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lcfitt(at)sbcglobal.net
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 Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 6:10 pm Post subject: Kitfox Classic IV cruise speed? |
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I don't think you will have any trouble getting a 100 mph cruise if you find
the right Kitfox. My first one could cruise at 100+ easily and if climb was
not an issue up to 115 or more. I had a ground adjustable prop and could
pitch it for preference. What I mean by the right Kitfox is that the strut
supported wing is very draggy, but fairings will reduce drag a lot. When
you begin looking seriously, any round tubing in the airstream will impact
speed and, in fact, climb. Look for at least fairings on the lift struts
and ideally on everything, or plan on installing them yourself. I had
fairings everywhere on my first one and they will be on my new one as well.
Another thought, the Rotax folks say that cruise at 5500 RPM is ideal. Lots
of guys get anxious at those rpms and like to cruise in the low fives and
sometimes in the high 4s. Of course engine power and what you will be
comfortable with is a part of cruise speed. That said, there is no way it
will keep up with a Sonex.
Being fairly light weight, they can be bouncy in rough air, and the cross
wind capability has more to do with piloting skills than the airframes
limits. It has a large rudder and cross wind landings in winds exceeding 25
kts are claimed.
Lowell
--------------------------------------------------
From: "grantr" <grant_richardson25(at)yahoo.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2010 5:08 PM
To: <kitfox-list(at)matronics.com>
Subject: Kitfox Classic IV cruise speed?
| Quote: |
I am considering buying another 2 seat LSA airplane soon and I want
something that is well built and that will cruise over 100 mph. I used to
own a kolb MkIII with a rotax 503 and it was slow with a 55mph cruise and
was a bit touchy in thermals and crosswinds. Now I am used to flying a
single seat gyrocopter which is not touchy in wind and thermals.
I have really been leaning towards a titan tornado II or a Sonex with a
912 or Jabiru however I like the way the kit fox looks and I really like
the way the wings fold.
I flew in an Avid MK IV and it had a 582 and his seemed to only cruise
around 80 indicated. I am guessing it was slower due to less hp that a
912. I want a true 100 plus mph cruise.
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=312253#312253
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Guy Buchanan
Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 1204
Location: Ramona, CA
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| Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 10:03 pm Post subject: Kitfox Classic IV cruise speed? |
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At 05:08 PM 9/12/2010, you wrote:
| Quote: | | I have really been leaning towards a titan tornado II or a Sonex with a 912 or Jabiru however I like the way the kit fox looks and I really like the way the wings fold. |
Kitfox, Tornado, Sonex. You've got pretty nearly the entire spectrum of kit LSA's covered. You'll probably be wanting to fly in each of these to narrow your focus a bit.
| Quote: | | I flew in an Avid MK IV and it had a 582 and his seemed to only cruise around 80 indicated. I am guessing it was slower due to less hp that a 912. I want a true 100 plus mph cruise. |
My Kitfox IV with 582/C is pretty clean and cruises 90-95 mph. Plenty of 912 Kitfox IV's cruise over 100, some up to 120, though I think they push the definition of "cruise" pretty hard. (Mine should theoretically cruise at about 105-110 after I've replaced the 582 with a 912s, though I'm hoping to reduce the cooling drag a bunch and may get more.)
That said, Lowell's right, you don't buy a Kitfox to go anywhere fast in comfort any more than you'd buy a Lotus 7 to go anywhere fast in comfort. You buy it for the low and slow; meaning for the visibility, the STOL, and the sports-car handling. The other reason you buy a Kitfox is for the community. A lot of these guys (like Lowell) are simply the best people you can imagine to be around.
As to the crosswind capability, the IV is only limited your skills and by the wing tip hitting the ground before the landing gear. In my bird that happened around 22 mph direct crosswind. However, when you get to 22 mph direct crosswind you can land in about 75', short enough to land crosswise at most runways. 
Guy Buchanan
Troop 680 Scoutmaster
(760) 809-6145
www.troop680.org [quote][b]
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_________________
Guy Buchanan
Deceased K-IV 1200
A glider pilot too. |
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