kitfoxjunky(at)decisionla
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 Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:14 am Post subject: Kitfox 4 engine upgrade |
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912 or 912S
In a KF IV it is an awesome combination.
Gary Walsh
KF IV Anphib 912S
C-GOOT
www.decisionlabs.com/kitfox
do not archive
<av8rps(at)tznet.com>
Sent by: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com
01/07/2005 05:41 PM
Please respond to kitfox-list
To: <kitfox-list(at)matronics.com>
cc:
Subject: Re: Kitfox 4 engine upgrade
--> Kitfox-List message posted by: <av8rps(at)tznet.com>
Ron:
A friend switched his Avid Mark IV over to a Jabiru after flying on a 582
for years. He too wanted to go to floats, although just straight
(non-amphib) type. He liked the Jabiru for it's fuel economy, smoothness,
and reliability. The first year he operated on wheels. But the second year
when he put it on floats he was disappointed with the performance. Even
solo in that light Avid airframe (530 lbs on wheels if I remember correctly)
it was underpowered. He crashed the airplane shortly after it was put on
floats in an accident that happened from hitting large waves after not being
able to lift off in a reasonable distance. It was his opinion that the
engine just doesn't develop enough thrust for what a seaplane needs (a
seaplane needs all the thrust as you can get). Consequently large diameter
props are typically required. The Jab spins too many rpm's to turn a long
propellor efficiently. Possibly the larger Jabiru might work better, but I
believe it also runs higher rpms without aid of a gearbox (??). So that one
I'm not sure about. But if it were me I'd go with the sure thing for a
Model IV amphib, the 100 hp 912 Rotax. And if your floats and airframe are
light, even that 582 will work ok. I've flown lots of Avids and Kitfoxes on
straight floats with 532-582 engines. They are great performers off the
water with that engine, so they will still be ok as an amphib I'm sure. But
that 912s will put you in the Supercub class.
But....this is just my opinion after flying Avids and Kitfoxes for 1200+
hours, mostly on floats...
Paul Seehafer
Central Wisconsin
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