KITFOX MODEL 7 STi 1 YEAR REVIEW
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- Опубликовано: 26 авг 2024
- Sorry for the delay on this video, here’s my 1 year review of owning and flying the Kitfox Model 7 STi.
This video is from the buying, owning, and flying perspective. If you’d like to learn more about the build process I have several videos on my channel sharing my experience.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, see you next time.
Follow me on Instagram @7kilofox
My tool list: 7kilofox.com
This is my thoughts on these light STOL aircraft. Everybody chases stall, speed and takeoff and landing distance yet 90+ percent of people and videos that I see are taking off and landing in areas that they have 4 to 10 times as much landing or takeoff distance. Very few people actually fly their plane to within 10% of the capability With regards to terrain and collateral damage. That being said, getting somewhere to play off airport is nice. Point being a faster plane for cross country has enough STOL capability 99% and is a more pleasurable experience than a completely STOL Aircraft trying to drone it across the country. A Skywagon, is a perfect example.
It seems like a great platform as long as it has a 915is.
Definitely interesting to hear the 1 year review. Nice.
Having built 4 Homebuilt aircraft and number 5 on order ( been 16 months) I can attest that going experimental is the way to go . No one knows your particular aircraft better than you do. It’s extremely rewarding to build and test fly your own aircraft. With certified aircraft becoming beyond the reach of affordability for the average pilot, home building is the only way to go outside of renting.
You did a beautiful job on that Kitfox! Cool paint scheme too.
Interesting. We are bringing Recon airplane to market here at Zephyrhills, FL. It is a redesigned bigger Apollo LSA. Doing the testing with standard 912ULS engine which is also 100 HP. At a weight of 1320 pounds gross, we are seeing 650 FPM climb sustained in hot Florida right now (2500 feet DA and very humid). Adjusting it for standard conditions, that is right around 790 FPM performance. Seeing around 100 mph cruise with 22 inch tires and no wheel pants with spring leaf gear that we make ourselves. With standard size tires and wheel pants, I expect to gain around 10 mph cruise speed at 75% power. Your STi should perform similarly unless the penalty from the landing gear is very severe. Remember drag affects not just your speed but also your rate of climb. You might want to try a slightly slower airspeed because that may be your real Vy than what you are using right now. That shift can happen due to extra drag. I cannot imagine a 1500 pound gross weight with 100 HP. We will allow 1500 pounds gross weight with 916iS only because with 100 HP performance at that gross weight is not satisfactory at all.
I enjoyed the video and review. You mentioned how reasonably priced, payload issues, and how terribly slow (a couple times).. I wish you had mentioned your total costs, payload limits, and some of your speeds.. You know us arm chair aviation RUclipsrs.. We love to hear the data. Thanks for taking the time to put videos out.
I came so close to purchasing one back so many years ago. When that kit hit the market, I was ready! Unfortunately, the stars all have to align once you have a family to be able to make such a purchase. So, here I sit living vicariously through you and a couple others. Stay safe and enjoy, time goes by too quickly!
currently looking at a 3 with 4 wings... never owned an experimental. Man these things are fun. Nice video!
I built, owned, and flew a kitfox for 15 years 100 hp rotax ivo 3 blade. I live in northern utah and flew with my Brother in law with camp gear full fuel and had great performance in the backcountry of Idaho. Made sue we always flew in the cool morning air, cruise speed was 105 and never would it only climb 300 ft per min.
I’ve enjoyed watching your videos - thank-you for taking the time to make them.
Very honest review!! Thanks for sharing!! Best regards from Brasilia, Brazil.
huebr
really good information to know. thank you. the one area that is elusive to figure out is wind limitations. apparently, above a certain wind speed , especially at winds aloft, the kitfox get blown around like a dry leaf in the wind. Id really like to know what your experience has been like what are your go no go parameters. thanks
I’m investigating buying the STI right now. A buddy of mine is going to fly me to the factory which is only about 50 miles from here, next week. I would want the 915 motor because of the mountains here in Idaho.
Was already thinking about the 140 HP rotax in my build but now I’m contemplating the new 160 HP option. I want to be able to take someone with me. Maybe some camping gear. So the 100 HP option is a no go.
Very informative review! It deserves more view and thumb up.
I miss my Kitfox😂. I sold it in 2017 to an Icelandic air airline pilot. I disagree with some of your cons:
- my KITFOX IV Speedster had the 85 hp Rotax and 28 gallon fuel tanks. At 4 gallons per hour and 87 knots I had a range of about 600 statute miles, 6 hours endurance. I flew trips from Jacksonville, Florida to Oshkosh and JAX to Farmingdale, Long Island, New York. I also flew it frequently from Jacksonville to Cedar key Florida, which is on the gulf coast.
- I didn’t notice a significant difference in cruise with two people on board. Yes, it is took more runway to takeoff and did not climb as well.
Folding the wings when they are full of fuel is difficult because the wing wants to swing back towards the tail. A neat solution is to build a stool on wheels, raise the tail, and slide the stool underneath the tail.
I have a friend with a model 7 and a 915, he says he travels at 110mph. I would consider to install a Zipper kit in your engine and bump it up to 115Hp. I have a model 4 with a 912 and that is plenty of power for me.
Like the honesty, I think putting a CSU on may be like putting 120hp motor in but without the fuel burn. I have a RANS S6S with 80hp with Airmaster CSU. I should do some comparisons of performance RUclips showing the difference if I leave it in fixed position etc. very nice plane you built
How do you like the Airmaster prop? I assume it’s a constant speed prop.
Good review, always nice to see a follow up! Beautiful job btw
Definitely is helping me with my prop choices thank you
No problem with STOL with my S7 STI with 2 people and full fuel, but I do have 160hp Apex and the NR 3 blade prop. Slow as shit though..................
That's NA correct?
Is it certified for IFR? NICE INSTRUMENT PANEL!
Would you mind sharing some specific planes you have in mind when you say there are others better at going "long distances affordably"?
Thanks much for doing the one-year review, very interesting perspective. I enjoyed your build videos, so thanks for them as well! Does the fuel in the wing tanks need to be drained to fold the wings? Thanks
Yes I did a video on folding the wings. The manual says to drain the tanks before folding but don't tell you the best way to drain them. I think the easiest way to drain them is to siphon rather than doing what I did.
What do you do for a living?
I think you should have gone for the standard wing in all honesty
This 100%. I would even add he should have gone with the spring gear too. So many super sport pilots out there landing the exact same spots with the standard wing and grove gear.
Good job!
Check out Boden Aero easy to add 10 mph
You may have meant Bowen Aero LLC, and he does have some great items for a Kitfox.
Great video! Good information. Curious about comfortable cruising speed?
S-21 Outbound.
Do you have prior building experience? Or is this something truly anyone with a little mechanical know how can tackle?
How slow is slow? What do you typically cruise at with your setup?
how do you like the sensenich prop ?
I am close to completing an SS7 with a 915iS and have enjoyed and learned from your videos. I have an MT CS prop on backorder that won’t be delivered until at least August 2023. I’m considering a temporary prop so I can fly this summer. Do you think the prop you have would work on a 915iS?
No! I wouldn't use my prop. A fixed pitch will also kill you performance but you will be fine if it is just for starters. I would get a Sensenich 78" 2 blade. Ask for Don.
Sensenich is taking orders for a new 82" three-blade prop that was designed for the 915. Don at Sensenich can give you the details.
Thanks, I’ll check that out.
What's the music at 6:50
How old are you and what do you do?
May I buy It from you ??????????
Guy cannot keep eye contact
Rad planes when the kit was 25k. Way to stop the cool. Model 4s selling for 60k up from 12k. No thanks. Back to avids and ravens
🤮
I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’ve flown mine from Idaho to Oshkosh with two people over max gross with 912is. We flew just fine all the way to 13.5 over the grand Tetons. I fly into the Idaho back country daily with two adults and camping gear. Sounds like you need to learn to fly your plane before making up bogus reviews. We fly into 350’ strips regularly. My indicated is 104 mph so not the fastest plane out there but definitely doable for cross country travel.
I think the main difference between your aircraft and mine Jason is the constant speed prop. I think it really makes or breaks the plane. My biggest regret is not spending the extra $9k on one.
@@7KiloFox yes the constant speed prop is the only way to go to get the best of both worlds. My point is by giving a negative review towards kitfox by a choice of prop you chose is not a fair overview on Kitfox.
A little harsh there Jason Gray. It’s his review and it’s his opinion if he doesn’t see it the same as you do that’s fine. He sounds like a pretty sharp guy, built his airplane in under 2 years, is having fun and enjoying it. As to his piloting ability not everyone is gods gift to aviation like yourself but I would bet he is a good pilot as well. It’s a downer to have someone come here and go full negative when we come here to enjoy aviation.
Where are you located? I'm in Missoula mt and would love the opportunity to see one of these up close
@@Cbow406 there is a couple guys in your area building. You can always come to Homedale Idaho to the factory.
Apparently he’s never heard of Trent Palmer … literally put KitFox on the map… has a 100 videos of what a kitFox is capable of… but yeah let’s hear what a true amateur has to say about a plane he’s barely flown..🤦🏻♂️
Trent has an extra 50% Hp on his set up. And Trent NEVER talks about the difficulties of building one, or any real difficulties. Trent is all marketing. The kinda guy you can know for 10 years and never know.... Trent is that guy. This guy is bearing his sole. And yes lets hear the amateurs story... if you don't want to hear it... F#$% OFF.... why are you here... did his story hurt your little angle feelings?
Keep uploading! Get the stats you deserve = Promo_SM !!!