Hmmm. Retracting the gear is one thing but leaving it behind after takeoff to complete a unique flight test is quite another...now that I gotta see no unreasonable offer refused Larry :-)
My beast (VH-CLJ) has the root wing incidence angle reduced to 2 1/2 degrees by raising the rear spar off the lower longeron by 5/8". Washout is 2 degrees leaving 1/2 a degree at the tips. Some advantages of this with respect to decalage and push rod access are discussed in the archives. My result is a higher nose attitude in cruise (doesn't look like a skimmer duck) but a disadvantage I find is that visibility over the nose in a slow approach, say 55 knots (she stalls at about 37), even with full flap is reduced. A faster approach improves things but then I'm am committed to a wheeler landing which at present I'm finding much more difficult to master than a three pointer and takes more runway. I wonder if this is one reason why Ken Rand went with 3 1/2 degrees?? ......I guess what I'm saying is I land better when I can't see and I've done it for 27 hours so far!!! KRs are terrific in flight. John The Martindale Family 29 Jane Circuit TOORMINA NSW 2452 AUSTRALIA phone: 61 2 66584767 email: [email protected]
