N157KS is registered as an Experimental Amateur-built.
N157KS is registered as an Experimental Amateur-built.
John Brannen
Morris, IL
Sonerai IIL (Single Seat)
Kitfox 3/4 1050 - Rotax 582 (Back Flying and sold)
Kitfox IV 1050 - Rotax 582 (sold)
Kitfox IV 1200 Speedster - Rotax 912 UL (rebuilt and now flying)
Piper Twin Comanche (Sold)
Glasair 1 FT (Waiting to start)
Well, count me as surprised. I wouldn't have thought that the Kitfox factory could build a plane and register it as an E-AB. How do they convince an inspector that they built the plane for "recreation and education?" Perhaps a single person at the factory built the plane, or at least served as front man for its construction.
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
I would imagine there is no shortage of volunteers at Kitfox who would love to step away from their day job to get valuable (yes educational) experience building the entire plane. Increasing their overall product knowledge is a win for the factory too. I also imagine you're correct, that an individual or small group of individuals is credited with the build.
Tech support must be fabulous. Turn your head and say "hey, can you take a look at this?".
Kitfox 5 (under construction)
Commercial SE/ME, CFII
This was a very common practice in the olden days , When the company was Skystar aircraft, they would usually have at least 2 demo airplanes on hand that would be used by the sales dept, then usually get sold after a year or 2. Heck I almost bought one when I took a trip to the factory to do a demo ride and factory tour in 1999.(they were asking $58,000 for the IO-240 powered Series 5 Outback) Thought about it and knew I had to build my own and make it exactly how I wanted an airplane , so same day we negotiated on kit like I was buying a car and they actually accepted the offer I made below the Kit price. Things have changed a bit since then (didn't have to wait 18 mos to get a kit) especially with the Kitfox name recognition in todays market place. Still the happy owner of N199CL-I'll fly her till I tip over. Bruce N199CL
Aerobatic video included in advertisement. Being sold by sales agency. As the conversation with him went on, I tried to clarify. I quoted the FAA definition: As defined in FAR 1.1, a light-sport aircraft is an aircraft other than a helicopter or powered-lift that since its original certification has continued to meet the following:- A maximum takeoff weight of not more than 660 pounds (300 kilograms) for lighter-than-air aircraft; 1,320 pounds (600 kilograms) for aircraft not intended for operation on water; or 1,430 pounds (650 kilograms) for aircraft intended for operation on water.
I stated if it had ever been certified over 1320 lb it could not be changed to LSA compliance. He said "not true, you just have to know aplicable regulations." Missed a call from him, tried to call back, no answer. He eventually said he already had 3 offers by people who had "already figured it out", and refused to tell me any more about how he proposed to do it. Still listed, though.
Bugging me, because if he or someone has found a legal loopwhole, would love to know how. Most likely a sales deception.
Last edited by MKirkm; 11-02-2021 at 03:48 PM.
Found this
This registration information is from you are showing is from Flight Aware. If you go to the FAA website and the "Look-up N-Number" page, it lists the kit manufacturer as Kitfox Aircraft LLC and the Aircraft type as "Fixed Wing Single-engine". This indicates that this aircraft is LSA and not EAB. Without access to the aircraft records and being able to read what the seller is claiming, all any of us can do is speculate about the aircraft. Whom ever is interested in buying this aircraft, I would recommend a thorough inspection and records evaluation before making any offer.
Here is the info I found on it. It says experimental amateur built for airworthiness classification. JImChuk
Serial Number KA16078327 Aircraft Type Fixed wing single engine Mode S Code 50162442 Year Mfr 2017 Aircraft Category Land Builder Certification Not Type Certificated Number Engines 1 Number Seats 2 Aircraft Weight CLASS 1 Aircraft Cruising Speed 0 Airworthiness Classification Experimental Approved Operation Codes Amateur Built Engine Manufacturer ROTAX Engine Model Name 912 IS Engine Type 4 Cycle Engine Horsepower/Thrust 0 Fuel Consumed
The KIT manufacturer may be Kitfox Aircraft LLC, but the AIRPLANE manufacturer is listed as Foxair LLC, and it clearly lists it as Experimental Amateur-built.
reg_Page_1.jpg
John Brannen
Morris, IL
Sonerai IIL (Single Seat)
Kitfox 3/4 1050 - Rotax 582 (Back Flying and sold)
Kitfox IV 1050 - Rotax 582 (sold)
Kitfox IV 1200 Speedster - Rotax 912 UL (rebuilt and now flying)
Piper Twin Comanche (Sold)
Glasair 1 FT (Waiting to start)
Moved this thread to the discussion section where it belongs.
Dave
KitFox 6 Taildragger
912 ULS
Whirlwind 70” Prop
Garmin G3x
All around nice guy