STI Kitfox Deadstick

[Delta Whisky]

I did a few impossible turn flights following the EAA's procedures/instructions, sent in the data files, and all turned out well. Said turn is relatively easy to compete in the Kitfox. Their final analysis/report is attached. Oh, never mind, the size of the file exceeds the allowable by about .1 Mb. PM me if you would like a copy. Don't forget to include your email address.

[jrthomas]

I had 2 engine failures on takeoff test flying a friends model4/1050/short wing. The 1st was at a grass strip, surrounded with woods. It was pretty much a total loss of power. RPM's dropped back to a rough idle. I doubt I ever got higher than 400 feet agl. I turned left after takeoff to stay in the pattern. When the engine started to die I stayed in a left turn, flew over the runway still making a left circle and landed with plenty of room to spare. I actually landed pretty long.
It's a 3800' strip. The second time I asked the owner to haul it to the airport with a 6000' runway so I would have plenty of space just in case. Good thing we did. This time it started to loose power within the 1st 100 feet or so. I doubt I ever climbed more than 200 feet before the engine died completely. I made a left turn and landed again with plenty of room to spare. I don't credit myself for the good outcome as much as I do the Kitfox. It flew just as good with the engine off. I think one thing that helped is that I always cut power back to idle on downwind and fly base and final at idle, which is pretty much dead stick every time.

[Slyfox]

I had 2 engine failures on takeoff test flying a friends model4/1050/short wing. The 1st was at a grass strip, surrounded with woods. It was pretty much a total loss of power. RPM's dropped back to a rough idle. I doubt I ever got higher than 400 feet agl. I turned left after takeoff to stay in the pattern. When the engine started to die I stayed in a left turn, flew over the runway still making a left circle and landed with plenty of room to spare. I actually landed pretty long.
It's a 3800' strip. The second time I asked the owner to haul it to the airport with a 6000' runway so I would have plenty of space just in case. Good thing we did. This time it started to loose power within the 1st 100 feet or so. I doubt I ever climbed more than 200 feet before the engine died completely. I made a left turn and landed again with plenty of room to spare. I don't credit myself for the good outcome as much as I do the Kitfox. It flew just as good with the engine off. I think one thing that helped is that I always cut power back to idle on downwind and fly base and final at idle, which is pretty much dead stick every time.

Yes the kitfox will fly just fine if the engine still can produce power at idle like you had. Now if the engine quits totally that is another thing. I had a happening about 4 years ago now, my engine quit because of a blocked vent. I was at 1000 agl and I looked down and saw a big field and spiraled down and landed in the field. Well I kept it at 90mph all the way down and lined up and went to 3 ft off. I bled it off to 60 and the plane just dropped onto the field. I was very glad I had 27.5 tires and the t3 with 8 inch matco double arm. I was very surprised that I didn't have any float like when normally coming in to land with the engine on. It just dropped right now. Now I will say that I had in my mind to be very weary of this happening, never had a chance to witness it until then but I will say, give yourself a bunch of margin when the engine quits. take care.

[Shadowrider]

Eddie depends on if you press and hold the direct button or press and hold the nearest button. If you have pressed and held the direct button above 2000' agl smart glide will activate and so will the autopilot. When you pass through 2000' you get audio warning telling you to disconnect autopilot and land safely. Keeps saying that but you have to manually disconnect the autopilot. If there are no airports in gliding distance, then autopilot will activate only for pitch and pitch to best glide.

Biggest takeaway for me is practicing a engine out with power to idle is significantly different glide ratio than with the engine off.