Kitfox Aircraft Stick and Rudder Stein Air Grove Aircraft TCW Technologies Dynon Avionics AeroLED MGL Avionics Leading Edge Airfoils Desser EarthX Batteries Garmin G3X Touch
Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Foam Block at Top of Tail Question

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Location
    Flagstaff, AZ
    Posts
    18

    Default Foam Block at Top of Tail Question

    Hi all,
    I'm having to redo the top of the Tail and Rudder then re-cover those two areas. I'm doing this because it was done improperly before and I'll be repainting the plane and want it to look right. (Picture below)

    Looking at the build manual, it seems to me that nothing needs to be done to the foam after its secured and shaped, except to cover it with the fabric etc.

    So my question is; is there any treatment that is needed to be done to the foam before covering it with fabric? i.e. painting, sealing, superfil ect?

    Any insights would be appreciated. - Mark

    tailpic.png

  2. #2
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    3,562

    Default Re: Foam Block at Top of Tail Question

    Mark, some folks use balsa wood on their Kitfox in those areas and horizontal stabilizer and elevator ends. Easy to shape. Foam is kind of soft and susceptible to damage. Some do coat the foam with SuperFil and sand to shape for same reason.
    For the flapperon ends I went with the pre-shaped plastic insert ends.


    DesertFox4
    Admin.
    7 Super Sport
    912 ULS Tri-gear


  3. #3
    Senior Member Delta Whisky's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Amissville, VA
    Posts
    637

    Default Re: Foam Block at Top of Tail Question

    Ditto what DF4 said. Balsa (to me anyway) is easier to shape because it is a tad tougher/harder. Form is way too easy to make a last - ah shucks, too much off - cut and it withstands the heat of the iron better.

  4. #4
    Senior Member jiott's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    2,959

    Default Re: Foam Block at Top of Tail Question

    I also used balsa, but if you choose to use the foam, I have heard that others gave it a good final coating of Hysol epoxy well pressed into the foam pores and got good results. I would certainly not leave the soft foam bare.
    Jim Ott
    Portland, OR
    Kitfox SS7 flying
    Rotax 912ULS

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Location
    Flagstaff, AZ
    Posts
    18

    Default Re: Foam Block at Top of Tail Question

    Thank you all for the info. I suspected as much.
    I'm assuming a layer of fiberglass would achieve the same result? That was my plan. - Mark
    Last edited by markyharris; 09-20-2020 at 07:44 PM.

  6. #6
    mattkalin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    Saint Joseph, MI
    Posts
    32

    Default Re: Foam Block at Top of Tail Question

    Quote Originally Posted by DesertFox4 View Post
    Mark, some folks use balsa wood on their Kitfox in those areas and horizontal stabilizer and elevator ends. Easy to shape. Foam is kind of soft and susceptible to damage. Some do coat the foam with SuperFil and sand to shape for same reason.
    For the flapperon ends I went with the pre-shaped plastic insert ends.
    Where did you obtain the preshaped Plastic Flapperon ends?
    Instagram- N985MK

    Kitfox S7 STI - Building...Hope to be flying Fall 2023!

  7. #7
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    3,562

    Default Re: Foam Block at Top of Tail Question

    Pretty sure from Kitfox Aircraft.


    DesertFox4
    Admin.
    7 Super Sport
    912 ULS Tri-gear


  8. #8
    Senior Member efwd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Yorba Linda, CA
    Posts
    2,817

    Default Re: Foam Block at Top of Tail Question

    I made my flapperon ends with Balsa. I was so proud of the outcome but I would just buy the tips from Kitfox. They are in the catalog on their website. My tips are starting to show hangar rash that Im certain the plastic ones won't show unless of course you break them.
    Eddie Forward
    Flying
    SS7, 912iS, Garmin G3X

  9. #9
    Senior Member PapuaPilot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Nampa, Idaho
    Posts
    1,225

    Default Re: Foam Block at Top of Tail Question

    Quote Originally Posted by mattkalin View Post
    Where did you obtain the preshaped Plastic Flapperon ends?
    Yes, from the Kitfox factory.
    Phil Nelson
    A&P-IA, Maintenance Instructor
    KF 5 Outback, Cont. IO-240
    Flying since 2016

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Location
    Park City, UT
    Posts
    24

    Default Re: Foam Block at Top of Tail Question

    I used the foam with a coat of Hysol then finished off with Super Fill. The Foam cuts and sands like butter but the Hysol makes it very strong and very easy to get the super fill smooth.
    Quote Originally Posted by markyharris View Post
    Hi all,
    I'm having to redo the top of the Tail and Rudder then re-cover those two areas. I'm doing this because it was done improperly before and I'll be repainting the plane and want it to look right. (Picture below)

    Looking at the build manual, it seems to me that nothing needs to be done to the foam after its secured and shaped, except to cover it with the fabric etc.

    So my question is; is there any treatment that is needed to be done to the foam before covering it with fabric? i.e. painting, sealing, superfil ect?

    Any insights would be appreciated. - Mark

    tailpic.png

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •