Happy 25th Anniversary Kitfox!

[jdmcbean]

Kitfox Factory Fly-in – SUCCESS
Celebrating 25 years of Kitfox !!

Thank you to all that helped make the Kitfox Fly-in 2009 a great success !!
Over 35 aircraft and almost 100 people descended on S66

We have the best kit aircraft in our class and it follows with the class of the individuals that choose to make the Kitfox their aircraft of choice. With almost 5000 kits sold worldwide, it is very exciting when one gets the opportunity to view one of the earliest Kitfox’s, N85DD, to the latest kit, the S7 Super Sport and the latest development the Kitfox S-LSA joined by Dan Denney and his “Special Effects” at the same time in one place. Followed by the individuals that offer their time and expertise to aid a fellow Kitfoxer get back in the air quickly when misfortune strikes. We had Kitfox’s fly-in from Southern California, Washington, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and as far as Austin Texas. All are home safe.

Local area flights to the Owyhees were abundant and flights into Smiley Creek and Sulpher Creek are trips not to be missed. The smoked bbq food was great, the live music a pleasure and most important the Kitfox family had a great time…

Great Fun!! Great Food !! Great Flying !!

Debra & I thank you for taking the time to join us in celebrating 25 years of Kitfox !!

[jdmcbean]

More 2009 fly-in pics


Oh.. and Mark plays a mean Guitar !!

[DesertFox4]

One of my highlights of the 25th Anniversary and Kitfox Factory fly-in was getting a chance to fly in Steve Wilson's historic 85DD. Not only did I get a flight in 85DD Steve let me have a turn at the controls. It handled very crisply in roll, pitch and with the larger tail took very little rudder input to coordinate a turn.
I found myself grinning several times at the thought of actually flying the very aircraft that launched hundreds of Kitfox dreams world wide, including mine. I literally wore out two Denney Aerocraft promo VHS tapes in the mid 80's and this little jewel was the star in both of them.
Kitfox 25th Anniversary & Factory Fly-In 003.jpg
Been waiting 24 years to do this.
Kitfox 25th Anniversary & Factory Fly-In 014.jpg
85DD floats over her birthplace.


Kitfox 25th Anniversary & Factory Fly-In 012.jpg
Steve turns 85DD over to me. I promptly turn 85DD up on her wing and get a feel for the handling. She flys GREAT!
Kitfox 25th Anniversary & Factory Fly-In 018.jpg
Steve and me in 85DD on left downwind for RWY. 31, full stop, Homedale.

Kitfox 25th Anniversary & Factory Fly-In 005.jpg
The gracious Steve Wilson with the World famous 85DD.

It was an honor to experience the joy of flying the little Kitfox that germinated the dreams of aircraft ownership for so many of us.
Thanks again Steve and enjoy every flight in 85DD.

[SkyPirate]

Awesome,..just awesome ,.we are all going to have to talk to a physician about that dang grin the kitfox's cause ,..it might be a health issue in the future ya know ,..wonder if any insurance company's offer a "grin coverage" ha ha ha cuz DesertFox is gonna need some from the looks in the photo
you can't wash it off ,..ya can't pry it off,..is there an OTC ointment to help ease the facial tension that the grin causes? ha ha ha

aww heck with it ,..I know he is proud of that grin
I would be too~!!!
great looking kit Steve Wilson and wife

Chase

[SkySteve]

What a great time I had at the 25th Anniversary fly-in. I've never been to a fly in before and I was really excited about attending this one. My hangar mate (John Oakley) had problems with his plane and didn't get to fly to Homedale, but he drove there anyway.

My wife and I made our longest cross country to get there. I've only had my pilot ticket for a short time (123 hrs) so we headed out alone across part of Utah and Idaho. We had a great adventure both getting there are returning home via a different route each way. Landed at Twin Falls on the way home with a 12kt cross wind (that was fun) and saw some beautiful country.

Thank you John and Deb for a great fly-in. You guys are great and were very accomidating. Thanks Steve (DesertFox4) for making me feel so welcome. And thanks for flying 85DD. It was a true pleasure for me to see your enthusiasm for my plane. We met (and re-met) a lot of great people and I was very impressed that everyone was so positive and interested in each others' planes.

Here are a few more photos to enjoy.

KF1.jpg KF2.jpg

[lbushrod]

What a great event!

The Coyote Dawn Patrol came into Homedale with five aircraft. One landed 42 miles short with fuel problems and a blown tire but with the prompt and friendly support from John McBean and the tribe the plane and crew was recovered without incident and flying the next day.

There were so many beautiful planes to look at, good food, music, great conversations, innovative and meticulous construction techniques; it was inspiring.

The Patrol left Sunday morning bound for 7 Bays Washington where we continued our adventure by flying to Cavanaugh Bay and Sullivan Lake. Next we pointed southeast, spent two nights at Minam Lodge just east of La Grande, Oregon; a short grass strip at 4500' in a narrow valley with 7000' ridges. This is a unique destination with no roads. Supplies are either flown in or carried on horseback.

Next over to Johnson Creek, Idaho for two more nights. If you have never been there it is a must see. Gorgeous scenery, beautiful landing field and great accomodations. Idaho is setting the standard for back country flying adventures with a well maintained manicured grass strip, hot showers, firepits and wood stoves with absolutely no cost other than what you choose to donate.

We will be going back in August for their famous Harmonica Festival at Lone Pine. Over 120 aircraft attended this year.

We landed back in Paradise yesterday with over 2200 miles, 28 hours of flying. The rest of the Patrol had an additional thousand miles on their planes.

When I get settled down I will add more photos of our trip to my album on this site. Hope you enjoy looking at them as we did taking them.

Sincere thanks to the McBeans for their wonderful fly-in, their wonderful plane and for sponsoring such a great get together. We enjoyed meeting and talking with all of you.

Continue to fly safe with a grin on your face.

Look what we get to do!

Pete