The viability of a backcountry aircraft is a function of numerous purpose-built components and systems functioning synergistically in service of utility and occupant safety.
To at least the same degree as a robust airframe and a reliable powerplant, a rugged, resilient landing-gear system determines the fitness of an aircraft design for the rigors of backcountry flying.
As part of its continuous improvement of the long-running, eminently proven Kitfox aircraft family, Kitfox Aircraft LLC and Acme Aerofab have partnered for purpose of offering the backcountry sector a superior landing-gear and suspension system—soon to be available across nearly the entire Kitfox lineup.
Dubbed Black Ops, the new suspension allows the strongly triangulated Kitfox main landing-gear to articulate smoothly and controllably over the roughest terrain—thereby improving controllability during back-country operations and bettering passenger comfort. Salient to the new system is an internally-sprung damping system that isolates the springing medium from the damping components. The architecture precludes sag or loss of ride-height in the event of a loss of nitrogen pressure in the dampening system. Unlike competing air-oil schemes, loss of nitrogen or even dampening oil will not render the Acme Aerofab system unflyable.
Kitfox CEO John McBean stated: “We are excited to offer the Acme Black Ops shocks as standard for the Kitfox STi. The more positive feel and ride height coupled with the safety and testing required for the STC makes a shock that is an excellent fit for the backcountry and the Kitfox Aircraft models. It’s one-hundred-percent made in the U.S.A., it’s made by veterans, which is a novel concept, with a lifetime warranty.”
The STC’d Black Ops suspension is a bolt-on replacement for existing Kitfox Cabane V gear, and is now the standard suspension system for the Kitfox S7 STi. The system is available as an option for Kitfox’s Series 5, 6, and 7 Super Sport models. Currently, Kitfox Aircraft is about the business of developing a Black Ops retrofit for the legacy Kitfox Model 4.
The Acme Black Ops shock upgrade package for the Kitfox Series 5, 6 and 7 models retails for $3,430, and remains available as an upgrade option on new-construction Kitfoxes—excepting the S7 STi, on which the system is standard.
Without exception, the entirety of the parts and materials of which the Black Ops system consists are one-hundred-percent American sourced and fabricated. Both Kitfox and Acme Aerofab are proud, veteran-owned U.S. manufacturers.
Founded in 1984, Kitfox is a pioneer of the kit-aircraft industry. To date, the company has sold over seven-hundred aircraft kits to customers in 43 nations. Kitfox aircraft can be configured with either conventional (tail-wheel) or tricycle (nose-wheel) undercarriages.
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