It's my pet peeve when people post links of planes for sale because they'll be gone and a week and no one will know what we're talking about, lol.

But here I am doing it.

How is this guy justifying this Kitfox being a LSA? He says "1550 gross wt. when completed as LSA, registered as Light Sport". So...it's not a light sport aircraft at 1550. 230lbs over. A little confused but maybe i'm not understanding something.

https://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail. ... atid=20293

And for future lurkers, here's the whole listing ad:

'KITFOX 5 SAFARI LOTS OF EXTRAS • FOR SALE BY OWNER • Late model Kitfox 5 Safari, affordable STOL capabilities, Lycoming O-290-G engine 137hp converted to D2 specs, outstanding performance, 525 SMOH, 225 AFTTSN, 1550 gross wt. when completed as LSA, registered as Light Sport, 26" ABW Air Streaks plus smaller training/runway wheels, Tundra Lite locking tail wheel, Catto prop (42x78) plus another faster cruise prop, detachable underbelly cargo pod, extended rear baggage with R&L pockets, basic panel, iFly Garmin GPS, 26 gal fuel tanks, trailering kit plus trailer included, always hangared, flown weekly, needs nothing.'

I think you're right. Ad says it's flying now. Ask how it's registered. Probably EAB and not eligible for ELSA. Not a problem unless you planned on charging money or leasing back.

If the build is good, sounds like a good value. I'd be tempted to view that white fuselage as a blank canvas to do something creative!

The advertisement kind of uses some weasel words, which instantly makes me suspicious. But, IF this airplane Gross weight has been set at 1550, it can never be registered as Light Sport.

BUT, if he in fact registered it initially at a GW of 1320, it COULD qualify as Light Sport. Probably.

I'm betting, however, that the empty weight is pretty heavy, which, with GW set at 1320, wouldn't leave much useful load....likely the reason he's claiming it CAN have a GW of 1550.

Basically, he's worded his ad pretty cagey, which would make me suspicious about anything he's done.....like build an airplane.

I'd also want to talk to Kitfox about that weight, and see if they approve of that high a weight.

MTV

I'm right there with you MTV. The wording seems like he's trying to be 'sly' (deceiving). I could be wrong though.

The empty weight of the plane is probably around 1,000lbs. Add full fuel (162lbs at 27 gallons) and that leaves you with being having to be a 158lb pilot to fly this under sport pilot/LSA restrictions. No passenger or gear.

So pretty much a female pilot with 15-20lbs of proper safety gear.

I really hope a sport pilot doesn't get tricked into making this purchase. It might be a great plane for a private pilot. But yeah, I really don't like the way it's worded.

Let me know if you hear from Kitfox on the weight.

Cheers

Too heavy an engine, for that size wing, says this former Kitfox pilot. Unless you like landing at 50 mph.

Yes, later Model 5 kitfoxes had a max gross weight of 1550.

In 1994, SkyStar aircraft was faced with an increasing demand to produce a significantly larger version of the Kitfox that would be able to utilize contemporary certified engines (Continental and Lycoming) in addition to the Rotax 912 engines....

...Originally introduced with a gross weight of 1400 pounds, the gross weight was increased to 1550 pounds in mid-1995.

Above quotes from "Kitfox Aircraft history" http://kitfox.lazair.com/skystar/Aircraft_History.htm

For comparison:

Aerotrek A220 (SLSA)--122 SF wing area. 1235 MGW. 41 MPH Stall. MGW is restricted by USA distributor due to stall speed, not structural limit.

Kitfox S7--132 SF. Structurally tested to 1550, but can anyone reading this tell us the stall speed at that weight?

Kitfox STi--142 SF.

Note that due to deeper wing chord, the wings-folded width of the STi is 8'6" which rules out storing/transporting in an enclosed trailer. The S7 is a bit over 8' so it may or may not fit in a road legal enclosed trailer.

Pierre

I've heard stories of a non road legal trailer, custom built, just for that bird. The owner knew it would be illegal, but figured it'd take a pretty sharp state trooper eyeball to catch him out. I think it was something like 2 or 3 inches over the max of 102", and last I heard he never had a problem with it