JohnB's beautiful Kitfox in EAA Sport Aviation.

[DesertFox4]

John, I just picked up my latest issue of Sport Aviation and saw your write up in "What Our Members Are Building" section. Happy to see a Kitfox in there again.
You did an incredible job building your Kitdox. That award went to a most worthy recipient.:)
Enjoy every flight.

[rv8keith]

Your not kidding! That plane is absolutely beautiful! Great to see something different in the completions.

[efwd]

To see it in person at Osh was unbelievable. Will see it in the publication when I get it.

[JohnB]

Thanks!
Building and flying this plane truly has been a dream come true.

I've been out in the shop doing its annual condition inspection and after 235 hours of fun flying, everything still looks great. Can't wait to get back in the air. Now if our crazy Michigan weather would just cooperate...

[Cherrybark]

Hadn't bothered opening the magazine until I saw this thread. Fall colors, cord wood stacked and a Kitfox to play with.

Congratulations John.

[jiott]

These kind of Kitfox examples that get around and are seen by many and win awards, makes all of us in the Kitfox community very proud.

[OliverR]

John,

Gorgeous plane! :)

Our EAA chapter at the Mettetal airport 1D2 recently hosted a fly in. Were you by any chance there? There was a beautiful Kitfox, which looked very much like the plane in the magazine, if I remember correctly,

I wanted to talk with the pilot, but missed him. :(

[JohnB]

John,

Gorgeous plane! :)

Our EAA chapter at the Mettetal airport 1D2 recently hosted a fly in. Were you by any chance there? There was a beautiful Kitfox, which looked very much like the plane in the magazine, if I remember correctly,

I wanted to talk with the pilot, but missed him. :(

Yes, we did stop in for some delicious Chili.
We were very impressed with your setup and beautiful chapter hanger. We'll have to stop in again some time.

[OliverR]

Yes, we did stop in for some delicious Chili.
We were very impressed with your setup and beautiful chapter hanger. We'll have to stop in again some time.

Thank you for the compliments. Let me know when you are planning to stop in. :)

[StuBob]

Just a lovely airplane. No telling how many builders will choose Kitfox after seeing one like that.

[Clark in AZ]

How about posting a pic or two here? I'd like to see it too...

[efwd]

https://im1.shutterfly.com/ng/services/mediarender/THISLIFE/010001714634/media/71741954222/medium/1471218803/enhance
Try this link to my shutterfly. not sure if it works. we will soon find out. Its the only shot I have that has Johns whole plane in it. I took many close ups of things he did to his. Odd thing is this link works in the preview but Im not sure you will be able to see it as a link like in preview.
Eddie

[JohnB]

How about posting a pic or two here? I'd like to see it too...

Thanks for the interest. Here are a few pics.

[av8rps]

It's even nicer than originally thought. Very nice!

So how does it fly? What size prop are you running? Do you like how it performs?

[JohnB]

It's even nicer than originally thought. Very nice!

So how does it fly? What size prop are you running? Do you like how it performs?

This plane flies great. I must say I've already had more fun flying this plane than any other airplane I've had the opportunity to fly. I've flown a bunch of Young Eagles and the kids all just love the view with the clear doors. I have kids that get to our rallies early so that they can be first to request to fly in my plane.

I'm running the 70" whirlwind and have it set for a climb pitch and the takeoff and climb performance is phenomenal. I have just increased the pitch a little while I had it in for the annual and will see if it will give me a little more speed without sacrificing too much climb.

[Clark in AZ]

VERY NICE! Thanks for posting.

Clark

[Flybyjim]

You should be very proud of the plane, it looks very nice. How do you like the Garmin G3X pros and cons?

[efwd]

John! Don't share the Cons! I don't want to regret buying these $$$$ items.
OK go ahead. I just won't read them. :confused:
Eddie

[JohnB]

You should be very proud of the plane, it looks very nice. How do you like the Garmin G3X pros and cons?

There's not much not to like about the G3X Touch. The thing really is a joy to fly with and Garmin is continually making improvements to the software. One example is that it didn't have a way to display AGL altitude. I (and I'm sure many others) emailed Garmin to ask about adding this. Pretty soon there was an update with AGL display included.

I guess the only criticism that I can think of is that some of the remote mounted components like radio and transponder are rather large and heavy compared to some of the competition.

I really like that Garmin has partnered with Foreflight so that I can transfer Foreflight flight plans wirelessly between my Ipad and PFD and also display ADS-B traffic and weather from the Garmin on the IPAD

[Flybyjim]

Thank you for the update on the G3X. Sounds like Garmin has their act together with this one.

[cirrusjetpilot]

There's not much not to like about the G3X Touch.

John

Your setup is awesome. I use yours as inspiration to mine! Almost the same with very minor changes.

Alex

[jiott]

Just curious about the Garmin G3X; does Garmin give you free software/firmware upgrades as they come out? How about aviation database upgrades-are they free?

[efwd]

Not by a long shot Jim. About two months ago in previous threads I mentioned that I was shocked by the cost of the Garmin updates. I don't remember what the cost was now (probably a protective mechanism) but its hundreds of dollars. Far more than what others said they were paying for Dynon updates. In fact, we will see what Garmin does for us homebuilders who purchase equipment and don't get it powered up in time to take advantage of the first free update within 90 days of purchase. Looks like I may be paying hundreds just to get it current for the first flight. Actually I can't speak to the software upgrades, Im not sure on those.
Eddie

[JohnB]

John

Your setup is awesome. I use yours as inspiration to mine! Almost the same with very minor changes.

Alex

That's awesome alex. I love the carbon fiber look and the graphics.

[JohnB]

Just curious about the Garmin G3X; does Garmin give you free software/firmware upgrades as they come out? How about aviation database upgrades-are they free?

The software/firmware updates are free.
http://www8.garmin.com/support/collection.jsp?product=010-00G3X-00&cID=155&pID=63892

Garmin does have an aviation database bundle price with a good savings over a-la-cart pricing.
https://fly.garmin.com/fly-garmin/support/pricing

US Database Bundle $149.95

Including Garmin Navigation, Obstacles, SafeTaxi, Airport Directory, FliteCharts, IFR/VFR Charts, and Terrain (9AS) databases.Save $770/year

They also have a Mini bundle for basic VFR for $49.95 / year.
Including US VFR Navigation Data, Terrain, Obstacles, and SafeTaxi databases

[efwd]

Thx for laying the price out. I am pleased to find that those amounts are reasonable. I may have been adding up a la cart. I dont find Garmin websites all that clear to read.
Eddie