First of all, I don't post on here very often. I do look at the website all the time, but unless I can help someone or I need something I just don't seem to post. I have only been flying since 2008, started with the usual Cessna 150 and progressed to a Mooney, found I was pretty much doing only local flights and was getting pretty tired of the maintenance costs. So long story short, I posted on here about going low and slow, got some really good advice, and jumped in with both feet.

My first foray into the experimental world was not a easy one, and I will openly admit that for quite a long time I felt I made a huge mistake(My plane had runnability issues). I don't know how it is in other aviation communities, but around here the second you mention "Rotax" or "experimental" to the local A & P I just got a blank stare. I finally ran out of ideas one day and called the factory looking for help. John McBean took the time to help me out, and even though it did not solve the problem he took the time to follow up and point me in the right direction.

Fast forward to today. Specifically this weekend. My buddy David and I decide last minute to go to the Kitfox Fly in. We had a blast flying over to Ryan Field, Shaeffer, and Meadowcreek. At Meadowcreek at take off I could not get full power so I aborted. The first people to stop and help was John and Debra McBean. For those of you who have not been there, 0S1(Meadowcreek) is a really cool field with a couple of exceptions. The only way in is by a hiking trail, or by air. It is also very remote, with tall trees on all sides and a cliff on one end. So flying a poorly running Kitfox out of there was not a option. Option #2 was lifting by Helicopter, at about a cost of 10K!!!

We were unsuccessful in fixing it- so I hopped in with David and we went home. We had tried everything, plugs, carbs, fuel pump, etc. We had even checked the lifters to no avail. Needless to say I was a little dejected that night.

OK Scott, you might say- why are you boring me with this story? Well, most people in my experience will try and help, but if they are not successful, well we tried right? Not my problem. At least in my experience. If you break down in your Ford does Mr. Ford come out and help you try to fix it? Pretty sure that does not happen(if it does you must be in a way better tax bracket than I am) Well Mr. Kitfox himself did go way out of his way to help me, put me in touch with a bunch of people, even help me source the right carbs to try out(Thank you Jay White!!!) And the organizer of the Montana Fly in Jeff Joerns even flew overwatch and put us up for the night.(Thank you Jeff and Kathy!!!) And a huge thank you to David Sledge- without him I would still be there!!!!

So for anyone out there that is wondering about building, buying or flying a Kitfox Aircraft- this is proof positive that there is no better factory support out there. And I want to personally thank everyone on TKF- I have gotten a ton of advice off of this board, and made a lot of really good friends.

Scott


P.S. If you are doing any mountain flying make sure you have tools, water, some snacks, a sleeping bag and a gun. It gets pretty lonely out there without this stuff, ask me how I know