Kitfox, Rans, Zenith, or Bearhawk

[alexM]

Those are all different airplanes. You should define your mission first. That would eliminate probably 2 of the 4 you listed.

All of those planes are basically two butts and bags with good short field performance. Only one doesn't have the third wheel on the correct end.

[Tentoes]

All of those planes are basically two butts and bags with good short field performance. Only one doesn't have the third wheel on the correct end.

So I noticed in your sig that you have a citabria. Just curious how similar these airplanes would be to something like a citabria.

[alexM]

So I noticed in your sig that you have a citabria. Just curious how similar these airplanes would be to something like a citabria.

In the context of my statement (two butts, bags and good short field performance), very similar. I love my Citabria, except for not being able to swing my own wrenches on it and the other restrictions that come with certified aircraft.

I like the tandem configuration just fine. Being a CFI I started putting my passengers up front if they had the aptitude to push the starter button and dial the COM radio (oh, and push "ident" when prompted). If I do my part correctly, my Kitfox will have a higher useful load than my Citabria and have a shorter ground roll for landing and takeoff.

For that reason I'll be selling the Citabria as my build progresses because they serve the same purpose, and I only have one hangar.

[WWhunter]

I have owned/own both RANS and Kitfox. Similar in performance with the KF slightly faster but the RANS has the slight edge on STOL (I said Slight). The one I still have fits my mission better and that's what it basically comes down to.

A tandem vs. side by side seating might be all that seperates your final decision. Tandem has more personal space for each passenger but then if the spouse likes to ride, they generally like sitting next to their significant other.

[littlecricket]

The Rans S21 is intriguing... I’d like to fly one to compare...

[WWhunter]

You're not too far from Hayes, Kansas....take a ride over there and go for a flight. I test fly the S-21 with the 912. Nice plane and flies very similar to my RANS S7. I would have loved to fly it with the 340 Titan!!! In the end, most of these planes are very similar. The S-21 is metal if that is a consideration. No worries about leaving it outside in the weather for extended periods of time.

[N14ND]

My signature says it all. I started 25 years ago and although the company changed hands there’s forum support, builder suppory and experience from those that have been there, done that, broke this and fixed that. Everything is a compromise. My advise is to jump in, the waters fine.