It seems as if most of the posters out there have a great deal more experience than I do, so I'd like to present my current thoughts, and see what you have to say. This is a bit windy, so if you don't want to feel like giving me any advice, it is probably a waste of your time to continue reading.
The wood for my airplane arrived in OKC today, but at the house tomorrow at 1:00...So I'm excited. I'm looking for canopies, engines, gear, and instruments. I've read that fixed KR gear with good wheel pants feels as aerodynamic as retracts...so if that is the case, I'll probably just build fixed gear, for ease of building, and no chance of a gear up landing. My Uncle had one of those in his KR, with damage only to the prop, since the wheels stick down a bit when they are retracted. I'm not sold on a particular engine yet, but I'm thinking about perhaps using a Mazda 13B rotary engine, since the rotary engine seems to be relatively light by the nature of the engine--less parts, more hollow areas of the engine...but the same horsepower. I'm also looking at the rpm where the most horsepower is developed. I think I want it lowest possible, so I am using the meat of the engine during cruise, and I don't have to listen to a wrapped up engine during that time. One of the canopies I'm looking at is at http://www.zenithair.com/zodiac/xl/cabin-xl.html I'm interested in that so I can see behind me, and it's available tinted. I'm not sure tinted is the way to go, because it would make night flying more difficult, but it seems to work in cars. Another route would be to get it clear and tint the back 1/2 or something. I suppose that needs to be thought through before I spend money on it. The Zenith canopies are designed to be 44" wide, and I'm not sure how much I can deform them without distorting the visibility. I talked to the manufacturer and they said the canopies are pretty flimsy before they are set in a frame, so I should be able to tweak it a few inches, at least. Gear...I'm putting tricycle gear on, although I haven't seen plans that include that yet....just lots of working models. I haven't really shopped for it...just got a catalog from grove. I suppose I need to decide that pretty soon, since I am planning on using AS5048 wings, and Bernie ran into a problem or two. Another thing I'm working on is designing some independantly adjustable rudder pedals that don't weigh a bunch. My legs are a lot longer than Wilette's and I want us both to be able to be comfortable at the same time. I usually use the furthest back position on most cars I drive, so I'll probably make whatever that measurement as the furthest my rudder pedals are away, then I'll see how much play I have to make the pedals adjustable, and then max out the adjustability. Instruments...Through my studies in college, I'm sold on solid state electronics...I trust them more than I trust gyros. I was going to make several digital instruments on my own (CG calculator, using strain gauges on the gear, temp gauges, and whatever else I can conjur up)... So, I'm not adverse to using an EFIS-type system as my primary (and only in some cases) instruments. I'm not sure what the rules for international flight are for sure (probably depends on what country you are in, and if you happen to be bombing that country at the time), but that is the main reason I want the airplane set up for IFR... (Not that I plan on flying in any country we are bombing----in a KR, at least) So, am I on the right track? Thanks for the input. Mark Youkey [email protected] Okalhoma City
