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Thread: How Ground Loopie is the S7?

  1. #1

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    Default How Ground Loopie is the S7?

    Hi all

    I have been reading your great responses with interest. Thanks Lowell and evdryone.

    I am currently enroute to the factory to learn more, should be there 1_2_13.

    And this question is about the S7 tendency to ground loop. How docile is she on landing in tailwheel configuration? Wheel vs three pointer? I've never been up in one. Yet.

    I agree tri gear is more relaxing on landing, though TD is more fun....

    "S"ing down taxiway is cool, i think.

    Pirouetting when needed is a signature taildragger move, and lots of fun. Just make sure hoi have wing clearance. I have enjoyed taxying to almost stop, then pulling mixture and stepping on one brake, to pirouette and stop prop at same time, square to hangar....

    I used to turn students lose on TD when yhey coild make simulated forced wheel landings, oto a mark on runway, with me distracting....

    I havent gg lown TD in a ehile. Not sure if i miss it or if ive gotten lazy

    But i was curious about how docile they were on landing

    Jen
    On phone in motel in Mesquite, NV

  2. #2

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    Default Re: How Ground Loopie is the S7?

    never flown a 7 but I understand they are more docile than the earlier model.

    I never had an issue.


    Check my youtube link

    got a few hundred kitfox movies for you.

    none have ground loops involved.
    Last edited by Dave F; 12-31-2012 at 02:58 AM.

  3. #3
    Senior Member HighWing's Avatar
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    Default Re: How Ground Loopie is the S7?

    Jen,
    I did my BFR in a SS LSA at Paul Leadabrand's Stick and Rudder. It was after a five year lay off because I was still buildiing my replacement Model IV. I found the airplane very stable in the air and not challenging to land - quite straight forward. The current Kitfox models are very stable on landing as the landing gear is straight and true and they track very well. I don't think the conventional gear Kitfox has quirks as far as landing is concerned. I did my initial training in a Cessna 170-B with the cross wind gear - there were quirks with that arrangement. I did a BFR after 17 years out of aviation in a Citabria - that took more than one day, then 900 hours in the Model IV. So far I am still on the will side of the well known two types of tail dragger pilots rule.
    Lowell

  4. #4
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    Default Re: How Ground Loopie is the S7?

    I have ground looped mine once, so with practice, like all other mild
    aerobatics it is indeed doable. I didn't manage to tip a wingtip, so I
    might not have the technique perfected yet ...

    My ground loop was on a very windy gusty day, and I made a poor
    runway choice. When using good judgement the plane is very easy
    to land.

    I also fly a Decathalon and a Super Decathalon on occasion, the Kitfox Series
    5-7 is a much nicer handling plane in my opinion, especially good rudder.
    If you can fly reasonably well in a taildragger you should be okay in one.
    The Decathalons will wear you out on a windy day, with really heavy
    rudder. The Kitfox rudder is much lighter, and very powerfull. It also
    behaves a lot better in a stall.

    Regards,
    Jeff Hays
    Series 5, IO-240B

  5. #5

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    Default Re: How Ground Loopie is the S7?

    You guys are funny.. I hope not to perfect ground loops... trying to stave that off till im100

    Im in Boise, now early guess i have to wait here till 1/2/13 to see fctort, talk to them .

    Lowell:

    What is two taildraggrr rule? And i messed up? Ive flown TD

    Ranger Fairchild
    Stinson Reliant SR9B
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    Taylorcraft F22
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    C46

    Jen
    On pjone im motel reachi.g odd angle to pjone thats plugged in go out of way socket.

  6. #6
    Senior Member HighWing's Avatar
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    Default Re: How Ground Loopie is the S7?

    Jen,
    The rule goes something like this - There are two types of tail dragger pilots - those who have ground looped and those who will. I am still on the Will side with fingers crossed.
    Lowell

  7. #7

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    Default Re: How Ground Loopie is the S7?

    Quote Originally Posted by HighWing View Post
    Jen,
    The rule goes something like this - There are two types of tail dragger pilots - those who have ground looped and those who will. I am still on the Will side with fingers crossed.
    Lowell
    Ah, I see. Me too, so far, fingers crossed also.

    I used to tell students, "It's not hard to keep it straight. But if you don't, it'll go around in 2 seconds, every time. So just be vigilant. Think about it, and keep it straight."

    Jen

  8. #8
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    Default Re: How Ground Loopie is the S7?

    This is not true, the time is significantly less than 2 seconds ... Plus
    I was exactly, perfectly, straight, until I wasn't.

    I'm in the "Has" category of taildragger drivers.

    I think there should be a shoulder patch to put on a flight suit for the
    groundloop graduates. Anybody do embroidery out there?

    Regards,
    Jeff

    Quote Originally Posted by kitfoxjen View Post
    Ah, I see. Me too, so far, fingers crossed also.

    I used to tell students, "It's not hard to keep it straight. But if you don't, it'll go around in 2 seconds, every time. So just be vigilant. Think about it, and keep it straight."

    Jen

  9. #9
    BigJohn's Avatar
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    Default Re: How Ground Loopie is the S7?

    There are those that Have, There are those that Will, There are those that Will again. And then there is me that Has, Has and will probably again.

    Seriously, The Kitfox seems to me to be a little more sensative than say a Cessna 170 or a Super Cub but also seems to be more responsive. That being said, I have about a 1000hrs in a Kitfox with no ground looping and about the same is Cubs etc. and have ground looped them twice. (Yes my fault each time)..
    BigJohn
    Kitfox 5 Outback
    Rotax 912ULS With 1622cc Big Torque Zipper Conversion

    Youtube BigJohn655
    https://www.youtube.com/user/BigJohn655

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