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
Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 11 to 14 of 14

Thread: Vne for KF model 4/1200

  1. #11
    Senior Member av8rps's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Junction City, WI
    Posts
    680

    Default Re: Vne for KF model 4/1200

    FYI:

    Denney Aerocraft Company Model 4 brochure from June of 1992 lists VNE for standard Model 4 at 125 mph, and 145 mph for the Model 4 Speedster.

    There is however mention in the brochure about the Speedster having a thicker windshield for the higher airspeeds it flew at (which was advertised with a cruise of 125 and top speed of 135. fwiw, I flew that plane and can verify it actually did those numbers or more, and all on a wood 3 blade GSC prop no less!)
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #12
    Senior Member av8rps's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Junction City, WI
    Posts
    680

    Default Re: Vne for KF model 4/1200

    Relative to this discusssion, it is my opinion that maximum structural cruising speed is much more important to the everyday Kitfox pilot than VNE.

    The Vno is 98 mph for my Model 4 -1200. When dealing with lots of turbulence I adhere to that number like religion as it is a lot more likely exceeding that airspeed number will potentially cause structural damage to your Kitfoxes airframe

    Ironically, my Kitfox is the first plane I have ever owned that I had to pay so much attention to that number, as my other planes aren't fast enough to get close to their Vno number. And even though my Kitfox is a float plane, there are times I have to work to keep it under that number

  3. #13

    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Posts
    39

    Default Re: Vne for KF model 4/1200

    Paul, how did they get 135mph out of the speedster? I know it has one bay shorter wingspan, right? Did that account for the speed increase?

  4. #14
    Senior Member av8rps's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Junction City, WI
    Posts
    680

    Default Re: Vne for KF model 4/1200

    You know that is a good question.

    So many times I read about peoples reported speeds and wonder how it is that we have so many slow Kitfoxes? My long winged 80 hp 912ul Model 4 on amphib floats will top out (in perfect conditions with WOT) at just a tad under 125 mph. I've demonstrated it many times to my float plane buddies.

    So when thinking about getting over 130 from a M4 Speedster it really shouldnt be that difficult. (Fwiw there were many aviation articles that confirmed those speeds). Besides having a shorter, less draggy wing, the factory Speedster was well built and pretty slick aerodynamically with a radiator fairing, well fitting wheel pants, and all streamlined struts (wing, jury, tail, etc). Overall it is just a good example of how to make a Kitfox faster IMHO.

    I heard the first 914 powered Model 4 even with the long wing could hit VNE straight and level, and at altitude was 150+ mph. Later the Model 6 proved those speeds again on a long cross country from Idaho to SunNFun, but at altitude. (As I recall 185 mph on one stretch at 21,000 ft).

    Our Kitfoxes are more capable speed-wise than most know...

Posting Permissions

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