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 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 172

Thread: Captainphx's build

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    captainphx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Cave Creek, AZ
    Posts
    82

    Default Captainphx's build

    Hello everyone. My first post on the forum. A few weeks ago my wife and I flew up to Boise to checkout Kitfox. Dave and Debra were great to talk to and gave us a tour of the factory. A few days after that I placed an order for an STi with all the options. Due in Feb, 2019. I am planning a Rotax 915is and an Airmaster prop. Right now I am heavy into research on an all Garmin cockpit G3X system.

    A little background...

    I am an A&P but I haven't worked in that field in 30 years. Been flying professionally my whole life and will retire in 5 years. Hope to get this thing done BEFORE I retire! Actually, I am hoping to get this done in two years.

    This will serve as my first post on my build. I have a two car garage and a separate shop to build it in. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do to prep the "hanger" before receiving it?

    My N number will be N915KF

    Looking forward to being a part of this community!

    Paul
    Last edited by captainphx; 08-07-2018 at 10:13 AM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member jiott's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    2,960

    Default Re: Captainphx's build

    Welcome. We look forward to hearing from you.
    Jim Ott
    Portland, OR
    Kitfox SS7 flying
    Rotax 912ULS

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

    Default Re: Captainphx's build

    • Good lights
    • Clean, bright floor and walls
    • A decent drill press
    • Sufficient heat/AC appropriate for where you are located
    • A wall of peg board or shelves to keep organized all the small parts
    • Camera
    • Good WiFi to keep us in the loop on your progress
    Av8r3400
    Kitfox Model IV
    The Mangy Fox
    912UL 105hp Zipper
    YouTube Videos

  4. #4
    captainphx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Cave Creek, AZ
    Posts
    82

    Default Re: Captainphx's build

    Great advise. I did just get my garage floors re-epoxyed and some new cabinetry. Dave mentioned a band saw would be handy.
    Paul

    Building STi
    Rotax 915is
    MT Prop
    Oratex
    N951CT

  5. #5
    Senior Member aviator79's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Location
    Los Alamos, NM
    Posts
    913

    Default Re: Captainphx's build

    A bandsaw is handy, although not required. I have a cheap one, and it has been sufficient.

    You can build wing rotisseries prior to the kit arriving. There are many ideas on the forums, the critical dimension is 27.5 inches between spar centers. I built a fancy fuselage rotisserie.... that didn't work. I then switched to a "tic tac toe" frame on the front, with the tail suspended from the ceiling by a bolt and fender washer in one of the rudder bosses. This worked well. Easy to rotate with one person. All of this is searchable on the forums to find more info.

    Buy some extra clecos, and a bunch of cobalt #30 and #40 drill bits.
    --Brian
    Flying - S7SS

  6. #6
    Senior Member Dusty's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Christchurch, New Zealand
    Posts
    378

    Default Re: Captainphx's build

    Great score on the rego

  7. #7
    captainphx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    Cave Creek, AZ
    Posts
    82

    Default Re: Captainphx's build

    Quote Originally Posted by aviator79 View Post
    A bandsaw is handy, although not required. I have a cheap one, and it has been sufficient...
    Yes, I think the rotisseries will be coming up soon.
    Paul

    Building STi
    Rotax 915is
    MT Prop
    Oratex
    N951CT

  8. #8
    Senior Member Delta Whisky's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Amissville, VA
    Posts
    637

    Default Re: Captainphx's build

    Regarding the heat/AC - I put in a LG minisplit and have not looked back.

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Mt Beauty, Australia
    Posts
    1,073

    Default Re: Captainphx's build

    Paul,

    congratulations on your purchase - nice combo! I am interested if John gave yu any indicative cruise figures for the Sti and 915 combo?? I have been waiting with interest to hear about all the performance figures they have been getting with the factory model.

    Anyway, welcome to the forum - I benefited from the wisdom and generosity of the people on here throughout my build and I know will also. Looking forward to your reports.

    cheers
    ross
    Ross
    Mt Beauty, Vic
    OZ
    Sold to Richard and Scott Taubman in OZ, 2019. Kitfox SS7,Rotax 912is Sport, Airmaster CSP 75" blades.
    Landcruiser and Cub off road camper (doesn't get any kudos on this forum!)

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Howell, MI
    Posts
    9

    Default Re: Captainphx's build

    Welcome Paul!

    I have yet to officially introduce myself here, however it sounds like my wife and I are right behind you with our STi build scheduled for mid March delivery! Most of our build will be done in our two car garage and later move into the hanger for final assembly. It sounds like we will have very similar builds so I look forward to piking your brain along the way, Good luck!

Posting Permissions

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