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Post by redpro on Apr 12, 2020 19:36:45 GMT
Does anyone know the pedigree of our current Aerotrek? I’ve been asked by guys at the airport about this. I’d like to learn it... I roughly think the lineage is as follows, but please correct me: 1983 - Avid Flyer born: kit plane design 1984- KitFox took Avid Flyer design; began with KitFox Model 1 in Idaho 1990 - AeroPro in Slovakia began the “Fox” design based on Avid Flyer 1992- AeroPro z.p. company formed to produce the “Fox” airplane 1995- CAA approves AeroPro to manufacture the “EuroFox” 1996- AeroPro z.p. changes company name to AeroPro s.r.o. 1996 -> 2000s - “EuroFox” sold in Europe as a factory produced airplane and a kit plane 2008- “EuroFox” marketed in USA by Aerotrek Aircraft in Indiana 2009- Name changed in USA to “Aerotrek“ 2009-2020: Aerotrek A220 and A240 sold new in USA; manufactured by AeroPro CZ Is this about right?? Sources: Aeropro’s website: www.aeropro.sk/company-history-from-1990/www.bydanjohnson.com/pilotreport/aeropro-eurofox/Wikipedia |
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Post by Dowdy on Apr 13, 2020 13:50:52 GMT
You're spot on. The only thing I can think to add is, in Europe, you can buy the EuroFox as a kit and build it.
Dean Wilson created an incredible ripple effect with the Avid Flyer. It inspired a lot of Light Sport designs. Kitfox, Just Aircraft, Aeropro, among others...
I still have never heard the whole story behind Dean Wilson, Dan Denney (KF), and other Avid Flyer-like designs. My thoughts are, there has to be some drama behind it.
Regardless, I know I'm biased, but I truly think Aeropro CZ makes the best version of this plane. It is meticulously crafted and I'll put it up against any other build.
From what I've been told, the reason Aerotrek only sells 10-15 planes a year (in the US) is because the Czech factory will not compromise the quality of the plane by increasing the output. That is something I respect and makes me proud to be an Aeropro/Aerotrek owner.
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Post by redpro on Apr 13, 2020 15:49:37 GMT
I edited my timeline above to include the EuroFox as a kit plane. Thanks for that!
i agree about the fit and finish of the Aerotrek. Top notch!
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Post by gregorp on Apr 22, 2020 13:13:47 GMT
I may be wrong, but I think the EuroFOX is only available as a kit I the United Kingdom. I have built one from a kit and I think it is a really great little aircraft. In 2016 17 of us flew our aircraft back to the factory in Nitra from the UK and not one tech problem there and back.
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Post by redpro on Apr 22, 2020 23:15:12 GMT
Gregorp- Thanks for that clarification. After some more digging, I found this quote from the EuroFox UK website: “ Available as a nose wheel or tail wheel configuration, the EuroFOX is a factory finished aircraft of superb quality, in a fast and easy assembly kit. No other UK kit can offer such a quality factory finish as the EuroFOX.” www.eurofoxuk.co.uk/So in the UK, it is only sold as a kit, correct? Is the factory completed production airplane produced by Aeropro also called the EuroFox? |
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Post by gregorp on Apr 23, 2020 14:54:38 GMT
Hi redpro,
Just to clarify. The Eurofox is available as a kit in the UK under Light Aircraft Assoc (LAA) auspices max AUW 560 kgs or as a ready built microlight aircraft under BMAA rules max AUW 472 kgs. The BMAA aircraft are assembled at Lukesfield in Kent by Steve Williams who also provides spares and servicing for all UK aircraft, LAA or BMAA.
Don’t ask me why you can’t buy a ready built LAA aircraft, it’s a British thing!
Anyway, I enjoyed building my aircraft back in 2012-13. I went to the factory in Nitra, Slovakia, to do the fabric covering under supervision, then the aircraft was painted in the Aeropro paintshop and shipped to the UK for me to do the fitting of engine, controls, electronics etc. So I got a factory paint finish which is fantastic.
Love the aircraft. Hope this helps. And they are all called EuroFOX's.
Pete
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Post by redpro on Apr 23, 2020 15:08:11 GMT
Excellent Pete! Thank you for the clarification and education! I think it’s awesome that you assembled yours and covered the wings. What better way to really know the plane.
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Post by gregorp on Apr 23, 2020 16:58:47 GMT
Hi again,
Further to my last post, you can also build a BMAA microlight from a kit, it's virtually the same aircraft, just the paperwork is different. The microlight version can be upgraded to LAA 560kg status later if required.
Pete
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Post by Jim on Apr 23, 2020 17:16:02 GMT
This is cool, Pete. Thanks for the perspective from across the pond.
During your trip to the factory, did you happen to take pictures or videos? I have a handful of pics of my plane as it was nearing completion at the factory, but none that show the guts of an Aerotrek/EuroFox. It would be interesting to see under the skin.
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Post by Dowdy on Apr 23, 2020 18:20:22 GMT
A couple of the engineers have invited me out to tour the factory...one of these days, I'm going to head to Czech Republic and take them up on that.
Being able to fly a Eurofox over there with those guys would be an awesome experience!
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Post by gregorp on Apr 23, 2020 21:54:56 GMT
Hi Jim,
I took a few photos while I was at the factory but I can't seem to get them to stick to my reply in this forum.
If you PM me your email I will send them across that way.
Pete
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Post by Dowdy on Apr 24, 2020 13:25:46 GMT
Hi Jim, I took a few photos while I was at the factory but I can't seem to get them to stick to my reply in this forum. If you PM me your email I will send them across that way. Pete Could you send them to me as well, Pete? I can post them on this thread too. gtylerdowdy@gmail.com -Dowdy |
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Post by gregorp on Apr 24, 2020 18:09:32 GMT
You should both have them to your personal emails now. Any problems let me know. Feel free to post or use as you wish.
Pete
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andy
New Member
Posts: 10
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Post by andy on Apr 24, 2020 21:52:41 GMT
www.aeropro.sk Is a link to the Aeropro CZ english webpage has a lot of history of the plane and those who build it. informative
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Post by Jim on Apr 25, 2020 14:39:21 GMT
Pete, got the pics. Thank you!!
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