Zenair #1450 Floats KF7 SS

[korbike]

Hi all,
I built and installed Zenair #1450 Straight floats on my KF7 SS
Much thanks to this site and the float enthusiast here. I am very pleased with the way it turned out, prop clearance, w + b, floating with wings folded, handling on the water, etc. I will be trying different settings to get the best combination for my set up. Also attached some video links on the performance. Thanks again for a such a great resource and the people who make it. All the best David Price


Kitfox 7 SS, 912 uls
Warp Drive 3 blade taper tip 70" 11.5 deg 95 kt @5500 90 kts @5200 ias
Float to wing angle 3 deg (changing to 4)
Step 4" aft rear most C of G
23" frame above floats
6'-3" float center
EW trigear #830
EW 1450S #930

https://youtu.be/oAp4cNwUmN4

https://youtu.be/Pxv4X7bLFjE

https://youtu.be/dpvjoQ03494

[efwd]

Man, that thing looks terrific. I want floats now.

[DesertFox4]

Great job David. Beautiful Kitfox and the performance looks impressive. Well done. Thanks for the videos and will be watching for more water adventures in the future.

[PapuaPilot]

That looks really nice. Thanks for putting all the numbers and dimensions on the forum. I'm curious how adding one degree more of deck angle will help; let us know.

I flew floats exclusively for 7 years and got about 3000 hours. I would like to consider doing this someday. How long did it take you to make the floats?

[efwd]

Wow, I missed the "I built" statement. Those are really nice David.

[korbike]

Thanks guys,
the floats are not that difficult, took about 2 months of steady work, the second one goes much faster. Gluing and riveting takes about a week each float. These are the straight floats so I would think amphibs would be about another month, at least for me.
The reason for adding another degree to the deck angle, right now I have to lift the plane with elevator, when I'm solo no problem, popping the flaps works great, however with a passenger I end up dragging the ends of the floats and that slows things down. The most weight I have had on floats is half fuel and 380 lbs pilot and passenger. The best time with that weight has been about 15 sec with light wind. Flying on the river has many challenges and I'm new to this water flying so I'm sure I have lots to learn. I'll be sure to report back here and on the videos on the changes with the deck angle and ventral fin. We need more float plane pilots so hopefully having some numbers for the KF 7 will help.

All the best,
David Price

[DesertFox4]

Thanks David. That looks like a very secure home for the Kitfox.

Wondering if the 4 degrees of incidence is sufficient after flying it awhile or are you still contemplating another slight adjustment. From the video, it looks like you unstick pretty quickly even with two aboard.


Love the videos. Have fun.

[korbike]

Thanks Steve,
I've thought the same thing about those pins, (I do have some spares) cant tell you how many tools have fallen in. I keep a large magnet on the dock!

Regarding the mounting brackets, Zenair sells the "KF kit" that has the machined parts and the Kitfox factory sells the one missing attach bracket for the front. It attaches to the front landing gear bolt holes in the frame. To make adjustments yes, I had to order a couple new parts $65.00 from Zenair but it turned out to be the easiest way. I just was not comfortable putting in extra holes, I expect it could be done but..... Anyway a 5/8" drop in the rear mount added 1.5 deg.
All the best, David

[efwd]

I would jump into that float plane stuff but as I understand it, California pretty much prohibits landing on lakes. They must be able to do it up north or the guys building the Icon A5 wouldn't have chosen California I suppose. Congrats for getting into float flying, fly safe.

[efwd]

That is a fun video. I love the white Kitfoxes. Yours on floats is sweet!.