WHY THE EUROFOX FEELS AT HOME IN AUSTRALIAN SKIES
In its 30+ year history, the Aeropro Eurofox has developed quite an exceptional reputation. Putting aside the name, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was born here. Designed and built in Slovakia, it’s surprising how much of this plane feels purposebuilt for Australian conditions.
The two-seat, high-wing aeroplane has developed a loyal following since its first flight in 1991. Available in taildragger (Eurofox-2K) and tricycle-gear (Eurofox-3K) configurations, the Eurofox boasts over 600 models flying throughout the world. What makes this unassuming workhorse so loved is its exceptional performance and durability, two things valued highly by Australian pilots.
The Eurofox is based on the popular Denney Kitfox, itself a derivative of the Avid Flyer. The Kitfox is an aircraft type with over 4,500 kits delivered across its 40-year history, experiencing a particular level of popularity in the United States. It’s a charmingly simple design, with Junkers-style flaps and folding wings, ensuring its popularity with spatially-challenged pilots. In picking up this design, Aeropro were determined to produce an aircraft that refined the basic elements of the type for maximum performance and to meet the needs of the modern recreational pilot.
Constructed with a 4130 (Chromoly) steel frame and boasting one of the widest undercarriages in its class, the Eurofox is built to handle bush flights and Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) operations. Armed with the ubiquitous 100hp Rotax 912 ULS, the aircraft is capable of taking off in 139m and landing in an equallyimpressive 130m at MTOW.
While many STOL aircraft fall into the trap of focusing solely on these specifications (often to the detriment of the overall experience), the Eurofox has artfully maintained a balance between being a capable STOL plane, while still being comfortable and efficient to fly at large. A cruise speed of 100kn allows for comfortable cross-country flight, while the 997km (6 hours) range will keep you in the air for as long as you’ll ever want to be.
Inside you’ll find a comfortable, spacious cockpit experience. The 1.12m cabin width is larger than the Cessna 172, giving you plenty of room for two-up flying. Visibility is exceptional, aided by clear, gullwing doors and minimal windscreen obstructions. For those with a penchant for flying on the rugged side, the doors are also designed for quick removal, a feature that also comes in handy when flying in hot Australian summer conditions. The dash is also remarkably well-designed, neatly balancing traditional gauges with a centrallylocated space for glass instrumentation of your choice. As with the majority of manufacturers however, instrument panels are highly customisable and can be specified on order.
In the air, the Eurofox is a responsive handler, thanks to full wing-length flaperons (combined flaps and ailerons). The high-wing design can make it feel a little ‘floaty’, but nothing out of the ordinary for aircraft of this configuration.
Being a STOL plane, the Eurofox also boasts an exceptional rate of climb at 1000ft/min, making for an extremely pleasant general-use aircraft, getting out of just about any airfield with ease. It’s easy to see how an aircraft with these specifications fits so well in the Australian aviation landscape. Bush flying and STOL capabilities, coupled with a comfortable cruise speed and respectable range makes for an aircraft that will appeal to both cross-country pilots looking to visit Australia’s remote airstrips and those simply looking for a plane that’s fun to fly. While it may not boast the very best STOL characteristics in the market, nor is it the fastest LSA out there, the Eurofox excels in its ability to effectively balance both, making it the perfect all-rounder.
It also, in my opinion, lends itself extremely well to farmers and pilots regularly operating out of remote communities. Its reliability and short field characteristics make it a perfect option for those flying out of undeveloped airstrips. Furthermore, the exceptional visibility of the aircraft offers unmatched stock-spotting and surveying capabilities for farmers.
Recently, Aeropro have begun offering the Eurofox equipped with the performance-focused Rotax 915 iS. For those looking for a little more grunt, the 140hp version of this tried and tested design will undoubtedly deliver. It’s also being spruiked as a glider tug option, giving the Eurofox even more potential to become a regular fixture at gliding clubs across the country.
The Eurofox may not have taken Australia by storm just yet, but it feels more like a ‘when’ than an ‘if’.
Like the much-loved Jabiru J230, it feels like a utilitarian dream that, with a little more attention, is bound to be popular amongst Aussie pilots. Time will tell, but I think we’ll be seeing plenty more Eurofoxes (especially equipped with the 915 iS) in the years to come.
For those interested in finding out more, Horsham Aviation Services is the Australian agent for Eurofox sales.
