Kitfox Aircraft Stick and Rudder Stein Air Grove Aircraft TCW Technologies Dynon Avionics AeroLED MGL Avionics Leading Edge Airfoils Desser EarthX Batteries Garmin G3X Touch
Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: new to kitfox need suggestions

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Valley City ND
    Posts
    9

    Default new to kitfox need suggestions

    Hello all, i am new to building a kitfox as i just came into a kitfox 1 for a nice price. it has no instuments so i would like to get your experienced input as to the bare essiatials that i might need. i don't want to give up much weight, so i would just like to know what you guys think one should shoot for for minimum instruments for a nice clean simple panel. both my daughter and i like old school, so we are not looking for the newest wizz bang items, just what will get the job done in a classic aircraft. was thinking simple, 2-1/2" airspeed 0-160 knots (??? maybe), vertical speed 0 - 2,000 fps or something like that? altitude 0 -12,000 ft, old turn and bank indicator (old style ball in arced tube kind maybe) and then basic insturmentation for rotax 582, CHT for both cylinders, egt for both cylinders, water temp, amps. what else do you guys think we should shoot for? spose we will need xponder and maybe just go with handheld nav/comm portable with 2-place intercomm system, what else do you think?
    thanks very much.
    micheal

  2. #2
    Senior Member Av8r_Sed's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    10C Greenwood, IL
    Posts
    671

    Default Re: new to kitfox need suggestions

    This is a case where "Old School" might not be the best choice for your panel. Analog instruments for a 582 are notoriously poor in terms of accuracy, particularly for EGT and RPM readings. This can lead you to tune your engine wrong or misadjust your prop when pitching it.

    I recommend using one of the forum sponsor's products, the MGL E-1 Velocity single. It combines the EGT, RPM, water temp, system voltage and hour meter functions in one small, lightweight package. Mine has given me good service and is relatively easy to read. It has some "buttonology" to learn, but it's not something I need to mess with on every flight.

    http://www.mglavionics.com/html/velocity.html#e1

    I wonder if a VSI is really necessary. I have one in my panel, but I only look at it on climb out as trend information.
    -- Paul S
    Model III SN910
    582 IVO Med

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Valley City ND
    Posts
    9

    Default Re: new to kitfox need suggestions

    thank you for the suggestions. i could see where i wouldn't look at the VSI much. i have been noticing this trend toward the multifunction indicators and yes i certainly don't want or need the steam guages if they will not repoort accurately! that would be silly. i will look into the various electronic options then also and see what looks good. thanks very much.
    micheal

  4. #4
    Senior Member Dave S's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    St Paul, MN
    Posts
    1,833

    Default Re: new to kitfox need suggestions

    Hi Michael,

    This is an area where a person can go many ways. Probably a couple ways to decide what is right for you.

    1) Check the thread on the list titled "show us your panel" there are ton of examples of both old school and latest/greatest tech and everything in between.

    2) Take a look at what a person would want or is required to have as a minimum.......

    A) possibly contact the person (Designated Airworthiness Representative or DAR) who may ultimately be inspecting your plane for certification when it is complete and ask them what the minimum instrumentation is that they would sign off on. Also if you belong to an EAA chapter - contact a tech counselor they are more than ready to help.

    B) Contact the FAA MIDO office (Manufacturing inspection District Office) which has jurusdiction over your location - I found they have a complete packet specifically for home builders to help a person with processes and requirements for building and testing a home built airplane

    In the end you need to decide what meets your needs.

    Take care & have fun

    Sincerely,

    Dave S
    KF 7 Trigear - Flying
    912ULS Warp Drive

  5. #5
    Senior Member cap01's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    yelm, wa
    Posts
    694

    Default Re: new to kitfox need suggestions

    grand rapids makes a really nice eis that does a lot of stuff also ,even fuel used /fuel flow for some more money . worth looking into also good people to deal with .
    my early model IV has some tubes/ supports forward of the panel that the later models don't have that . they restricted where the round primary instruments are located , long instruments/short instruments . i made up a templet panel out of lexan to make sure all my stuff would fit before i started cutting on the metal one.
    chuck
    kitfox IV 1050
    912ul warpdrive
    flying B , yelm, wa

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •