2 completely different construction formats,..the zenith also used the skin for the aileron hinge,..their fix was to make the top and bottom of the spar stronger,..and beefed up the carry thru's
Weather/Thermals/Wind
Mechanical
2 completely different construction formats,..the zenith also used the skin for the aileron hinge,..their fix was to make the top and bottom of the spar stronger,..and beefed up the carry thru's
Chase
Model 5 OutBack
912 UL
Im curious if the wing was twisting or just rapidly flexing up and down
Chase
Model 5 OutBack
912 UL
In 30 years of history, with thousands of aircraft flying, there has never been an in flight breakup of an Avid or Kitfox.
There are some pretty shoddy built airplanes out there. (Honest truth) Not one has failed. That says a lot about the design. Even built poorly they are still a safe aircraft.
This is one of the many reasons I chose to join the family.
amen......
Chase
Model 5 OutBack
912 UL
I too think that if there was a flaw in the kitfox design that allowed a flutter to occur, it would have been found out years ago. So, if it did flutter, something must be "wrong" or loose, or worn out. But one thing I do find interesting, sadly, is that when the first Zenith XL guy reported that he was "scared to death" seeing his wings flutter, the response from most of the others on the forum was: No it didn't, you don't know what flutter is, your a bad pilot, your an idiot,,,, it just got worse from there. Then another guy reported the same problem, and got the same response, and again, and then the wings started breaking off.....
We, as a group, need to take any report of a possible flutter seriously, and not point a finger back at the pilot, or poohoo his reports. I don't want to see this happen again. Not on the Kitfox too.
Roger
Hi Folks,
I haven't owned the 'Fox very long, previous owner said he'd never seen any flutter, I've only flown it so far on "perfect" days - as flexy as the outer wing panels are, maybe it was my first encounter with its normal response to bumps?
Cheers,
Larry
Hi
I have a KF-II and I had the same experience. It only happens in rough air. It is caused by free play in the aileron control system. In my case it was caused by exra play in the plasic bearing between the turtledeck and the body at the wing root. Eliminating the free play in the control system stoped the vibrations I experienced.
I have a Kitfox 3 and have about 660 hours flying it. I have never experienced any wing flutter. I cruise about 90 mph.
Pete
Leander, TX
Model III SN 1000
912
Grove