Another new guy

[foxbait]

Hi to all, another new guy who has been lurking on this site, I have ordered a SS7 kit and am hoping for delivery in January. Thanks to everyone for all the insight and info, you guys should be getting a commission. I built a Chinook Plus 2 several years ago and am ready for an upgrade, have been beating this to death, debating between a Rans S20 and Kitfox. Great to know there is such a helpful community available, looking forward to the build and I'm sure I will be looking for some help down the road. Cheers
Mike from Niagara Falls

[rocketman2tm]

Hi Mike,

The Rans S20 came out after I already got my kit. It looks like a nice airplane. I'm not sure if you've flown in a Kitfox yet or not, but I was pleasantly surprised when I went up in a model 6. The controls are not quite as smooth as an RV, but they are pretty close. I attribute this to well balanced controls and push rods. The pictures of the S20 that I've seen look like it has cables instead of push rods which will add some slop and take away from the overall experience imho.

Welcome to the Kitfox family.

[DesertFox4]

Welcome Mike.

Congratulations on your purchase.

You should do great with the build.

Lots of great folks here standing by to assist if you need.

[Danzer1]

Not trying to create a discussion about the pros and cons of pushrods or between the virtues of a SS7 vs an S20, but:

The pictures of the S20 that I've seen look like it has cables instead of push rods which will add some slop and take away from the overall experience imho.

Both aircraft use pushrods for the elevator. Both use cables for the rudder. The SS7 uses pushrods for the flaperons - easy to do with inboard control location. The S20 uses cables for the flaps and ailerons as it is a "conventional" separate setup. I can't think of any high wing conventional kit setup that uses pushrods for ailerons - it is simply way more complex than necessary.

As flaps are essentially only used for TO and landing - I doubt cables would impact the "experience" much.

As for cables to the ailerons - if there is any "slop" it is due to mis-rigging or improper maintenance (tension adjustment). If I get into an aircraft with any "slop" in the controls (of any type) - it simply just doesn't go into the air!

So personally, I think the difference in the overall experience would be flaperons vs conventional flaps/ailerons, not "slop".

Just IMHO - to each his own, hence the choices we have.

And welcome Mike!

[Danh]

Welcome aboard congratulations on your decision and enjoy the build

[Kurt.A]

Welcome Mike.
Looking forward to some pics.