Netters; the following is in response to Larry Flesner's experience in slipping his KR, where he noted some dipping or dropping in the slip. The writer is Jeff Scott, KR-2S builder/pilot from Los Alamos, NM (not on KRNet but sometimes reads the "live" list online: ========================== I haven't seen any KRNet stuff since Wednesday of last week. However, the description [of Larry's experience] is an exact description of how my KR slips. I've experimented with this as recently as about an hour ago. (hard slip from 8500' to 7200' on approach to Los Alamos) :o) Larry is exactly correct in that one side of the elevator get's blanked, so it destabilizes the plane causing the nose to bob up and down during the slip. This is an airplane that already lacks pitch stability due to the small size of the horizontal stab, so blanking one side will make the nose oscillate up and down during a hard slip. I have tried holding the controls steady and have tried chasing it during the slip. I can usually anticipate the bobbing nose, but have never done a long slip without it doing that routine as it will not stabilize. However, it doesn't bob up and down enough that I would consider it to be dangerous. Just enough to be annoying as you can't hold a steady approach speed with the nose oscillating up and down.
I did try this with the gap seals on as well. There was no difference other than that the ailerons were extremely heavy due to the mylar film pulling up tight against the bottom of the ailerons. During the gap seal testing, I noted no changes in the plane what-so-ever other than the heavy ailerons. My conclusion was that the full span hinges did a fine job of sealing off any air flow that would normally blow up through the joint in most planes. Adding the mylar film over the aileron gaps caused the mylar to pull up tight against the bottom of the ailerons causing them to be extremely heavy. I've seen many times on the KRNet where people have talked about how nicely their KRs slip. I figure that's because it does slip reasonable well, although less stable, as compared to the average Piper or Cessna. As compared to the older planes like the Champs, Cubs, T-carts, etc, the KR is lousy in a slip. I chalk those up to pilot experience, although someone would be sure to argue that point. Knowing Larry, he is probably giving the plane a thorough wring out in the air and is being honest about how it handles. You know I do the same. ================ Oscar Zuniga San Antonio, TX _________________________________________________________________ Stay informed on Election 2004 and the race to Super Tuesday. http://special.msn.com/msn/election2004.armx
