Its not the end result that is the goal, its the journey...
Colorado Kitfox
Jan 2018 - Present
Well gang, 2018 is already here. It was my hope that the plane would have been in the air by now, but you know what...the building process has actually been quite a fun adventure and I will certainly miss it once complete. In December of 2017, I finally found a hangar out at Meadowlake airport. My friend Jeremy volunteered to share the hangar with me even though it will be a little while before he is ready to move his Kitfox out there. Big things are now happening the hangar. Wings are installed, flapperons attached, wiring nearly complete, fuel lines installed, flight controls rigged and this weekend (1/13/18) we worked on installing tail feathers and put the windshield in place. What an exciting time as I am planning on first engine start next weekend. I have a Rotax trained tech coming over to look over the engine before I fire it up.
1/20/18: Well, we finally fired up the engine for the first time today. I had a Rotax trained tech, Rick come by to look things over before we started it. Nothing major found, but he did have a few good suggestions. After turning the engine over a few time with computers off to ensure we had oil pressure, the engine then fired up within only a second or two after hitting the start button. It ran very smooth! I started around 1600 rpm, then up to 2000 for warm up. Then up to 2500 where I confirmed that it switched from GEN B to GEN A. I then let it warm up to operating temp of 120 degrees oil temp (it reached 144 by the time it was shut down). Oil pressure was at 58 psi and fuel pressure at 57 psi (I need to do a little research on fuel pressure since it is supposed to be around 46 psi). Fuel flow was at 0.81 and BUS voltage at 13.3 volts. The system did not read any CHT's but I don't think its set up to. We did notice that the fuel line on the right side actually touches the air filter, so I need to either get a 45 degree adapter or maybe look at using the K&N cone filter. I have some homework there. Anyway, I consider it a successful day!
3/4/18: After the first engine run, I noticed the fuel pressure was reading high. So, I purchased a pressure test kit and in the process of hooking that up I stripped out the adapter between the fuel manifold and the pressure sender which stripped the threads in the manifold. So, had to contact Debra and ordered a new fuel manifold. I never really liked the idea of mounting the pressure sender on top of the fuel manifold since it just appeared fragile and subject to developing cracks. So, I took advantage of the situation and decided to move the fuel pressure sender and mount it in the firewall. It required that I order a one foot long stainless steel fuel line from the manifold to the firewall location of the sender. This is the preferred method according to the maker of the sender. This way, the electronics are no longer in the engine compartment. So, after mucking with the sender I figured out that the issue with the fuel pressure was the scaling on the EFIS. Once set to the correct setting, the fuel pressure was right on. So, yes I spent some $$ on a new manifold (which was more robust than the one I had) and a pressure measuring device, but I now have a better manifold and a more robust design for the fuel pressure sender. Also, over the past couple weeks, I have been struggling with the elevator hinges. Upon first install, they seemed to bind more than I liked. So, I removed the elevator and slightly reemed out just one of the hinge ears, then filed each set of ears just slightly to remove friction. Then I added LPB-1 lub to each hinge and that made a huge difference. So, I now have very smooth operation of the elevator. Also, when I ordered the new manifold, I also got the spring assist for the elevator and have now installed that as well. It helps to reduce the required back pressure upon landing. I also set the travel limits for the flapperons and the elevator.
3/18/18: Over the past couple weeks I conducted a 2nd engine run to verify that all the fuel system mods work ok. The second run went really well. The fuel pressure was right on target as was the oil pressure, oil temps and EGT's. Ran the engine up to 4000 rpm and it remained very smooth. I also have been working on the turtledeck. I got it fitted and installed. I added some black foam molding around the edges and on top where it meets the fuselage. It ended up fitting very nicely. I think I did have to put it on there 20 times as I sanded the shape and the cutouts for the flapperon tubes. Next, I still have to cut and install the turtledeck strakes. I also built and painted the wing cuffs. I painted them using a spray can that closely matched the blue color. I also installed the brackets on the doors that are needed to attach the gas struts to So, now the doors can be installed.Today, Jeremy and I tested out the intercom using the BOSE headsets. It worked great.
4/21/18: Over the past month, a number of items have been installed. Both triangle windows were installed using the Alex Ultra silicon from Home Depot. Seemed to work very well. I then installed the seat belts. Its spretty easy to remove the seat with the seat belts installed just by taking the four attach points apart. I also tested the pitot system by hooking up a syringe to a tube connected to the pitot probe. I had to block the other ports. I held 88 on the VSI with only a couple of knots reduction over a 1 minute period. I also installed the spinner, the data plate and the tail covers. I also received the Sandia STX 165R transponder and got it installed. I am waiting on the wiring harness from MGL to get it fully hooked up. Next major step is prep for the weight and balance of the aircraft where I need to get everything on the plane that will will be there for the first flight.
4/23/18: Over the weekend, I decided I need to get everything on the plane needed for the weight and balance measurement. I am working on getting some scales. Anyway, here are some first pics of a plane that looks like its ready to fly! Below there are a couple video's with a walk around and another showing all the lights in operation.
My Kitfox Videos
My Kitfox Videos
N716EB first landing
N716EB first takeoff
taxi test 2
taxi test 1
4/28/18: Well folks....its been 5 years to the DAY that I picked up this kit. I am proud to announce that there are no more parts in the bins or on the shelf that need to be installed prior to first flight. Therefore I declare my build is DONE! I officially move from builder to pilot/tinkerer. I completed my weight and balance and I am within CG limits with one person, min fuel and no baggage as well as within limits with 2 people, full fuel and 150 lbs of cargo.
5/5/18 and 5/6/18: I completed the required fuel flow testing and site gauge calibration. With minimal fuel (~3 gal) in the tanks, I tipped the aircraft up 15 deg nose high (per eaa guidelines), then disconnected the fuel line into the fuel pumps. Per guidelines I need to flow 125% of max fuel consumption which is 6.9 gph x 1.25 = 8.6 gph. After doing the math, that means I need 18 oz to flow per minute. My actual flow rate turned out to be 48 oz/min! So, I conclude I have very good flow rate to the engine. See video above. I also calibrated the fuel indicators by seeing how many gallons it took in each tank to reach 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, full. I also installed the MGL harness for the transponder and it now seems to be working just fine. I also attached the cargo data plate to the back of the baggage sack. On 5/6/18, I invited my EAA tech counselor to do a pre-flight review. Jay spent a good 1.5 hours pouring over the plane and suggested I add a bunch of zip ties to better secure some wires and suggested I exchange some thicker washers with slimmer ones to get an additional thread or two sticking out of the nut. Other than that, Jay was pleased with the build.
6/7/18: Slow progress lately. Went to South Korea to visit my son and his wife. Anyway, I completed the final install of the boot cowl and glare shield. I also removed the four fuel lines and revised the ends to add red rtv to the fiberglass ends instead of using the rescue tape. I also added safety wire to the hose clamps. I am in the process of scheduling my airworthiness inspection with the FAA. I wrote a letter to the FAA requesting the service and initially they said it could take a year to get it scheduled unless someone needed training, then they called back the same day saying they had a person that needs training and could do my inspection. Wow....so I have a call with the inspector next week to go over the paperwork. I will also call the transponder person to get my transponder checked.
6/17/18: I finished the install of the boot cowl and put a bead of silicon between the windshield and the cowl, so now hopefully it is waterproof enough that water cant get to the avionics bay. I also met with the transponder guy who certified my transponder and even said it was putting out really good power and signal. So, he added the cert to my aircraft logbook. Also, I completed my 3rd class medical so I am good for 2 years after which I can go to the basic med program (i.e. my primary care doctor can sign my medical).Also, I had fun doing two rounds ot taxi tests. First with cowls off to ensure no leaks, then with the cowls on to verify it runs ok with the cowls on. See video of the taxi tests above in My Kitfox Video's
7/15/18: Well, last Friday I completed the inspection required for my Airworthiness certificate! I had called the Denver FSDO and arranged for two FAA reps to come down and compete the inspection. Along with the required forms, I had completed my POH, builders log (hard copy of this website), flight test plan and had made the appropriate entries in my aircraft, engine and propeller log books. The gentlemen took about an hour pouring over the aircraft, then another hour completing all the paperwork. We also completed the paperwork for my FAA repairmans certificate & I was issued my temp cert until the official one arrives from the FAA in a couple months. So, as of July 13th, the airplane is legal to fly. Now if only the pilot were as ready!
10/15/18: Its been 3 months since I posted! Actually not too much has happened in those 3 months. I have completed the final checks in the Kitfox manual and put everything together in prep for first flight. On 10/13/18 I did complete my bi-annual flight review required to get my pilot license current. I flew a Cessna 150 at the Springs Aviation flight school. I have also worked the kinks out for flight insurance. The underwriters are allowing me to solo after 10 hours of instruction with my brother Jeff. So, the plan is to travel up to Montana at the end of October for my Dad's birthday. Then if weather holds, head up to Whitefish for flight training with Jeff. Then if the stars align, maybe Jeff can make it down to COS for first flight sometime in November.
10/20/18: A fellow member of the Kitfox community put together a group order of Koger shades and I went ahead & got one. Installed it today. It was easy to install and I think it will do a great job of keeping the sun and heat out when needed.
11/17/18: Well folks, the past couple days has been incredible as N716EB has finally taken to the air! A couple weeks ago I flew up to Montana and Jeff and I got a little over 6 hours of flight time in his Kitfox in preparation for him coming to Colorado Springs. My insurance requires at least 10 hours with Jeff prior to solo. So, on Nov 15, 2018 Jeff and I successfully flew N716EB for the first time. Many thanks to Jeff for making this a reality. As a salute to my Dad, I wore his Air Force flight suit. Dad, thanks for being an inspiration for this historic event!
The flight went very well as the plane took off quickly and was very stable. All the engine parameters remained in the green the entire flight. It was a cool day, maybe in the low 50's. For the second flight, I moved over to the left seat and Jeff to the right. We worked the first two test cards and completed all the tasks. The next day we flew a short trip to Limon and back, then some touch and go's at Meadowlake. Next, Jeff exited the plane and for the first time I got to solo her and did some pattern work before stopping for the day. The only minor correction we made was to extend the forward left lift strut by only one turn and then turn the rear in by one turn to address a very slight left wing drop when hands off. It appears to have successfully corrected the problem as it now flies hands off beautifully.
After the first flight, my friend and fellow Kitfox builder Jeremy presented me with a first flight certificate and a celebratory bottle of Crown Royal Black. FIRST FLIGHT PICS and VIDEO's
Click on pics to enlarge.
N716EB first takeoff
