Kevin first off I agree with the dated plans statement. Any one
in their right mind that has taken any time at all to check out the massive
amounts of material posted in the archives as well as the various builders
pages knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that the KR is alive and well in name
only. Now before the rest of you animals get your knickers in a knot think
before you write or flame. How many birds currently flying or under
construction are strictly plans built to Ken's specifications? To my mind,
very few as most have incorporated many of the flight safety and comfort
features pioneered by those on this list. Granted there are a few out there
but they seem to be damn few and even they wouldn't pass Ken's muster as
these birds have higher horsepower engines, radios, starters, navigation
equipment on board. Nothing wrong with that as they are safer birds. Safer
in that being able to radio in when you have a problem or knowing exactly
where you are makes one a safer pilot. I never had the pleasure of meeting
Ken but you only have to look at the accident report of his demise to
realize that his bird versus the ones of today are totally different
animals.
Does this mean that one needn't buy the plans from Rand? Hell no
but if you buy a partially built project and the plans aren't with it and
you cannot get any acknowledgement from Jeanette regarding the transfer or
purchase of new plan set that does not mean you're out of luck. Far from it,
just build it and go flying. Business is business and if people don't
understand that, though, get over it. I was lucky enough to get a full plan
set with my project and the serial number has never been used so I'm ok on
that note. However there have been so many changes to the bird that it is a
KR in name only now. Longer, wider, Corvair power, flaps, speed brakes, new
wing design, well you get the picture.
Insurance is a whole new ballgame and I haven't got that far so
I leave that to those that have already run the gauntlet to answer.
Doug Rupert
There is one part I held back mentioning in the first email as I really am
not sure how it all works. I am talking about Insurance. I would think
insuring an airplane called a KR would be easier than insuring an airplane
built from KR plans, but called something else. It would seem it would be
like insuring a prototype airplane.
Also, I must ask. Do people actually buy the kits RR sells?
I know this sounds like RR bashing, but the plans are terribly dated. What
has kept the design alive is people like Langford, Jones, Wynne, and others.
We all owe so much to these guys who seem to go to great lengths to share.
I want to thank them for continuous improvement on a simple, efficient
design. Now we need to one-up them for future builders. ;-)
Kevin.
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