Where did you build your plane?

[dothedr3w]

Where did/are you building your plane?
How did it go?
What would you change?
General recommendations?

I'm slated to my Kitfox home sometimes in Q1 2025, and I don't yet have a plan in place for where I'm going to store all the pieces, or build the damn thing! Apparently you can get it done in a single car garage (not ideal), so I figured I'd ask the community how they got theirs done.

It could be fun for everyone to see how their experience compares with others in the community!

[jiott]

Built mine in a double car garage with no problems. Had a flat driveway in front so I could push the fuselage out to try on the wings.

[Dave S]

D,

Bottom line - build it where you live; and, with whatever adaptations needed to accomodate the project. I think it is best to avoid a remote location away from where you live because you never get as much time on task compared to living with your project.

A pal did it in a 1 stall garage.

Did mine in the attached garage(unheated) and basement (heated). Wings in the basement over winter; and, yes, I did measure the stairwell first so as to avoid the classical homebuilders conundrum. Since the overhead garage door was a cozy 9X7, I made a tail dolly when I got to the engine work. A trigear stands 8' (approx) at the tail so the tail has to come part way down while not letting the nose get too high so the prop (3 blade in this case) would catch the door. Garage was deep enough to fit the folded wings minus the wing tips. Did the painting out in the driveway, working around wind, temp, bugs and cottonwood crud.

You know, a 40X60 pole barn would be great, but if a guy doesn't have that, use what you have and adjust.

I will mention that if a person does fuel system testing in the driveway, particularily if you dig a hole for the nose wheel to measure usable fuel at that angle, might be a good idea to notify your local authorities and neighbors as to what you are up to as apparently some people in the world aren't accustomed to seeing an plane tail high in the driveway with the nosewheel in a hole. No need to ask how I know that.

[Kitfox Pilot]

I built a room inside a barn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn6roenIAF8&t=8s

I agree with Dave about doing it as close to home as possible. I worked on mine sometimes when I had 30 minutes, you won't do that if its 30 minutes to the hanger.

[alexM]

I did as much building as possible in a 1 car garage. As others stated, it was because it was a few steps from my back door. I could work on my plane for 15 minutes if that is all the time I had. Or walk out and measure something or just stare at the parts and see how they go together.

I was able to store the big parts I wasn't working on at my hangar, several miles away. Once I got to the stage of rigging the wings I moved it all to the hangar. Nothing like driving all the way to the hangar and realizing I forgot (insert item) and have to make another round trip.

[olsonCCR]

I am building mine in a hangar at my local airport. It's only 12 minutes from house (15-18 during rush hour) but it definitely adds up. Especially if you forget something at home. It's cold and dark out. If it were in my garage, I'd be working on it right now! Unfortunately, I don't have room at my house and love the extra space the hangar offers. I bet I could be shaving 6-8 months off my build time if I had access to it every night at home.

If I could do it all over again and make space at home, I'd rather be building mine at home (but still have the hangar ! On the plus side, there's no better place to meet like minded people than out at the airport. I've definitely made a number of new friends I wouldn't have met!

Kevin
Building KitFox STi

[bbs428]

I built 70% of the plane in an old, non-insulated metal shop at my last home. Hot in the summer and chilly in the winter! It is great to be able to walk out the back door and get to work within a few minutes!

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I finished the plane at my current home which has an insulated roof and a much taller overhead. Again, it's a short walk to the airplane but still can get very warm or cold during extreme weather. I do have a couple of window ac units and some floor fans to take the edge off the heat.


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Can't stress enough the importance of making it as easy as possible to get the job done!
I was lucky. I've seen some fantastic airplanes built in one-car garages, living rooms and sheds!

[Sink Rate]

Single car garage at my house. Extra (heated) room in the house with tools was very helpful for the smaller parts. As others have mentioned, proximity to home is most important. The very last steps can be done at the hangar, but commute will add up quickly.

[t j]

I had a 36 X 24 pole barn built in 1984. A couple years later in 1986 I was taking my primary flight training and my instructor loaned me a VHS promotional tape about The Kitfox. I bought a classic 4 kit in 1984 and the 24 X 36 pole barn was perfect. I could spread the wings in there. A year later the boss from hell transferred in to my work station so I transferred out.

At my new house I contracted a pole building builder to build me another 36 X 24 pole barn. I went to look at it after he had started work. All that was done was he had dug the holes for the poles. It didn't look right so I paced it off. I'm Lucky I did. It was only 30 X 24. He was an old timer and Didn't use paper contracts, just a hand shake. He said I had told him 30 X 24. I replied that I was building an airplane that was 21 foot long with a 32 foot wing span. He said Okay, it'll still be the same price.