickly and you'll likely be looking at either a high time engine or a hangar queen. The best way to check one out is to see if there's an experienced Kitfoxer to accompany you when you go to look. I know I would volunteer to do that if someone was looking in my backyard.

This is only a partial list, but I'd want to go through the documentation. Examine the airworthiness certificate, operating limitations, registration and weight and balance info. See that it's had regular maintenance with good detail in the logs. It's better if there's an annual condition inspection checklist to go along with the FAA mandated logbook entry. Lookup the FAA registration information if it's a US based plane and make sure it's current and makes sense for who's selling: http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/nnum_inquiry.aspx

Basics to know for a Model IV are serial number and completion date, speed wing vs. long wing, Grove spring gear vs bungee. If you have the Engine serial number you can find the age and whether there are any service bulletins that should have been taken care of. Prop model and condition to be considered.

If you're going to put it on floats, empty weight is everything. Take a good look at that weight and balance.

Panel equipment, condition and electrical system wiring can be telling on how well constructed it is.

Have the seller remove the nose and upper cowlings so you can get a good look at the engine installation and firewall forward. It would also be beneficial if they would pull the seat so you can thoroughly examine the flaperon mixer and all control linkages. Also the condition of the fuselage tubing.

Examine the seat truss and longerons above the gear attachment points for bent tubes.

Enough for one post. Others will undoubtedly chime in.

[avidflyer]

I just saw a Kitfox 4 on Barnstormers today. It has a 912 and is a tricycle gear. They can be converted to taildragger fairly easy though. His asking price is $25,500. Not at all high for a 912 powered Kitfox 4. Oh, by the way, it's close to you also. Jim Chuk


KITFOX IV - 1200 TRI-GEAR (http://www.barnstormers.com/classified_905368_KITFOX+IV+-+1200+TRI-GEAR+++++.html)• $25,500 • PRICED TO SELL • Rotax 912 UL 80 HP. 105 Hours TT. IVO Ground Adjust Prop. BRS Ballistic Chute. Garmin GPS Pilot lll. ICOM IC-A5 Radio. David Clark Voice Activated ISO-COM. Electric Fuel Boost Pump. Electric Trim. Dual Brakes. Some Damage Repaired when added Kitfox Nose Wheel Kit and Grove Spring Gear Mains. Added 5 inches Shoulder Width utilizing Merle Williams Wide Body Mod. Light-Sport Category. Vx-55. Vy-65. Vo-35. Vs Flaps-28 mph. Based at Windsock Villiage NH69. • Contact Barry E. Huston (http://www.barnstormers.com/contact_seller.php?to=140840&id=905368&title=KITFOX+IV+-+1200+TRI-GEAR+++++&return=%2Flisting.php%3Fmode%3D%26page%3D4), Owner - located Center Ossipee, NH USA • Telephone: 603-630-0101 . 603-539-5569 • Posted September 12, 2015 • Show all Ads posted by this Advertiser (http://www.barnstormers.com/listing.php?mode=usersearch&user=140840) • Recommend This Ad to a Friend (http://www.barnstormers.com/recommend.php?id=905368&title=KITFOX+IV+-+1200+TRI-GEAR+++++) • Email Advertiser (http://www.barnstormers.com/contact_seller.php?to=140840&id=905368&title=KITFOX+IV+-+1200+TRI-GEAR+++++&return=%2Flisting.php%3Fmode%3D%26page%3D4) • Save to Watchlist (http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_manager/watchlist.php?ADD=905368) • Report This Ad (http://www.barnstormers.com/report_ad.php?id=905368&title=KITFOX+IV+-+1200+TRI-GEAR+++++) • View Larger Pictures (http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=905368&go_to_images=1)
http://www.barnstormers.com/images/1x1.gif

http://barnstormers.com/tmp_images/06/10/scaled_0610_106x80_905368-P1000155_edited-1_5390949fb88e5.jpg (http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=905368&go_to_images=1) http://barnstormers.com/tmp_images/15/d5/scaled_15d5_106x80_905368-P1000152_5390951162c7e.jpg (http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=905368&go_to_images=1) http://barnstormers.com/tmp_images/6e/f7/scaled_6ef7_103x80_905368-P1000763A_5390957071674.jpg (http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=905368&go_to_images=1) http://barnstormers.com/tmp_images/14/7f/scaled_147f_106x80_905368-P1000760_5390960081b5d.jpg (http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=905368&go_to_images=1) http://barnstormers.com/tmp_images/c0/9c/scaled_c09c_120x79_905368-DSC_0172_5390962c2a7b9.jpg (http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=905368&go_to_images=1)

[Av8r3400]

You mentioned E-LSA. This is a bit vague. Are you looking for an experimental amature built that complies with the LSA rules, or are you looking for an E-LSA registered plane?

These are two different things.

EAB, LSA compliant is how 99.9% of the Kitfox IVs on the market are registered. This means you (as the non builder owner) can do all maintenance or modifications, but would need to hire an A&P to do the annual condition inspection.

The E-LSA plane would be one registered during the onset of the LSA rules, during the loophole window before 1-31-2008, which allows you (the non builder owner) to take the 16 hour repairmans class and get the repairmans license for that plane, which grants you authority to do all repair and inspections.

[Paul Z]

It does have a current registration, the registration says it is co owned. Verify sale with both owners

[Av8r_Sed]

I wonder why the FAA record has no airworthiness information filled in. I hope it does have the magic pink slip.

[Paul Z]

I would call and talk with the FAA about that.

[tommg13780]

Lacking date and category information in those fields means it has not been through an A/W inspection. Those facts plus the float accident which left it on the bottom of a lake may explain why the price has dropped from $35K originally to $25 now, and it still doesn't sell.

[tx_swordguy]

how do you know about the lake incident? have you talked to the seller? I only saw the damage from changing to tri gear. I would think if it sank it would need to be COMPLETELY refurbished. I am asking because I will be in the OPs situation at somepoint and would like to know these things as well.

[TahoeTim]

if the damage is true, then someone should let Barnstormers know about this "oversight" in the ad that could get someone hurt.

I don't get it - the aborted take off and crash into a swamp is in the public domain. Does the seller not know that? An extreme case of buyer beware :(

[Av8r3400]

A quick search of N20577 did confirm that the aircraft was in a seaplane incident on 08-08-2005. It also had an engine failure resulting in an emergency landing in a swamp on 9-16-2007.

http://aviationdb.net/aviationdb/AircraftDetailPage

[Paul Z]

I like the site that gives the history everyone should know about that site before buying an aircraft.

[KFfan]

I like the site that gives the history everyone should know about that site before buying an aircraft.
I found it before purchasing my Kitfox. I was searching for every source of information I could find and encountered the page. I even did searches by varying criteria to find the number of crash/incident reports. One must also realize that the database may not be all inclusive. How many incidents occur where there is no report to the FAA. Just sayin'

[gregsgt]

I really appreciate all the help and advice for a newbie.

I was thinking about looking at that tri-gear in NH so the information here is very valuable. This forum is a great resource.

And yes I would want something that is EAB-LSA compliant.

[Monocock]

There are a lot of tatty airframes for sale with 912 engines up front that go for big money because of the engine.

There are also a lot of very tidy airframes with 582's that go for a song because of the engine.

Personally, I'd go for the better airframe and then do what I want to the front end over time.

A less desirable engine can be resolved at a known cost. A rotten airframe is a money pit.

Just saying.

[vetdrem]

I have been talking to my wife the last few days about selling my Kitfox, but haven't gotten serious enough to post it, yet.

I have a Model III with a 912UL (80 hp) about 250 hours TT. panel mount com radio, transponder w/ encoder, panel mount intercom, 20-12-8 kingfox tires. I had it on floats for a very short time, and it worked great but my "mission" changed, so I removed and sold them. I "hanger" it in a fully enclosed trailer. The small airport I have it at charges me a tie-down fee (very inexpensive) to park the trailer in a tie-down spot, and it stays extremely well protected. The trailer can go with the plane if someone wants it, or I'll keep it.

Like I said, I am not in a hurry, if I sell it that will be good, but if I keep it, that will be good, also.

The n number is 191gw if you would like to look it up. It is listed as having a co-owner. the co-owner is my wife, since I need her permission to sell it anyway, that isn't a problem.

Call me if you have any interest or would like to see some pics (989)3874662.

Thanks

Louie