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Thread: Factory Visit.

  1. #1
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
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    Default Factory Visit.

    June finds me in Homedale, ID. Haven’t had a chance to visit headquarters of all things Kitfox since the last Factory fly in. Many changes occurred since I roamed these buildings last. The pace has quickened substantially even from last visit. Beautifully welded fuselages congregate briefly waiting for handcrafted parts to flow in to the shipping department all to become a large wooden dreams filled crate with some lucky builders address on the outside. Works of art called quick-built wings come lovingly and expertly together in the “Wings” building on precision assemblies guaranteed to make even the fussiest builder tear up with admiration. The new composite shop is compositing at a pitch near the fever level. The phones are now liquid cooled. They ring so often they never cool off. I love this place. It’s where the best aviation dreams come to life. I feel privileged to watch this process and these people do what they do.

    👍👍👍I got to fly the STi with the 915 Rotax. I’m having just a little difficulty letting you all know what this experience was like. Let me see...... On application of full power I became acutely aware of a seat back cushion compression factor which, up until now, had never allowed me into such a close proximity to the vertical part of the seat pan while in take off mode. Was this a TemperFoam failure or an acceleration until now unheard of. Knowing TemperFoams reputation, I vote Rotax 915 horse power, that mighty M.T. prop’s capabilities along with one incredible STi wing. The big tires rotated just a couple turns and the windshield was full of blue Idaho sky. The last time I felt just a little uneasy about a climb out angle in an aircraft was the very first time I flew my model 3 solo way back in 1998. Of course shortly I became accustomed to ridiculous take off angles from all models of Kitfox. At least I thought I had until this beast wrenched us from our Earthly bonds and committed us to flight way before I even imagined it might. Please note that this flight had two full “growed” boys in the seats and lots of fuel in both tanks. I gotta try this thing solo! I think.
    All for now. I’ll leave you with a couple photos of customer’s aircraft. Remember that AirVenture is just around the corner and Kitfox Aircraft’s booth will have a new location on the EAA grounds. Their new location is slightly South of the previous one so you may even save some steps getting to their booth this year.
    Also this year’s Factory fly in is approaching fast. Make your plans for the 35th anniversary of the Kitfox aircraft. Please R.S.V.P. the factory soon if planning to attend. This one will be special.
    Kitfox.... proving for 35 years and over 7,000 examples that S.T.O.L. aircraft can be beautiful aircraft.
    FD4BED79-D78B-45BF-82B2-8DD1FB718577.jpg
    F8B5FD0C-D37B-4058-BA73-107E6DD04B16.jpg

    This one is called “Butterfly”.
    C4645B6E-BE14-4662-9232-ED2CF4BC8AFF.jpg



    P.S.****To see photos in an enlarged version just tap on desired photo once. Let it re-appear on screen then tap it once again and it will expand even larger. After, it will then allow you to enlarge even further. At least that’s the way it works on my iPad.


    DesertFox4
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  2. #2
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    Default Re: Factory Visit.

    Sounds sweet! Where you flying the factory STI? I assume none of the aircraft in the photos? Can you give some more numbers? Sounds fun!
    Dustin Dickerson

    Building 7ss STI x 2
    Oratex
    29" shock monster
    EP912STI 155hp
    Garmin
    N33TF......FLYING!
    N53TF......FLYING!

  3. #3
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factory Visit.

    Flew out of Greenleaf Airpark Dustin.
    105 tp 110 mph at 6 gals. per hour. If you want to go 120 mph, she will push the fuel through at between 8 and 9 gals per hour.


    DesertFox4
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  4. #4
    Senior Member rv9ralph's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factory Visit.

    Steve, you were in Greenleaf and didn’t stop to say hi? I waved when you took off. Hope to see you soon.

    Ralph

  5. #5
    Senior Member efwd's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factory Visit.

    Ralph, just so you know, I stopped by when I was there. You weren't there. House looked good though.
    Eddie Forward
    Flying
    SS7, 912iS, Garmin G3X

  6. #6
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factory Visit.

    Ralph, am I correct in assuming your’s is the new home under construction on the airpark?
    I’ll be in town for a while yet. Look forward to seeing you. Will try to catch you in next day or so at your construction site. Private message me with your phone number. If we don’t cross paths in the next two days at your construction site, I’ll call you.


    DesertFox4
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  7. #7
    Senior Member rv9ralph's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factory Visit.

    Ralph, just so you know, I stopped by when I was there. You weren't there. House looked good though.
    Eddie... sorry I missed you. You were busy flying, I was probably running errands. You'll have to stop back by when the house is finished.

    Ralph

  8. #8
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factory Visit.

    Test flying new Kitfox, laying down tapes on a fuselage. My kind of vacation.
    .FCCD24A9-184B-4886-BBA8-8E6AF428DFE1.jpg
    38CDA11D-CAA9-47AB-BE22-312E5612F1BB.jpg
    8794DB3E-3EE6-440F-9232-9F52EA0EB273.jpg


    DesertFox4
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  9. #9
    Senior Member aviator79's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factory Visit.

    "N821JM"?

    Does John have a new bird for himself?
    --Brian
    Flying - S7SS

  10. #10
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Factory Visit.

    No , as it happens it is the first initials of the two owners of the Kitfox.😄
    The # is the birthday of a father who passed on and is a nice tribute to his memory.
    Fantastic handling Kitfox. They will really enjoy it.


    DesertFox4
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