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Kitfox Handling Problems

 
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CrownLJ(at)verizon.net
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 11, 2006 4:30 am    Post subject: Kitfox Handling Problems Reply with quote

The absolute best "fix" for the lack of elevator is lead on the tail. The Kitfox CG range is nose heavy even within the range. I have tried to make my Avid mk1V elevator 20% larger, to no avial - yes gap seals too) At the time, I had already moved my CG from10ish to 14ish. I called the designer Dean Wilson, and he told me to move it to the aft limit (which is still safe). I now have the empty cg on the aft limit, people & fuel bring it forward. If I do want to put stuff in the luggage, I simply take off lead weight to compensate. I always land power off 3 point, as close to stall as I am able and still the tail touches 1st. ( I'm trying to change the gear angle now) Try to mount a 5# weight on the tail and go try it - you will like it. From there you can refine it to your liking. I am not suggesting that you EXCEED the aft limit, but it was set as a limit with the idea it would be flown there and the usual saftey margins have been designed with that considered.

Larry


Time: 05:56:41 PM PST US
From: Marco Menezes <msm_9949(at)yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Kitfox handling problems



Hi Dave,

You might be right. My empty CG is 10.65, within the range (10.2-14.2Cool but
admittedly toward the front end of it. How does that translate into MAC? In the
Ed Downs book, he describes the stall characteristics of a model 2 exactly like
how mine acts. I thought it was fairly typical for the design so have left
well enough alone.


Aerobatics(at)aol.com wrote:

In a message dated 3/10/2006 12:24:21 P.M. Central Standard Time,
msm_9949(at)yahoo.com writes:

Bradley,

I have gap seals on my Model 2 and it still lacks elevator authority at
"stall" speed. There's really no such thing as a flare or "full stall" landing
in
my 2. Not at all like I was used to in Cessnas or even Cubs. It's more like
a "full mush" landing. This resulted in alot of spectacular bounces at first
until someone on the list suggested carring more speed into touchdown. Now,
if I touch down at 45 or so ( indicated) there's no bounce at all. Haven't
tried using flaps to increase glide angle, slips seem to work pretty good for
that. I though the flaps on Models 1-3 were more for trim than anything else.

Hi I have a 2 as well, sealing the gaps made a huge difference for me. You
might want to check your CG. Like you I ran out of elevator on flare.... I
believe empty my CG is at 27% MAC. you may be just a tad nose heavy
Best,
Dave Patrick KF2


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