Kitfox STI ...

TreeTopFlyer83

TreeTopFlyer83

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TreeTopFlyer83
Do any of you have any experience with a Kitfox STI? I am thinking of buying the kit instead of buying from the factory already assembled. Any recommendations or advice on plane and or buying the kit or already assembled plane? Thanks in advance for any information you folks can provide.
 
I think a Kitfox would defiantly be fun to build. If you like the mechanics of airplanes then defiantly build. There's something pretty amazing about knowing literally everything about the plane you're flying.
 
"There are those that like to build and those that like to fly".

Its been said a million times but there is definitely some truth to it.

I love to fly and thought it would carry me through building a plane. Long story short i finished my plane but hated every frustrating, time-sucking minute of it.

In the end i could have bought a better equipment, already built, version of my plane for $10,000 less than I spent building it myself. This is absolutely true for most home built aircraft.

So, if you're a person who enjoys spending hours in your garage fiddling with your car or other machines, this may be for you. Just dont do it thinking you're going to save money by building it yourself.
 
Lndwarrior said:
"There are those that like to build and those that like to fly".

Its been said a million times but there is definitely some truth to it.

I love to fly and thought it would carry me through building a plane. Long story short i finished my plane but hated every frustrating, time-sucking minute of it.

In the end i could have bought a better equipment, already built, version of my plane for $10,000 less than I spent building it myself. This is absolutely true for most home built aircraft.

So, if you're a person who enjoys spending hours in your garage fiddling with your car or other machines, this may be for you. Just dont do it thinking you're going to save money by building it yourself.
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I think it could be significantly cheaper to build than buy straight out from Kitfox for 100/125K. The STI model in particular with the Titan X340 engine would be cheaper than buying one already assembled with the stock engine.

The only question at this point would be Rotax engine or the Titan X340.
 
TreeTopFlyer83 said:
I think it could be significantly cheaper to build than buy straight out from Kitfox for 100/125K.
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Options from most to least expensive (typically, based on my observations, there is some variation. )
Buy from factory new
Build from kit
Build from plans and tubing/ sheet stock.
Buy used, flying / already started project.
By used "not the big name brands (e.g. RV, Kitfox)".
 
OkieAviator said:
I think a Kitfox would defiantly be fun to build. If you like the mechanics of airplanes then defiantly build. There's something pretty amazing about knowing literally everything about the plane you're flying.
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Yep, be defiant all the way through the process! Definitely!
 
OkieAviator said:
The other bonus to building is you can tailor it to exactly what you want.
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Certainly my thoughts because I’d love that Titan X340 engine in the Kitfox. Also a ton of other upgrades/mods that can be installed on the plane. I’m certainly going with the 29 inch tundra tires. Should be a beast of a plane.
 
Andrew Morris said:
Having talked to the factory multiple times, I would not recommend the Titan in the Kitfox. It completely changes the handling of the aircraft for the worse. The 915 iS is the perfect engine for the STi but it is very expensive for sure at $37K.
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I’ve been in contact with John from Kitfox and he did the flight testing on the STI with the Titan X340 and said he would highly recommend it so I’m not certain who you got your information from but I’d say they’re misinformed.

A 141 HP engine in an aircraft that light should change the handling of it. If I wanted a true Kitfox feel I would just order a stock plane for 95K. To each their own though right?
 
What cruise numbers does the kitfox see with a 912 vs a 915 vs a Titan 340?
 
Andrew Morris said:
Of course John is going to recommend it, he wants to sell you an airplane with an engine he supports! But that doesn’t mean it’s his favorite either. Haha I talked to Brandon at the factory who has flown the STi with the Titan and the 915. Don’t think he’s misinformed. It’s a whole different airplane now for the better. The words, “arm cramping out” from the flare due to the extra weight of the Titan doesn’t sound appealing. Not only that, but the 915 constant speed setup outperforms the Titan at 2200 ft MSL, let alone at 5,000 ft. That’s what saving 125 pounds does for performance! But go with what engine you feel most comfortable with!
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Plus the 915 is endorsed by Trent Palmer ...
 
TreeTopFlyer83 said:
I’ve been in contact with John from Kitfox and he did the flight testing on the STI with the Titan X340 and said he would highly recommend it so I’m not certain who you got your information from but I’d say they’re misinformed.
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If you become a builder be prepared for a lot of that. Builders generally defend 'their' choice with a passion. There also seems to be a large group that will bash any alternatives that go against what they did.
 
Andrew Morris said:
About a 110 mph true at 5.5 GPH with the 915 single lever constant speed prop.
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Well it ain't the plane for me then. If I'm spending $40k just for the motor, I want to see better than C150 speeds.

Also I know its been asked before and this is kind of rhetorical but why do small kit manufacturers insist on quoting speeds in measurements that no pilots ever use? It is so annoying.
 
Speed is more determined by the airframe than the HP of the engine. 180 HP engine on our Cessna 150 Aerobat towplane only gave it a couple extra knots cruise but a whole lot of extra climb capability.
 
Andrew Morris said:
Of course John is going to recommend it, he wants to sell you an airplane with an engine he supports! But that doesn’t mean it’s his favorite either. Haha I talked to Brandon at the factory who has flown the STi with the Titan and the 915. Don’t think he’s misinformed. It’s a whole different airplane now for the better. The words, “arm cramping out” from the flare due to the extra weight of the Titan doesn’t sound appealing. Not only that, but the 915 constant speed setup outperforms the Titan at 2200 ft MSL, let alone at 5,000 ft. That’s what saving 125 pounds does for performance! But go with what engine you feel most comfortable with!
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Kenny Phillips said:
Plus the 915 is endorsed by Trent Palmer ...
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Trent Palmer said if he could afford it he would definitely have the STI with the Titan engine. John let him fly it and he said that if it was in his budget that is the exact set up that he would have.
 
OkieAviator said:
If you become a builder be prepared for a lot of that. Builders generally defend 'their' choice with a passion. There also seems to be a large group that will bash any alternatives that go against what they did.
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Agreed, but he was full of praise on the 915is. Said both are great motors it just comes down to personal preference. I can see that. Hard to knock either motor honestly.
 
No Kitfox experience here, but I will say this: buy what you can afford, fly the paint off it, and smile like an idiot all day long! Flying is flying, no matter who built it, what the rocker covers say, or what kind of gas it burns. Have a blast!
 
If you have long legs, I recommend trying the Kitfox on for size before buying the kit. With 36" legs, I felt very cramped.
 
What do you plan on using for covering poly fiber, or Oratex? I been looking at the kitfox for long time. The poly fiber process is from what I'm told 400 plus hour job primer, wet-sand, and paint it with urethane paint won't be easy unless you have access to a paint booth. I have made a few home paint booths the dust contamination and neighbors upset over the smell of urethane I won't do it again. Oratex looks like a good alternative if you okay with the colors and the higher cost it can't be painted. I heard there is a year backlog on kits. I like the fact the wings fold not stuck at the airport bring it home do your own maintenance. If you have to land off airport no big deal bring a trailer or call AAA have a flatbed pick you up :) It's one of the few aircraft which is truly one person wing fold most others I have seen are not.
 
Juliet Hotel said:
Well it ain't the plane for me then. If I'm spending $40k just for the motor, I want to see better than C150 speeds.

Also I know its been asked before and this is kind of rhetorical but why do small kit manufacturers insist on quoting speeds in measurements that no pilots ever use? It is so annoying.
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132 Mph sounds bigger than 120 Knots. The Kitfox website claims 150 Mph for the 914. I know, big grains of salt!
 
Crashnburn said:
132 Mph sounds bigger than 120 Knots. The Kitfox website claims 150 Mph for the 914. I know, big grains of salt!
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Fred Williams has an S7 with a 75” ground adjustable prop and he’s seeing 115 mph on about 5.7 GPH with the 914. Trent’s doesn’t like much over 100 mph even with the constant speed prop.

The airplane I’m excited for is Zlin’s new prototype powered by the 915 iS. It has huge retractable slats and double slotted semi-fowler flaps. I think it’ll be a mini Carbon Cub FX3 for 120K less and Rotax power to boot!
 
Andrew Morris said:
Fred Williams has an S7 with a 75” ground adjustable prop and he’s seeing 115 mph on about 5.7 GPH with the 914. Trent’s doesn’t like much over 100 mph even with the constant speed prop.

The airplane I’m excited for is Zlin’s new prototype powered by the 915 iS. It has huge retractable slats and double slotted semi-fowler flaps. I think it’ll be a mini Carbon Cub FX3 for 120K less and Rotax power to boot!
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Thanks, good to know.
 
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