Too much flex in kitfox wings for the way they are mounted. Aluminum tanks cracked and then leaked. Early avids and kitfoxes had aluminum and then went to fiberglass.
https://kitfoxaircraft.com/images/se...tins/SB-10.pdf
Too much flex in kitfox wings for the way they are mounted. Aluminum tanks cracked and then leaked. Early avids and kitfoxes had aluminum and then went to fiberglass.
https://kitfoxaircraft.com/images/se...tins/SB-10.pdf
John Brannen
Morris, IL
Sonerai IIL (Single Seat)
Kitfox 3/4 1050 - Rotax 582 (Back Flying and sold)
Kitfox IV 1050 - Rotax 582 (sold)
Kitfox IV 1200 Speedster - Rotax 912 UL (rebuilt and now flying)
Piper Twin Comanche (Sold)
Glasair 1 FT (Waiting to start)
As ethanol inclusion percentages gradually increase here in the UK, I decided a few months ago to religiously only use UL91 Avgas. Yes, it costs a bit more, and it means buying 193 litre barrels, but at least I can relax knowing I won’t go to the hangar one day and find I’ve got empty tanks, and a pool of fuel on the floor.
Interesting that AL tanks had issues. Highlander uses aluminum tanks and they are very similar aircraft. Wonder what the difference is?
Dustin Dickerson
Building 7ss STI x 2
Oratex
29" shock monster
EP912STI 155hp
Garmin
N33TF......FLYING!
N53TF......FLYING!
Not sure how the original aluminum fuel tanks for the kitfox were installed, but maybe glued to the spars like the composite ones. The highlander doesn't use that method. In this video, you can see how the highlander tanks are installed.
https://youtu.be/RCec4VFpuuw
John Brannen
Morris, IL
Sonerai IIL (Single Seat)
Kitfox 3/4 1050 - Rotax 582 (Back Flying and sold)
Kitfox IV 1050 - Rotax 582 (sold)
Kitfox IV 1200 Speedster - Rotax 912 UL (rebuilt and now flying)
Piper Twin Comanche (Sold)
Glasair 1 FT (Waiting to start)
There is lots of discussion on this in previous posts and in some FB group stuff.
The difference is the drag tube. Highlanders have a drag tube running under the fuel tank to deal with the flex.
On FB in 2020 Brandon mentions the additional weight, complication, and capacity loss of installing drag tubes to allow the change to justify the decision of this change not being worth it.
It can be done and there are a few KF with aluminum tanks however this is not an easy or approved change.
Also to note - The highlander tanks are not a drop in fit for the KF SS wing profile.
🇨🇦CANADA
Flying | SS7 | G3X | Edge 912
One regret I have is I wish I had more fuel. Flying in the back country I wish I had 10 more gallons.
Dustin Dickerson
Building 7ss STI x 2
Oratex
29" shock monster
EP912STI 155hp
Garmin
N33TF......FLYING!
N53TF......FLYING!
Lots of options for that though. Put a belly pod on it and pump it up or split the difference with a 5Gal header tank.
What's your endurance currently?
🇨🇦CANADA
Flying | SS7 | G3X | Edge 912