Kitfox 3 nose-wheel conversion (or learning to fly tailwheel in OR)

[Resilient]

I have 10 hours in gliders but never got my check ride.

There is a nice looking Kitfox 3 in Oregon that is for sale but am having a little difficulty finding a CFI who would be willing to train me in it because they say it is a bit of a hand full on the ground. I never had any issues learning to use the rudder in the 233 (which demanded a fair bit of it).

I know I have seen tricycle gear conversions, is there one for the Kitfox 3? That way I could buy it, still learn in it and eventually switch it back to conventional gear?

Or does anyone know any good CFIs in Oregon who are good and would be willing to train in a conventional Kitfox?

Thanks

[SkySteve]

Throw that little wheel on the front and go. I did it to my "ONE". In fact, make it a convertible. Once again, I did it to my "ONE".

[Resilient]

I would love to find out more about this. Is it a difficult process to do? And what was the approximate cost of doing so?

[SkySteve]

Here are some links. Call John or Deb at Kitfox Aircraft for the nosewheel kit and prices.

http://www.teamkitfox.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=114

http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/f...%20Conversion/

[rogerh12]

Howdy;

I recently installed the Kitfox noise wheel kit on my model 4. It’s the one that skystar sells and it’s kind of pricey, but well worth it. It comes with special pre-fitted reinforcement plate and a couple of extra tubes that get welded into the main fuse. A special prewelded tube assembly gets mounted below the fuse for additional support, you just line it up and bolt it on. The nose gear itself is actually the one used on the new super sport, so it’s very hefty and is also aerodynamic too boot (I think there was a previous nose gear design, which was not so hefty, but am not 100% sure).

I ordered mine powder coated, for a few dollars more, but it looks sweet. Comes with quality rim/wheel and inertube, top quality materials and welding all the way around (no big surprise there). I was really very happy with the way it installed and turned out (it’s free castering), with my only problem getting it installed was that I did have to hire a real welder to weld in the new reinforcing plate and cross tubes, and also burn off some of the existing fuse powered coat, in order to do the welds. The only other problem was that I did have to file the insides of the large bronze bearings to get the wheel fork to turn smoothly and freely (noise wheel caster tension is set by adjusting the hold-on bolt, but it need to be free castering before the adjustment).

Ya, I know a lot of guys out there will tell you: “Hey, if you fly a noise gear kitfox, you are not a REAL kitfox pilot. Well, I am here to tell you : YES, they are right !!!!! But what the heck, it’s probably the toughest LSA noise gear setup out there, and forget about those ground loops worries too !!!.

Hope this helps

Roger

[DesertFox4]

Roger , I feel like a "real" pilot and I fly a nose gear Kitfox. Let's not start that all over again.
Also SkyStar does not exist. Did you buy your nose gear kit from the old SkyStar company or Kitfox Aircraft LLC? Kitfox Aircraft carries the kit for converting the model 4 to nose gear capable. John will correct me if I'm wrong but the model 4 is slightly different than the Super Sport nose gear. May be a little shorter to keep prop. clearance. Again John may see this and let us know.

[rogerh12]

Steve;

I bought the nose gear about 6 or 8 months ago, so it was from the current makers of the kitfox (Kitfox Aircraft LLC). At that time, I believe they told me it was the Super sport nose gear, but we didn't get into the details too much.

When going to a nose gear, you do need to switch to the spring landing gear though, and that is an added cost if you already have bungi gear (I had no gear at all when I bought the kit). Cut rate used grove spring gear does come up occasionaly on the internet though.

Roger

[Russell Vanlandingham]

Sorry I'm so late to this thread. I do know a great CFI in Oregon who is qualified to give tail wheel training in a Kitfox.

EMail me if you want more info.

Russ

rvanland@yahoo.com

[Monocock]

Resilient

Ground handling on a conventional geared aircraft is not more tricky than on a landomatic. It's just different. If the CFI is not current on a short coupled taildragger then find one who is. There are lots out there.

Kitfoxes are not difficult to control. They, like all aircraft, have their own distinctive traits and once you know what these traits are, it's really quite easy.

Personally, I think the money you spend on putting a nosewheel set up on a Mk 3 would be better spent on a few more hours training on type. You will devalue a Mk3 by retro-fitting a nosewheel. That's not me be "nosewheelist", just honest.

Good luck.

[Dorsal]

I think this is just a little bit of a misrepresentation, not saying one is better or worse but to suggest that a tail wheel is not a bit more challenging (and for some therefore more fun) I believe to be incorrect. I would also be curious as to the substance of the claim that a tri-gear is worth less than a tailer.