Kitfox Aircraft and Stick & Rudder - Sebring & Bahama Bound 2012.

[DesertFox4]

3 photos from the Sebring,Fl. show. Looks like John and Paul are busy extolling the virtues of the most exciting recreational vehicle made.

Sebring 2012 Kitfox Aircraft booth.jpg

Kitfox Aircraft's booth at Sebring.jpg

Lots of interest Sebring 2012.jpg

[Paul Z]

How much does it cost to land in the Bahamas? You definitely took the water route! If I had the nerves to fly there, I would have gone over the Islands!

[Tom Waid]

How much does it cost to land in the Bahamas?

Great website about flying in the Bahamas

Pilot Information is here. Currently the only charge seems to be a $15 per person departure fee. (You have to pay to leave.) If you land at one of the private airports there can be additional charges.

It's important to note that not all Bahamian airports have tie-downs on their parking ramps.

Linda and I flew to Sebring last Sunday and found John and Paul in good spirits. As usual I had a thousand questions about my kit. John's a very patient man.

[DesertFox4]

To the Bahamas.


Leaving the coast of Florida with John in tow
leaving the coast.jpg

80 miles out. "Bimini" to clear customs and get our island cruising permit - next stop another 160 miles out.
80 miles out.jpg
The runways almost always into a 10-15 mph steady breeze until you get below the Palm & Pine trees that line the edge - then hang on.
approach to Bimini & customs.jpg
The customs guy had never seen such cool planes
Customs at Bimini.jpg
Really out there
really out there.jpg
Berry islands. Starbucks muffin 4 hours ago wasn't enough - getting hungry - looking for lunch
Berry Islands.jpg

[DesertFox4]

More Bahama adventures 2012


Found a lunch stop, right next to the airport, we could walk to, on the beach -Great Harbour Cay
Found a lunch stop, right next to the airport, we could walk to, on the beach -Great Harbour Cay.jpg
Another 70 + miles - what's the point in going high, you're still going to get wet.
Another 70 + miles - what's the point in going high, you're still going to get wet..jpg
North Eleuthera. Our destination almost 200 miles off Florida
North Eleuthera Our destination almost 200 miles off Florida.jpg
Inviting warm waters
Inviting warm waters.jpg
Lots of water...
Lots of water....jpg
We think it is a 30-40 ft baby Sperm Whale
We think it is a 30-40 ft baby Sperm Whale.jpg
Fun, Fun, Fun !!
Fun, Fun, Fun !!.jpg
You never leave your wing man, unless one is forced to test the life raft. Celebratory Scotch is in the belly pod.
You never leave your wing man, unless one is forced to test the life raft. Celebratory Scotch i.jpg

[DesertFox4]

Bahama Trip



Off across the water. For our $50 hamburger in a neighboring island of the Exuma's - remember it's cheaper in a Kitfox.
For our hamburger in a neighboring island of the Exuma's - remember it's cheaper in a Kitfox.jpg
Water colors
Water colors.jpg
A toss up. Who's having more fun - sailing friends gathering in a cove or flying on each others wing.
Who's having more fun - sailing friends gathering in a cove or flying on each others wing..jpg
Too much fun
Too much fun.jpg
Landing Norman's Cay - used to be drug runners' stronghold
Landing Norman's Cay - used to be drug runners' stronghold.jpg
Norman's Cay leg stretch
Norman's Cay leg stretch.jpg
Our lunch stop - 150+ miles out
Our lunch stop - 150+ miles out.jpg
We left the airplanes to enjoy the view while we walked to find a "Grouper" burger - Yum!
We left the airplanes to enjoy the view while we walked to find a Grouper burger - Yum!.jpg
The weather was a changing for the flight home. Looking like a wispy billowing opaque shower curtain - of fine rain water hanging straight down from the cloud bottoms - blocking our path - with moving sucker holes - chasing the pot-of-gold at the end of the rainbow.
The weather was a changing for the flight home.jpg

[DesertFox4]

Beautiful photos guys. Thanks for sharing. It's clear you're all having a blast.
I bet those Rotax engines sound just as good over miles of open water as they do over mountainous terrain.
Safe journey back. Can't wait to see some video. Keep your feet dry.

[Pilot4Life]

What a privilege to have met with John McBean at College Station yesterday. I was flying a King Air 350 and we'd just shot an approach to RWY 16. We decided to do some pattern work there and heard over the radio, while on downwind, that "Kitfox 102YB was inbound for landing RWY 16, full stop, College Station" and knew that it was John. We took a very brief moment to stop at the base of the tower (thank you Easterwood Tower) and I had the distinct privilege to meet John and sit in his beautiful plane. I only had a brief moment. My plane was still running with my co-pilot at the controls, and gas isn't cheap! BTW, Just for anyone wondering about the Kitfox and their fit...I'm 6' 2", 220lbs and John and I fit in it just fine. It's super comfortable and very roomy for a couple of full grown men in a two seat, side-by-side.

Anyhow....thanks John for hanging around so I could meet you.

[DesertFox4]

Homeward bound.



The second night - after a 4 hour trip around the Gulf. Leaving the ocean tomorrow - heading inland.
Leaving Destin.jpg
South Mississippi Light Aircraft - one of 4 Rotax overhaul facilities in the country.
Their beautiful grass strip - like landing on a golf fairway.
South Mississippi Light Aircraft - one of 4 Rotax overhaul facilities in the country.jpg
Just into NM - Mother nature called - not on the chart or GPS moving map
Just into NM - Mother nature called - not on the chart or GPS moving map.jpg
Paul found this strip last year on my way to Sebring
but too heavy, hot, and late to safely try it. 7050' msl - sloped - obstacles - 1000' useable - probably a no go around.
We were met by an adjacent land owner - he said "we were the FIRST airplanes to ever land there!
Paul found this strip last year on my way to Sebring.jpg

[Paul Z]

Looks like y'all made it back to Idaho. It was entertaining to
following your flight. It gave me something interesting to do and watch while I was working in the Rock Pit!