Neil

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Posts posted by Neil

  1. Posted

    Well after bringing  it home in a 1500 mile trip, 6 years of on and off rebuilding, Kitfox 4  N# 423GB left the ground this evening for the first time since 2006.  When I got it, it had a Subaru EA81, and weighed 826 lbs.  Now it has a 80 HP Rotax 912, and weighs 645.   I just did a couple short trips around the pattern, but she sure flew nice, and climbed like a home sick angel.  Here are some quick numbers.  I'm at 1500 MSL, and wasn't pushing anything to get the most out of it.   I was off the ground in about 300', climbed at 1000' per minute, cruised at about 5000 rpm doing 90-95 MPH.  And that is without streamlining on the lift struts yet.  I'm sure the numbers will be better then.  I have some videos of the flights, but it will take some time to edit them into something I can put up on utube.  I snapped a couple of pics of my computer screen with the videos on so I could at least post some pictures.  One thing else I learned from the videos, is it took 38 seconds to get from pushing in the throttle to 500' AGL.  Best I think I've ever measured with my Jabiru powered Avid was 42 or 43 seconds.  I did it once in my Avid B model with 532 in 32 seconds, but that plane only weighed 445 lbs.  Anyway, I'm one happy guy this evening.  I'll have to start working on editing the videos soon.  I see I didn't get the date stamp set right on two out of three of the go pros.  JImChuk

    Kitfox flight 1.jpg

    Kitfox flight 2.jpg

    Kitfox flying 3.jpg

    Well after bringing  it home in a 1500 mile trip, 6 years of on and off rebuilding, Kitfox 4  N# 423GB left the ground this evening for the first time since 2006.  When I got it, it had a Subaru EA81, and weighed 826 lbs.  Now it has a 80 HP Rotax 912, and weighs 645.   I just did a couple short trips around the pattern, but she sure flew nice, and climbed like a home sick angel.  Here are some quick numbers.  I'm at 1500 MSL, and wasn't pushing anything to get the most out of it.   I was off the ground in about 300', climbed at 1000' per minute, cruised at about 5000 rpm doing 90-95 MPH.  And that is without streamlining on the lift struts yet.  I'm sure the numbers will be better then.  I have some videos of the flights, but it will take some time to edit them into something I can put up on utube.  I snapped a couple of pics of my computer screen with the videos on so I could at least post some pictures.  One thing else I learned from the videos, is it took 38 seconds to get from pushing in the throttle to 500' AGL.  Best I think I've ever measured with my Jabiru powered Avid was 42 or 43 seconds.  I did it once in my Avid B model with 532 in 32 seconds, but that plane only weighed 445 lbs.  Anyway, I'm one happy guy this evening.  I'll have to start working on editing the videos soon.  I see I didn't get the date stamp set right on two out of three of the go pros.  JImChuk

    Kitfox flight 1.jpg

    Kitfox flight 2.jpg

    Kitfox flying 3.jpg

    Congratulations Jim !!

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  2. Posted


    Jim, The ailerons and rudder were modified because he was going to put the plane on floats, also the fuselage has been lengthen by 16".  Your right about the feet. It takes plenty of rudder for sure. This is my second Avid so I have a pretty good idea how it should fly. I think your right about the ailerons causing the problem in the first place. So I started to remove the extensions yesterday. I'll test fly it tomorrow. If that doesn't help I'll start thinking about putting on a stock rudder. You stated the stock rudder is 18" at the widest point. This rudder is 24". Maybe I can pick up a round rudder from someone on this forum. Thanks, Jim and others for your help, Neil

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  4. Posted


    I lengthened the rudder horns and that reduced the rudder pressure and movement some.  The trailing edge of the ailerons have been increased by 1 1/2 inch and I'm wondering if this could be adding to my adverse yaw. I have the F7A mod and can't say that it helped much. I can remove the extensions by drilling out the rivets. What do you all think ? Neil

  5. Posted


    Thank you !! I'll post my handling problem later. Both those post help. Neil

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  6. Posted

    Would someone here be able to give me the dimension of the round rudder, mainly interested in the width. I have a stretched fuselage with an over sized rudder and it's to much rudder authority. I'm thinking of changing the rudder back to stock. The previous owner was going to put the plane on floats so the rudder was enlarged. Thanks, Neil

  8. Posted

    My question has to do with the F7A mod. Does the F7A mod give the ailerons more up travel than down ?   With the mod installed I have the same travel up as I do down. Is this correct ? Thanks, Neil

  9. Posted

    My question has to do with the F7A mod. Does the F7A mod give the ailerons more up travel than down ?   With the mod installed I have the same travel up as I do down. Is this correct ? Thanks, Neil

  10. Posted

    I have been trying to reach Mark also. I'm in need of the threaded rods that works with the F7A mod. I have the L shaped part of the linkage, in fact I have an extra set if anyone wants to buy them. I had a guy make a set from borrowed ones but the welder didn't want to make the threaded rods.  Mark contacted me several weeks ago stated he would make them for me. but haven't heard back yet. Would you be willing to give me Marks phone #. Thanks Neil

  11. Posted

    Going to have to stop the install for a while. Had a tragic accident this weekend. Stepson, his wife and 6 yr old daughter were killed in a traffic accident last Thursday in SC.  Wife is taking it pretty hard so the Fox takes a back seat for awhile. Maybe in a few months I can get back to it.

    Very sorry to hear about this Allen. I had this type of tragedy in my family so know just what your going through. Neil Rupp

  12. Posted

    Pretty quiet, and maybe this will inspire others.  Getting closer.  Also, here is the view over the nose with the tail up in the air.  I'm about 5'9" at best, and the camera was right at my eye level looking straight ahead in the picture of the view over the nose.  I'm going to like this set up for visibility.  That was my biggest gripe about the Kitfox round cowl.   My instrument panel is about 1 1/2" lower then the standard Kitfox panel.   I'm going to like it I think.  Got the tail feathers installed, and am setting diehedrial and washout.   This Kitfox had bare lift struts, (no streamlining)  I'm using the un streamlined lift struts from my other Kitfox 4 project so I can get this flying sooner, and then I can make up the streamlining for this planes struts at my leisure.  JImChuk

    getting close 1.jpg

    getting close 3.jpg

    getting close 4.jpg

    Sure looks nice

    Thanks Jim for all the pictures. Install the prop tomorrow, W & B, and Test the engine. Getting close. Neil Rupp

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  14. Posted


    Hi Jack, Yes I received them and there at the welders . He said he would get to them in a couple of weeks. I sent two or three emails through this site and I'm wondering what I did wrong that you didn't receive them. Let me know. Thanks for doing this. My Email is neilrupp@metalinl.net. Phone 419-551-1812

  16. Posted


    Jack, Would you be willing to send me your extra set of F7f bell cranks. I'll send you a check,You name the amount. I'll have an aircraft local welder weld up a set for me. I'll send your set back. Then you can send my money back less your fee for the trouble of doing this. Thank you, Neil   

  21. Posted

    I'm getting ready to attach my wood fairings to my rebuilt struts. Questions to the forum.  What type of glue is recommended now days?  Should the strut tubing be painted first?  What should the wood be sealed with? Thanks you, Neil  model C HH

  24. Posted


    Thanks Jim. That looks like something I can do. My model C project is coming along real good. Thanks for everyone's help. N R

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