On 9/1/2020 3:24 PM, Mike Stirewalt via KRnet wrote:
"If you are getting your PPL, I'd strongly advise getting time in a J3
cub
or aeronca champ or citabria."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Getting your license in one of the above would certainly teach you to
fly taildraggers but not necessarily help you to transition to the KR.
Control movement and response is totally different in the KR compared to
the aircraft mentioned. The KR responses instantly to control input
with very little movement of the controls at anything above liftoff
speed or touchdown speed. If I "walked" the rudders on landing or
takeoff in the KR like is required in the J3, Champ, C140, etc., I
would be taking out runway edge lights. My rudder inputs on takeoff and
landing are very similar to those of a nose dragger like a C172. The
early model C182 that I flew loaded with jumpers required more rudder
input to taxi and take off than my KR, especially taxi as it wallowed
all over the place. At 30 miles per hour on landing rollout I can take
my feet off the rudder and my KR runs a straight line. I've done it
before just to prove that it will.
I'd advise anyone looking to fly a KR taildragger with no prior
experience to get some tailwheel training to help you learn that
airplanes have rudders and rudder pedals. Then transition to your KR
with high speed taxi time, starting slow and building up speed as you
get comfortable. CAUTION: never take the airplane to the runway for
practice unless everything is ready for first flight. You might just
find yourself airborne. Practice to the point you are comfortable
raising the tail, running on the mains, cut power and come to a stop.
You should reach this comfort level in an hour or two practice.
Anything more than that is unnecessary exposure. I've heard some say
they spent 10 to 15 hours taxi testing. That's way out of the box.
Either the aircraft has bad handling or the pilot is not ready.
Of all the different types of aircraft I've flow over the past 50 years
the KR is probably the nicest handling and most fun to fly of any of
them. That's MY KR, yours may fly and handle differently. Get it up in
the air and find out.
Larry Flesner
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