Serge: I'm with you, most of the lightening ideas are very hard to retro fit to the plane after it is built and flying. Earlier discussions here talked about trying to build as light as possible and there were not many that were under the 500 empty weight of the original, but a great plan is to get a light pilot. I go about 220 dressed out, and should be 180 or a bit less myself. Kip took me flying in his KR-2 and we together must have topped 400, so the plane can do it, and fast I might add. We were making 170 knots in his VW powered bird. But we all could use less weight. Jim
-----Original Message----- From: krnet-bounces+paladinfinancial=rogers....@mylist.net [mailto:krnet-bounces+paladinfinancial=rogers....@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Serge VIDAL Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 6:28 AM To: KRnet Subject: Réf. : Re: KR> KR Wannabe/weight Guys, you don't know how good that discussion on weight makes me feel! Because, you see, last time I did a mass and balance on my KR2, it weighted 321 kg empty, and that is 707 lb. And I found that was definitely on the heavy side, and I was running short on easy ideas on how to make it lighter. Now, I will rather concentrate on convincing my airworthiness authorities on increasing the MTOW! This being said, I still consider three relatively easy ways to save weight, namely: 1 - Carving the wings leading edge It is made of solid expanded polystyrene, low density, and I suspect that if I rotate a large PVC pipe through it, I might be able to dig out maybe 1 kg each side?. Inconvenient: I have to make a jig to align the pipe. 2 - Making lightening holes in the engine spacers My engine is offset forward by about 2 inches. This is done with very large pieces of solid aluminum (they are U-channels that are about 10mm thick!) (0.39"). I could drill plenty lightening holes in them, and maybe shed another kg? Inconvenient: I have to remove the engine. 3 - Changing the alternator Currently, it is a car type alternator, which looks very heavy, and could be replaced with, say, one from a motorized lawnmower. Another 1.5 kg? Inconvenient: I will have to redo the pulleys and the bracket. There is another option, favoured by my wife: put the pilot on a diet. Inconvenients: This is going to put me in a very bad mood! Serge Vidal KR2 "Kilimanjaro Cloud" Paris, France _______________________________________ 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 -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.371 / Virus Database: 267.14.15/223 - Release Date: 1/6/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.371 / Virus Database: 267.14.15/223 - Release Date: 1/6/2006
