Not sure if this counts as a build, but it is a rebuild.

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I'm a newly minted Sport Pilot.
Just got my wings a month ago and still need to get my Tail-drag Endorsement.
So whats the story on the bird here then?

Well it's a story with a lot of history behind it.
So pull up a chair.

This particular model II was purchased as a kit in 1989.
The owners, a father and son pair, along with a friend of the son, worked on the kit.
They spent many months building the kitfox and getting it ready. And finally in 1991 it was complete. Signed off and given it's Airworthiness Cert.
It spent the next 8 years being flown and enjoyed. Now the son was the primary owner and operator of the kitfox. And he enjoyed flying it but was ready to move on.
He jumped onto the next project. A Wheeler Express.
And as that project came to its completion the kitfox sat.

He knew the kitfox was just sitting and due to size of his hanger, it had to be stored with the wings off to allow his new plane the room needed. So even if he wanted to fly the kitfox it was a hassle to put the wings back only to take them right back off. It just wasn't practical.

He decided it was probably best to sell it as he had moved up.
The friend, who had helped him build it asked if he could buy it. To which the son agreed.
This was around 2006.

The friend had the idea that he would do some minor work to it.
It would be something himself and his own son could enjoy together.

But.....

With sadness to say, his son passed in a tragic traffic accident.
The kitfox sat in his garage for almost 13 years.

Now, I need to go back a bit.
The father and son who built this plane.
Well the son had his own son. A young toddler at the time.
That child loved the plane, as he grew up in it and was in all likely hood the first plane he had ever been in.

That child, was me.
When my father sold the plane I was still at a point in my life that I had neither the means nor the resources to buy or hanger it.
But I am now into my 30's and established enough in life. Getting my wings had always been a desire of mine and I finally decided to pursue it.
But only if I would have a plane. And not just any plane. But my fathers old plane.
I approached my fathers friend and asked him. I knew it would be a very sensitive topic being that his son who he planned to fly with. Was now gone from this world.
I grew up with his son, and the loss was a deep pain for me, but nothing I'm sure as to what he, a father, felt and still feels.
I told him, I would understand if he didn't want to part with the Kitfox.
And I'm thankful he agreed after some thought on it.

So I started my exam studies and got with a flight instructor the next day.
Some time later my father and I tested the fabric on the plane. Giving it a good look over and figuring out what all would need to be done to get her in the air again.

She needs some TLC.
The hose on the fuel tank in the wing leaked onto the fabric of the passenger side. Causing the stain seen.
The engine needs to be replaced or overhauled.
she need a new prop.
Brake cylinders rebuilt, calipers rebuilt.
Instrument panel redone.
All the bolts and nuts gone through.

She has a lot of work to be done.
Work that has already started.
My poor father doesn't know how to feel.
We're tearing apart something he built over 20 years ago after all.
But we are going to put her back together in proper order.
And I'm very thankful for him to be helping.
I'd be lost without him. He's a stickler for safety and everything being done right.
Which one could not ask for better when it comes to Aviation.
I have a lot to do before she's ready to fly again.

And I will be posting our work as it progresses.