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Opinions for a newbie?

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1alawrence(at)earthlink.n
Guest

Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 3:16 pm Post subject: Opinions for a newbie?

Hi guys,

        I am new here, and was reccomended by a friend.  I am looking into getting a Kitfox somtime soon, and have one that I would like to bounce off you all, and a few questions.



My situation is that I have about 15 hours of flying time in gliders, with 6-7 solo flights.  I decided I wanted to move to power instead of gliders.  What I am looking into is going in halves on a Kitfox, then getting LSA instruction.



Here is the current plane that I am looking at, and some info about it:



http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=198743



It is a Kitfox 2, it was repainted last year.  The owner just wnated to freshen it up I guess.  Empty weight is 492.  It has an 8 Gallon tank and a brand new 532 motor, not rebuilt.  The airframe has about 800 hours on it, and the new motor only 2 hours.  Electric start, no oil injection, and Hydrolic brakes.



My main question is around the 532.  Is this a decent engine?  He said the previous 532 he had in it had over 800 hours, with no rebuild.  He decided rather than a rebuild to put the new 532 in.



Please let me know what you think of this plane, and the motor.



Andrew

57_kid

Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Posts: 50

Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 3:33 pm Post subject: Opinions for a newbie?

Andrew 

Looks pretty nice to me, I have a model V and just love it ...BUT if there is any way you can afford it I would not get a partner .. My brother had an ultralight with the 582 and really never had problems but that is all I I can say about it.

Good luck with the project I think you will be Happy with the Kitfox. Another thing if at all possible try to find someone with a Kitfox so you could try it out.

Steve 



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1alawrence(at)earthlink.n
Guest

Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 4:45 pm Post subject: Opinions for a newbie?

Thanks for the info.  I do know somone with a kitfox 4 so I may go up for a flight with him before commiting to buying this one.  Unfortinately my finances will not allow me to pay the whole amount, so I need to partenr in.  He is a good guy, I am sure that the 2 of us can work things out.



Andrew

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Tom Jones

Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 752
Location: Ellensburg, WA

Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:06 pm Post subject: Re: Opinions for a newbie?

Andrew, the 532 is a good engine if you understand how to operate it.  The 532 has not been produced for quite a few years.  It may have single ignition and breaker points instead of solid state.  It this one was pickled and stored properly it should be in good shape.  I would want to know more on the history of the engine.

_________________
Tom Jones
Classic IV
503 Rotax, 72 inch Two blade Warp
Ellensburg, WA

Michel

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 966
Location: Norway

Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 10:13 pm Post subject: Opinions for a newbie?

On Oct 12, 2007, at 1:14 AM, Andrew Lawrence wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   Here is the current plane that I am looking at, and some info about it:


	


Andrew, that model 2 looks beautiful on the photos! If I was you, I'd 

go for it. I understand your hesitance about the engine and I can't 

give you an advice; I only had a Rotax 582 and now a Jabiru 2200 on my 

model 3 but I love both engines.

One thing that is for sure is that your few hours on a glider are worth 

every second of it if you are going to fly a taildragger Kitfox. It 

took me 17 hours with instructor before my first solo but my son, who 

had about 50 hours of glider 12 years ago, was allowed to fly solo 

after only 4 hours with the instructor on my Kitfox. When I asked him 

how his first Kitfox solo was, my son answered: "Not as exciting as the 

first glider solo, when you know you've got only one chance to land!"



Good luck with your purchase!



Michel Verheughe

Norway

Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200

_________________
Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200

dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:59 am Post subject: Re: Opinions for a newbie?

Andrew, 



Sounds like a good deal.  Last owner getting 800 hours from his engine is excellent.  He was doing it right . 



If you have a friend with a IV model then I would go and see how you like it . Model II is quite similar with a lower gross weight and with a little more adverse yaw but certainly a nice flyer  and an excellent performer.

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Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 7:15 am Post subject: Opinions for a newbie?

"Adverse Yaw????   My plane resembles the  remark!  Only if I don't use the rudder. 

It's amazing though how you get used to it very  fast.  Given the option of the higher differential bell cranks I'd only  install them after a complete tear down...Maybe!



 

[img]cid:945360415(at)12102007-12DB[/img]  

 Noel Loveys, RPP, AME intern

 Campbellton, Newfoundland, 

 Canada

 Kitfox Mod III-A, 582, B box, Ivo IFA

 Aerocet 1100s

 noelloveys(at)yahoo.ca (noelloveys(at)yahoo.ca)

 

 

 Do not archive

 

 

 

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_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

jose_m_toro(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 8:10 am Post subject: Opinions for a newbie?

Andrew:



What the owner means by a "New" 532.  Production of that engine ended about 15 years ago.  Has it been opened and verified recently?



I used to own a KF II/582, and still have the opportunity to fly it.  It is a very nice combo.  Excellent performance: 70 mph cruise, 500 fpm climb dual, 30 mph stalls, very short take offs and landings.



The one on the picture looks great.  It seems to me like the price is right even with the 532.  I would go for it!!!  As an instruction plane, it should make of you a good "taildragger driver".



José



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dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 8:28 am Post subject: Re: Opinions for a newbie?

Noel,



I don't think you can just change bell cranks to change to aileron differntial.   I did talk to Mc Bean a few weeks back and he does offer a kit i believe to upgrade to aileron diferential on the pre IV models or at least some of them.  Best to contact John to find out for sure. 

 	  Quote: 	
		  Adverse Yaw???? My plane resembles the remark! Only if I don't use the rudder. 

It's amazing though how you get used to it very fast. Given the option of the higher differential bell cranks I'd only install them after a complete tear down...Maybe!

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:23 am Post subject: Opinions for a newbie?

Not a prob. Dave.   I'm only going to do the engine this winter   I expect

to order the mount next month.  McBean wants a template of my firewall to

make the welding jig.  I certainly don't have any problems with the adverse

yaw.  That's one reason they have rudder pedals.



Noel



[quote] --

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

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