Firesteve

Members
  • Content count

    13
  • Joined

  • Last visited


Community Reputation

5 Neutral

About Firesteve

  • Rank
    Member

Firesteve's Activity

  1. Firesteve added a post in a topic Kitfox Mk2 wing rebuild   

    Hi Paul,
     
    I'm now in the process of applying for change of engine in BSGG (Mk2) from a Jab 2200 to a 912. It has been agreed in principle and I now have to prove it will work in my air frame, weight and balance, engine mount etc. Skelly is right in mentioning the weight, it won't make it an SSDR but it will not leave much for fuel, I fly mainly alone so not too much of an issue for me!
     
    Kind regards, Steve
    • 0
  2. Firesteve added a post in a topic Amateur video of me replacing the Spar Carry thru Tube   

    What size pipe did you replace the original with?
     
    • 0
  3. Firesteve added a post in a topic Short video of the new control system   

    Hi TJ, love your work! have you any photographs of your mod? I would love to give this a go!!
     
    • 0
  4. Firesteve added a post in a topic Kitfox Mk2 wing rebuild   

    Not a microlight anymore, group A but I think that is down to the wing modifications not the weight. Interestingly even as a group A it still has the weight limitations the same as ours, that is 950lb MAUW. I need to have a chat with the owner and see how he has achieved this.
     
    • 1
  5. Firesteve added a post in a topic Model 2/912   

    How are you guts getting on with your 912's, I'm going to need some information on the installations if that's ok?
     
    • 0
  6. Firesteve added a post in a topic New wingtips...   

    Superb job Tommy,
    If you decide to make any more you could sell them on and recover some of your costs  (I'm based n the UK)
     
    • 0
  7. Firesteve added a post in a topic Kitfox 2 frame strengthening   

    Hi Skelly,
     
    Don't forget your MAUW for the Kitfox 2 is 950lb or 430.913kg, this weight cannot be increased without a serious amount of testing or paperwork. You may be able to get the factory to back you up on a weight increase but I wouldn't hold my breath!
    • 0
  8. Firesteve added a post in a topic Kitfox Mk2 wing rebuild   

    I figure if the weight and balance requires weight to be added to the tail I will extend the vertical stab along with the horizontal and increase the cord. I figure larger surfaces have to be preferable to dead weight doing nothing! The cowlings on BSGG with the Jab had to be extended by four inches, you can see it on the photograph above. When I removed the cowlings to see how the mod had been done I was taken back by the weight, 6.3kg (13.88lb)!!!! a mass of bodged on glass fiber was used to achieve the extension of the nose. The carbon fiber alternatives I made come in at 2.6kg (5.73lb) all saved weight at the pointy end!
     
    • 1
  9. Firesteve added a post in a topic Kitfox Mk2 wing rebuild   

    Hi Dusty, the 'Optima mod' as it is so called here in the UK (who knows why) but basically involved removing the under camber but inserting foam packers or the addition of plywood spar extensions to flatten the underside. Remove one bay from the end of each wing to shorten the wingspan.
    Only done here if you want a group A aircraft as it takes the stall speed threshold above the required standard here in the UK to registered as a microlight.
    • 1
  10. Firesteve added a post in a topic Kitfox Mk2 wing rebuild   

    There is one other in the UK with a 912 fitted, it is registered as a group A but I think it is down to the 'Optima' wing mod it has on it.
    I have always liked the 912 and have a friend with lots and lots of spares so it seems the obvious option to me. My '2' had a Jabiru 2200 fitted along with a 6lb lead weight in the tail! It seems to have been a bit of a 'stick it on' and fly it installation, nothing wrong with that but I think with a little time and careful calculation as to where to fix items to the airframe I should be able to make it work.
    BSGG weighed 525lb with the Jab fitted, with two people at 86kg it only left enough room for 28ltrs of fuel to remain under MAUW, if I can achieve that with a 912 I would be more than happy!!
    100mph is more than enough for me, it would be nice to be able to have a set of non-under camber wings to put on if a bit of touring was on the cards. To be honest I would register it as SSDR if I thought I could get away with it but its just too heavy!!
    G-FOXZ is the UK based Mk2 with a 912 fitted.


    • 0
  11. Firesteve added a post in a topic Kitfox Mk2 wing rebuild   

    Hi Skelly,
    I'm looking into the possibility of installing a 912 and still keeping it within the microlight category. I think it can be done with careful positioning of certain components and removal of any unnecessary items. I'm looking into the removal of the under-camber on the wings as with the 'optima' mod but keeping the wing length the same, hopefully keep the stall under the required limit. Eurofox seem to manage it and after all there is not a great deal of difference in the airframe. I'm investigating wider undercarriage also along with a few other mods including increasing the vertical stab and rudder. New cowlings made to fit the Jabiru but these will now have to be modified if the 912 goes in!


    • 0
  12. Firesteve added a post in a topic Kitfox Mk2 wing rebuild   

    Hi Skelly,
     
    I'm looking at doing exactly the same mods on my mk2 also, I'm not far from you on the Norfolk/Lincolnshire border. If we get our heads together we may be able to share the hassle of the 'mod' process with the LAA, not to mention the costs!!
    PM me your details, I'm having trouble with the site not allowing me to send you a message or contact me at stevelyden1974@gmail.com
     
    Kind regards, Steve
    • 1
  13. Firesteve added a post in a topic Fuselage Stretch - best way?   

    Thanks Randy, nice work!
    • 0
  14. Firesteve added a post in a topic Fuselage Stretch - best way?   

    Would be nice if Randy could post some pics!! 
    • 0
  15. Firesteve added a topic in Technical tasks   

    Fuselage Stretch - best way?
    For you guys that have stretched a C Avid or MK2 Kitfox which is the best way to approach, what tubes etc?
    Cheers guys
    • 20 replies
    • 3,575 views