I believe that there is someone else on this list in Salt Lake with a KR. I live in Florida and have never seen a density altitude over 2,000', but I do know that my KR would still climb over 400 FPM with a 2180 VW at 10,000'. Others also report good high altitude climb in the KR, but I will leave it to people who have taken off and landed at high density altitudes to give you the full scoop.
The Jaibru is probably the ideal engine for a KR. I know of nothing else in the size range we need that gives as much power at such a light weight. If they didn't cost a fortune I and a lot of others would have one. There are several KRs flying with them now. Your next best bet on a budget is the Corvair. You also might want to consider a turbo VW. I will have one for sale in probably about 6 months after I get the Vair on my current KR. KRs have very strong and long lasting airframes. There are a bunch still flying that were built in the 70s. You do see some cracks in KRs sometimes, but the KR does not really rely on the glass for its structure like some composite planes. It is better thought of as a wood plane with a thin fiberglass shell. Most of the "inherent problems" of the KR were fixed long ago. They were known for folding gear and being too low to the ground, but nearly all these days are built with fixed gear and those problems are gone. It is actually lighter weight and faster with fixed gear. The wheelbase is also wider which makes it easier to handle on the ground. The other "problem" was pitch sensitivity. My opinion is that is because most people are used to spam cans with their inherent pitch insensitivity. A KR goes where you point it and the most fun you can have on wings. The 2S also has the tail much further back and that makes is much less sensitive. The new airfoil also makes it more stable. Basically, what most are building today is not your father's KR. Welcome and good luck. Brian Kraut Engineering Alternatives, Inc. www.engalt.com -----Original Message----- From: krnet-bounces+brian.kraut=engalt....@mylist.net [mailto:krnet-bounces+brian.kraut=engalt....@mylist.net]On Behalf Of KM Urban Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2005 7:59 PM To: kr...@mylist.net Subject: KR> Newbie Questions Dear List, I am new to the list and I have been poking around the KR Net and have found answers to alot of questions so I will try to keep this short.Just as a point of interest, I grew up in So Cal and I used to ride my bike (as a kid) over to Meadowlark and I would stop by the KR factory once in awhile.I got to meet Ken when he was alive and he always had a minute for me. When I tried to buy the plans with paper route money, he told me to come by with my parents and he would sell plans with their blessing. Well that was the end of that! Here I am years down the road, and I still like the KR planes. My questions are: How does the plane do at high density altitudes? I live in the Salt Lake area, and it gets pretty hot in the summer. Has any one found this to be a problem? Is it realistic to use the 2S as a traveling machine for two people. What about a Jabaru engine? Has it been tried? Last but not least, some know it all at Oshcosh last year was explaining to me all the "Inherent Problems" with the KR and he said the airframe will not last long due to cracks between the wood and composite material in the airframe. Sounded hoaky, but I am wondering what is the highest time airframe anyone has seen? Thanks Kirk kmur...@sprintmail.com _______________________________________ Search the KRnet Archives at http://www.maddyhome.com/krsrch/index.jsp to UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to krnet-le...@mylist.net please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html
