folding wings every flight

[Jerrytex]

I second "tj's" thoughts. I built a tail stand so I did't have to drain the gas, and I folded the wings every flight. I had a friend that scooted his plane over a little in his hangar and I pushed mine next to it. Worked perfect. Trailering it every flight was and is huge PITA! I'd sell before I did that again.

Also, if you can't find a hangar buddy, you might want to look/ask around at the airport. At my airport, the city has a maintenance hangar. They rent a back corner out to a guy with a trike. A folded Kitfox would take up about the same space. You might be able to find an area that is impractical for a regular plane but a folded Kitfox would squeeze in just fine.

[jiott]

Just curious; Of those who fold the wings for every flight, how many of you take-off/put-on the little front wing root fairings each time? Or do you just leave them off all the time?

[Jch]

FWIW, I have folded and unfolded my wings for the past year to fit it in the hangar with another plane. Is it a minor hassle? Maybe. Does it make me smile to think I am hangaring it for free. You bet!

[t j]

No need to take the front spar wing root fairing off to fold the wings. They stay on.

[awilson]

Im not too worried about this issue in 1.4 miles. BUT I would definitely want to be insured. So great point! I will definitely check this out. I don't want to fall through the cracks of insurance!

A couple additional thoughts on trailering.

I don't know what the average competency is of drivers you share the road with in your location; however, back here....not so good.....

[Dusty]

Having an airplane airborne in less than an hour of deciding to fly(35 min for me) in the early phase of flying can't be underestimated!
Those half hour nonsense flights after work will probably rate as some of the most enjoyable flying to be had.
The spar cuffs on my 3 come off and are not a problem
The 4 is part of the leading edge

[t j]

The fairing can stay on when folding the wings.

[awilson]

The fairing can stay on when folding the wings.

Are the doublers inside the spar made of steel? And how about the points on the fuselage? Because to me if they are aluminum then those holes will get oversized and oval fast and I would worry, worry wart that I am.

[t j]

Attach lugs are same as the rest of the fuselage...4130 Chromoly Steel. The doublers are Zinc coated steel. The spars are 6061-T6 Aluminum. Probably folded these wings hundreds of times. Pins are still snug.

I think the later models have 4 doublers on each spar. Inside and outside the spars both top and bottom.

[jiott]

That is correct, the model 7 has 4 steel doublers on each spar.