TYPE: Side-by-side kitbuilt.
PROGRAMME: Prototype Kitfox first flown 7 May 1984. Initial variants, now discontinued, had MTOW below US 544 kg (1,200 lb) ultralight limit; kit production totalled 257 Model 1s, 491 Model 2s, and 467 Model 3s. Series IV (retrospectively renamed Classic IV) introduced 1991; 323 kits of 476 kg (1,050 lb) MTOW version produced before introduction of current version. First certified version was Series 5, introduced April 1994, but replaced by Series 6 in January 2000; itself replaced by Series 7 in early 2002.
CURRENT VERSIONS: Classic IV: Ultralight version, introduced in 1992. Engines up to 74.6 kW (100 hp) can be fitted under helmeted engine cowling. MTOW 544 kg (1,200 lb). Speedster option includes short-span wings and improved streamlining for up to 17 kt (32 km/h; 20 mph) additional speed. Still available.
Kitfox 4B: Biplane version. One only built (N95FX).
Kitfox 6 Convertible: Introduced 2000; available in tailwheel and nosewheel subvariants. Considerably refined design, with only 5 per cent parts commonality with Kitfox V. Now discontinued.
Kitfox 7: Public debut at Sun 'n' Fun, April 2002; modifications include different struts and redesigned cowling, plus wing technology developed for Kitfox Lite.
Detailed description applies to above version except where indicated.
Kitfox Sport: Intended to meet Sport Pilot category; empty weight of 318 kg (700 lb). Prototype (N702KS) built 2002.
Kitfox Lite: Described separately.
Kitfox Lite²: Described with Kitfox Lite.
CUSTOMERS: Some 4,400 Kitfox aircraft kits delivered to 42 countries, and over 2,500 built.
COSTS: Classic IV US$12,795; Series 7 US$15,995, excluding engine and avionics; Sport US$29,995 including engine and instruments (2003).
DESIGN FEATURES: Designed to have good short-field performance. Constant-chord, high wing with V strut bracing each side; braced tailplane, mid-mounted. With Kitfox IV, introduced in 1991, new wing with laminar flow section and all-metal hinge brackets for full-span flaperons became standard; windscreen material thickened and given increased slope and, with other changes, resulted in increase in cruising speed; stalling and landing speeds decreased, former due to use of flaperons; wing folding standard. Optional agricultural spray pods. Quoted build time 700 hours.
FLYING CONTROLS: Manual. Junkers-type differential flaperons have been redesigned for Series 7; rudder and elevators with mass balance. Variable incidence tailplane.
STRUCTURE: Wings of aluminium alloy, plywood ribs and glass fibre tips, with fabric covering overall. Steel tube fuselage and tail unit, with fabric covering.
LANDING GEAR: Non-retractable type, with hydraulic disc brakes; tailwheel or tricycle configuration; can be converted after completion; optional speed fairings. Sprung aluminium main legs. Optional floats, amphibious floats and skis.
POWER PLANT: Option include 73.5 kW (98.6 hp) Rotax 912 ULS or 84.6 kW (113.4 hp) Rotax 914 driving a Hoffmann HO-V352F two-blade constant-speed propeller; 74.6 kW (100 hp) Teledyne Continental O-200, 93.2 kW (125 hp) Teledyne Continental IO-240B and 86.5 kW (116 hp) Textron Lycoming O-235. For Sport Pilot compliance, a 47.8 kW (64.1 hp) Rotax 582, 59.6 kW (79.9 hp) Rotax 912 or 73.5 kW (98.6 hp) Rotax 912S are recommended in the Classic IV. Fuel in two wing tanks, total capacity 102 litres (27.0 US gallons; 22.5 Imp gallons) of which 98 litres (26.0 US gallons; 21.7 Imp gallons) are usable.
ACCOMMODATION: Two, side by side, can have 0.24 m³ (8.5 cu ft) storage space behind seat. Optional drop tank style cargo pod.