Mark, Check your link: http://www.krnet.com/
Appears to be taken over by the Chinese at the moment. Toad --- On Sun, 5/31/09, Mark Langford <[email protected]> wrote: From: Mark Langford <[email protected]> Subject: Re: KR> I Need Some Advice From Flying KR'ers To: "KRnet" <[email protected]> List-Post: [email protected] Date: Sunday, May 31, 2009, 3:03 PM Dwight Hapeman wrote > 1. In your opinion, is a properly constructed KR2S every bit as solid and > stable an aircraft as the Sonex? The Sonex is probably a little more stable, just because it's larger with more distance between wing and horizontal stabilizer. As for "solid", I'd think the Sonex probably sounds a little tinny inside compared to a KR, which should dampen noise and vibration with the wood fuselage. Probably esoteric though. > 2. Do you think that a KR2S might be just a little too much for a brand > new pilot to handle? Several have done that and are still around to tell about it, especially a tri-gear. It really is easy to fly though, especially with the CG in the front half of the range...just different. > 3. Since the KR2S is not a airplane kit with step-by-step instructions, I > am a little concerned about getting bogged down or doing things > incorrectly along the way. On the other hand, I can see myself getting > bored with step-by-step instructions. I appreciate any input on this > point. Sounds like soul searching time to me. One thing about the KR is that they are all unique, if that matters to you. It's very easy to "have it your way". I'm guessing you could build a Sonex in half the time of a KR, but again, I'm no expert on Sonex building. A "nice" KR will take you 2000-2500 hours to build, I think. An acceptable one that flys and is lots of fun will be 1500 or so, minimum. That may be typical Sonex build time, for all I know. That could be years of flying. > 4. From what I have read, the KR2 is a faster, better performing aircraft > than the Sonex. Do you think the difference in performance is worth the > extra investment in time and money to get a Private Pilot certificate? You can make your wings two feet longer and if it was built light, it'd qualify for Light Sport, but you'd have to call it a DH2 or something (KR's are already known not to make it by one knot, I think it is). If the Sonex is already LSA, that's certainly a stress-relieving consideration. > 5. Am I correct that the KR2S & Sonex are approximately in the same price > range to complete, say $20-$25k? I'm no expert on the Sonex, but you can build a 15K KR with moderate scrounging skills. > 6. The KR builder community is large, friendly and very knowledgeable, but > there is virtually no factory support. The factory support from Sonex is > great. I believe that this point is a wash. Am I correct? With the webpages on www.krnet.com, I don't know how you could go wrong, especially with the KRnet help. > 7. I would like to use whatever aircraft I build for training for my > pilot's certificate. I plan on completing ground training as the aircraft > project nears completion. Any thoughts on this? Either one would work, but odds are that a CFI will be more likely to climb into a Sonex than a KR. I also have no doubt that you'd be able to find a CFI that would fly the KR, but somebody's going to have to fly the time off on the KR first (somebody more fluent on the LSA rules will have to clarify the length of time and details though...I'm not up on that. > 8. If I build a KR2S will I be able to get an A& P certificate to do the > maintenance & repairs on it? Ditto above, I defer to one of the several knowledgeable folks on that on. > 9. I live near Denver, Colorado and the plane may be left outside, tied > down at times. Is this an issue with either plane? The Sonex will fare much better than the KR outside. > 10. I like the idea of using the modified Corvair or VW engine. Am I > correct that Corvair or VW power is a good choice for either aircraft. Both have been done and work well. See Dan Weseman's "Kleenex" for more on the Sonex with a 3100cc engine. He really tears the sky up with that thing. Another issue is resale value. If you plan to resell it, the Sonex will hold value much better than the KR, if that's a factor for you. Personally, I don't know how people can build KRs and then sell them, but that's just me. See http://home.hiwaay.net/~langford/kopinion.html for more biased opinions... Mark Langford commie, socialist, pinko, ingrate, friend of sheep, overall scumbag... N56ML "at" hiwaay.net website at http://www.N56ML.com _______________________________________ Search the KRnet Archives at http://www.maddyhome.com/krsrch/index.jsp to UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to [email protected] please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html
