At 01:10 PM 10/17/2010, you wrote: >I later read on KR-net about Bill Rent who built a KR-1 and taxied >it for ten hours to get the feel of the pitch and then flew it for >20 years. I >was sick because I could have done the same and had a barrel of fun. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Having nothing else to think about while doing yard work this afternoon, my thoughts wondered back to flying the KR. I thought I would offer some food for thought for those that have not yet flown a KR so you can get back to building and not wonder if you're wasting your time in the shop. Anyone having more than one hour in a KR is beyond this advise. My first thought is that 10 hours of taxi testing is much too much exposure to an accident but I'll get back to that in a minute. Besides, taxi testing is not that good of a teacher for pitch control, just directional control. Pitch control is MUCH LESS SENSITIVE from 0 mph to tail up then after liftoff. Random thoughts for working up to first flight: 1. Never attempt to fly your KR unless you have enough recent flight time to be totally comfortable in an airplane. You should be as comfortable in the cockpit as you are in your pickup truck. 2. Never take to the runway to do taxi tests unless the airplane and pilot are totally ready to fly. You never know. 3. When starting taxi test, don't just taxi in straight lines. The airplane can probably do that on it's own. At speeds up to 20 mph (GPS) on the runway do some MILD zig zags to see what control inputs it takes and what it takes to correct. You'll be amazed how quickly you get comfortable with directional control. 4. Never look at the side of the runway for steering information. Even though you can't see over the nose initially, look ahead as far as possible, to the horizon even, down the side of the cowl. You can immediately detect the slightest movement of the nose left or right. If you start lined up on the centerline of the runway, when the tail comes up you will be tracking the centerline like an arrow. 5. Progress slowly but don't wear out the airplane taxi testing. If you are not getting comfortable after 2 hours, which should be 30 or so passes up and down the runway, I'd suggest there is either something wrong with the gear alignment or I'd suggest you get someone to make the first flight for you. You do want to see the airplane fly at least once, don't you.:-) 6. Once you've progressed to running tail up down the runway use caution. You are very close to flying !! 7. Once you are comfortable running tail up you are ready to fly. Just leave the power in for an additional 5 seconds, input a VERY SMALL amount of back pressure and you'll be airborne. Make sure your arm is locked at that point and only fly with wrist and thumb and finger movements. If you don't induce oscillations in the first 5 to 10 seconds you're probably home free. 8. Climb to altitude staying close to the airport and don't over control on the flare and landing. 9. If you think a KR is sensitive ask Jack Cooper about flying helicopters. :-) 10. Two rules on landing. A. Never force a tri-gear to land using forward stick and B., never try to force the tail wheel down with aft stick after a wheel landing. Trying either is asking for trouble. It's unfortunate that all the chatter on control sensitivity keeps people from building / flying a KR. If the C.G. of the airplane is correct you will find it to be one of the most fun flying airplane in the sky. The best analogy I can come up with having a few hours in old tail draggers would be to imagine a Champ and a KR. You make a control input on the Champ and it's response is "I'm sorry, I wasn't listening. What was that you said?" Make a control input on the KR and it's IMMEDIATE response will be "is that what you wanted?" It doesn't get any more fun than that. Larry Flesner - 385+ KR hours and smiling bigger with every flight !!!!!
