Larry DJ.JPG

History:
The story of my Kitfox, N96DJ is a little different from most of the stories told as a Kitfox of the Month. I’m not the builder of this fine little bird. I’m just its guardian and care taker.
In 1994 a man named Richard N. Jurging, from the countryside near Dennison MN, took delivery of a Kitfox Model IV kit from SkyStar. Over the next several years, he created N96DJ. The quality of his build and attention do detail are evident today, throughout the airframe. Richard was a true craftsman. I say was, because sadly he did not live to see his creation fly. He suffered a stroke and passed, prior to its first flight.
From Richard’s family, the plane passed to Ken Schneider, also of Dennison, a family friend of the Jurgings. Ken eventually sold the plane to Barrie Wutschke, of Rochester MN. Barrie, a budding sport pilot, did several tweaking and tuning type of detail projects to the plane in preparation to fly it. But, as often happens with these things, life got in the way and he was forced to sell, the still unflown, plane to Milton Meredith of Ogden UT.
Milton sold the plane in 2006 to another budding sport pilot, John “Johnny Hollywood” Kirstein of Wausau Wisconsin. John, with the help of his EAA UL Chapter75 friends, finished the fitting out and did finally fly the plane. John put 75 hours on this little beauty of a plane, enjoying it to the summer of 2009. Being retired, with the economy the way it currently is, a bit of right-sizing was needed by Johnny and he was reluctantly forced to sell his pretty little yellow bird.
This is where I enter the story. I heard about the plane from Johnny Hollywood’s hangar-neighbor, Paul Seehafer. Paul knew I had a “project” plane which I was working on but was open to finding a flying plane, too. So, long story short, I bought the plane from Johnny Hollywood on August 18, 2009. Over the next several weeks, with the help of a new friend, CFI and EAA UL Chapter 75 mate, Jim Shnowske (our very own JimS), I got the necessary transition training to fly this extraordinary example of kitplane craftsmanship.
Other than doing some maintenance items (bungees!) and soon a little paint work to repair a bit of peeling and finish what was started, I can take no credit for this plane looking as nice as it does. It is 99% the quality and craftsmanship of Richard Jurging that I will endeavor to maintain at a high standard as a memorial to him.
So-- here’s to you, Richard. This honor belongs to you.
Airplane Details:
Engine – Rotax 912 UL – 80hp
Propeller – Warp, 3-blade
Airframe – SkyStar Kitfox Model IV – 1050
640# Empty Weight
Terra Communication and Transponder
Magellan SkyNav 5000 GPS
Aeroplastics Formed Windscreen and Bubble Doors


Panal Full.jpg
N96DJ 11-10-09.JPG
N96DJ 11-10-09 (2).JPG
Wiring-2.JPG