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Thread: Hopeful Kitfox Owner

  1. #1

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    Apr 2018
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    Default Hopeful Kitfox Owner

    Hey all,

    My name is Matt Staley, I'm in southwest Ohio (Xenia) and recently began my venture to obtaining my PPL. I'm still in the early phases of working on my license however owning my own plane has already been on my mind! I'll be honest in saying that Kitfox was brought to my attention by watching some of Trent Palmer's videos, which I think are excellent in marketing the capability of the Kitfox. I had also looked at the Rans S20 Raven and S21 Outbound before landing here.

    At this point I'm just looking for some experience from members on a realistic and cost effective approach to owning my own aircraft. I've looked on Barnstormers and similar online classifieds for Kitfox IV - V's and the inventory is extremely low, if not absent. The idea of building is appealing to me but the cost seems very hazy. I know that the kit costs are clearly laid out online, but what does a "real" build number look like by time you hit the runway for the first time? I had been looking at the 7 STI to have similar capabilities to Trent's Freedom Fox with a Rotax 912. Just looking for any input on building vs. buying, and the realistic cost of both! Thanks!

  2. #2
    Senior Member Esser's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hopeful Kitfox Owner

    I’m about $60,000USD in on mine. I got a great deal on a used engine and prop or else I would be closer to $85k. My instruments are also used.
    ------------------
    Josh Esser
    Flying SS7
    Rotax 914iS
    AirMaster Prop

    Edmonton, AB, CWL3

  3. #3

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    Apr 2018
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    Default Re: Hopeful Kitfox Owner

    Thanks for the reply! That's really the basis of why I put this out there...most IV and V's I have seen online are in the mid to upper 50k range and I know I would like to make changes to them (i.e. more expense).

  4. #4
    Senior Member efwd's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hopeful Kitfox Owner

    I think Josh's numbers are right on.
    Eddie

  5. #5
    Senior Member aviator79's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hopeful Kitfox Owner

    At this point I'm just looking for some experience from members on a realistic and cost effective approach to owning my own aircraft.
    While the Kitfox market is tight right now (Thanks Trent Palmer and Kyle Franklin), the answer to this question as you've stated it is to buy a used experimental.

    The cost to build seems hazy because it is. I would guess that Josh's $85 number is close to the median for what someone spends. That would include a bunch of the popular options, but may not include all the nickels and dimes spent on small tools and consumables. If you're patient, and ready to make a move on a sale quickly when the right plane comes along, you could spend a lot less than that on a nice IV, and could even score a nice 5, 6, or 7 for that price or less. So you really won't save much money by building. You build because you want to build. You buy because you want to own.
    --Brian
    Flying - S7SS

  6. #6

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    Apr 2018
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    Xenia, Ohio
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    Default Re: Hopeful Kitfox Owner

    That's honestly where my mind was at but you summed it up perfect. I'll be patient as I continue to learn on my aeroclub planes and keep my eyes peeled for a nice used aircraft. I'm a FF/Paramedic and my wife is an ER nurse, so while we don't do too bad on our income, $85,000 would be the definite high end of the budget for an aircraft. Thanks!

  7. #7
    Senior Member jiott's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hopeful Kitfox Owner

    In figuring costs, don't forget one of the big long term advantages to building is that you become the repairman for that airplane and can do and sign off any repair or annual condition inspection. This can save thousands over the years to come.
    Jim Ott
    Portland, OR
    Kitfox SS7 flying
    Rotax 912ULS

  8. #8
    Senior Member
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    Default Re: Hopeful Kitfox Owner

    You don't need the repairman's cert to do repairs on an experimental, but it will allow you to do the conditional inspection on the particular aircraft.

  9. #9
    Senior Member jiott's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hopeful Kitfox Owner

    That's right, I should have clarified that.
    Jim Ott
    Portland, OR
    Kitfox SS7 flying
    Rotax 912ULS

  10. #10
    Senior Member efwd's Avatar
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    Default Re: Hopeful Kitfox Owner

    while we are on this topic, Does "work on" also include making major modifications like engine or wing changes?
    Eddie

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