Papa's Super Light Model 7

[desertfox1]

First flights this past weekend on my new plane. Super Light
because she weighs 686 pounds on certified scales. OK, 692
with Kitfox conform foam cushions. I am perfectly happy with
78KA, the Super Sport many of you have seen or hopped a ride
in, but for some time I've wanted to see if a 700# Model 7 was
possible. The answer is yes, but it took replacing all composites
with carbon and 5.00x5 mags and tires. A simple panel, (D180
and the Garmin stack) and attention to detail everywhere. Only
a couple hours on her so far, but I am really excited with the
performance. Half tanks and my skinny 172 pounds and she
climbs like a rocket. Should be pretty fast but we will find out
later. Speedster wings with the new leading edge, custom
"Lo Presti" type cowl, composite strut farings, etc. We'll get
Doc in it for a pilot report soon. I'll try to attach a cellphone
picture.

Desert Fox One,

Papa

[DanB]

Very cool Papa...looking forward to the numbers that new leading edge is likely to produce.
Congratulations!

[jtpitkin06]

Composites to carbon, I take it, means the cowling and seat pan were replaced with lighter units. But what else did you shave?

Did you leave off the side stringers, no razorback? No false ribs?
No speed kit ribs for the empenage?

You seemed to have saved about 100 lbs and the above items are not even close to that. So where did the weight savings come from?

John Pitkin
Greenville, Texas

[DesertFox4]

Papa this thing really is incredible stem to stern. The attention to detail is over the top as is the quality of the workmanship. Congrats. on hitting your design goals set way back at the start of the project.
The "Skunk Works" hit a home run on this one.

That new Leading Edge looks incredible.

[Av8r3400]

Awesome to see someone build a VII (or SS) that isn't 900#. I knew it could be done.

Great job on a beautiful looking plane!

[desertfox1]

The "fatory demo" weighed 752 with full upholstery and basic fluids.
I have saved about 60 pounds. I have a model 7 fuse (82# with PC)
Speedster tail is carbon, one less former and drilled asmap. Details!
Poly fiber covering with Aerothane. no savings here. Baggage compar.
all fabric, carbon hexcell floor. seat 4 plys 3 hrns carbon with Kevlar
wrap, very strong and 5#. Aluminum radiator, carbon cowl (upper cowl
weighs 2#, about the same as the spinner). Custom landing gear,
mags and tires saved 29 pounds. 3' shorter wings and 1 pound tips
saved more. Lite panel, minimum wiring, custom pedals, No upholstery
except seats, (wanted to show carbon), etc.

No magic, no bathroom scales, just attention to every detail. I'm not
saying this is the way to build, Just an answer to a challenge.

Still like my stock SS the best.

[wannafly]

Had the opportunity to see this one first hand it and it is very cool in deed. Amazing workmanship and a fantastic individual to go with it. Thanks for showing it to me.

[Esser]

Old Post but I am curious all the stats for this plane. How did the new leading edge work out? Did the LoPresti style cowl increase your speed with smaller intakes? What performance do you lose with clipped wings? Do you have interior pictures and pictures of the carbon seat and cowl?

[desertfox1]

This airplane was a personal challenge to see if a 7 could be built at
700 pounds. That goal was achieved by the use of Carbon, light weight
landing gear components and 3 foot shorter wings. All performance
numbers are subjective because I have not spent time testing. We did a
2 ship from PHX to Homedale last fall, and it was faster at all altitudes
up to 11000 feet. Short wings must be offset by leading edge, cowl
and drag items like the 5:00 5s. Don't know. Take off weights of the
2 planes were very close because of pilot and passenger size. I like
the stability, comfort and quiet of my SS, but it is also fun to fly the
little fighter. With symetrical flaperons and short wings the roll rate is
much faster. I'll get some pics of interior and post soon. Based on this
planes performance my new 7SS will have Speedster wings and the 914.
We'll see....

Thanks for the interest.

Phil