Wed, Jun 03, 2009
New Firm Will Market Kits, Fully Assembled Versions
Wichita, Kansas-based aviation enthusiast and entrepreneur James
Wiebe and his wife, Kathy, have acquired the production rights to
the Kitfox Lite, and have formed Belite Aircraft to bring it to
market. The couple says the airplane will incorporate stronger,
lighter carbon fiber components that will allow it to easily meet
Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 103 weight requirements.
This is not the KitFox Light Sport Aircraft that has been around
since 1984. The Wiebes acquired the tooling, existing parts and
manufacturing rights to the aircraft in March of 2009. As a
condition of the transaction, they agreed to re-brand the airplane
to prevent any confusion with the larger, two-place light sport
Kitfox that shares many of the same design features but is owned by
another company. Still, this reporter admits some initial
misunderstading in that area. Kitfox has recorded more than 4,500
kit sales since its introduction 25 years ago.
An instrument-rated pilot, James
Wiebe has developed a proprietary lightweight carbon fiber
structure that he is incorporating into the modified airplane's
construction. By converting spars, ribs and struts from steel, wood
or aluminum to carbon fiber, he has reduced the airplane's empty
weight to previously unattainable levels, well below the 254-pound
limit specified in FAR Part 103 for this type of aircraft.
"This project, which combines my passions for flying and
inventing, is exciting on several levels," Wiebe noted. "From a
business perspective, the development and application of our
proprietary carbon fiber has lots of potential for other aircraft
and in other markets. Its use in this aircraft provides the weight
margin that will allow enthusiasts to build it and enjoy the fun of
flying it safely and economically. Our proprietary carbon fiber
process builds quickly, far faster than aluminum, wood or composite
construction. We expect this aircraft to be a practical and popular
choice among light sport aircraft," he added.
Wiebe indicated that he plans to incorporate a number of
additional modifications into the design that will further improve
the airplane's performance and versatility. He said he plans
to show the aircraft this year at Oshkosh. You can bet ANN will be
there to give you the whole story.
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