Larry wrote: "I should have been more clear on my thoughts on a photo page of KR's for the 50th." Yes, Larry and that is the essence of what I am doing. I am not losing sight of the goals for our 50th Anniversary project. It's best I start a different conversation regarding the Website conversation and not mix the two.
So here are my thoughts... In looking at the history of the KR and how much it has evolved (not necessarily changed) I wondered where can a new builder go to look at the many options that are available today for building a KR2? Dollar for dollar, the KR2 is still one of the best options flying in the last 50 years and can hold its own against some of the kit-built airplanes on the market today. In terms of performance and capability, it's right there if not better than most of its competitors, not to mention the lack of plans-built choices out there today. The new KR2 builders today are starving for information, ideas, and advice because the repository for this information is scattered and hard to find. Mark's page is probably the best source of information currently available but it (rightly so) has not kept up with the new builds that are out there. In other words, it is more about how he built/modified his KR and not about how to build one, though I must give him credit for a lot of tips and information on his page. I truly believe that the KR2 can generate much more interest in the homebuilding community if it had a repository of how-to's and builds for new builders to research. A consolidation of true and tried ideas coupled with the many new things and ideas that are out there that a new builder can consider for their builds. Example The new generation of engines such as the Corvair, O-200's, Rotax, and the European variants. We have new electronic ignitions to eliminate antiquated magnetos and alternators, second-generation low-cost EFIS instruments capable of driving autopilots, ADSB solutions, and many other new technologies that fit right in the budget of a KR builder. Just for grins and giggles, I did a comparison between the best-selling Kit Plane (Vans RV6) and the KR2 and for the low budget builder, the choice is obvious. It's as simple as building a relatively good-performing airplane for roughly $20k to a somewhat similar kit-built airplane at $85k (cost numbers are estimated). From our very own builder's experience flying Corvair or O-200 engines, we know that the KR will cruise right alongside a 150HP RV6 all day long and for as long as the RV (Range). So when the argument is presented objectively, the case can be made that building a KR makes better sense if the cost was the deciding factor. Pardon my rambling thoughts but this has been on my mind for a very long time... Luis R Claudio, KR2S, N8981S ________________________________ -Please see LIST RULES and KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html -Change list delivery options at https://list.krnet.org/list/krnet.list.krnet.org/ Affinity List Info Board -Search recent KRnet Archives at https://list.krnet.org/empathy/list/krnet.list.krnet.org/ -Search John Bouyea's decades of archive at https://www.mail-archive.com/krnet@list.krnet.org/
