Coda I am not going to comment completely on your post because a quick check of the archives will reveal all the answers to your questions. Suffice it to say that other than the obvious space limitations of the original design width of 38, the max weight most agree upon carrying safely is approximately 400 pounds for both and only a header tank for fuel. Any other increases in weight take away from possible safe loading. More has been carried as seen in past Gathering pictures, but with pilots VERY well acquainted to their planes and very careful flying. A lot of weight in the rear causes this plane to get very busy!
It will never compare to a C172 or VP1 or the like. It is a high performance aircraft, and although it can be built very stable, when it is operated near its extremes, either fast or slow, it is not forgiving like the slow flyers you mentioned. It flies much more like the Beech Bonanza or Mooney M20. No aircraft is impossible for a dedicated pilot to master, and with care and patience the KR can be mastered as well. A quick check of all the NTSB reports reprinted on Mark Langfords site will reveal 90% of the accidents were from takeoff or landing too slow, and too low to the ground. It appears that these pilots reverted back to early experiences of dragging the plane in near or at the power curve limit, and then something changed and they stalled it to the ground. Respecting this plane will go a long way to flying longer. A check of the archives will also reveal a complete discussion on flight characteristics as detailed by several KR owners who have very different versions, but can compare well with how they fly similar. And as to taking a ride with me, well over 56 may be a problem since my plane is modified greatly due to my short stature of 55. Good Luck Colin Rainey N96TA Ormond Beach, FL.
