Model 7 Kitfox

[herman pahls 9]

There is a Model 7 Kitfox advertized on barnstormers that has a modified for more HPower 0-200 Continental.

It is nicely done and equiped, weighs 850 pounds and they are asking $75,000.

How well will this Kitfox perform since it basically has the same wing area as my old model I?

I am sure the stall speed increases with weight.

A model 5 owner told me his 780 pound Model 5 with a 912S lands shorter than his early 582 powered Kitfox.

How does a heavier airplane land shorter?

What speed do the newer Kitfox's powered by the 912S cruise at and at what fuel burn.

At what point does a heavy Kitfox with a 0-200 become a Cessna 150?

The owner says his 0-200 equipped model 7 burns 4.5 gallon per hour at 110 mph.

Thanks Herman 541 404 6464 Oregon

[EDMO 1078]

Does anyone have the length dimensions for the various Kitfox models? Particulary interested in comparing KF5 and up with earlier ones.

Ed in MO

[ChrisBolkan 130]

There is a Model 7 Kitfox advertized on barnstormers that has a modified for more HPower 0-200 Continental.

It is nicely done and equiped, weighs 850 pounds and they are asking $75,000.

How well will this Kitfox perform since it basically has the same wing area as my old model I?

I am sure the stall speed increases with weight.

A model 5 owner told me his 780 pound Model 5 with a 912S lands shorter than his early 582 powered Kitfox.

How does a heavier airplane land shorter?

What speed do the newer Kitfox's powered by the 912S cruise at and at what fuel burn.

At what point does a heavy Kitfox with a 0-200 become a Cessna 150?

The owner says his 0-200 equipped model 7 burns 4.5 gallon per hour at 110 mph.

Thanks Herman 541 404 6464 Oregon

We have a Kitfox 5 (same as 7) with a 0-200 based at Richland. It became a 150 the minute the 0-200 cranked over, started and the plane flew. Not trying to be sarcastic, but the combo is heavy and does not perform very well. Does make a great airport to airport cross country cruiser though.

We also have a KF 5 with 80 hp 912. Now that is one fine plane, although a 912S would be the bees knees!

Chris Bolkan

[Av8r3400 1179]

There is a Model 7 Kitfox advertized on barnstormers that has a modified for more HPower 0-200 Continental.

It is nicely done and equiped, weighs 850 pounds and they are asking $75,000.

How well will this Kitfox perform since it basically has the same wing area as my old model I?

I am sure the stall speed increases with weight.

A model 5 owner told me his 780 pound Model 5 with a 912S lands shorter than his early 582 powered Kitfox.

How does a heavier airplane land shorter?

What speed do the newer Kitfox's powered by the 912S cruise at and at what fuel burn.

At what point does a heavy Kitfox with a 0-200 become a Cessna 150?

The owner says his 0-200 equipped model 7 burns 4.5 gallon per hour at 110 mph.

Thanks Herman 541 404 6464 Oregon

A 780# 912S powered model 5 may out climb a light (<550#) 582 powered early (1-3) model but there is no way in hell it will land shorter or take off shorter.

[akflyerbob 41]

What might be the climb rate on that 780lb 912S powered mod 5

[Av8r3400 1179]

What might be the climb rate on that 780lb 912S powered mod 5

I'd bet at least 1500 fpm, sustained...

[dholly 718]

I'd bet at least 1500 fpm, sustained...

From the Kitfox Pilots Guide (all based on two 170 lb. occupants plus a fuel quantity so that maximum gross weight is not exceeded, no baggage load):

KF 5/1400-912ul

Avg empty weight 700 lbs

Avg Rate of Climb 900 fpm

KF 5/1400-912uls

Avg empty weight 750 lbs

Avg Rate of Climb 1200 fpm

KF 5/1550-912uls

Avg empty weight 750 lbs

Avg Rate of Climb 1200 fpm

KF 5/1550-O-200

Avg empty weight 850 lbs

Avg Rate of Climb 1200 fpm

KF 5/1550-O-235

Avg empty weight 900 lbs

Avg Rate of Climb 1300 fpm

KF 5/1550-5-IO-240B

Avg empty weight 900 lbs

Avg Rate of Climb 1400 fpm

KF 6/1550-912uls

Avg empty weight 750 lbs

Avg Rate of Climb 1200 fpm

KF 6/1550-O-200

Avg empty weight 850 lbs

Avg Rate of Climb 1200 fpm

KF 6/1550-O-235

Avg empty weight 900 lbs

Avg Rate of Climb 1300 fpm

KF 6/1550-IO-240B

Avg empty weight 900 lbs

Avg Rate of Climb 1400 fpm

KF 6/1550-O-200

Avg empty weight 850 lbs

Avg Rate of Climb 1200 fpm

KF 7/1550-O-200

Avg empty weight 850 lbs

Avg Rate of Climb 1200 fpm

KF 7/1550-O-235

Avg empty weight 900 lbs

Avg Rate of Climb 1300 fpm

KF 7/1550-IO-240B

Avg empty weight 900 lbs

Avg Rate of Climb 1400 fpm

KF 7/1550-912uls

Avg empty weight 750 lbs

Avg Rate of Climb 1200 fpm

KF 7/1550-914 turbo

Avg empty weight 800 lbs

Avg Rate of Climb 1400 fpm

The POH for my 680 lb. empty/1232 lb gross weight Aerotrek 912uls says Rate of Climb = 816 fpm, I expected better.

[akflyerbob 41]

There is a large difference between summer and winter preformance in

my mod 1, 582, but it will beat thoes numbers, even in summer.

When we did the W/B it was 518 lbs. I carry 19 gal gas.

I have bare min vfr stuff

Probably not the turbo

Edited 6 May 2012 by akflyerbob

[EDMO 1078]

We have a Kitfox 5 (same as 7) with a 0-200 based at Richland. It became a 150 the minute the 0-200 cranked over, started and the plane flew. Not trying to be sarcastic, but the combo is heavy and does not perform very well. Does make a great airport to airport cross country cruiser though.

We also have a KF 5 with 80 hp 912. Now that is one fine plane, although a 912S would be the bees knees!

Chris Bolkan

I have my doubts about the heavy Kitfox 0-200, landing shorter than the 150 if both are at same weight: Those big, 40 degree flaps really slow down the 150. That's why mine will have flaps and not flaperons - but most importantly, better roll control with ailerons and flaps for those Kansas crosswinds we seem to get a lot.

I was once told by an old pilot that the Kansas windspeed indicator is a 6 foot log chain nailed to a stump: If the end of the chain is even with the top of the stump, then it is too windy to fly!!!

Ed in MO

Edited 7 May 2012 by Ed In Missouri