Kitfox 3 on Amphib Floats?

[JulianStorey]

Hello,

I'm new to this forum.

I'm a professional pilot (biz jets) living in the UK with a passion for seaplane flying.

I've seen a Kitfox 3 for sale that's within my budget and I was potentially interested in buying it and fitting it with a set of amphib floats.

Does anyone on here have any experience of doing this?

All information gratefully received.

Julian

[Av8r3400]

Where's Av8rPS when you need him??

He's you're guy in the know about all things Kitfox-Floats related.

[av8rps]

I have a 912ul model 4-1200 Kitfox on Aerocet floats I absolutely love. A Model 3 will suffer a bit from a 150 lb lower gross weight, but with their higher lift wing they will actually get off the water better than the 4. Cruise will be 85 mph 'ish with a 582, slightly higher with a 912.

If I didn't have my 4, a 3 would be ok as long as it had a good float under it, a Rotax 582 or a 912, a reasonably efficient prop with leading edge protection, and it was reasonably light (600 lbs ew on regular land gear or less preferrably). If the owner could prove how well it flew that would be even better, as sometimes the weirdest combinations of the above has surprised me.

Paul Seehafer

( check out kitfox of the month to learn all about my model 4 amphib)

[JulianStorey]

That's really great information. Thanks Paul.

Which floats do you have on your 4?

How big of a job is it to fit amphib floats?

Julian

[av8rps]

http://www.teamkitfox.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=931 Will give more info on my model 4 amphib.

I have the Aerocet 1100 amphibs. They are a bit small for my piggish model 4, but I still like them. A better float would be the Zenair (AKA CZ, or czech built) 1200 amphibs. They have more buoyancy and a better landing gear, and are lighter.

Installing amphibs can be a project, but well worth it in my opinion.

[JulianStorey]

That's great. Thank you so much.

[av8rps]

One thing I forgot to mention; a few years back there was a really great guy that would bring his 582 powered Model 3 on straight Aqua floats to the EAA Oshkosh Seaplane Base to show as well as to give rides to volunteers. For years he gave more rides than anyone, so just a little more proof that a Model 3 will work on floats, even with only 64 hp.

Oh, and those Aqua straight floats probably are close to the weight of some of the newer, lighter amphib floats So performance on amphibs would be similar to that straight float Kitfox.