Dear Netheads, My KR2, ZS-WEC, has successfully completed a very long trip, from South Africa to Tunisia (North Africa). No glory in it: it travelled in a shipping container, together with my furniture! Just before I shipped the plane, I finally managed to upgrade the engine from a stock VW 2 liter, to a fancy 2.4 liter. Also, the electronic ignition is now full dual. All that did not go without teething problems. At a point, the brand new engine even seized, due to a faulty oil bypass valve! The CHT is also on the high side, so I will probably have to improve the air cooling as well. Yet, despite the tight schedule, I finally managed to test fly the aircraft for about two hours. What I can tell you is that it feels very, very different! Before, considering the high density altitude in Johannesburg, the plane did not want to take-off. Now, it is reluctant to land! At last, I understand why people are crazy about the KR. Give it enough power, and it flies like a dream. I can't wait for a flight at sea level.
Anyway, the next challenge is just ahead: going through customs in Tunisia. Here, general aviation, let alone private plane ownership or even homebuilding, is almost non-existant. It seems that it is the first time that a plane comes in this country by sea, and customs simply don't know how to handle it. Understandably, they are also nervous about the "security" implications. Oh, well! As they say here, Inch'Allah! (As per God's will!) I would like to thank Norman Stapelberg, who can rightfully claim all the credit for the modification, and much, much more. It's people like him that make homebuilding such a great experience. Serge Vidal KR2 ZS-WEC Tunis, Tunisia
