I have a "bungy" on the bottom of my stick which gives a nose down bias (I too had to keep forward pressure when 2 up). The bungy runs from the bottom of my stick back to the rear spar, around the seat mount tube and back to the front spar where I have a cleat (like on a sailing boat). This makes it fully adjustable in flight. I also have a simular setup on the right rudder peddal as during climb and cruais I need right rudder all the time. The bungy cords dampen the elevator movement as well which reduce PIO.
I'll take some photos and put on my WEB tonight or tomorrow. Regards Barry Kruyssen Cairns, Australia k...@bigpond.com http://www.users.bigpond.com/kr2/kr2.htm -----Original Message----- From: krnet-boun...@mylist.net [mailto:krnet-boun...@mylist.net] On Behalf Of beverlyrai...@bellsouth.net Sent: Thursday, 6 July 2006 11:04 AM To: kr...@mylist.net Subject: KR> Elevator loading Some time ago, either Barry or Serge spoke about adding an internal trim using "bungy" cords from a use he knew of in gliding. I had some of these type of cords used for a variety of tie down operations, bought in packs from Walmart and any other general merchandise store. I installed one of them from my bellcrank to the lower stick cable connection, giving a bias load to the nose down position, without making me have to work hard, or be unable to override the input if needed. During testing I found that with the weight of two on board, there was a nose up moment that caused me to have to apply a small force on the stick for nose down compensation. Adding this small "bungy" cord eliminated the constant forward force, and when the load was just solo, was easy to compensate for by just holding the stick back by resting my hand on my leg. If I let go of the stick it would not have enough force to cause a rapid nose down moment, so I was comfortable leaving it on all the time. Eventually I will add one on the other side and apply an adjustable bellcrank assembly to it for an internal trim adjustment. I understand the apprehension that alot of pilots have about the PIO and sensitive elevator situation, but in all honesty guys, with the reduction that Adrian Carter suggests, and that I used on mine, it becomes a non-issue. The first flight I was adjusted to it, and several other pilots, Larry F, Mark J, and Mark L who did not change theirs report that within a very short time they were not only adjusted to it, but now would not change it. I personally LOVE the extra elevator authority, even at very slow speeds, which most planes do not have. I feel like I can make pitch adjustments literally even during a stall, and make corrections, which you do not always feel you can do with other planes. The key in my mind is to build a solid plane, make SURE the CG is forward, maybe even at the forward limit when empty (no fuel or pilot), and then make sure some how, whatever method you choose, you have some fomr of arm rest so you can control the stick with just your wrist. Larry F has been saying that for years, and if you guys will remember your primary training, almost everyone at one time or another is in a C172 or C152 and they can rest their arm on the arm rest of the pilot's door. Makes small inputs alot easier. The only time you move the control yoke more that 1/2" or so was duirng the actual flare just before touchdown, and even then it is not alot. Same applies to the KR2 and S. When I was teaching in Orlando, we had a fleet of over 55 planes, singles and twins, and at some point over the course of 2 years I flew in 45 of those planes. Even planes of the same model had small differences between them, so there was always a small adjustment to be made. The nice thing about your KR is it is yours so it is easier to spend more time and get used to it quicker. Keep on building, trying to finish the cowling and new panel... Colin N96TA
