#Kitfox

[@cdog4343]

I believe I saw one that fit into a enclosed trailer! Really cool man

[@edwojtecki3851]

Thx for posting your video. I recently purchased a Kitfox Vixen. The changing CG when the wings fold back was an eye opener for me. Time to build a pedestal now. Cheers.

[@GeorgeHardin]

Yes, even after I change over to tail wheel, I have heard that when you fold wings with full wing tanks fuel will leak out of the filler cap unless the tail is up in the air, so I will continue using the pedestal after conversion.

[@brighambaker3381]

Awesome! It looks like a great design!

[@GeorgeHardin]

I think so too! A really fun airplane to fly.

[@joem5639]

This is the first video I have seen on this topic. Thanks for sharing. I would love to get a Kitfox someday.

[@williampollock1274]

Damn, that thing has a pretty good climb rate!😲

[@GeorgeHardin]

I just came back from a Kitfox fly-in and compared to similar Kitfox's, it did pretty good in the climb department. 100 HP at 734lbs empty makes it a good performer.

[@Mike-01234]

That's exactly what I want hanger space around my area has 3-5 years waiting list cost is $350 a month min I have nice concrete pad side of my house I can park an enclosed trailer. Kitfox seems to be the only plane that one person can fold the wings back and forth. I saw Zenith has a folding option but takes 2 people same with some others like Sonex.

[@martinlongbow3519]

Badlands Aircraft has a model like this Kitfox. Easily one person can handle it.

[@blanewampler9081]

Aerotrek makes both conventional and tricycle gear LSA with folding wings as well.

[@edwojtecki3851]

Good call. I purchased a trailer for my Vixen that costs $ 40 Canadian per month at a RV storage yard , within 3 KM of the airport.

[@kennyt2904]

Solid how to video. I can see the benefit if trailering but for goodness sake upgrade to a full T hangar.

[@shafayetmojumder4327]

Wow beautiful airplane 💖💖💖💖

[@GeorgeHardin]

Thank you!

[@JuanSanchez-jf9fo]

Thank you for this demo.

[@GeorgeHardin]

My pleasure!

[@Johnny_Awesome]

Glad I found your video. My son got a toy plane recently with folding wings. And was curious if there are actual planes with folding wings in existence. Thanks for sharing.

[@GeorgeHardin]

Your welcome. If your son is interested in airplanes and flying look up the local chapter of the Experimental Airplane Association. They frequently host free flights for kids to get them interested in aviation.

[@cogoid]

Military airplanes used on aircraft carries today often have folding wings. Back in WWII, folding wings on Grumman F4F-4 fighter were very common and were called "Sto-Wing", but the concept is even older than that -- Kinner K-5 Sportster with similarly folding wings was advertised in March 1934 issue of Popular Mechanics, and there were some designs even earlier than that. Large Boeing passenger planes like 777X fold the tips of their wings to fit into the smaller spaces in the airport, and a company named PteroDynamics even builds a drone/airplane hybrid which folds its wings in flight.

[@Johnny_Awesome]

@@cogoid I read about the wwII airplanes. But I was personally curious if there were any civilian planes with folding wings. I will definitely look into the old fighter planes when he gets a bit older.

[@rodneyskennedy3163]

I’d say its more like 20 - 30 mins to fold out he wings etc, but even that is fantastic!

[@esau82]

If you drink a beer after folding the first one then yeah. Video clearly shows the time it takes

[@antr7493]

Thanks. Very interesting.

[@GeorgeHardin]

Glad you liked it!

[@patonbike]

Is this a fabric covered airplane? I am curious if there are any folding planes you could leave out in the summer and store in a garage in the winter. No hangar space here.

[@GeorgeHardin]

Yes it is fabric. I think there may be some folding wing airplanes made of aluminum. If you by a Kitfox, I would definitely cover it so the sun doesn't destroy the fabric.

[@MasboyRC]

This is awesome

[@vishnumm3705]

I love that plane

[@nucupanzaru9609]

Super super!🏆🏆

[@joemalinowski296]

Is the plane considered an ultralight?

[@GeorgeHardin]

No, it is an Experimental, Amatuer Built airplane that fits in the Light Sport category, gross weight 1,320 pounds, dry weight is 734 pounds.

[@DIGIL.]

Hi, Thanks for sharing. Let me ask you something. which is this model of kitfox? Does every model allow folding wings? How much does this one cost?

[@kaiden9226]

All kit foxes come standard with this feature

[@rdc008]

Nice video's George. I watch some of Trent Palmer video's on his KF. My dad and grandfather were both pilots. My dad also flew GA/ Commercial Commuter in the 70's out of SFO. We lived in Burlingame ... so SFO and San Carlos were close.

[@GeorgeHardin]

Thanks Richard. I am pretty happy with the Kitfox and I am thrilled to finally chase my dreams. Someday I will convert to a tail dagger. I don't think I will ever fly as good as Trent.

[@rdc008]

@@GeorgeHardin Great to hear that George. My best to you !

[@fadedflage]

If you train and practice with strong focus you'll be shocked how good you can get

[@normandoncaster3519]

George Hardin kit fox

[@guitarraviguitarravi9919]

George Hardin xxxhgldudsplhfxhfyczzijkgzxcvvo

[@tewodrosmolla3960]

Hii,I am an aviation lover. My aspiration to be an airline pilot an an aerospace enginer , right now I am in high school and I have an idea to build homemade light aircraft using a motorcycle engine , what is your recommendations?

[@GeorgeHardin]

Hi Tewodros, there are many ways you can obtain your dreams. You can start small (and inexpensively) by building a remote control airplane. You will learn alot about flying, airplane design, construction and maintenance. Look for a local EAA (Experimental Airplane Association) near you. They regularly have Young Eagles Days (Look on the internet) where you can get a free airplane ride. When your ready to build your first airplane, you should consider buying plans or a kit. That way you build something that has been designed and tested by someone with a lot of expertise. If you build an ultralight airplane, you do not need a license (In the USA). However, get some training before you try to fly any airplane. Start hanging out at airports. Pilots are pretty friendly and willing to give you support and advice. You could also try to find a job at the airport. Even if your not flying, your still learning how airports work. Good luck to you and your dreams. Pilots, anything else you would suggest???

[@tewodrosmolla3960]

@@GeorgeHardin thank you for your advice , most of the time i learn aerodynamic and ultralight aircraft design so I know a little about the science of flight. I just wanted to explore some questions like , how many horse power I need, length of wing , fuselage , etc, ..my plan is building up to 150 kg with the capacity of only one person.

[@vracan]

for gods sake I hope you did not pursue your idea using motorcycle engine and hope you take flying lessons instead

[@davekadel8936]

Where are your fuel tanks located!

[@GeorgeHardin]

There are two 13 gallon wings tanks and a 2 gallon collector tank behind the front seat, for 28 gallons total. At 4 gallons per hour average that is 7 hours flying time, abut 665 miles. My bladder cannot last that long.

[@1RDriver]

which model kitfox is this?

[@GeorgeHardin]

It is the light squared. Essentially a model 4 that is made to easily be converted from tricycle to tail dragger , which I plan on doing later this year.

[@frankcloskey7789]

Kit fox lite they should bring it back in production .

[@GeorgeHardin]

The Lite Squared is a model 4 with mounts for tail wheel or tricycle gear.

[@jamesdickey8781]

You left out the part where you have to drain the fuel tanks before folding. Altogether, I think the folding and unfolding time is a lot closer to 45 minutes than 10.

[@GeorgeHardin]

I have never drained fuel tanks. When folding, tail is place on rolling stand, so I dont have any overflow problems, even with full tanks.

[@senorwilliams3969]

What engine do you have in it?

[@GeorgeHardin]

I have the 100hp Rotax 912uls. Gives the Kitfox excellent performance.

[@senorwilliams3969]

@@GeorgeHardin whats the climb rate at or near maximum load?

[@GeorgeHardin]

@@senorwilliams3969 About 1,500 fpm

[@senorwilliams3969]

@@GeorgeHardin wow thats great!

[@udokruteler]

Kitfox 4 or 6?

[@GeorgeHardin]

This is the Lite Squared, essentially a classic 4 that can be converted from Tricycle to tail dragger. Tail dragger conversion later this year.

[@udokruteler]

@@GeorgeHardin thank you

[@86chanko]

wow just that little tiny pin

[@GeorgeHardin]

First time I saw that pin I thought "Really, this is all that is holding the wings in place?" But I realized there is very little force on the wings towards the rear, the primary lift is up and supported by the struts. But yeh, it was a little disturbing. Wings haven't fallen off yet.

[@86chanko]

George Hardin thank god, nice plane I love they color scheme.

[@chippyjohn1]

high tensile steel is very strong, its looks like about 8mm wide, if it was grade 8.8 that would give it a shear strength of about 2500kg. it may be even higher

[@kodiererg]

What are the dimensions folded? I'm looking for a plane that can ship to Hawaii the same as a pickup truck

[@GeorgeHardin]

21 long, 8 wide, 7.5 tall, but you could lower the tail and get the overall height to around six feet. 734 pounds. You could cut down the width by removing the wings and the elevators.

[@nssherlock4547]

So let me guess ...It's held in place with a wing nut !!!!

[@GeorgeHardin]

The 3 inch pin holds the wing in place. Doesn't look sturdy, but over 5,000 have been built since 83 without structural failure. There is another video on KZbin of a guy doing acrobatics in a Kitfox.

[@nssherlock4547]

@@GeorgeHardin As a pilot,that above joke flew right over your head !!!!

[@GeorgeHardin]

@@nssherlock4547 Yes, didn't realize it was a joke. Have had a few people concerned about the pin holding the wing on.

[@StjepanNikolic]

Have you ever seen what's holding Cessna's wings ? :)

[@khalidbinswidan138]

If I want to buy what is price

[@GeorgeHardin]

Used can go from $10-50,000 depending on model, engine, condition. For new you can look at Kitfox website.

[@bradynlee5490]

How much is this?

[@GeorgeHardin]

You can get used Kitfox $15-30k. From $30-80K for newer models and bigger engines. I think the kits start somewhere around $85k. Great airplane!

[@Utube2Itube]

Is it only me or does anyone else also think it feels a bit unsecure to have the wings locked in place only through a small rod like that 😱

[@GeorgeHardin]

I was also surprised when I saw the pin. However, most stress is vertical, not horizontal. Kitfox does have a good safety record with no in flight structural failures.

[@TegoSuwarto]

good

[@msnpassjan2004]

Great vid. Guess you can't just it out by the tail?

[@GeorgeHardin]

The rolling platform saves my back and I have heard that full wing tanks will leak from the caps when the wings are folded and the tail is on the ground.

[@msnpassjan2004]

@@GeorgeHardin My apologies. Typo on my part. Can you pull the airplane out by pulling on the tail stand or is it better to push it out by pushing on the prop? Thanks for the vid, very well done !

[@GeorgeHardin]

It is easier to push on the prop while keeping the nose wheel from turning sideways. The tail stand is free wheeling so it will go in any direction. Thanks!

[@burntoutaussie4005]

It's spelled H A N G A R . I've flown the tailwheel version, but not the trike.

[@adamzahi9513]

how much

[@GeorgeHardin]

A Kitfox sells for 10000 to 35000 for a decent used kitfox.

[@johnnybumpous9108]

I don't know about the wings, just doesn't look very sturdy...

[@GeorgeHardin]

The pin holding the wing does not look very sturdy, I agree, but the majority of the lift is vertical, which is why the wing struts are so important. Kitfox has never had an in-flight structural failure.

[@tracemitchell7358]

The little wheel is on the wrong end!

[@GeorgeHardin]

Just got my license in June, and will put the wheel on right end after some more experience 😁

[@islandfd3s]

@@GeorgeHardin I guess you could add a tailwheel.... just get the CG right at the mains, and you can decide whether you want to land it as a tricycle or tailwheel plane!

[@GeorgeHardin]

@@islandfd3s Kitfox actually had a tail wheel/nose wheel aircraft. There was a mechanism for adjusting the CG depending on how you wanted to land. Don't remember where I saw the story.

[@vracan]

never liked folding wings because I always feel it becomes a vulnerable/weak area safety concern that I can do without

[@GeorgeHardin]

I have a button labeled "Wings Fall Off" on my panel. I tell everyone dont touch that button.

[@josebatista5188]

They don't teach you the correct way to spell 'hangar" until the advanced stages.

[@DIGIL.]

Hi, Thanks for sharing. Let me ask you something. which is this model of kitfox? Does every model allow folding wings? How much does this one cost?

[@GeorgeHardin]

Yes, all Kitfox have folding wings. This is the Light Squared model, which is the same as the model 4, with the major difference being that you can easily convert between tri gear and tail dagger. Used kitfox go for 15-40k.

[@kuvchannelzoo4246]

@@GeorgeHardin can this kitfox go across the state? Ang how much a brand cost?

[@kuvchannelzoo4246]

Can this kitfox fly across the state? And how much does a brand new cost compared to a used?

[@GeorgeHardin]

@@kuvchannelzoo4246 I think a new Kitfox is around $95,000, used for as little as $15,000. I can fly about 600 miles before needing fuel. Yes you can fly state to state.

[@kuvchannelzoo4246]

@@GeorgeHardin what is the capacity it can carry?