New guy considering buying a Kitfox, need advice

[NimPBI 0]

I'm in the market for a starter plane and hangar space in my area is both unobtainable and unaffordable.  Think $1,200/month for a T-hangar after a years long wait list.  Therefore, a folding wing design that I can park in my garage is a very appealing thing.  I've always been a custom fabricator when it came to any motorcycle, truck, car, or boat that I have ever owned and even my own scuba equipment back in the day, so I don't see any reason why I would want to change that trend when moving on to aircraft.  I'm pretty sure that experimentals are the flavor of aviation that is the best fit for me.  I see that a few Kitfox 4 are up for sale within a reasonable distance of me.  The performance specs seem acceptable to me.  So that leaves me to wonder, what specific issues should I be looking for when I give these planes the once over, before I call in an A&P to do a genuine pre-buy inspection?

 

My mechanical & electronics backgrounds are both strong, but my aircraft background is pretty darn thin, so please don't be afraid to describe things in detail.

 

Thanks,

Jim

[AvidJack 37]

I'll take a stab at this..

I'm building a kitfox 4.  Which doesn't really describe what I'm building..

The early 4 had a gross weight of 1050 pounds. That was changed to 1200 pounds in later production.. mine's a 1200 sold by skystar.  And, it has the "speedster" modifications, more streamlining, shorter wings.  There are also two cowling options- the round "bump" cowling, which kinda looks like a round engine is installed, and the smooth cowling.  There were even options for a nose-dragger (not for me..)

So, I'm building a Kitfox 4 1200 speedster (tailwheel). Mine has the original bungie gear and round cowling.  Some of the speedsters were built with the ability to lengthen the wings by adding an extension- I'm not doing that.  

You might look up the history of kitfox online.. The model name later changed from kitfox 4 1200 to kitfox 4 classic, with several mods made.  Make sure you get the builder's manual that matches the plane you're buying- I have three variations of the manual, and there are still questions.  Several changes have been made through the years, and more importantly, several service bulletins have been published.  You'll want to match those to what you're buying.

Engines- that can be controversial. I've had really bad luck with early Jabiru engines, the first three series had extensive modifications.. and are less and less supported by the factory. 2 strokes- I've had good luck with the Rotax 582, but hated the short time between mandated work. Again, older engines.. less support.  Hirth, I was ok with, although service manuals are non-existant, until the long-time distributor (recpower) retired a few years ago, and the new distributor doesn't have much info on the non-uav stuff.  My speedster has a Rotax 912 uls installed, (used, almost at overhaul time, which varies by serial number). It has a separate log book, detailing work done, allegedly by a well-respected company.  I've found several issues which were "overlooked" or not documented.  

How many hours?  If more than 200, most of the bugs have been flown out.  I have an avid catalina with 80 hours on it- after buidling it, my mission changed- I now have a grass strip in the country, and the cat's suspension is all in the tires. It's been a while since I flew it (been building the speedster)- so it'll be a major effort to go through it before its next flight. Another consideration- aircraft that haven't flown in a while, or often, are unhappy.  The cat still had a few squawks that I was working through- They're in the logbook- you'll want to read any of those for completeness, and good detail as to work performed.

And- you can post your "possible" purchases here- a few pics and concerns should get you feedback.

I'm a fan of the folding wings. Forget the towbar, set up a boat trailer, and support the tail, not on the wheel. But- since you're looking at that route, measure the height of the garage door.. I had to drop the deck of the trailer on the mains.  My hangar is really a shed- so I have to fold the wings every time.  If you're flying several times in a period, check for short-term tie-down costs at your airport. Or, better yet, with the wings folded, you might make a deal with another pilot to fit in their hangar- take a look at my avatar :-)  Jack