Thank you Oscar. When I posted my recent rant, I myself had the two mixed up
but both VDubber and Mark straightened me out on that point. Personally
having met the "Bob" Hoover (of aerobatic variety) though I can tell you
beyond a shadow of doubt that as dapper as he might dress and appear in
public, the junkyard dog moniker fits like a glove. When I first saw
VDubber's replies to some of the more inflammatory postings my first
impression was that the one I know must be getting senile. Being a former
test pilot myself I tend to zip my lip and pay attention to those with
expertise on the subject as it has a habit of leading to longevity of life
not to mention keeping hard earned money in my wallet to spend on important
things like fuel to go play and enjoy our sport. This is not to start a
flame war (I'm always prepared as I usually were Nomex when reading replies
to my posts) but Netters should remember one very important fact.
The KR as Ken originally designed it was a single seater, stripped
to the bare bones and did not place undue stresses on the lowly VW engine
that he used at the time. Many here, myself included have made our own
changes to the airframe, wings, gear, etc, all of which have increased both
the empty weight and gross weight of the design. Each of these have
introduced increasing demands upon the engine as well as aerodynamic forces
that could not have been foreseen by Ken. We are working in uncharted
territory and must be willing to learn from real life experiences of others.
Over the years I have had engineers tell me that everything was hunky dory
and the aircraft they designed would fly like a baby carriage. Problem
arises when you take to the air where everything is an unknown and the rule
book goes out the window and it is your arse on the line not the designer.
Theories are great but that does not make them fact. I would ask all Netters
to remember the feeling they had the first time they flew an aircraft type
that was new to them. That gentlemen and lady is known as pucker factor. I
have flown production aircraft that would kill you in a heartbeat if you
didn't have 100% concentration at all times. The Cessna light twin (310 or
410?) comes immediately to mind. Listen and learn, the life you save may be
your own.
Doug Rupert
