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Kitfox fuel tanks

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vcmi(at)lewiston.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:37 pm Post subject: Kitfox fuel tanks

I have a model 2 with model 4 wings that have the  13 gallon fiberglass tanks, I would like to trade or find a set of the 6.5  gallon metal tanks.  Jerry in Idaho  vcmi(at)lewiston.com (vcmi(at)lewiston.com)  

   [quote][b]

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:37 pm Post subject: Kitfox fuel tanks

I'm curious. What do you have  for a MTOW??

  

  

 

Noel [quote]   

   --

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

d(at)cfisher.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 3:10 am Post subject: Kitfox fuel tanks

Jerry,

  

 If I may ask , what would reason be for  changing tanks ?   If they are leaking well I understand. If it in  fear of ethanol well I hear about issues but I have yet to see it happen. Not to  say that is will not happen but time will tell. 

  

 I did hear that The guy that looks after Avids at  airdale.com was working on a plastic type wing tank that might work and would be  prefered over metal.    Aluminum and ethanol brings on new issues  as well.   I thiunk some of the early models had metal tanks and they  developed leaks due to flexing in the wing but I do stand to be  corrected.

  

 I read your other message about the tri gear and  the Jaberu engine, so I guess that rules out a dash tank?    They  are decent and hold about 9 gals.    I might look at putting a  tank 5 to 10 gallon behind my seat as I mentioned before.   I have  taken an extra 6 IMP gals ( about 8 us gals)  bedhind seat in 2 gal  containers on x Countrys in the past as well as up to 10 gals in each  float.   Personally if i has your tanks in wings that did not leak ,I  would be in better shape.  

  

  

 Dave 

  

  

 [quote]   ---

vcmi(at)lewiston.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:41 am Post subject: Kitfox fuel tanks

I think 14 gallons on board, 6.5, 6.5 and 1.5 is  adequate fuel.  With 3 gph burn I have 4 hours with reserve.  Can you  sit in a KF for 4 hour?  My age and Kidneys wont allow  it.    Most of my flighs are1.5 hours or less so why have half  full tanks sloshing around and the extra weight.  Jerry

 [quote]   ---

vcmi(at)lewiston.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:43 am Post subject: Kitfox fuel tanks

Sorry I dont understand the acronym!!!    mtow

 [quote]   ---

d(at)cfisher.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:15 am Post subject: Kitfox fuel tanks

>>  With 3 gph burn I have 4 hours with  reserve<< 

  

 You might need the extra fuel for return trip  ?

  

 >>Can you sit in a KF for 4 hour?   <<

  

 YES  but near limit .......

  

 >>why have half full tanks sloshing around  and the extra weight<< 

  

 I am not sure if the sloshing around is really an  issue. Since you havea Kf 2 your weight will be limited to near a solo only  plane so you could just use the right tank that is if you sit on left  side.

 eg   500 lb empty weight 

        200 lb pilot  

       100  lbs    fuel 

 now you at    800  I guess you  could add a 150  person .  

  

  

 Dave

  

  

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kitfoxmike

Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Posts: 373

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:06 am Post subject: Re: Kitfox fuel tanks

Why do we have extra fuel in our tanks.  I have 26, do I need it?  Do I fly more than 1.5 at a time, no.  Why carry around all that extra fuel?  Well for me it's convenience.  I fly every day sometimes twice a day.  I go to the airport with my motorcycle. I use auto gas.  For me it's nice to truck in 10 gal at a time and fill the plane in the evening when I use my truck and then the next couple days I use the motorcycle, or when I run over to the plane during the day with the motorcycle.  When I go on a cross country flight I don't have to put in so much of that 100ll high price stuff.  I find also that the fox flies better with more weight in turbulance, and the landings are more solid with more weight.  For me it's a convenience to have the extra fuel capacity.

84KF
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:38 am Post subject: Re: Kitfox fuel tanks

Airspeed...,  Take it of leave it. 

  Altitude...,  More is better.  ---  



 Fuel on a day with a head wind..., Priceless

lcfitt(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 12:04 pm Post subject: Kitfox fuel tanks

This could be an interesting discussion.  I have always felt that the 

airplane someone flys should fit the mission the owner has in mind for his 

particular needs.  I am often asked if I plan on building another airplane. 

The answer is always no as my Model IV is exactly what I want. I think Jerry 

has thought it through as it applies to his needs.



I will, however offer some thoughts.



In the group I fly with there are two Rans airplanes a S6 and a S7.  Rans is 

build in Kansas where there are airports around almost every corner.  They 

have a max fuel of about 20 gallons so these airplanes always dictate the 

fuel stops and Maximum flight segments as we fly together.  Our Kitfoxes are 

designed more for the wide open spaces of the west where fuel might be a 

couple of hours away.



We will be flying to the Desert Fox Squadron fly-in the end of this month 

and fuel stops will be dictated by the two Rans.  I must say that there have 

been times when these two guys wished for a few more gallons - head winds, 

as was mentioned.



Then comes the eventual sale.  My personal opinion is that just like real 

estate, consideration should be given to what someone else might want - 

something to make a sale less problematic.



All this said, I fuel periodically.  Unlike the old Cessna days where we 

topped off after every flight, I add fuel as needed and fill up only before 

a long cross country.  I have never found water in the fuel.  It is almost 

always home fueled through a Mr Funnel and condensation doesn't seem to be 

an issue.



Just some thoughts.



Lowell



---

barry(at)pgtc.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:31 pm Post subject: Kitfox fuel tanks

I agree, the extra weight is not all bad, it helps a little with the bumps. 

Yes, I would like to haul gas in as seldom as possible.



Barry



Do not archive.



---

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 2:08 pm Post subject: Kitfox fuel tanks

Maximum Take Off  Weight.

  

 I've been following the posts  on this matter and to an extent I can agree with what Dave has been  saying.  It's better to have the extra capacity and not use it than to have  use for it and not have it.  After all there is no rule that says you have  to fill everything to the gunwales.

  

 Having said that if you decide  to sell the left 13 Gal tank let me know I might be interested.  Installing  it would make a good project for next winter. (Working in a very small  garage.)

  

  

 

Noel [quote]   

   --

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

kitfoxmike

Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Posts: 373

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 3:28 pm Post subject: Re: Kitfox fuel tanks

personally, I hate to do work.  I would hate to go to smaller tanks when I have the bigger.  Sure most the time I don't need the bigger, during the winter months I only use one tank.  To keep the other tank good and for reserve I put in 5 gal or less of 100LL and just use the left side, I don't fill that all the way, just half generally.  Now that gives me some light weight and combined with the chilly air I have some fantastic takeoffs, really fun, gives me the motivation to go out in 20degree weather.



As far as the only airplane for me, nope, building an RV7A for my cross country future, I hate taking days to get somewhere when I can do it in a mater of hours.  I'm a working boy still and don't have the time to trek across the united states doing 90kts. I still plan on keeping the fox and if wheels end up being boring I'll put the floats on and open a new world.

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 3:32 pm Post subject: Kitfox fuel tanks

I can shoe horn in about 20 gal U.S. and I expect all but maybe a half Gal.

is usable.  I certainly would like to have an extra 6.5 Gal for the longer

trips..  As it is if I expect to be going any distance I carry an extra 7.5

Imp gal in my right float.  If I really need it all I have to do is pitch

and transfer the gas to my wing tank.  I keep the other float clean of gas

for carrying rope, float pump, fishing gear and of course the one that never

got away   We have waninish (sp?)(land locked salmon) here that are

almost as good eating as Atlantic Salmon.  I only catch what I intend to eat

that day.



Noel



[quote] --

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

vcmi(at)lewiston.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 6:38 am Post subject: Kitfox fuel tanks

There are a few good ones out there who provide good technical advice on our 

airplanes, but after 50 years and 12,000 hours of flying (accident free) I 

really dont need lessons on Airspeed, Altitude, or Fuel management.  I just 

really need the fuel tanks that fit my style of flying Here in the Idaho 

back country.  Priceless is clearing the tree tops at the end of an 800 ft 

strip in the back country.  Too much fuel on board might be the difference 

between treetops for lunch or fresh trout.

---

84KF
Guest

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 8:55 am Post subject: Re: Kitfox fuel tanks

I stand by my statement. 

"Fuel on a day with a head wind..., Priceless"



I don't understand yours.

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 5:57 am Post subject: Kitfox fuel tanks

You obviously have a lot more experience than I have flying planes.  I still

have to ask if it is really necessary to fill your plane to the gas caps.  I

take short flights myself where I quite intentionally don't completely fill

the plane.



When you go for resale the two 13 Gal. tanks may increase the value of your

plane a bit.



Never the less if you do decide to change out the tanks I am still

interested in buying the left one.  It will allow me to make a trip of 200

mi with lots of reserve so I can check in at a few hunting camps I know of

without having to drag extra fuel in the float.



BTW where are you???  I hope it's not Hawaii  The shipping charges would

be big!



Noel



[quote] --

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:08 am Post subject: Kitfox fuel tanks

Got it, Idaho.  I can see where you would want to be light.....



What is the difference in the actual weight of the tanks?



Noel



[quote] --

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

n85ae

Joined: 14 Mar 2007
Posts: 403

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:41 am Post subject: Re: Kitfox fuel tanks

Go to www.summitracing.com, and look at "Fuel Cells". They have a bunch, and I have often thought about putting a 10 gallon cell behind the seat as a suplemental tank. Obviously the venting and plumbing would have to be worked out. But this is one way to get some range.

d(at)cfisher.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 7:02 am Post subject: Kitfox fuel tanks

I think these tanks might be adaptable lfor behind the seat as well.



http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname 8146&product%5Fid=19330

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Sjklerks(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:37 pm Post subject: Kitfox fuel tanks

Go to www.speedwaymoters.com  (poly fuel  tanks) They have some fuel tanks that are 33" long X 8" around. I'm going to  install behind the seat above the baggage compartment. Then tee it into the  header tank. Jim

     [quote][b]

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