---------------------------------------------------------- Kitfox-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Sat 01/03/04: 16 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 02:24 AM - Re: Arctic Islands (broschart) 2. 10:14 AM - Foam Trailing Edge Fairing (Steve Gandy) 3. 11:07 AM - Re: Foam Trailing Edge Fairing (Don Pearsall) 4. 11:08 AM - Newbie (Ken Cruickshanks) 5. 11:38 AM - Re: Arctic Islands (Michel Verheughe) 6. 11:45 AM - Re: Newbie (Vic Jacko) 7. 11:50 AM - Re: Newbie (kurt schrader) 8. 11:57 AM - Re: Foam Trailing Edge Fairing (kurt schrader) 9. 12:50 PM - Re: Newbie (Roger McConnell) 10. 01:04 PM - Re: Newbie (AlbertaIV@aol.com) 11. 01:32 PM - Re: Newbie (Randy Daughenbaugh) 12. 01:57 PM - Re: Newbie (Kitfox) 13. 02:31 PM - Re: Newbie (Ken Cruickshanks) 14. 02:55 PM - A Maule tailwheel question (Michel Verheughe) 15. 05:46 PM - newbie (Kevin Cozik) 16. 07:39 PM - Re: Newbie (Clifford Begnaud) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 02:24:25 AM PST US From: broschart Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Arctic Islands --> Kitfox-List message posted by: broschart does the moon show there in the winter? must be nice to set a fox trap and not have it freeze to the ground Have a good day - Charlie Steve M wrote: > > --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Steve M" > > Wonderful country indeed, if you don't mind getting a little chilly. I spent > 2-1/2 years at Thule Air Base in northwestern Greenland, as system engineer > on the American BMEWS radar site there. Most wildlife kept away from the > base (well, so did most humans if they had any sense), but we saw zillions > of arctic foxes, or "archies" as we called them. > > Right about now it's pitch black there, 24 hours a day. That started in late > November and continues till early February. We'd have contests to see who > would see the sun first. Then in summer, it's daylight 24 hours a day. All > barracks windows had blackout shutters so we could sleep at "night". It was > desolate enough, that (I believe) it's the only Air Force base where the > Chapel is open and manned 24 hours/day, too. > > One of the favorite newbie demos was to take a new guy to the dining hall, > get a cup of steaming hot coffee, take it outside, and throw the coffee > (keep hold of the cup) into the air. This is best done in March, when it's > light enough to see but still around 40 below. You get a huge burst of > steam, hear a crackling sound, and little pellets of freeze-dried coffee hit > the ground all around you. > > It's also the only place I've ever been, where you can see the Northern > Lights (Aurora Borealis) to the SOUTH. I'll pass onthe return trip, thanks. > > Steve Maher > Kitfox Model 2, Geo Metro engine > San Diego CA, where it's not quite that cold > > > > >Just happened to be looking at some charts of work I may be > >doing again in the Canadian Arctic up at Ellesmere Island > >and wondered where Lonyearbyen was. As I gather from your > >E-mail posts you spend quite a bit of time there last > >summer --- turns out you are only a few hundred miles from > >where I worked last July --- just across the northern tip > >of Greenland to Spitsbergen. Wonderful country up in those > >Arctic Islands. Muskox, wolves, arctic hare and caribou and > >of course foxes all over the place. Scenery is absolutely > >fantastic. Sure want to go back up there again this summer. > > > ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 10:14:16 AM PST US From: "Steve Gandy" Subject: Kitfox-List: Foam Trailing Edge Fairing --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Steve Gandy" Hi list Does anyone know where I can purchase some of the same high density foam that comes with the kit, for installing the trailing edge fairing between the vertical fin and the rudder? Although I have not located any directions stating to fiberglass the trailing edge fairing, I assume this should be done. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Steve Gandy s.gandy@comcast.net Aeronca L-3C N48540 Kitfox 6 N540KF (Building) ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 11:07:12 AM PST US From: "Don Pearsall" Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: Foam Trailing Edge Fairing --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Don Pearsall" Steve, I believe this foam is the same kind that is used for some types of insulation. Just go to a home center like Home Depot and find the hot water heater aisle. They will have the foam blocks that HWHs are placed on. It is usually blue in color. I don't think you need to fiberglass the foam. Just covering it with fabric along with the rest of the empennage is enough to make it rigid. Don Pearsall ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 11:08:08 AM PST US From: Ken Cruickshanks Subject: Kitfox-List: Newbie --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Ken Cruickshanks Hi, I'm new to the Kitfox list. I'm hoping to build a series 7 someday I want to get in touch with other kitfox builders, who are building a Kitfox. So many engine options, I'm looking at going with a O-235. Also I have many other questions that can only be answered by a builder. This is a huge commitment and I realize that many kits don't get completed. I'm sure many of you remember what I'm going through when you were considering building an airplane. I tell me friends and they look at me funny and say, You mean "one you can actually fly in". Builders/Flyers , Please talk me out of this Your comments are appreciated. Ken Cruickshanks Eagle River, Alaska kenc5@gci.net ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 11:38:13 AM PST US From: Michel Verheughe Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Arctic Islands --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Michel Verheughe broschart wrote: > does the moon show there in the winter? Good question, Charlie. From my astro-navigation days, I remember that the moon is revolving in an ecliptic that is about 5 degrees tilted on the earth ecliptic to the sun. So, theoretically, if the moon is at its highest point (most north) of the ecliptic, it could be seen at the winter solstice at latitude 90 - 23.5 + 5 = 71.5 N. Hum ... nope, not much chance to see that happen on the latitudes of Thule or Spitsberg. Cheers, Michel do not archive ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 11:45:10 AM PST US From: "Vic Jacko" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Newbie --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Vic Jacko" Ken, I sold my 0-235 to Cliff Begnaud who really loves the performance. Why not ask him on the list for comments. If you use the Lycoming "keep it light and forget every bell and whistle" Vic ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ken Cruickshanks" Subject: Kitfox-List: Newbie > --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Ken Cruickshanks > > Hi, > I'm new to the Kitfox list. I'm hoping to build a series 7 someday I want to get in touch with other kitfox builders, who are building a Kitfox. So many engine options, I'm looking at going with a O-235. Also I have many other questions that can only be answered by a builder. This is a huge commitment and I realize that many kits don't get completed. I'm sure many of you remember what I'm going through when you were considering building an airplane. I tell me friends and they look at me funny and say, You mean "one you can actually fly in". Builders/Flyers , Please talk me out of this Your comments are appreciated. > > Ken Cruickshanks > Eagle River, Alaska > kenc5@gci.net > > ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 11:50:48 AM PST US From: kurt schrader Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Newbie --> Kitfox-List message posted by: kurt schrader Hi Ken, Welcome aboard. You are in the right place. These people know so much that I found them invaluable in building my series 5. You will get all the help here you need, and then some. I couldn't apply all the great ideas I got from this list on one plane - maybe 3 or 4, but not just one. If you buy a S-7, you will find it a very good plane. My S-5 is much like it, but yours allows conversion between tail and nose wheel too. It also has a new cowl arrangement and elevator trim system. Great planes all around. Very strong and safe. They out perform Cubs and do so with greater safety and less cost. I flew my 4th test flight on New Years day, just to start the year off right. Based on the video, the takeoff took 6 seconds from power up to lift off. It is dramatic! With your choice of engines, you should see much the same performance. I plan to fly mine in the Rockies. They are great planes for Alaska type flying too. Try one and see... Tune in, smile, and ask questions here. You will get great answers from all over the world. Kurt S. KF-5/w NSI turbo, just completed and flying. --- Ken Cruickshanks wrote: > Hi, > I'm new to the Kitfox list. I'm hoping to build a > series 7 someday I want to get in touch with other > kitfox builders, who are building a Kitfox. So many > Ken Cruickshanks > Eagle River, Alaska __________________________________ ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 11:57:42 AM PST US From: kurt schrader Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Foam Trailing Edge Fairing --> Kitfox-List message posted by: kurt schrader Steve, I bought similar foam from Aircraft Spruce. For the rudder gap, I applied a thin layer of epoxy, but no fiberglass to the foam. You can if you want. In other areas I added thin fiberglass too. Wish I had made gap seals for the elevator the same way. Turned out great for the rudder. Be careful when applying the fabric to shrink both sides equally to keep everything straight. I overlapped the fabric on the back only and let the front adjust itself. Saves on trim problems later. Kurt S. --- Steve Gandy wrote: > > Hi list > Does anyone know where I can purchase some of the > same high density foam > that comes with the kit, for installing the trailing > edge fairing > between the vertical fin and the rudder? > > Although I have not located any directions stating > to fiberglass the > trailing edge fairing, I assume this should be done. > > Any help would be greatly appreciated. > > Steve Gandy __________________________________ ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 12:50:16 PM PST US From: "Roger McConnell" Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: Newbie --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Roger McConnell" Hi Ken, Welcome to the list. I am currently building a series 7. It is the biggest and fastest of the Kit Fox models, with the right engine and prop combo. Currently I'm getting ready to cover the fuselage. As of this weekend I'm putting the speed fairings on the wing struts. You are totally right about deciding to build your own aircraft. In the long run building your own will be less expensive and ten times more rewarding that buying a 30 year old Cessna spam can. Don't pay any attention to your friends. After you have built and flown your own personal airplane, they will be green with envy. Best of luck to you, and if you have questions these guys on the list are not the least bit bashful................happy landings! Roger Mac S7/912s N619RM -----Original Message----- From: owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Ken Cruickshanks Subject: Kitfox-List: Newbie --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Ken Cruickshanks Hi, I'm new to the Kitfox list. I'm hoping to build a series 7 someday I want to get in touch with other kitfox builders, who are building a Kitfox. So many engine options, I'm looking at going with a O-235. Also I have many other questions that can only be answered by a builder. This is a huge commitment and I realize that many kits don't get completed. I'm sure many of you remember what I'm going through when you were considering building an airplane. I tell me friends and they look at me funny and say, You mean "one you can actually fly in". Builders/Flyers , Please talk me out of this Your comments are appreciated. Ken Cruickshanks Eagle River, Alaska kenc5@gci.net ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 01:04:31 PM PST US From: AlbertaIV@aol.com Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Newbie --> Kitfox-List message posted by: AlbertaIV@aol.com Builders/Flyers , Please talk me out of this Your comments are appreciated. Ken Cruickshanks Eagle River, Alaska kenc5@gci.net Ken, Welcome to the list. OK, I'll try and talk you out of this. Building a Kitfox is a pretty long and tedious task. If you work on it once a week or so, you will be years finishing the project. You have to get serious about the building process and enjoy doing this sort of thing. I think there was once a guy I heard about that opened the big box and immediately sold it for a big loss (too many parts) However, there are many times when you see things coming together that keeps the itch alive. It is worthwhile in the end. If you have good experience and patience in making things, you can build a Fox. Don Smythe DO NOT ARCHIVE ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 01:32:54 PM PST US From: "Randy Daughenbaugh" Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: Newbie --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Randy Daughenbaugh" OK, I'll try and talk you out of this. Building a Kitfox is a pretty long and tedious task. If you work on it once a week or so, you will be years finishing the project. You have to get serious about the building process and enjoy doing this sort of thing. Don Smythe Ken, Welcome to the list! All the responses you have gotten so far are right on. This list is a TREMEMDOUS rescource. Don's comments are right on. Based on my limited experience, I tell people to forget it unless they like to build. It is a big project and does require lots of time. I am headed into my fourth year building and hope to fly this summer. I have loved (nearly) every minute of the building and look forward to the satisfaction of flying this great plane. But I am already getting itchy to start another project..... Randy - Series 5/7 . -----Original Message----- From: owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of AlbertaIV@aol.com Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Newbie --> Kitfox-List message posted by: AlbertaIV@aol.com Builders/Flyers , Please talk me out of this Your comments are appreciated. Ken Cruickshanks Eagle River, Alaska kenc5@gci.net == == == == ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 01:57:27 PM PST US From: "Kitfox" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Newbie --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Kitfox" Ken, I could think of a hundred reasons not to build a Kitfox but the truth is there's nothing quite like the freedom when you push the throttle forward and take to the skies. Factory builts are like Fords - everyone has one, but a home built is always unique! You've only got one life so why not enjoy it! And when it's wet and windy and your stuck on how to do something log onto the list, great bunch of guys and a wealth of knowledge out there, they've even got a sense of humour!! :>) Welcome to the list and welcome to the world of Kitfoxes. ChrisBates Kitfox Owners Club (UK) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Randy Daughenbaugh" Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: Newbie > --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Randy Daughenbaugh" > > OK, I'll try and talk you out of this. Building a > Kitfox is a pretty long and tedious task. If you work on it once a week > or > so, you will be years finishing the project. You have to get serious > about the > building process and enjoy doing this sort of thing. > > Don Smythe > > > Ken, > Welcome to the list! > > All the responses you have gotten so far are right on. This list is a > TREMEMDOUS rescource. > > Don's comments are right on. Based on my limited experience, I tell > people to forget it unless they like to build. It is a big project and > does require lots of time. I am headed into my fourth year building and > hope to fly this summer. I have loved (nearly) every minute of the > building and look forward to the satisfaction of flying this great > plane. But I am already getting itchy to start another project..... > > Randy - Series 5/7 > . > > > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com > [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of > AlbertaIV@aol.com > To: kitfox-list@matronics.com > Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Newbie > > --> Kitfox-List message posted by: AlbertaIV@aol.com > > Builders/Flyers , Please talk me out of this Your comments are > appreciated. > > > Ken Cruickshanks > Eagle River, Alaska > kenc5@gci.net > > > == > == > == > == > > ________________________________ Message 13 ____________________________________ Time: 02:31:57 PM PST US From: Ken Cruickshanks Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Newbie --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Ken Cruickshanks Wow, Now this is encouraging, All these kitfox friends Thanks for your candid remarks. I'm one of those pilots who is considering crossing over from the certified world. I owned a Cessna 152 and trained and got my license with this airplane. My first experience with aircraft ownership was good. But only complaint is that I like doing most of my own maintenance, so this is a natural step for me. My major concern is that I might become more of a builder than a pilot. Can anybody relate? I'm also interested in different type of flying than I did with the 152. Off field and floats is why I'm considering the kitfox. I have a few questions I would like to throw out there. Has anyone out there actually finished a kit in the suggested time that the manufacture suggests? Any bad experience with Skystar? (mine has been great) Thanks Ken Cruickshanks Eagle River, Alaska ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kitfox" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Newbie > --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Kitfox" > > Ken, > I could think of a hundred reasons not to build a Kitfox but the truth is > there's nothing quite like the freedom when you push the throttle forward > and take to the skies. Factory builts are like Fords - everyone has one, but > a home built is always unique! You've only got one life so why not enjoy it! > And when it's wet and windy and your stuck on how to do something log onto > the list, great bunch of guys and a wealth of knowledge out there, they've > even got a sense of humour!! :>) > Welcome to the list and welcome to the world of Kitfoxes. > ChrisBates > Kitfox Owners Club (UK) > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Randy Daughenbaugh" > To: > Subject: RE: Kitfox-List: Newbie > > > > --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Randy Daughenbaugh" > > > > > OK, I'll try and talk you out of this. Building a > > Kitfox is a pretty long and tedious task. If you work on it once a week > > or > > so, you will be years finishing the project. You have to get serious > > about the > > building process and enjoy doing this sort of thing. > > > > Don Smythe > > > > > > Ken, > > Welcome to the list! > > > > All the responses you have gotten so far are right on. This list is a > > TREMEMDOUS rescource. > > > > Don's comments are right on. Based on my limited experience, I tell > > people to forget it unless they like to build. It is a big project and > > does require lots of time. I am headed into my fourth year building and > > hope to fly this summer. I have loved (nearly) every minute of the > > building and look forward to the satisfaction of flying this great > > plane. But I am already getting itchy to start another project..... > > > > Randy - Series 5/7 > > . > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com > > [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of > > AlbertaIV@aol.com > > To: kitfox-list@matronics.com > > Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Newbie > > > > --> Kitfox-List message posted by: AlbertaIV@aol.com > > > > Builders/Flyers , Please talk me out of this Your comments are > > appreciated. > > > > > > Ken Cruickshanks > > Eagle River, Alaska > > kenc5@gci.net > > > > > > == > > == > > == > > == > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 14 ____________________________________ Time: 02:55:56 PM PST US From: Michel Verheughe Subject: Kitfox-List: A Maule tailwheel question --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Michel Verheughe Hello guys, Today, I removed my Maule tailwheel and took it home for a good cleaning. Since I didn't built the plane myself, I don't know how it should look like as new. But right now, the axle is slightly loose. By that, I mean that if I hold the lever, I can move it sideways somehow. In fact, the wheel can move up and down on its axle a couple of millimetres. Removing the grease cup, I see the a nut that could be tied up to take the slack. But it is not a castle nut with a pin, like on the wheel (and main wheels) but rather a nut that is locked in place with a sealing compound. My conclusion is then that this nut is not supposed to be adjusted. It may look like the slack in the system is intended, maybe to give freeway to the locking latch of the free-castoring system. Otherwise, I have no problem with the tailwheel. It works fine and my plane has a delightful handling on the ground. I just love it. So, I won't repair something that works but ... is it meant to be like this? Thanks in advance, Michel ________________________________ Message 15 ____________________________________ Time: 05:46:57 PM PST US From: "Kevin Cozik" Subject: Kitfox-List: newbie --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Kevin Cozik" Ken, I bought my model 6 second hand but new in the crates and should start test flights after only about 650 hours building. I didn't install an IFR panel or anything but is still quite deluxe with a rotax 914 turbo engine and custom interior & paint job. The best advice I could give would be to have an organized work area with the appropriate tools to complete each task. In the beginning I was not looking forward to the build but to having an great performing airplane with the options of my choice at a resonable price. So far the building has turned out to be very enjoyable as well as rewarding. Just my opinion, hope it helps. Thanks, Kevin Cozik (Michigan) ________________________________ Message 16 ____________________________________ Time: 07:39:19 PM PST US From: "Clifford Begnaud" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Newbie --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Clifford Begnaud" Ken, The kitfox is a great plane, in fact it can also be an awesome bush plane if you do it right. I like them so much that I have now owned 3 of them! I assume that you want a bush plane since you are in Alaska, so I'll make some comments addressing that. As Vic Jacko mentioned, Tom Johnson and I bought his model 5 with a Lycoming 0-235. We are based in Erie, Co at an elevation of 5100'. My wife and I flew into an "off airport" landing area on Christmas morning that is about 600' long at 5400' elevation. We used less than half to get in and a little more than half to get out. She climbs at 1000+ fpm with two on board, again that is departing from a field at over 5000' elevation! Generally, our kitfox outperforms all of the cubs and huskies around here in every regime of flight (there are two huskies and a bunch of supercubs locally). I flew down to Dallas about two months ago and when I departed, the plane was off the ground so quick it startled me. I haven't done any real short field work down low, but have done plenty up here. Landing up here can be done consistently in less than 225'. When I'm feeling good, about 170'. Keep in mind that our plane is not really properly set up for maximum short field work. The main problem is that the gear is too short and doesn't allow the wing to sit at an angle of attack that would minimize takeoff and landing distance. I could put on larger tires, and may do that some day. Also, adding VG's would help. As Vic mentioned, the key is to keep it light. I mean really light!!! Don't put anything in the plane that isn't absolutely, positively, your life depends on it, necessary! Don't think about saving pounds, think "ounces". "Where can I save an ounce" should be your mantra. If you want to chat about this some more, give me a call at 303-673-0021 (I've got other info and ideas about the kitfox that may be of interest to a bush pilot). I work from home, so I'm here most days. Oh, one more thing, our plane cruises comfortably at 130 mph TAS at 2600 rpm burning 5.2 gph. Ask me how ;-) Best Regards, Cliff > > Hi, > I'm new to the Kitfox list. I'm hoping to build a series 7 someday I want to get in touch with other kitfox builders, who are building a Kitfox. So many engine options, I'm looking at going with a O-235. Also I have many other questions that can only be answered by a builder. This is a huge commitment and I realize that many kits don't get completed. I'm sure many of you remember what I'm going through when you were considering building an airplane. I tell me friends and they look at me funny and say, You mean "one you can actually fly in". Builders/Flyers , Please talk me out of this Your comments are appreciated. > > Ken Cruickshanks > Eagle River, Alaska > kenc5@gci.net > >