Kitfox Aircraft Stick and Rudder Stein Air Grove Aircraft TCW Technologies Dynon Avionics AeroLED MGL Avionics Leading Edge Airfoils Desser EarthX Batteries Garmin G3X Touch
Results 1 to 10 of 18

Thread: Nose Gear to Tail Wheel Conversion... Completed!

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    PNWJARED's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Enumclaw, WA
    Posts
    51

    Default Nose Gear to Tail Wheel Conversion... Completed!

    Hey Guys thought I would attempt posting a few pictures of the conversion.
    I have a KF7 which was a nose wheeled airplane when I bought it which worked out since I myself was not yet a tail wheel pilot. I purchased the plane flew it a season then decided to obtain my tailwheel endorsement then convert the plane. All has gone well so far. I achieved my endorsement through Stick and Rudder. Then converted the plane. Completed my paperwork. Now waiting for some good weather.

    I didn't find to much info on the topic though having the factory weldments makes all the difference.

    I have Grove Gear, I purchased new grove wheels, dual piston brakes, 26" ABW, T3 Tail Wheel and the The Alaska Bush tail wheel 3200.

    You need a few additional parts from Kitfox namely chains, springs, clevis, and assorted bolting hardware, I also purchased the upgraded gear attach brackets my old ones were steel bars with half round delrin or abs plastic or whatever they were made of. I used the newer two piece aluminum mounts from KF.

    I repainted my main gear, mounted the gear (the hardest part of the project is supporting the plane during the conversion or most nerve racking). I built a sturdy brace jacked the plane up and set it down on the brace. My points of contacts for the brace where the main wing attach bolts at the fuselage connection. I left the nose gear and mounted the tail wheel. I removed the nose gear after the main gear was complete. Greased the bearings, mounted the tires, refit the brakes, set the chains with a few extra links, requested an inspection and logbook entry completed a new weight and balance. That is a brief synopsis of the process.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Kitfox 7-Flying
    ABW 26", T3, ABW 3200 Tailwheel
    Rotax 912ULS, Warp Drive Taper

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Western Australian
    Posts
    218

    Default Re: Nose Gear to Tail Wheel Conversion... Completed!

    NOW it looks like a proper aeroplane

    Very nice indeed.

  3. #3
    Senior Member PapuaPilot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Nampa, Idaho
    Posts
    1,225

    Default Re: Nose Gear to Tail Wheel Conversion... Completed!

    Hope you can go have some fun soon.
    Phil Nelson
    A&P-IA, Maintenance Instructor
    KF 5 Outback, Cont. IO-240
    Flying since 2016

  4. #4
    Super Moderator Av8r3400's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Merrill, WI
    Posts
    3,044

    Default Re: Nose Gear to Tail Wheel Conversion... Completed!

    What a transformation!

    Looks like a completely different airplane.
    Av8r3400
    Kitfox Model IV
    The Mangy Fox
    912UL 105hp Zipper
    YouTube Videos

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Chisholm Mn
    Posts
    1,562

    Default Re: Nose Gear to Tail Wheel Conversion... Completed!

    I really like that last picture. She looks like she is really ready to go! JImChuk

  6. #6

    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Modesto CA
    Posts
    185

    Default Re: Nose Gear to Tail Wheel Conversion... Completed!

    Looks really nice, I think the Kitfox looks better as a taildragger, just my personal opinion.

    What tailwheel did you use?

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •