Completed a weight & balance on my tri-gear KR-2 today. Started from scratch and re-measured the wheel locations. The main wheels were 0.25 inch further forward and the nose was 0.5 inch further forward than from the numbers previously used. One explanation would be a new nose wheel strut. For the mains it was probably closer attention to detail. Instead of using one number for the fuel arm, I made progressive measurements adding five gallons at a time and derived an arm number each time. It does change, granted, not by much. I think that is due to the tilt of the tanks loading to the rear and then adding fuel forward as the tank fills. Empty weight is 781 pounds; FAA calculated gross is 1178 pounds for a useful load of 397 pounds. With my tender body onboard the CG ranges from 12.4" full fuel to 11.2" empty. Just guessing from my first flight results, I could use the extra stability. The price for that extra stability is adding 30 pounds of lead to the cowl about 0.5 inch behind the spinner. Really need to move the engine forward another 1.25 inches for best efficiency, but that major operation will wait until next winter. Right now the airplane and I are ready to fly.
Sid Wood Tri-gear KR-2 N6242 Mechanicsville, MD, USA
