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Thread: Kitfox 4 first flights today

  1. #1
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    Default Kitfox 4 first flights today

    Well after bringing it home in a 1500 mile trip, 6 years of on and off rebuilding, Kitfox 4 N# 423GB left the ground this evening for the first time since 2006. When I got it, it had a Subaru EA81, and weighed 826 lbs. Now it has a 80 HP Rotax 912, and weighs 645. I just did a couple short trips around the pattern, but she sure flew nice, and climbed like a home sick angel. Here are some quick numbers. I'm at 1500 MSL, and wasn't pushing anything to get the most out of it. I was off the ground in about 300', climbed at 1000' per minute, cruised at about 5000 rpm doing 90-95 MPH. And that is without streamlining on the lift struts yet. I'm sure the numbers will be better then. I have some videos of the flights, but it will take some time to edit them into something I can put up on utube. I snapped a couple of pics of my computer screen with the videos on so I could at least post some pictures. One thing else I learned from the videos, is it took 38 seconds to get from pushing in the throttle to 500' AGL. Best I think I've ever measured with my Jabiru powered Avid was 42 or 43 seconds. I did it once in my Avid B model with 582 in 32 seconds, but that plane only weighed 445 lbs. Anyway, I'm one happy guy this evening. I'll have to start working on editing the videos soon. I see I didn't get the date stamp set right on two out of three of the go pros. JImChuk
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  2. #2
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kitfox 4 first flights today

    Congrats Jim. Those are pretty darn good numbers and no strut fairings yet. Quite a weight reduction. Should be some fun flying and at very low fuel consumption. Nice job resurrecting that model 4. Love the model 4s.❤️👍


    DesertFox4
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  3. #3
    Senior Member jrevens's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kitfox 4 first flights today

    That's great... good goin' Jim!
    John Evens
    Arvada, CO
    Kitfox SS7 N27JE
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    Senior Member Eric Page's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kitfox 4 first flights today

    Well done, Jim -- congratulations! It sounds like you've got a nice little plane there.
    Eric Page
    Building: Kitfox 5 Safari | Rotax 912iS | Dynon HDX
    Member: EAA Lifetime, AOPA, ALPA
    ATP: AMEL | Comm: ASEL, Glider | ATCS: CTO
    Map of Landings

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Kitfox 4 first flights today

    Thanks guys, It sure seems nice so far!! Thanks, again, JImChuk

  6. #6
    Senior Member Dave S's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kitfox 4 first flights today

    Congratulations Jim. All your planning and good work paid off. The first Kitfox ride I ever got was in a 912 powered IV and pretty much sold me on the craft.

    Enjoy
    Dave S
    Kitfox 7 Trigear (Flying since 2009)
    912ULS Warp Drive

    St Paul, MN

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Kitfox 4 first flights today

    You're gonna love it. You'll pick up an easy 10 or 12 mph, I'll bet, when you get those strut fairings on. Maybe more. I also have the model 4/1200/912ul/Kiev prop, all Speedster mods except it's a long wing. It's the perfect airplane for me. I hope you'll feel the same way about yours.

  8. #8
    Senior Member efwd's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kitfox 4 first flights today

    Congratulations Jim. Looking forward to video.
    Eddie Forward
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  9. #9
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    Default Re: Kitfox 4 first flights today

    Nicely done Jim!!

    Rick

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    Senior Member bbs428's Avatar
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    Default Re: Kitfox 4 first flights today

    Congratulations Jim! Great numbers!
    Somebody said that carrier pilots were the best in the world, and they must be or there wouldn't be any of them left alive. — Ernie Pyle

    Brett Butler
    Flying: 1998 Model 5 Outback, 912ul Zipper 110hp, G3x avionics, ss7 upgrades

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