Kitfox vs Highlander - Comparison
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- This is a relatively long video talking about the differences between the Kitfox and the Highlander.
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you guys are very inspiring. I am actually in conversation with a guy on Barnstormers about a KitFox IV. Always wanted one just raising a family I was never able to finish my ticket. I am 60 last month and its time. I have the money and I have been in aviation maintenance my whole career so no time like the present. Keep up the videos. I am living vicariously through you.
I learned a lot from that video, and I appreciate it. I’m selling off all my cattle in order to live the flying lifestyle. I’ve been watching these videos for a few years, and I have to do it!
Russell Sperry
you need lot of money for this lifestyle.
I lived near 8 years in this condition ... now I try comeback , but this is not just fun.
if you have money , this is the best
Another nice video Trent. And thanks to for giving credit to the Avid Flyer as being the grand daddy of these planes. Dean Wilson really had some good ideas. JIm
I enjoyed your comparison. I have a fair amount of PA-18 150 time and love the aircraft. I think however that the planes you two fly have more to offer for the non commercial sport pilot. Every aircraft is designed for a specific goal using the technology of the day. IMHO yours have hit the mark. Thanks for the great videos by the way. God Bless.
This is a great video and I want to thank both of you for taking the time and for sharing your knowledge about these two wonderful machines
Nice job on the video....Plenty of good, old fashioned, first hand experience...You two men make a good team!
Nice work Trent! You guys needed to do that. Two very honest opinions...unbiased. Thank you both.
Really interesting conversation from two pilots who have a lot of experience in these type of craft. Always wondered about the Highlander compared to the KitFox, and you even slipped some information about the Cub and others, definitely worth a watch.
Thank you, I think I'll be buying a highlander after deployment.
I might hit you up to fly together at the end of next year.
Great video with a very fair, honest comparison of the two airplanes. Thanks for your candour - well done.
Cross country flying rule #6: carry an empty Gatorade bottle ;)
Haha
A 32 ounce
@@FearScherer or 64 oz. but you have to drink the Gatorade first
Greg Plaka
chicken and egg problem 🤣🤣
Better carry at least two of the 32 ouncers!!!! Just to be on the safe side, so someone doesn’t get a golden shower from 7,000 feet!!!
“I only need one empty Gatorade bottle. I can dump one out the window”!
Yes, and your cargo can arrive smelly and wet, too!!! Oh, and what if ya do a knife edge to dump it and it slips out of your hand??? You just dropped your dna. Better hope it doesn’t hurt anyone or land where they might investigate!
Always take two empty 32 ouncers and you can dump your home brew apple juice when ya land. If you’re a woman, they make a custom fit funnel. BUY IT!!!!
Thanx Guys , I did fold my Avid most of the time and kept it at home and avoided the rent , it saved big money
F4J, Ty, love that T, 4 years of my life working in and around that a/c. I could close my eyes and feel from left to right in the cockpit and tell you every control and gauge.
They called us "Blue Ears"
Never heard of the Highlander before this video but thanks for bringing my attention to it. Kitfox used to be a better value back in the earlier days but these days the kits are incredibly expensive. Checking on the price of the Highlander kit still somewhat of a bargain.
I like learning. So it was interesting.
Thanks.
In old Navy planes we have seen more than one style of wing folding. How does it work on Kitfox?
It swings from the trailing edge at the wing root to parallel to the fuselage. It doesn't fold vertical or anything, it just swings back.
Source: I spend far too much time watching these videos!
Skraith I can second your source haha
I'd love to see a video on props for the rotax 912! I noticed you used to have a inflight adjustable 3 blade WW. That's the prop I always wanted for my 912 (I fly Bushcaddy on floats). I noticed you now have a Prince prop. I'd love to hear how you based your decision, and the pros and cons to each setup. Truly enjoying your videos! Keep em coming!
This comment should be answered
@@FearScherer I've noticed that when someone gains a lot of followers, they tend to answer questions only on patreon!
Great video! You answered many of the burning questions that I had about the 2 aircraft. Thanks for another great video.
Very informational video. If you can do more like this periodically. I’m going to be in the market for a KitFox here in a year or two! I’ve been watching your videos for a few months and I’m hooked.
Does Ty have a channel? I would like to sub him as well. I live vicariously through you guys! 😁
Very valid and informative comparison. Would like to see more comparisons, for example, comparing to a Zenith 750.
Awesome, honest video on both of your parts. Thank you for all the great info you put up.
Good wrap up....I started my power flight in an Avid, the early kit, in 82. Flew all the Avids to include the amphibious model. Also was fortunate enough to fly the speed wing verses the STOL models. Everything you point out is right on but I must say that I am still an Avid fan, even if I have to fly with my stick arm under my knees. I'm 6'3". Keep up the great videos.
I would take either and someday will have one or the other, it’s my life goal . I do have a soft spot for the Highlander but I can’t find a thing wrong with the Kitfox.
🤘🔥🤘
just found your channel...binge watching it during covid-19...the intro is super awesome...never gets old; Keep it up!
Really interesting! And well captured, felt as if I was listening to friends at a pilot gathering somewhere :)
Hi Trent, I became a fan of your TH-cam channel and want to make a copy of your intro for fun to share with you sometime.... “I’m an Airbus pilot for American for work and an aspiring Drone business start up person for play ( insert your opener music here.....) 😉 Anyhow we were lucky enough to just close on 4.4 acres of waterfront property and both my boys have expressed an interest now in becoming professional pilots. I think a Kit Fox will be in my future and I’ll be able to take off and land in my front yard! Your comparison video was great, as these are two of the aircraft I’m considering. Just bought a tee shirt to help support your vlog and to look ever so stylish on my layovers and MUCH thanks for the inspiration to get my side business gig going with my Mavic! -Steve
I dig it. Small businesses hire more people and put more money into the stream of trade than the big guys. It's just that small business owners seldom get either rest or rich.
Can you do Kitfox vs Zenith? I love the fox but am curious.
It would take an hour to list the differences, not least of which is the Zenith has a nose wheel! They're uglier than a week of yellow shit storms, but they're functional. Certainly easier to learn how to fly in the boonies with the nose wheel. They will inevitably need more room to take off, though, in rough stuff. You have to hold the nose wheel off the ground, which means you're making a ton of drag. Then you have to wait for it to fly off. With a tail wheel you lift the tail, which reduces the angle of attack and thus the drag, so it accelerates quicker. Then just drop the tail and pop it off the ground. That's why tail wheel bush planes have always been so popular. The STOL versions all have fixed slats, so they cruise slow. Contrary to popular belief slats don't always add a lot of drag, but they're only "slippery" within a very narrow cruise speed range. Any faster or slower and they drag like hell. Your cruise speed is what it is. You can't get there faster by pouring on the coal. You just burn more fuel for no reason.
@@mqbitsko25 Mickey, Zenith is much more durable, the front wheel may be a problem but you just keep the front wheel off the ground. Have you seen any STOL events? I do not think so. Zenith has the best view from the cockpit. Slats can be removed to fly faster when not flying bush. Zenith can handle 200 Plus power. Each has its good point and not so good points. The all metal is one of the best features.
Zenith is built like a brick shit house very hard to fuck it up. Ground loop is a danger and this will not happen with the zenith. To each his own I would take any one if some one was giving it to me. I am sure you would take a Zenith if it was given to you. The Frame on a tail dragged is weak and does twist
@@ctsteve1967 Zenith is a great airplane, but cant possibly be as strong as a true welded air frame. If it was NASCAR would be using sheet metal cars instead of welded frame.
Good video guys! I’m looking to get going on a kit soon and both are on my radar. Choices choices!
Another advantage with the folding wing is when you sell your plane the buyer can trailer it home easily. I'm looking at used Kitfoxes now and ease of transport over long distance is a good selling factor when looking at buying one.
Wouldn’t it be easier to fly it instead of hitching it?
@@agustinperez150 Depends on if you trust the plane is truly airworthy.
Some very good info, thanks for taking the time to do this...
REAL Comparison presented perfectly. This is the way its done.
You're killing me. I can't decide. But as a noob I don't have a lot of experience. I DO recall that my earliest training was in a Katana, which floats forever. It's a motor glider with clipped wings, so that's not a surprise. When I started training in a 172 I loved the fact that when I told it to land it landed. I hate floating.
I’ve been going round and round about what to upgrade to from my J3 Cub. Your video was spot on. I can’t afford a carbon cub and who needs to with these sweet machines!!
Awesome!
Hard to get used to hearing MPH when talking about aircraft...so used to using kts... no biggee though....very great video guys...wonderful planes
Yeah, us bush plane guys are pretty much all in MPH. Not sure who decided that but it was probably to make us feel like we are going faster than we really are 😜
Nice video guys, thanks. I remember visiting both the Avid Flyer and Kitfox factories (Nampa and Caldwell) back around 1990. Almost bought one...
Don
I wish I lived somewhere I could do this! Great vid as always. Keep up the amazing work!!!
I came I saw I enjoyed this
I’d love to see the comparison with the kitfox and the superstol. Great video.
Trent when you get to Alaska look me up, we'll go fly my SuperStol. My buddy Robby Pedersen and I are both flying Duc props on our SuperStols and are right at about 100 mph depending on how you pitch them. I would agree that most SuperStols are heavier than the Highlander but if you build them light they're a riot to fly!
If you or Robby would do a TH-cam video with a descriptive walk around on your plane that would be greatly appreciated. How do you build a light Superstol ?
Excellent comparison video, thank you, greatly appreciated.
Stupid question but if someone wants to buy a new or used Kit Fox, what is the price range? I live in the North East Plains of Colorado, almost to the Nebraska border and am considering getting my pilots license and am looking at starting flying lessons soon.
New Kit is 95K + used... haven't found one.
Depends on a lot of factors what engine, what avionics are you wanting, building it yourself etc etc
Thanks for the comparison, great video with real life information. And did you say MERCH that's awesomeness.
I totally caught myself about to say it and stumbled on my words thinking to myself "dont call it merch!" haha, I'll do my best not to call it that...
Trent Palmer You can call it whatever you want ;-) I was just pumped to see some of your designs! Keep crushing it! Cheers Travis
id love to build a Hybrid kit fox with dual electric engines on the wings and a engine charging the batteries making each prop more efficient and the control surfaces more responsive at slow speeds :P
Frederik MHz I’m also thinking about doing this on my Glastar but with a prop on the engine in the nose too. Want to discuss?
Love the Highlander paint job.
kitfox is really cool, rod controls and more sporty overall performance sounds great, but for what i like, the aesthetics and the stock performance and storage space of the highlander definitely sold me on it. one day i will definitely keep it in mind to get one one day. it seems more like a good suv compared to a rzr
Great video. it was my question. I am looking for a STI
Thank you , that was super helpful. Great straight forward explanations.
Trent, your videos have inspired me to look into aviation. Do you have any advice/suggestions where I should begin the journey?
How does the Kitfox compare to a Zenith ch 750 stol ?
Flight , comfort, build time. ?
Most important thing is all metal instead of fabric. Fabric needs to be replaced.
@@timcross2510 yes in 40 years or so
Loving the merchandise! You should put a link to the website in the "about" section on the channel :)
Good idea!
One comment I want to make is that the Highlander actually has a higher useful load if you were sticking to LSA standards. That matters for someone my size. But if the faa increases the weight limitations like they’re talking about then the kit fox would do much better for me. By the time I get around to building one I think the FAA will hopefully have made up their mind. Either way I think I’d be a happy person with either plane.
Excelente vídeo Trent. Se você pudesse por legendas em Inglês, você estaria ajudando milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo a praticar inglês e estaria atraindo milhões de membros para seu canal.... tenho certeza que você teria milhões de inscritos porque seu canal faz os videoespectadores sonhar...I am Vicente from Brasilia - Brazil.
Excellent video. Thank you.
After flying a J-3 over many years, I think the KitFox would be a better choice if I could still pass the physical.
Heads up - your drone link isn't working in the description! (it's the last link you have)
I would hate these guys out of envy... but they’re just too damn good.
Yamaha Highlander. From what I've found may be a game changer. What's your thoughts?
For those watching this video please keep this in mind when loading your aircraft. An aft CG gives you a slower stall speed and a higher cruise speed. So, when you able take advantage of these two good things that comes with an aft cg. Blue Skys.
LOVE that F-4 Shirt !
I liked that video very much. TH-cam is already full of flying videos without talking. This very informative.
What a wide open playground you live & fly in!
How do the 2 planes compare for ground handling - one more ticklish than the other?
Could your cowl be lowered for better visibility?
Do you fly with doors open? I have an Avid Mk IV and am leery of that.
Hi Trent,
I missed seeing you on here so I thought I would go back to find some of your videos that I have not seen. I was hoping to see what your new homestead looks like. Good luck to you all.
Be Safe
Grandpa
I can't wait until ahh what's his name, the one that ground looped Draco. when he gets his Scappey in the air with that big engine with the air-boat prop on it. It will be interesting to see how it performs. I myself think if he punched it on takeoff it might take the wings off
I'd love to see Trent do a comparison of his Kitfox vs. Zenith 750STOL/SuperDuty
BVR Design made the vlog! Nice!
Hi Ty from Cda enjoyed flying with you in Mikes kitfox
Trent mentioned an aircraft sales website in one of his videos.
Would anybody remember what the name was? It was really well laid out but unfortunately I cant can’t remember what it was
May have been asked already, but where did Ty get his T-Shirt??!! WANT!
Just curious, I am 6'5" 300 lbs. How would I fit in either? Thanks
I love the pop-out slats on the Super STOL. If I build a highlander I'm going to ask about putting those on. Because why not? I see the Super STOL's landing performance as a safety feature. It'll spin, of course, if you're a total idiot. But other than that you almost can't hurt yourself. It just parachutes out of the sky.
Kinda like auto rotating in a helo but not as abrupt a stop. (Caveat: What I KNOW about flying can be written on the inside of a matchbook... with a grease pencil. But of course everything I've seen on the internet is true and trustworthy).
Hate how could anyone hate any of these awesome aircraft? I'll take any one of them.
Did I hear right that a Highlander costs more to build than a Kitfox? I wonder if that’s current. Just looking at their websites it looks like even the Highlander upgrade is about $3,000 cheaper than just the basic Super Sport Kitfox. As similar as they are I wouldn’t think there would be enough extra stuff to make up that 3 grand by completion. Much less if you went with the STi Kitfox.
Just re-watched this for the first time after it was released, along with the other Kitfox info video. I really appreciate that you did these two videos, as myself and maybe my father, are about to start on our pilot's licenses, and I have been getting more interested in the Highlander after watching Steve Henry's videos, but I think this moved me back towards the Kitfox.
Thanks guys! Great vid
In 2022 cubs are overrated especially at the insane prices they ask for the carbon cub them be mooney prices. I'd like to see a Rans thrown in here and a Zenith maybe a 4 by comparison.
Great video, Can you talk about prop choices for the kitfox STi
Here is a question from a private pilot who has only flown high-wing Cessnas with tricycle landing gear (meaning, one wheel up front-middle). If you were to "slam on the brakes" after landing, would that cause the plane to "nose down" enough to cause the prop to strike the ground? If so, doesn't that extend the roll distance after landing compared to the same airplane with tricycle landing gear? I guess the other question would be whether you could ever catch a tire on something when landing that would drop the nose enough to cause prop strike.
max bootstrap The big soft tundra tires go over most rocks, bushes ( within reason ). A tricycle fear typically have small tires also when you step on the brakes the weight transfers to the nose wheel in turn taking weight off the braking wheels so you will just slide. Plus the weight being slammed on the nose wheel and hitting a bump could fold it under. Also,, angle of attack when landing can be greater with a tail wheel plane.
+Stan : Thanks, but I know how tricycle airplanes work, since that's what I've always flown. I guess I didn't make it clear, but I was trying to ask about what happens with taildraggers like in this video. Sorry for not being clear. BTW, I don't see any reason larger tires can't be put on tricycle tires... within reason.
Yes, a nose over is possible, and it does happen, but if the pilot is experienced enough, you will know just how much brake you can apply. Some times you can slam on the brakes and lock up those tires, if the conditions are right. It's clearly not the sort of thing you can do without proper instruction and logged hours. If you have ever driven on ice covered roads in an older model car or truck that doesn't have anti-lock, you will know what I mean by the term "threshold braking". Where you can feel just how much brake to apply, without locking up, or in the case of a tail dragger with tundra tires, causing a nose over. Bottom line is with everything aviation, you need to practice and remain proficient, and maintain that sterile cockpit environment on landings so you can focus on what you are doing.
Steve Henry sells the Super STOL. He FLIES the Highlander.
I spoke to his wife about a year ago and she advised against the Super STOL unless you want to compete. It's a one trick pony.
Trent so the way i see it. When considering buying building a bush ls plane . Dramamine might be a good option . Cause this is becoming and endless circle. Cc cub no kitfox no highlander yes no ,superstoll yes well Cc cub well maybe too expensive. Kitfox yes and the wings fold, well superstoll has slats and the wings fol yes definatly. Well i like the quality of the Cc cub hmmm but to expensive ! But the kit fox looks pretty sharp too and buttons up nice and light controlls and floaty. Yes yes. But then not many used on the market and i have to get a good deal. Theres a few superstolls nicely priced dam. Pretty nice well what about rans s7 thats cool yes. I like tandem but my wife likes side by side. Hmmm
Well kitfox is nice but not as much as the superstoll. Ok yes superstoll yes yes. But newer kitfox has better baggage. Well if i can find one. Dang iam getting dizzy. I want one which one i dont know they all have advantages.
This is a new pilot syndrom
Tail Dragger bush plane sickness. Worse than being bitten by a tick.
The difference between a kitfox and a Highlander is actually winning at Valdez ! th-cam.com/video/5htZw74UHms/w-d-xo.html
How are each aircraft on useful load?? I’m looking for an aircraft for weekend Dune adventures and maybe the weekend get away less than 400 miles from FBO.
I think the superstol or XL is metal wing instead of fabric maybe why seems heavier. If you live in a area with low cost hangers no need to fold wings, but lot of cites like mine waiting list are 2-5 years on city owned hangers. If you do get one the cost is $300-500 a month. Your not allowed to do much work on your aircraft in those hangers except basic stuff. At least with folding wings I can store it in a trailer, and rent a tie down spot at he airport for $30 a month just a place to put my car and trailer. If I want to work on the plane I can at home where all my tools are.
Don't know how to contact you directly Trent but just came across this Kit Fox 99 % completed for sale: th-cam.com/video/wWYolECeS5M/w-d-xo.html
Hi, guys witch is more expensive or affordable also the Highlander is three blades and Kit box two? Did both planes use the same engine. but anyway you explained very well.
Thank you, Trent for you down-to-earth and real video. Informative and interesting (to those of us hungry to know this stuff!).
Hope to build something of my own and follow you into the back-country in 2019 :)
Keep up the great work!
both have good, but plane need be under 100 000$ 4 seat, and long range fly, mean europe to asian, or canada to mexico. short good trip.1 or 2 seat plane not do anythink.how go whit friends or family far holiday trip, maybe need go new york to mexico weekend holiday whit family ,need be 4 seat plus bags, and can fly long range, one gas. thats is why plane need buy, idiot buy only one seat plane and fly only round near airport, totally idiot, this not have plane work.
I like these compare vids very much. There are not enough of them in this genre space.
Amo tus vídeos, sigue así
Nice work Trent as always. I am always interested in the two vs 3 blade prop. Why hasn't Ty gone to the prince prop yet?
Stainlesstumblingmed I honestly don’t like that it’s not ground adjustable. I am eyeing a few two blades just haven’t pulled the trigger yet.
Just the side by side seating is what’s so much cooler, who wants to put your girlfriend in the back? Love both of these airplanes!
Will the kitfox fit into a standard shipping container (wings folded obviously) with the big tires?
Could you put a camera somewhere and a monitor on the glareshield to get better forward visibility to aid ground operations and landing?
Do you have a video where you fold the wings? Would be nice to see :)
Im sensing a lot of man love between you two...
I love the video I just wish you hadn’t said your plane vs my plane the whole video, to sombody who has never seen your videos before I couldn’t tell who was who and what plane had what advantage’s
Didn't mention quality? I've heard multiple people say the Highlander just does not feel as refined as the Kitfox.
Yeah, tried to mention that without bashing on the highlander too much. I’m obviously biased because I’m a huge Kitfox fan so it’s always hard to compare and not talk down the other plane too much
Mine is stripped for weight and it shows. It’s loud and drafty, but that’s what I like. In general, the Highlander Isn’t as refined. It’s more like a Model IV Kitfox. But The quality of the welds and construction are on par with the Kitfox.
Highlander all the way!! I’m bias because I own one!
A Van's RV and a Highlander would be an unbeatable combo in the utility+fun department.
The biggest con I'm seeing around the internet about the highlander is cockpit comfort, and how drafty and loud it would be. Doesn't that get a bit problematic in the winter?
How do u get into flying? And how did u get ur bush plane? What pulled u into owning a plane of ur own. It Startin to get my interest
great comparison guys.... I am thinking about visibility....what about to mount small camera under your kitfox Trent...? small camera under plane and small monitor in dashboard can help you to have control what is happening when you approaching, taxing etc ? maybe to much hitech idea...but ....why not ? Regards from Norway guys ..Alex .
I fly a lot of RC FPV and it is hard to be able to see any detail with a small camera like that, and the LCD panel eats a lot of real estate on the panel. Maybe RAM mount it on a Tube somewhere? Not sure you would be able to see much extra on approach but taxing it might be useful. Use something like a Runcam 2 which does a great job even if pointed into the sun.
Hey please drop the name of the song when you can! thanks!