Flaps

[andy kitfox mk 3]

Wondered if anyone can help with advice on using flaps for take off and landings ? I'm new to the Kitfox world and am Training in a MK 3 with a 912 in England. I have a good instructor but we hav'nt experimented with flaps yet for landing or take off. Any advice would be really appreciated.
Many thanks, Andy

[DesertFox4]

Andy, I had a model 3 with 912 Rotax way back when. I used about half flaps for most takeoffs. It got me into the a little air quicker, shortened the take off distance.

Hardly ever used them for landing.

[SkySteve]

I have model III wings on my bird and the 912 80hp Rotax. Like DF4, I use half flaps when doing a normal take off. If I want to get off fast I go half flaps on the take off role and as soon as I'm at about 30-32 mph I pull full flaps and I'm off the ground. Then quickly push the nose down to stay in ground effect and slowly bleed off all flaps and start my climb. I find this works very effectively.

When doing my normal landing (I most always try to hit a predetermined spot and land as short as possible), I come over the fence stabilized at no more than 45 mph with full flaps, slow to no more than 37-40 mph, touch down and immediately dump all flaps.

[t j]

Mine is a model 4 and like the others have said some flaps on take off get it off the ground quicker.

For a three point full stall landing I do not use any flaps as you will find flaps pitch the nose down on the kitfox.

If I want to make a wheel landing I use about half flaps. My approach speed is the same as for a wheel landing. I set up over the runway with the same 3 point attitude but about the time it feels like it is ready to touch down, sneak in a little throttle...jut enough that your passenger doesn't notice that you are doing it...then keep trying to hold it off and when you feel the main wheels touch, throttle to idle and stick forward to make it stick to the runway.

[HansLab]

Andy, you could consider reading the book 'How to fly a Kitfox': available at McBean's - it's all in there...
And when you're ready hop over the Channel: I'm at EHMZ. More than welcome.

[Paul Z]

I always use one notch of flaps on take off. It shortens Take Off distance, and climbs very nicely. I also use one notch on landing, occasionally I have used 2 notches, but it is mainly because I just missed the first notch. If I don't use one notch, when on base I start slowing down to 75 the down to 70, my *****ing Betty starts yelling at me telling me "Angle Angle Push", "Angle Angle Push", until I put in one notch of flaps, after which she will mellow out until I'm over the fence and starting my flair.