Rotax 914, 912 iS Available For Popular SportPlane

Just about the time that you thought that it would be very difficult to improve on the Kitfox, we find out that not only is it possible, it's happened. Both the much-praised and turbo-charged Rotax 914 and the new fuel injected 912 iS are now available for one of the most popular SportPlanes of all time.

Stick & Rudder Aviation, a Boise, ID based mountain-oriented, sport-pilot flight training program, announced Monday that it has added 2 unique, "first-of-their-kind", brand-new, taildragger, Kitfox S-LSA's. A spirited, big-tired, turbo-charged powered (Rotax 914) and an economical and efficient, Fuel-injected (Rotax 912 iS)  Both Kitfox's are equipped with the new Advanced Flight Systems (AFS-5600) 10.4" electronic flight decks.

"We use our training aircraft in the Idaho backcountry, where summertime temperatures can make for very high density altitudes. The Rotax 914 is capable of maintaining takeoff power up to 8000 feet, and continuous power to 16,000 feet. As a result, the 914-powered Kitfox will take off shorter, climb stronger and cruise faster than the 912 machine at these altitudes. The benefit in flight training is that the turbo ‘extends the day’ for students and instructors alike. The less time needed to climb to altitude or reach a remote field, the more time can be spent teaching and practicing landings. I think the 914 will be more than worth the cost just through time savings.” said Stick & Rudder Aviation's Paul Leadabrand.

To prove the capability & reliability of the Kitfox - the aircraft have been flown from the Kitfox Aircraft Factory in Homedale, ID - 2385 miles, in the winter, to display and offer demo's at the Sebring Florida Light Sport Trade Expo this weekend.

By making the turbocharged Rotax 914 engine an option on both its ready-to-fly Light Sport Aircraft and its Experimental/Amateur-Built kits, Kitfox Aircraft expects the performance of the Super Sport 7 to increase dramatically. Kitfox Aircraft is reportedly the first company to offer a 912 iS firewall-forward package for Experimental/Amateur-Built aircraft and the first US company to offer and fly the 912 iS in the S-LSA.

The 100-horsepower 912 iS shares the basic concept with the carbureted 912 series, but adds electronic fuel injection and variable ignition timing to improve efficiency. A major difference with the 912 iS is the requirement for a fully electronic instrument package. "The iS uses Rotax's CAN-BUS system for engine data," said Kitfox Boss John McBean. "The normal option is to use the Rotax-supplied engine monitor, but we have been working closely with the team at Advanced Flight Systems to allow full display of engine parameters on the AF-5000 EFIS series. This feature should save builders money and time."

Kitfox has not yet set pricing for the Rotax 914 or 912iS installation packages.

FMI: www.kitfoxaircraft.com