Total cost to build?

[TheCurtster]

I realize that this is a loaded question, as I’m sure the answers will vary, but I’m wondering what you that have actually built your Kitfoxes spent on your builds. I did some “napkin math” that looks like this (all from KF website 6/2020):

KF 7 SS kit. $29995
Speedster tail. 295
Prefab brackets. 750
Adjustable rudders. 325
QB Wing. 1895
Chromoly struts. 3150 (ouch)
Cordura Seat. 1095
Cabin vents/heat. 865
Tool kit. 425
Panel. 8000
Rotax 912ULS. 18900
Prop. 2300
Engine Component kit 4895 (What does this buy me?)

Total (minus landing gear and tires, and lighting. Oh yeah, paint and assorted bling) ~$73000

Where else do you spend money on this? Do these numbers seem about right? I know... “if ya hafta ask....”. Just looking for real world examples of what it cost to get your birds in the air.

Thanks,

Curt

[Denalifox]

factor in consumables, they will nickle and dime you more than you think.

[Meyer]

I would agree on the consumables. Read some build threads. How many tools do you have?

Landing gear and tires come with the kit.

You should itemize the panel also. $8,000 does not go far, depending on what you want. Wire, breakers or fuse panel or VPX?, connectors, tools - buy/borrow?, any glass or just ipad?, auto pilot?. Do you rattle can the panel or have it laser etched. Many of those little things add up.

What kind of paint? poly fiber is a lower cost and lower gloss approach. PPG stuff or something else adds up quick.

The firewall forward kit you mentioned has engine mount, upper and lower cowling, radiator, hoses, fuel hose and fuel fittings, etc.

Many little options that are hard to speak for - make your own baggage sack or buy one? You can scan the kitfox online catalog and think through those things.

[WWhunter]

I've read/noticed that (broad) generalities end up with 3X the original kit cost will have you fairly close to a nice finished plane. Granted some do it for much less and some outfit the plane with 20-30K in avioics, but a good average is roughly 3 times the kit cost and try to find ways to build it for less. Used engine/pro can save quite a bit, as can used avionics. SO many variables.

[rv9ralph]

To paraphrase an old ad campaign...

The pride of building and flying your own Kitfox ... Priceless!

Ralph

[PapuaPilot]

Tools & supplies - thousands of dollars

[PapuaPilot]

1000 hours is very conservative. It took me over 1200 hours in about 2 years, and I am a very experienced A&P. Those hours were only the hands on work, I didn't count research and online time.

[Meyer]

I will probably have 1,200 in mine. Never built a plane but am mechanically inclined. Hope to be in the air in a few months, started March 2019.

My .02 on the key to this is working on it every day. If you are the type of person that starts something and then it sits for a period of time, it is not for you. Things like waiting on parts should not really be a factor. You can have enough things going on simultaneously on this. Waiting on parts has never caused a delay for me.

I know that some enjoy a long 5 year type of build. Make everything perfect, they enjoy building and the process. I really want to fly and did not want it to take that long. Everyone is different and that is ok. Lack of any progress at all though over a long period lowers the odds though.

My humble .02

[TheCurtster]

I was thinking of that... one of my many other hobbies over the years has been building and flying RC planes. I’m kinda in the middle. I like building, but I like flying more. Some guys I’ve known would spend years building a plane, and then never fly it. To each his own I guess.

Curt

[desertdave]

1000 to 1200 hours is what it is. Divide it up by 8 or 4 or 2 or 1 and that's how long it's going to take. Twelve hours a day and you're done in less than 4 months. An hour a week and you will be flying by 2030. I don't think somebody can tell you that they are all built in 1 or 2 years, everybody's pace is different. Don't forget the kits are taking well over a year just for delivery so add that onto your planning.