---------------------------------------------------------- Kitfox-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Sun 09/12/10: 6 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 06:07 AM - Re: Tailwheel steering setup (Tom Jones) 2. 03:41 PM - Re: Tailwheel steering setup (Av8r3400) 3. 05:11 PM - Kitfox Classic IV cruise speed? (grantr) 4. 06:40 PM - crashed speedster w 912 (Malcolm Brubaker) 5. 07:10 PM - Re: Kitfox Classic IV cruise speed? (Lowell Fitt) 6. 11:03 PM - Re: Kitfox Classic IV cruise speed? (Guy Buchanan) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 06:07:00 AM PST US Subject: Kitfox-List: Re: Tailwheel steering setup From: "Tom Jones" I have the stretch springs and never had a problem with them You do need to bend both ends of those springs so there is absolutely no way for them to come unhooked. Here's a link to a video on set up. http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?t=56502&highlight=tail+wheel -------- Tom Jones Classic IV 503 Rotax, 72 inch Two blade Warp Ellensburg, WA Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=312199#312199 ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 03:41:22 PM PST US Subject: Kitfox-List: Re: Tailwheel steering setup From: "Av8r3400" I had the same problem a couple of times. I will never go back to extension springs. I got a compression spring kit from Spruce for ~$25. Best investment ever. It is impossible for the springs to come off now. The only trick is to keep the chains tight and be sure your ruder stops are set properly as to not allow the tailwheel to unlock too easily. Both of these are issues I am still working on... -------- Thanks, Av8r3400 Kitfox Model IV-1200 W/912UL & IVO Kitfox Model IV-1050 W/912UL & Warp Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=312232#312232 ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 05:11:17 PM PST US Subject: Kitfox-List: Kitfox Classic IV cruise speed? From: "grantr" I am considering buying another 2 seat LSA airplane soon and I want something that is well built and that will cruise over 100 mph. I used to own a kolb MkIII with a rotax 503 and it was slow with a 55mph cruise and was a bit touchy in thermals and crosswinds. Now I am used to flying a single seat gyrocopter which is not touchy in wind and thermals. I have really been leaning towards a titan tornado II or a Sonex with a 912 or Jabiru however I like the way the kit fox looks and I really like the way the wings fold. I flew in an Avid MK IV and it had a 582 and his seemed to only cruise around 80 indicated. I am guessing it was slower due to less hp that a 912. I want a true 100 plus mph cruise. Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=312253#312253 ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 06:40:58 PM PST US From: Malcolm Brubaker Subject: Kitfox-List: crashed speedster w 912 just took in a speedster- crashed hard- w- 912 will be parting it out ,- also =0Ahave nice enclosed trailor $5,000=0Apics and list of parts to come please contact me off list--- mal- -Malcolm =0ABrubaker =0A =0AMichigan Sport=0APilot Repair =0ALSRM-A, PPC, WS=0A(989)513-3022 =0A=0A =0A=0A=0A________________________________=0AFrom: Av8r3400 =0ATo: kitfox-list@matronics.com=0ASent: Sun, September 12, 2010 6:38 :43 PM=0ASubject: Kitfox-List: Re: Tailwheel steering setup=0A=0A--> Kitfox -List message posted by: "Av8r3400" =0A=0AI had the s ame problem a couple of times.- I will never go back to extension =0Aspri ngs.=0A=0AI got a compression spring kit from Spruce for ~$25.- Best inve stment ever.- It =0Ais impossible for the springs to come off now.- The only trick is to keep the =0Achains tight and be sure your ruder stops are set properly as to not allow the =0Atailwheel to unlock too easily.- Bot h of these are issues I am still working =0Aon...=0A=0A--------=0AThanks, =0AAv8r3400=0A=0AKitfox Model IV-1200 W/912UL & IVO=0AKitfox Model IV-1 050 W/912UL & Warp=0A=0A=0A=0A=0A=0ARead this topic online here:=0A=0Ah ttp://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=312232#312232=0A=0A=0A=0A=0A =================0A=0A=0A ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 07:10:59 PM PST US From: "Lowell Fitt" Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Kitfox Classic IV cruise speed? I don't think you will have any trouble getting a 100 mph cruise if you find the right Kitfox. My first one could cruise at 100+ easily and if climb was not an issue up to 115 or more. I had a ground adjustable prop and could pitch it for preference. What I mean by the right Kitfox is that the strut supported wing is very draggy, but fairings will reduce drag a lot. When you begin looking seriously, any round tubing in the airstream will impact speed and, in fact, climb. Look for at least fairings on the lift struts and ideally on everything, or plan on installing them yourself. I had fairings everywhere on my first one and they will be on my new one as well. Another thought, the Rotax folks say that cruise at 5500 RPM is ideal. Lots of guys get anxious at those rpms and like to cruise in the low fives and sometimes in the high 4s. Of course engine power and what you will be comfortable with is a part of cruise speed. That said, there is no way it will keep up with a Sonex. Being fairly light weight, they can be bouncy in rough air, and the cross wind capability has more to do with piloting skills than the airframes limits. It has a large rudder and cross wind landings in winds exceeding 25 kts are claimed. Lowell -------------------------------------------------- From: "grantr" Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2010 5:08 PM Subject: Kitfox-List: Kitfox Classic IV cruise speed? > > I am considering buying another 2 seat LSA airplane soon and I want > something that is well built and that will cruise over 100 mph. I used to > own a kolb MkIII with a rotax 503 and it was slow with a 55mph cruise and > was a bit touchy in thermals and crosswinds. Now I am used to flying a > single seat gyrocopter which is not touchy in wind and thermals. > > I have really been leaning towards a titan tornado II or a Sonex with a > 912 or Jabiru however I like the way the kit fox looks and I really like > the way the wings fold. > > I flew in an Avid MK IV and it had a 582 and his seemed to only cruise > around 80 indicated. I am guessing it was slower due to less hp that a > 912. I want a true 100 plus mph cruise. > > > Read this topic online here: > > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=312253#312253 > > > ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 11:03:23 PM PST US From: Guy Buchanan Subject: Re: Kitfox-List: Kitfox Classic IV cruise speed? At 05:08 PM 9/12/2010, you wrote: >I have really been leaning towards a titan tornado II or a Sonex >with a 912 or Jabiru however I like the way the kit fox looks and I >really like the way the wings fold. Kitfox, Tornado, Sonex. You've got pretty nearly the entire spectrum of kit LSA's covered. You'll probably be wanting to fly in each of these to narrow your focus a bit. >I flew in an Avid MK IV and it had a 582 and his seemed to only >cruise around 80 indicated. I am guessing it was slower due to less >hp that a 912. I want a true 100 plus mph cruise. My Kitfox IV with 582/C is pretty clean and cruises 90-95 mph. Plenty of 912 Kitfox IV's cruise over 100, some up to 120, though I think they push the definition of "cruise" pretty hard. (Mine should theoretically cruise at about 105-110 after I've replaced the 582 with a 912s, though I'm hoping to reduce the cooling drag a bunch and may get more.) That said, Lowell's right, you don't buy a Kitfox to go anywhere fast in comfort any more than you'd buy a Lotus 7 to go anywhere fast in comfort. You buy it for the low and slow; meaning for the visibility, the STOL, and the sports-car handling. The other reason you buy a Kitfox is for the community. A lot of these guys (like Lowell) are simply the best people you can imagine to be around. As to the crosswind capability, the IV is only limited your skills and by the wing tip hitting the ground before the landing gear. In my bird that happened around 22 mph direct crosswind. However, when you get to 22 mph direct crosswind you can land in about 75', short enough to land crosswise at most runways. ;-) Guy Buchanan Troop 680 Scoutmaster (760) 809-6145 www.troop680.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message kitfox-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Kitfox-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/kitfox-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/kitfox-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.