Project finished

[silvaleonardo]

Hello everyone....just want to communicate that this project is finished, tomorrow we will run it on the runway and see how it'll behave off the ground. Empty weight was 696 pounds. It was 4 long years since I got the kit, so I'm happy that is done. Living in Mexico is not easy for aviation like this, specially when it gets to the point of processing the tail number, started June last year and by now, nothing. Going nuts on this matter.
Here are some pics.
Leonardo

[DesertFox4]

Congatulations Leonardo. It looks very nice and the empty weight is incredible.
Good luck with your test flights.

[N213RV]

Looks awesome!! Congratulations!

[efwd]

Very nice Leonardo! Congratulations. Hope your number arrives soon.
Eddie

[Esser]

Amazing empty weight. Only the second one I know of to go below 700#. And the other one had carbon fibre everything I think and a clipped wing.

[av8rps]

Congrats Leonardo! That is one sharp looking, and lightweight Kitfox. Wishing you better luck on getting that paperwork and tail number. We look forward to hearing how how such a nice lightweight Kitfox 7 flies.

Paul

[jiott]

That 696 weight is so light it is nearly unbelievable to me; it is about 100 lbs lighter than any SS7 I have heard of. I see from the photo you did not install the lift strut fairings (about 12 lbs). Please tell us what else you eliminated to achieve such a light weight?

[ken nougaret]

I see that weight is with wheel pants and a nose gear!

[Floog]

Beautiful plane, Leo! Congrats! It appears you may have saved some weight sans Laker Leading Edge kit, too.

[Brodstol]

It looks great and congrats. Have a happy first flight!

[GWright6970]

Beautiful aircraft! Enjoy your test flights... Let us know how it goes!

[silvaleonardo]

Thanks for all the replies, didn't expect that many, it grabbed my attention the empty weight issue. Weighted with no gas on the wing tanks, just the gallon behind the seat, don't know if that matters. The equipment used is from a Cessna shop right next where I built my airplane so they use it often to do weight and balance. So I told the guy that does this my concern about the airplane been light and he says the scales are fine, but anyway I'm going to check them with my weight just to get that bug out of my head.
We ran it on the runway several times with the nose up (big runway) and lifted off the ground like 30 inches, looks like is going to fly fine, need adjustment on the throttle, it dies at low idle.
Thanks again.
Leonardo

[jrthomas]

I don't know if it's an issue but here's what I experienced. I built my Model 4 light (I thought), all speedster except for the long wing. It's a tail dragger with Grove gear, 912ul and basic panel with a lightweight Becker comm and no transponder. I first weighed it with 3 sets of bathroom scales. then my A&P buddy offered to weigh it with his aircraft scales. They're "high end" aviation, certified, digital scales that calculate CG. Anyway, I'm sure they're more accurate than my "cheapo" bathroom scales. Guess what! It gained 40 or 50 pounds. My Model 4 is heavier than your 7. So you see why I have some doubts about your empty weight. Could be and I hope it's right. Either way, good luck with yours. James Thomas

[silvaleonardo]

Hello everyone, it's been long time since I don't enter the forum. Wish I can find the time to read some of new builders doubts and give an opinion. Got pictures of the building process from rib lacing to end, if anybody want to know how I did it, feel free to ask.
Finally got tail number, can you believe? It took 1 year 1 month to get it, now hopefully next week will file for an inspection request for a type certificate and that's going to be another long story.

[jmodguy]

Good luck Leonarda! Nice looking Kitfox!!

[efwd]

Wow! that is a nice KF. Thought I had problems. 13 months? Good luck on the next document Leonardo.