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Kitfox 5 Flight tests

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RRTRACK(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:04 am Post subject: Kitfox 5 Flight tests

After three days of flight testing my Kitfox 5 Vixen, 912 UL,   68" three blade GSC (at)16.5 degrees pitch

 I am starting to get some real data to work with. 

  

 STATIC PORT - I believe the ASI is not reading  correctly. The slow cruise speeds and very low stall speeds are not likely  correct. I have been advised to disconnect the static port line and test the ASI  again.

  

 With static port    5000 rpm  =   78  knots  (level flight 2000 ft MSL)

                            5500 rpm  =    87  knots                  "   

 No static port       5000 rpm   =   88  knots                   "

          "                  5500 rpm  = 100  knots                   "

  

 *need to test with GPS to see what the true air speed is. To windy/bumpy to  get good results so far.

  

 **note at 5500 rpm the throttle is about 3/4 in, it would run well over  6000 rpm if pushed to full throttle, I think there is a lot of horsepower not  being used at cruise. The IFA prop (IVO on order) should really help on the  cruise speeds. But at 100 knots right now (pretty good) how much more?

  

 STALL TESTS

 with static port        clean    =  32 knots  (1,000# T/O #)

                           full  flaps  =  28  knots            "

 no static port           clean   =  35  knots            "

                           full  flaps  =  30  knots            "

  

 TACHOMETER  TESTS

 Tested the tach against an optical tach and found the tach to be  reading around 200 high at idle and 90 rpm's high at 5000 rpm. Not a Rotax  tach, not sure what make it is (no manufacture name).

  

 THRUST TEST  

 Full throttle static (5200 rpm indicated) produced 420# of thrust.

  

 Mark

 Wisconsin

 Kitfox Vixen 912 UL (very impressed with this engine)

 Avid "B" STOL 582   (great fun airplane)

 RV-6A  0-360            (time  machine)



See what's free at AOL.com. 

  [quote][b]

wannafly

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 53

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:28 am Post subject: Kitfox 5 Flight tests

great info...How did you test your thrust?



mic

 	  Quote: 	
		  From: RRTRACK(at)aol.com

Reply-To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Kitfox 5 Flight tests

Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:03:40 EDT



After three days of flight testing my Kitfox 5 Vixen, 912 UL,   68" three

blade GSC (at)16.5 degrees pitch

I am starting to get some real data to work with.



STATIC PORT - I believe the ASI is not reading  correctly. The slow cruise

speeds and very low stall speeds are not likely  correct. I have been 

advised to

disconnect the static port line and test the ASI  again.



With static port    5000 rpm  =   78  knots  (level flight 2000 ft MSL)

                            5500 rpm  =    87  knots                  "

No static port       5000 rpm   =   88  knots                   "

          "                  5500 rpm  = 100  knots                   "



*need to test with GPS to see what the true air speed is. To windy/bumpy to

get good results so far.



**note at 5500 rpm the throttle is about 3/4 in, it would run well over  

6000

rpm if pushed to full throttle, I think there is a lot of horsepower not

being used at cruise. The IFA prop (IVO on order) should really help on the

cruise speeds. But at 100 knots right now (pretty good) how much more?



STALL TESTS

with static port        clean    =  32 knots  (1,000# T/O #)

                           full  flaps  =  28  knots            "

no static port           clean   =  35  knots            "

                           full  flaps  =  30  knots            "



TACHOMETER  TESTS

Tested the tach against an optical tach and found the tach to be  reading

around 200 high at idle and 90 rpm's high at 5000 rpm. Not a Rotax  tach, 

not

sure what make it is (no manufacture name).



THRUST TEST

Full throttle static (5200 rpm indicated) produced 420# of thrust.



Mark

Wisconsin

Kitfox Vixen 912 UL (very impressed with this engine)

Avid "B" STOL 582   (great fun airplane)

RV-6A  0-360            (time  machine)



************************************** See what's free at 

http://www.aol.com.


	


_________________________________________________________________

Fine Dining & Fancy Food. Check Out This Collection Of Good Eats. 

http://local.live.com/?mkt=en-ca/?v &cid=A6D6BDB4586E357F!378

RRTRACK(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:51 am Post subject: Kitfox 5 Flight tests

I used a 440# fish & game scale from Fleet & Farm. Cost was around  $30. I attach a chain to the airplane and my bumper hitch and put the scale near  the hitch leaving a safety section of chain under the scale. On a  taildrager I put the tail wheel up on a ramp so it is in level flight position  to get a more accurate reading. And always have a pilot at the controls in case  something breaks free. 

 I have been using it for years to test prop pitch and make sure the engine  is running well after maintenance.

 Mark

 Wisconsin



See what's free at AOL.com. 

  [quote][b]

smokey_bear_40220(at)yaho
Guest

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:10 pm Post subject: Kitfox 5 Flight tests

Hi Mark,



What weight, temperature, and altitude were you

testing at?



It will be interesting to see your GPS results to

confirm speeds.  I think you are probably right on the

static error, but GPS testing of the ASI will be more

accurate.  The higher stall seems close to mine, but

again weights need to be close.



Kurt S.  S-5



--- RRTRACK(at)aol.com wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   After three days of flight testing my Kitfox 5

 Vixen, 912 UL, 68" three blade GSC (at)16.5 degrees

 pitch I am starting to get some real data to work

 with. 

  

 STATIC PORT - I believe the ASI is not reading 

 correctly.


	


__________________________________________________

RRTRACK(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 5:37 am Post subject: Kitfox 5 Flight tests

All tests were done at 2500 MSL, 40 degrees OAT, and around 1000#  take off weight. Today the winds are forecast at 5 mph so I should be able to  find the correct air speeds using my GPS. 

   My new IVO IFA did not arrive so I will have to wait to test it. I  may try changing the pitch on the 68" GSC and see what it is capable of. Also  will be adding a oil thermostat when I change the oil and filter this weekend.  In outside temperatures under 60 degrees the oil temps never gets over 180  degrees. Takes a long time to warm up the oil to 120 degrees for take off as  well. Oil pressure around 58# at cruise.

 Mark

 Wisconsin

 Kitfox 5 Vixen 912 UL   ( VG's are next after the new IVO  IFA Prop )

  



See what's free at AOL.com. 

  [quote][b]

davef(at)cfisher.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:14 am Post subject: Kitfox 5 Flight tests

Mark, 

 A friend of mine on this list have a piece of plastic like lexan over his  oil cooler with hole s drilled in it. 

  

 He says it works great . He has same on his radiator. 

  

 If Jim reads this he might tell you more about the hole sizing and  spacing.

  

  

 Dave 

  

  

 [quote]   ---

smokey_bear_40220(at)yaho
Guest

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007 5:52 pm Post subject: Kitfox 5 Flight tests

Mark,



Did you do your GPS speed check yet?  Interesting to

see how that worked out.



That 1000# wt and cool air really help performance.



2 years ago I flew up to West Bend and back.  Same

problem - oil temp stayed around 140-160 in the cool

air.  Bought the oil thermostat since, but haven't

installed it yet.  Warmer in Fl.



Will probably do a shutter system on my coolant

radiator like Dave mentioned.



Kurt S.  S-5



--- davef(at)cfisher.com wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   Mark, 

 A friend of mine on this list have a piece of

 plastic like lexan over his oil cooler with hole s

 drilled in it. 

 

 He says it works great . He has same on his

 radiator. 

 

 If Jim reads this he might tell you more about the

 hole sizing and spacing.


	


 	  Quote: 	
		   Dave 


	


[quote]   ---

RRTRACK(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:40 am Post subject: Kitfox 5 Flight tests

I flew the Kitfox Saturday for 2.5 hours. The ASI read about 10%  higher with the static port disconnected. 

 It reads a little slow with the static port connected and way to high with  it disconnected. 

  

 With 20-140 "Knot" ASI

  

 with static port  5000 rpm = 80 knots indicated =  95  mph    ground speed on average with GPS

           "             5500  rpm = 87 knots indicated = 106  mph                               "

  

 no static port   5000 rpm =   88 knots indicated =  95  mph                                 "

           "            5500 rpm =  100 knots indicated = 106  mph                              "

  

 Changed to a 0-140 "MPH" ASI

  

 no static port    5000 rpm = 102 mph  indicated  =   96 mph   ground speed on average with GPS

         "                5500 rpm = 112 mph  indicated = 106  mph                       "

  

 with static port   "lost data"  will have to test  again  : )

  

 Note:  At idle my throttle is 3 inches out.  (idles very smooth at 1500 rpm)

           At 5000 rpm it is 2  inches out

           At full throttle it  is full in and on take off I can feel the horse power increase all the way until  the stop.

 Again I think there is a lot of horsepower not being used in cruise with  this prop.

 New IVO IFA has not yet arrived.

  

 Mark

 Wisconsin

 Kitfox 5 Vixen 912 UL     68" three blade GSC  prop



See what's free at AOL.com. 

  [quote][b]

davef(at)cfisher.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:49 am Post subject: Kitfox 5 Flight tests

Mark, 

  

 Have you tried WOT   and see what speed and rpm you get. 

 Your neighbour Paul S is getting 118 mp  in a IV on  floats..............

  

  

 Dave

  

  

  

 ---

RRTRACK(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 2:43 pm Post subject: Kitfox 5 Flight tests

The 912 UL will go way past redline now level flight without using anything  near full throttle. I forgot what kind of speed it was showing before I backed  off the throttle. It climbs out at 5400 rpm indicated and has a static limit of  5200 rpm so I did not want to change to pitch on the 68" GSC. 

   I will test it again before installing the new IVO IFA prop.

 Mark

 Wisconsin

 Kitfox 5 Vixen 912 UL



See what's free at AOL.com. 

  [quote][b]

davef(at)cfisher.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 5:29 pm Post subject: Kitfox 5 Flight tests

Mark, 



You gonna have a speedy Kitfox on your hands once you get your prop(s) tweaked. 

I think you might find with the patriot that it will seem to coursen as you gain forward momentum plus you will have the electric control as well.

smokey_bear_40220(at)yaho
Guest

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 5:45 pm Post subject: Kitfox 5 Flight tests

Interesting Mark,



Sounds like the static port is the better bet for you.

 Too bad the higher speeds were not true.  Still doing

well though.  Mine was within 2-3 knots of correct

with the static port too.



I think you will really like the adjustable IVO in

comparison.  You can use all the power in flight for

climb and cruise.



Kurt S



--- RRTRACK(at)aol.com wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   I flew the Kitfox Saturday for 2.5 hours. The ASI

 read about 10% higher with the static port

disconnected. 
	


 	  Quote: 	
		   It reads a little slow with the static port

 connected and way too high with it disconnected.


	


__________________________________________________

Float Flyr

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

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 9:05 am Post subject: Kitfox 5 Flight tests

If you guys notice that the ASI will fluctuate a bit in a slip.  For

steadier performance of the ASI put a static port on both sides of the

plane, connect them together and "T" in the ASI, ALT and VSI.



Noel



[quote] --

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

RRTRACK(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 9:12 am Post subject: Kitfox 5 Flight tests

Noel

   That is something I would like to do after my test flights. I wish  Kitfox would have made this part of the building instructions. It will be l lot  harder now to install the second static port.

 Mark

 Wisconsin

 Kitfox 5 912 UL

  

 DO NOT ARCHIVE



See what's free at AOL.com. 

  [quote][b]

avtar412

Joined: 15 Nov 2006
Posts: 22
Location: New Zealand

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 12:34 am Post subject: Re: Kitfox 5 Flight tests

Yes, static ports both sides on the rear fuse is a good extra. I have and can kick the plane from side to side with no ASI fluctuation what so ever right to the stall.

Lynn Matteson

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 5:59 am Post subject: Kitfox 5 Flight tests

I put an inspection cover under the fuse in the area of the elevator  

support bearing when I built my plane, and later after if was  

covered, needed to support the tubes coming from my twin static  

ports, in order to please my tech inspector. I found that by using  

one arm up through this hole, I was able to actually connect the  

"tee" fitting to the tubes, and tighten the fittings with two  

wrenches...with one hand/arm through this hole. So installing a  

second static port CAN be done, but it'll take some cussin' and  

sweatin'. I even thought of getting my small granddaughter to crawl  

into the fuse on some special sized plywood pieces to do the work.



Lynn



On Apr 17, 2007, at 1:11 PM, RRTRACK(at)aol.com wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   Noel

   That is something I would like to do after my test flights. I  

 wish Kitfox would have made this part of the building instructions.  

 It will be l lot harder now to install the second static port.

 Mark

 Wisconsin

 Kitfox 5 912 UL



 DO NOT ARCHIVE



 See what's free at AOL.com.

 www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List _- 

 ============================================================

_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM

avtar412

Joined: 15 Nov 2006
Posts: 22
Location: New Zealand

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 11:54 pm Post subject: Re: Kitfox 5 Flight tests

Re getting to the rear fuse, I made a large removable cover over out of 050" aluminum in the top behind the turtle deck. I covered the whole tube section and also gives access to the batteries as well as the static vent connections. I canâ€™t imagine now not being able to get access to the rear fuselage now. I have mounted my VHF antenna in the center of the panel and acts as a ground plane.

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