From: Majordomo@teleport.com[SMTP:Majordomo@teleport.com] Sent: Thursday, December 11, 1997 7:01 AM To: john bouyea Subject: Majordomo file: list 'krnet-l' file 'v01.n120' -- From: owner-krnet-l-digest@lists.teleport.com (krnet-l-digest) To: krnet-l-digest@lists.teleport.com Subject: krnet-l-digest V1 #120 Reply-To: krnet-l-digest Sender: owner-krnet-l-digest@lists.teleport.com Errors-To: owner-krnet-l-digest@lists.teleport.com Precedence: bulk krnet-l-digest Wednesday, October 8 1997 Volume 01 : Number 120 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 8 Oct 1997 18:42:28 -0700 From: Robert Covington Subject: Re: KR: Re:EAA Snobbery >>>wrenches, I have to pay extra for the Experimenter. Heck, they don't have >>>separate subscriptions... I don't understand the political issues > >Robert, > >If there is an EAA affiliated ultralight chapter near you, I think you can >get just the Experimenter magazine without being a EAA national member. You >have to join EAA only if you wish to become an officer of an ultralight >chapter. > >Ed Janssen Thanks Ed, but that wasn't a quote from me! :) I think you may have nabbed that from some quoted text in a letter I posted. ? But that is good advice anyway, thanks. Robert ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 8 Oct 1997 18:48:23 -0700 From: Robert Covington Subject: Re: KR: Aircraft KR-2's & Specialty/Plywood >At 08:43 AM 10/8/97 -0700, you wrote: >>> Does anybody know whether it will matter for the firewall if I get domestic >>> 1/4 inch birch for the firewall or if I get the Finnish Birch? The domestic >>> is $124 for a 4x4 foot sheet! The Finnish is about $40 I think. >>> >>> Robert Covington >> >>I used the Finnish. I think it is just as good, it just does not have the >>pedigree paperwork to go with it. >> >>-- > >Well keeping inline with the local snobs I used 100% american made, aircraft >grade, domestic plywood! Robert they sold me a piece a little smaller than >4x4, maybe ask them if they will cut it down? Of course you aint me and >AS&S likes me! :o) > >________________________________ >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >Micheal Mims Thanks Mike, you know how to make a guy feel good. ;0 :) To the Finnish line. Robert PS Maybe you cn go there with me sometime and your credibility with them will rub off on me. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 8 Oct 1997 19:33:17 -0600 From: jscott.pilot@juno.com (Jeffrey E Scott) Subject: Re: KR: KR-2 Accident On Wed, 08 Oct 1997 11:08:19 -0400 Patrick Flowers writes: >Ed Janssen wrote: >> >> In checking the AVWeb I see listed a fatal KR-2 acccident, 9-21-97, >> Greenwood, SC, Culp KR-2, N9079E (built 1996?). Pilot not listed. >Anyone >> know the particulars? >> >> Ed Janssen > >NTSB Identification: ATL97LA137 > >Accident occurred SEP-21-97 at GREENWOOD, SC >Aircraft: JOHN W. CULP KR-2, registration: N9097E >Injuries: 1 Fatal. > >On September 21, 1997, at 0930 eastern daylight time, a John W. Culp, >KR-2, an experimental airplane, N9079E, collided with the ground about >1/4 mile northeast of the Greenwood County Airport in Greenwood, South >Carolina. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 >CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions >prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was destroyed, and >the pilot received fatal injuries. The flight's exact departure time >from Greenwood was not determined. The circumstances about the accident >are unknown. However, on September 22, 1997, the employees at the >airplane owner's business became concerned when he did not arrive at >work. After a ground search for the pilot and airplane, at the airport >and surrounding area, the airplane wreckage and pilot were located 1/4 >mile northeast of the airport. There were no eyewitnesses to the >accident, but the airplane was believed to have been seen flying near >the airport on the morning of the accident. >-- >Patrick Flowers >Mailto:patri63@ibm.net My brother lives in that area and mailed me the newpaper article. Only details to add from the sensationalized press clipping is that the guy apparently tried to jump from the plane without a chute prior to impact and was partially decapitated. The crash was about 1 1/2 miles off the end of the runway. The pilot had about 2000 hours flight time and was refered to as a very experienced pilot, but only had about 20 hours on his newly finished KR-2 and was in the test flying period. He had reportedly been having engine problems. The previous day the plane died on the runway, would not restart and had to be towed back to the hanger. Lets stay out of these headlines. Jeff - ------- Jeff Scott - Los Alamos, NM jscott.pilot@juno.com See N1213W construction and first flight at http://fly.hiwaay.net~langford/kjefs.html & http: //www.thuntek.net/~jeb/krpage.htm ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Oct 1997 22:52:05 +0000 From: darrin Subject: KR: visit/ride I am going to north ga. for a week of honeymoon bliss next week and am wondering if there may be a kr-2 up there or in between here and there that I might get a look at and a possible ride around the patch. My bride has ok'd this search and would like a ride herself if possible. Anywhere in ga. or southern parts of tenn. or the carrolinas fine. Looking hard for a ride, Darrin "beggin" West ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 8 Oct 1997 21:58:29 -0600 From: "Jeb" Subject: KR: Re: Air Ryder (was Soob Boat Anchor??!!) You're right, $15K just boggles the mind. Mine was $650 John Bryhan jeb@thuntek.net // www.thuntek.net/~jeb/krpage.htm Los Alamos, NM > > Ah yes,...the home of the $15,000 Subaru engine! interesting you could > almost buy a brand new Subaru car for the same money! :-D > > Out of respect for those of you who have chosen the Subaru to power your KR > I changed the subject area. Heck who knows,..there could be a Soob in my > future!! > > ________________________________ > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > Micheal Mims > Just Plane Nutts > mailto:mimsmand@ix.netcom.com > > http://www.netcom.com/~mimsmand > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 8 Oct 1997 21:54:16 -0600 From: "Jeb" Subject: Re: KR: Re: New web Page - Finally Good choice, good price! John Bryhan jeb@thuntek.net // www.thuntek.net/~jeb/krpage.htm Los Alamos, NM > > O-200, 175 hours since certified rebuild, w/B&C lightweight alternator. > $6500 and attached to a badly dinged Vari-Eze with all VFR instruments. > Event the wife throught it was a good deal. > -- > Don Reid > mailto:donreid@erols.com > http://www.erols.com/donreid/kr_page.htm ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Oct 1997 21:18:18 -0700 From: Ross Subject: Re: KR: "P" leads Mark Pierce wrote: > > Yes Ross, I used aircraft grade (AN, MIL Spec, etc.) for new P-leads on > my Pacer (O-320). Ran them through a braid for shielding just like > Lycoming did and all works well. I think it was #10 stranded but might > have been #12. I wanted to use "shielded" wire rather than running them > through the braid but my A.I. recommended against it (not sure why). > > Mark Pierce > My guess is that sheilded AN wire has a similar problem in that the insulating layer might be too thin and would break down with high voltage potentials. Just a guess. The added distance of using shielding on regular wire might just do the trick. (I'm not an Electrical Engineer, so I can't do the calculations, but I think that the high voltages require thicker insulation). Also I found shielding for P leads in the Aircraft Spruce catalog for .78 a foot. - -- Ross ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Oct 1997 21:19:48 -0700 From: Ross Subject: Re: KR: 2-strokes Mark, Terrific post! Thanks, I enjoyed it. -- Ross Mark Pierce wrote: > > > > > ... Good, I would like to hear a little about 2-stroke engines. If I > remember > > right, the last time someone tried to talk about 2-strokes it didn't take > > long for the subject to change. Read some real strong opinions , but not > > much helpful information.... > > I'm not a two-stroke guru by any means but I've got time behind (or in > front of) them both in ultralights and Avid Flyers and lots of guys at > my airport fly them on a variety of aircraft. I first had a Cyuna then > Rotax (several). Never had one fail me but then I took extra pains with > them. My personal rules were: > > 1. Do not overprop them. Let them run up into the 6000-6250 range full > bore, and a 5500-5800 cruise (depending on the engine and the ops > manual). Main thing is not to lug them down. No explanation, just > experience. > > 2. Always use quality fuel with enough octane (Amoco Gold or Silver for > example) and assure good mixing (unless you have oil injection). Use > the right oil and mix according to the specs of the oil. Do not think > that if 50-to-1 is good, 40-to-1 is better. It is not better. Some > oils are for liquid cooled engines and some are for air cooled. Be sure > to use the right one. I used both Quicksilver and Pennzoil Premium for > air cooled engines with no problems. Other brands gave me more varnish > and carbon which sticks rings and causes hot spots. > > 3. Replace spark plugs and fuel filter every 20 hours, period. They > are cheap and it seems to work. I always had to mount the engine with > the spark plugs pointed down and assumed that in addition to always > being oil soaked, the oil in the combustion mix fouled the plugs a > little quicker than in a 4 cycle and the oil in the fuel would foul a > fuel filter a little quicker than raw gas. > > 4. Keep them cool, but not too cool. Rotax says head temps up to > 425-450F is OK but I would strive for 375-400. Too cool and you'll get > more carbon and fouled plugs. Too hot and you'll score > cylinders/pistons (very quickly). Also, I was always warned about a > "cold seize" if you don't let a 2 cycle warm up a little. On startup, > the piston heating up and expanding faster than the cylinder. Never > happened to me but a couple of guys think it happened to them. > > 5. Don't let the engine run below the 800-1200 RPM range where the gear > box "rattles". Gear boxes are almost bullet proof these days but they > will wear quickly if you run them in the "backlash mode". > > 6. Don't mess with the lengths and volumnes of the exhaust pipe on the > engine side of the muffler too much. You will reduce your total power > output. > > After removing the Rotax (503) from a Nieuport and installing a VW (1835 > w/Zenith carb), I could make some direct comparisons: > > 1. The VW did not have the high frequency vibration of the 2 cycle. > > 2. Throttle control was more consistent with the VW. The 2 cycle would > gain 100-200 RPM with the slightest nose down and loose 100-200 with the > slightest nose up. Not sure why other than just more sensitive to loads > since it was generating its' power from RPMs rather than CCs. > > 3. The 2 cycle (w/reduction) had more static pull and climb out but the > VW could pull away in level flight. > > 4. The 2 cycle was more sensitive to environmental factors (temp, > humidity). Some days it would run good and some it would not. Until > you convince yourself to use the recommended book sizes for your average > conditions, you can drive yourself crazy replacing main jets trying to > chase the smoothest combination. The VW doesn't seem to care what kind > of day it is. > > 5. The 2 cycle seemed to need more care and attention than the VW. I > was always twixing with the Rotax but on the VW I just change oil, check > valve clearence, and clean the air filter once or twice per year. > > Emotion: > I much prefer the operation, snarl and solid feel of a VW or Subaru > better than the whine of a 2 cycle but I would have no fear of flying > behind a well installed and maintained 2 cycle engine. > > Mark Pierce ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Oct 1997 21:37:02 -0700 From: Ross Subject: Re: KR: brakes I had a chance to get some Cleveland brakes cheap from a Long-Eze builder, but with the retract forks, they would not fit, so I bought the Matco brakes through Wicks. The Master Cylinders need to be installed with care, as there have been instances of them not extending fully, causing the brakes to eventually lock. However I think they are a great choice. Regarding the drum brakes... I had a friend run off the end of the runway and loose a prop, that's why I chose the Matco brakes. Otherwise I think Clevland brakes are a good choice.. Anyone have good go-kart brakes or another solution speak up! -- Ross David Batton wrote: > > I am about to purchase the brakes for my suggestions and need > suggestions. What is the brake of choice, Cleveland or brakes. I must > admit that I have no idea as to their difference other than price. What > has everyone else used and how have they worked for you. Thanks. > > David > Batton > > p.s. I will be using the Diehl fixed gear if that is of any help. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Oct 1997 21:37:45 -0700 From: Ross Subject: Re: KR: Lowered GPS price Cool! Steve Bennett wrote: > > I purchased an eagle expolore for 149.95. has 200 way points you can > program in and many many features. speed is up to 999 mph. jim > faughn tried it out for me in his KR at the fly-in. great for car > traveling etc... has 12 v cord also. new similar unit has capacity > for 2000 way points. made by lowerence i believe. is 100 % > waterproff. s bennett ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Oct 1997 21:43:47 -0700 From: Ross Subject: Re: KR: Re:EAA Snobbery Robert, D**n right. (That's Darn) I had heard that it is more likely that 3/4" particle board will not warp compared to plywood. I used particle board for my table and had no trouble. But then, what do I know? I would guess that if these folks have enough time to hang out in the hangar and comment on your absence that they don't have anything else to do... it has taken me 10 years to get as far as I am on my KR, and there were two to three years where nothing was done at all. (Not to mention moves etc). I didn't realize what a lifestyle commitment the project would be when I started, but the satisfaction I have gained for getting this far is terrific. Almost as good as the satisfaction I got from getting my PPL after 20 years... (well actually 21, I started when I was 14). -- Ross Robert Covington wrote: > > You can have someone from the EAA check it out if > >you like, I am not a member of the EAA or any EAA chapter for that matter > >and don't plan to be in the near future. My experience with EAA members > >around here hasnt been all that positive, we have a problem with "homebuilt > >snobs" that's is to say, if you are not building a Glasair, RV, or Lancair > >4P then you are nothing more than a piece of scum building a toy that will > >surely kill you. Ask Robert Covington, he has to deal with it every time he > >tries to work on his project. > >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > >Micheal Mims > >Just Plane Nutts in Irvine Ca. > >mailto:mikemims@pacbell.net > >http://home.pacbell.net/mikemims > > > > \ / > > _\/\/_ > > ____/_//\\_\_____ > > > > F-117 > > All better now! > > As part of the inspiration for this EAA thread, courtesy of Mike, I > thought I would add my two bits here.. > > I don't mind that some people think that the KR is not a good plane to > build, they can have their opinions, but the problem was that these people > got me right when my enthusiasm and confidence was highest - when I was > just starting, and the "dream" was coming alive after all that planning and > thinking about building. > > They attacked me for using particle board on my table ("That stuff will > curl like paper this winter") and two years later it was still flat as it > was when I installed it. One of said idiots told me he didn't want me to > build a KR because he "didn't want me to crash". Another (RV Builders all) > told me , if it is such a great plane "why don't you ever see any at the > airshows around here" > > Well I think that is because they are all out in the Midwest ;) > > Anyway, the problem is that they really made me not want to show up at the > hangar, which is a space I rent at out local EAA facility. The particle > board complainer told me I has a sh*tty attitude just because I disagreed > with him. That hurt because I care what people think about me. This guy is > obviously a weenie though, and I am not insulting him to say that. > Actually I think he told me this because I wrote an article in the > newletter that facetiously made a few rules for builders of which follows a > sample: #3. "Don't Critique Anything Until I Am Done." > > This Followed by #4. "You Don't Know What Done Is." > > > > Anyway, my particle board is all uprooted now, and I have installed plywood > recently, because I need total dimensional stability once I start boating > and I finally had the money to get the good stuff. > > I honestly think I would be almost as far along as Mike Mims if I hadn't > have had those few people put a hurting on my motivation and spirit in the > beginning stages. But Mike is Speed Racer. ;) > > I know this from being an artist, and I think it applies to an airplane > building project...keep things close to your heart until they get > "hatched", once you have it going, then let people know what you are doing > if you want, otherwise let them see it once it flies...(inspections from > qualified people aside) > > My own chapter is so cheap that a lot of the older members wanted to quit > when we raised the dues for couples from $10 to $12 a couple years back! > That's per _couple_ with one being an associate member. Then when we raised > the single member's dues from $6 to $10 to cover real expenses, like the > newsletter, they voted to rescind that because of a contrived "bylaws" > violation. But it was reinstated later once the fogies were appeased. One > guy then joined our chapter, because in his words "I don't figure any > organization is worth joining if its dues are less than $10!" > > Anyway, the only thing that bothers me now is that when I _do_ show up to > work, everybody feels they have to point out that I haven't shown up to > work on it for a while. This make me feel like not showing up more. :) It > would be more motivating for them to ask about some future part of the > project coming up than to point out how far I have to go. I don't need to > be guilted for not working on my project everytime I show up. Whose > timetable am I on anyway? > > Just a few rants. Anyone else suffering from the malaise of Idiot Plane > Snobs get thee to Perry next year, it will restore you. ;) > > Robert Covington ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Oct 1997 21:32:12 -0700 From: Micheal Mims Subject: KR: Progress Well sports fans all the ply ribs are mounted in the stub wings and the fuel gauge for the aux tank is installed. I finished rigging the aileron controls tonight and everything came out perfect! Woo Hoo! Kinda neat to move the stick back and forth and side to side and watch all the little control pieces move! I need to mount a line for the pitot and two pieces of plastic conduit in the leading edge (for electrical wires) and she's ready for foam. Mike "Getting ready to flip it over" Mims ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Micheal Mims Just Plane Nutts in Irvine Ca. mailto:mikemims@pacbell.net http://home.pacbell.net/mikemims ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Oct 1997 21:45:04 -0700 From: Ross Subject: Re: KR: Aircraft KR-2's & Specialty/Plywood Hmmm.. I think if you get the domestic, you will not Finnish. -- Ross Robert Covington wrote: > > Just went to Aircraft Spruce's new location near Corona Airport, CA. The > new location is nice! No more cramped will-call space, and no more driving > through gang central to get there. > > They have a pretty nice looking KR-2 hanging from the roof inside at about, > oh, Perry Flyby height that somebody _gave_ them, with the stipulation that > it never fly again. > > There is also a partially completed KitFox that the factory donated hanging > to the upper left when you walk in. > > I picked up 3 sheets of 4x8 mohogany, and a sheet of 4x8 birch. They tried > to give me a real scratched up piece of mahogany, but I made them give me a > better one. Cost a ton but hopefully the weight savings will be worth it. > > I called Jeannette while I was there because I was unsure of what I should > get exactly. When I asked whether I should get the 90 degree or the 45 > degree, she says" Oh, I don't know...whichever is cheaper. We get the > cheaper stuff.":) > > Reassuring ;) (?) She also said the mahogany bends easier when boating. > This is fine with me. > > Anyway, I've got to get my sides all glued and stapled now. Then on to > Boatland. > > Does anybody know whether it will matter for the firewall if I get domestic > 1/4 inch birch for the firewall or if I get the Finnish Birch? The domestic > is $124 for a 4x4 foot sheet! The Finnish is about $40 I think. > > Robert Covington ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Oct 1997 21:46:11 -0700 From: Ross Subject: KR: Avionics Well, I called Chief Aircraft and ordered the D1 Package, this includes the TX760D COM, the TRT250D Transponder and the AT3000 Encoder. All the suppliers (Aircraft Spruce, Pacific Coast Avionics etc) had the same advertised price for this package, but I was quoted a price $158 lower than the price in the current Chief catalog for the D1 package. It appears that there is a "minimum" price that can be advertised as all the suppliers advertise the same price. Regarding supply. The com radio is available, it seems that the problem is with the transponder. I ordered the dual tray, and asked to see if they could throw in an installation manual for both units so hopefully the transponder will arrive eventually, and everything will be pre wired. I will keep eveyone posted on how the delivery goes. I chose Chief Aircraft over Aircraft Spruce or Pacific Coast Avionics (Other West Coast Suppliers) primarily due to my previous experience with Chief Aircraft. (I've spent about $300 with them previously so big deal right?). I think Chief does enough avionics busines to be able to get me a alternate transponder within a year if Terra for some reason cannot deliver. Expect me to be whining in about six months if I haven't got my transponder. Also, I will definately let you know if there are any quality issues with the product. I was concerned about this as they have such a large backlog. In the end, it is the small size, low weight and power consumption that won me over. I think it will be worth the wait. -- Ross ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Oct 1997 21:48:33 -0700 From: Ross Subject: KR: Re: EAA Snobbery Antonio, Great Post, I canceled my Experimenter and ordered the Tech Counselor newsletter, I don't think you have to be a Tech Counselor to get it, but if you are a Tech Counselor you don't have to pay for it. At any rate it has the equivilent of AD's for kitplanes periodicly... for example warnings on the use of sloshing sealer etc... Otherwise, I miss Tony Bengelis's column. -- Ross Antonio Pereira wrote: > > I wish you were not in the States. Out here, in this country, you could just > punch them in the nose without getting sued for it; mano a mano. I guess it's not > good policy, to go around punching people; after all that's not what this is all > about. I agree with you on the keeping it close to your heart part, but your > greatest reward will come when you finish your KR, and go out flying at 180 mph > past them expensive planes, mushing along close to stall, overloaded with their > full panels and other geriatric aids, trying to find the way home in 5 mile > visibilities. Besides building and flying your own plane, what can be more > rewarding than that? Don't give up yet Bob. After all, you are not building your > KR to please them; you're doing it to fulfill your dream, remember? keep it up > buddy, and happy building. > > Antonio "Make planes, Not war" Mendes Pereira > EAA 390052 > Portugal > > Crop duster and the last of the big spenders (I suppose...). I pay my dues every > year to read 6 issues of Sport Aviation talking about the next big Oshkosh, and > than, read 6 issues talking about how good it was. To get some taste of nuts and > wrenches, I have to pay extra for the Experimenter. Heck, they don't have > separate subscriptions... I don't understand the political issues (They're > American, you know, they don't mean much to me here at home, and I don't know the > people in the obituaries, but I get to read the ads and find a few fax # and net > addresses ;-)> ) > > Robert Covington wrote: > > > You can have someone from the EAA check it out if > > >you like, I am not a member of the EAA or any EAA chapter for that matter > > >and don't plan to be in the near future. My experience with EAA members > > >around here hasnt been all that positive, we have a problem with "homebuilt > > >snobs" that's is to say, if you are not building a Glasair, RV, or Lancair > > >4P then you are nothing more than a piece of scum building a toy that will > > >surely kill you. Ask Robert Covington, he has to deal with it every time he > > >tries to work on his project. > > >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > > >Micheal Mims > > >Just Plane Nutts in Irvine Ca. > > >mailto:mikemims@pacbell.net > > >http://home.pacbell.net/mikemims > > > > > > \ / > > > _\/\/_ > > > ____/_//\\_\_____ > > > > > > F-117 > > > All better now! > > > > As part of the inspiration for this EAA thread, courtesy of Mike, I > > thought I would add my two bits here.. > > > > I don't mind that some people think that the KR is not a good plane to > > build, they can have their opinions, but the problem was that these people > > got me right when my enthusiasm and confidence was highest - when I was > > just starting, and the "dream" was coming alive after all that planning and > > thinking about building. > > > > They attacked me for using particle board on my table ("That stuff will > > curl like paper this winter") and two years later it was still flat as it > > was when I installed it. One of said idiots told me he didn't want me to > > build a KR because he "didn't want me to crash". Another (RV Builders all) > > told me , if it is such a great plane "why don't you ever see any at the > > airshows around here" > > > > Well I think that is because they are all out in the Midwest ;) > > > > Anyway, the problem is that they really made me not want to show up at the > > hangar, which is a space I rent at out local EAA facility. The particle > > board complainer told me I has a sh*tty attitude just because I disagreed > > with him. That hurt because I care what people think about me. This guy is > > obviously a weenie though, and I am not insulting him to say that. > > Actually I think he told me this because I wrote an article in the > > newletter that facetiously made a few rules for builders of which follows a > > sample: #3. "Don't Critique Anything Until I Am Done." > > > > This Followed by #4. "You Don't Know What Done Is." > > > > > > > > Anyway, my particle board is all uprooted now, and I have installed plywood > > recently, because I need total dimensional stability once I start boating > > and I finally had the money to get the good stuff. > > > > I honestly think I would be almost as far along as Mike Mims if I hadn't > > have had those few people put a hurting on my motivation and spirit in the > > beginning stages. But Mike is Speed Racer. ;) > > > > I know this from being an artist, and I think it applies to an airplane > > building project...keep things close to your heart until they get > > "hatched", once you have it going, then let people know what you are doing > > if you want, otherwise let them see it once it flies...(inspections from > > qualified people aside) > > > > My own chapter is so cheap that a lot of the older members wanted to quit > > when we raised the dues for couples from $10 to $12 a couple years back! > > That's per _couple_ with one being an associate member. Then when we raised > > the single member's dues from $6 to $10 to cover real expenses, like the > > newsletter, they voted to rescind that because of a contrived "bylaws" > > violation. But it was reinstated later once the fogies were appeased. One > > guy then joined our chapter, because in his words "I don't figure any > > organization is worth joining if its dues are less than $10!" > > > > Anyway, the only thing that bothers me now is that when I _do_ show up to > > work, everybody feels they have to point out that I haven't shown up to > > work on it for a while. This make me feel like not showing up more. :) It > > would be more motivating for them to ask about some future part of the > > project coming up than to point out how far I have to go. I don't need to > > be guilted for not working on my project everytime I show up. Whose > > timetable am I on anyway? > > > > Just a few rants. Anyone else suffering from the malaise of Idiot Plane > > Snobs get thee to Perry next year, it will restore you. ;) > > > > Robert Covington ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Oct 1997 21:56:33 -0700 From: Ross Subject: Re: KR: FAA & Inspections Well... I heard of one builder who didn't have any photos for his log, so borrowed some for the visit so the DAR would have somthing to look at. I have a construction log for me, but havent made any entries in it for a while (3-6 months). I used it to make notes of bolts that needed to be replaced, and other things to do lists, along with measurments such as the toe-in and other things. I could make a measurment, then come back the next weekend and make a completely seperate measurement to make sure I put the spars in right. I think the major photo everyone needs is the one sitting in the boat making airplane noises. One DAR indicated that this was required. -- Ross Micheal Mims wrote: > > At 07:16 PM 10/7/97 -0700, you wrote: > >Jeff > > > >Did he look at the builders log and if he did what was he looking for? > > > > I get a kick out of all this concern over the builders log! Of the seven > homebuilts around my hanger, absolutely none of the builders were asked for > a "builders log" or photos of the project under construction. The DAR just > looked over the projects, asked a few very basic questions, said it looks > good to me,... good luck! Doesn't mean you or I wont be the lucky ones > though! > > Personally I don't have a builders log, copies of my web page will have to > do along with the construction manual itself with notes scribbled in it. > When I was building my Dragonfly the local FSDO dude said to jot down in > your construction manual when you complete each stage and that would be more > then adequate. > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > Micheal Mims > Just Plane Nutts in Irvine Ca. > mailto:mikemims@pacbell.net > http://home.pacbell.net/mikemims ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Oct 1997 22:04:05 -0700 From: Ross Subject: Re: KR: major milestone Terrific news! I love featherfill, I used it on the tail feathers, but have been microing since. I think featherfill would have saved time. Vinelester...yuk.. I love Aeropoxy now. Swear by it, and sometimes at it, I had coveralls stand up all by themselves. Had to toss them when I couldn't bend at the knees anymore. Thats one endorsement for Diehl wing skins. -- Ross Mark Langford wrote: > > KRNetHeads, > > Well, like Tom, my boat has wheels now. It's been upside down for some > time as I've attached gear and built the bottoms of the wing tanks with my > favorite vinylester resin. Fearing it would soon be too cold to paint > outside, I smoothed the fuselage somewhat and prepared to featherfill the > fuselage. Flipping it over and rolling it outside was just unreal. I > really looks like a plane now! And with the coat of gray featherfill, it > looks downright cool. Check out a quick picture I made and posted at > http://fly.hiwaay.net/~langford/oct4_97a.jpg of the newly "painted" N56ML. > Is this not a knockout? Yep, I'm fired up now. And the neighbors know why > the basement lights are on all the time. > > oct4_97b.jpg is the guts of the right wing tank, while oct4_97c.jpg is a > close up of the Diehl gear setup. These pictures are kinda small as they > were actually 8mm video that I captured directly to my video card, rather > than scanning a picture. With this setup you can video something and send > it to the net a minute later. I finished fastening in the bottoms of both > wing tanks tonight. Next the tank plumbing and then the tops will be > floxed on in a few days. The black tube that you see on 97c is the flap > torque tube, which I'm running above the aileron cables and will actuate > the flap pushrod in the space between the outer wings and the stub wings. > My plan is to do the outer wings soon (before basement temperatures drop) > and then concentrate on engine and avionics over winter. Spring and summer > will be cowling construction and body work, with a goal of flying it to > Perry next Gathering. So far I have 1300 hours in it, and expect at least > that much more before it's finished. And by the way, I don't just hate > vinylester, I now despise the can it came in! > > If Mims keeps hacking up his KR, maybe I'll beat him. Hey Michael, I think > your fuselage should be a little longer... > > Mark Langford, Huntsville, AL > email at langford@hiwaay.net > KR2S project construction at http://fly.hiwaay.net/~langford ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Oct 1997 22:06:23 -0700 From: Ross Subject: Re: KR: major milestone Mike, My recommendation, while you've got her belly up.. paint it! I thought... well just one more thing, but once I had it flipped, I wanted to hang the engine... just gets harder to flip back over. Now I know how the Cistene[sp] Chapel was painted. Did they use dry-micro on the ceiling? -- Ross Micheal Mims wrote: > > At 09:45 PM 10/7/97 -0500, you wrote: > >If Mims keeps hacking up his KR, maybe I'll beat him. Hey Michael, I think > your fuselage should be a little longer... > > > > Yea I was thinking that just today, then I decided to remount the vertical > fin so the aft vertical spar is now the front, this way the elevators are on > each side of the vertical fin and the rudder is aft of the .................... > > Nah! I have to keep up with you some how, if I keep shooting for a Glasair > you will surely beat me! Outstanding day for you!! Congrats! I should > have the similar feeling in two weeks or so. I spent the last two nights > building shelves and remodeling my garage so I would have more room. I plan > to flip this baby upside down this weekend and finishing up the bottom of > the wing stubs and new longer horizontal stab! She will probably be upside > down for two weeks but no longer! I am just plain running out of room. I > called and leased the hanger next to Brads this afternoon so outer wings > should be constructed right on schedule (before Christmas). I guess I > should consider myself lucky that I can work through the winter without fear > of temps, this means I have the "Southern California Weather Advantage"! > Maybe we will complete these units and both fly too Perry next year! Woo > Hoo!! We will have to meet up and make a "slightly modified entrance". Of > course I will have to pull the power way back on that O-290 so you can keep > up! :o) > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > Micheal Mims > Just Plane Nutts in Irvine Ca. > mailto:mikemims@pacbell.net > http://home.pacbell.net/mikemims ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 Oct 1997 22:21:57 -0700 From: "John F. Esch" Subject: Re: KR: 2-strokes Mark My brother had a Rotax mounted upside down (plugs down) and done everything right to keep it running properly. When it came time to have it overhauled and when the case was opened up to replace the main bearings, they fell to pieces. I think my opinion is that the main bearings were not getting the proper oil lubrication (his engine was not oil injected) due the engine being upside down and gravity. Now, I could be in left field on this idea, but oh well. It is just an idea. John F. Esch Salem, OR Ross wrote: > Mark, > Terrific post! Thanks, I enjoyed it. > -- Ross > > Mark Pierce wrote: > > > > > > > > ... Good, I would like to hear a little about 2-stroke engines. If > I > > remember > > > right, the last time someone tried to talk about 2-strokes it > didn't take > > > long for the subject to change. Read some real strong opinions , > but not > > > much helpful information.... > > > > I'm not a two-stroke guru by any means but I've got time behind (or > in > > front of) them both in ultralights and Avid Flyers and lots of guys > at > > my airport fly them on a variety of aircraft. I first had a Cyuna > then > > Rotax (several). Never had one fail me but then I took extra pains > with > > them. My personal rules were: > > > > 1. Do not overprop them. Let them run up into the 6000-6250 range > full > > bore, and a 5500-5800 cruise (depending on the engine and the ops > > manual). Main thing is not to lug them down. No explanation, just > > experience. > > > > 2. Always use quality fuel with enough octane (Amoco Gold or Silver > for > > example) and assure good mixing (unless you have oil injection). > Use > > the right oil and mix according to the specs of the oil. Do not > think > > that if 50-to-1 is good, 40-to-1 is better. It is not better. Some > > > oils are for liquid cooled engines and some are for air cooled. Be > sure > > to use the right one. I used both Quicksilver and Pennzoil Premium > for > > air cooled engines with no problems. Other brands gave me more > varnish > > and carbon which sticks rings and causes hot spots. > > > > 3. Replace spark plugs and fuel filter every 20 hours, period. > They > > are cheap and it seems to work. I always had to mount the engine > with > > the spark plugs pointed down and assumed that in addition to always > > being oil soaked, the oil in the combustion mix fouled the plugs a > > little quicker than in a 4 cycle and the oil in the fuel would foul > a > > fuel filter a little quicker than raw gas. > > > > 4. Keep them cool, but not too cool. Rotax says head temps up to > > 425-450F is OK but I would strive for 375-400. Too cool and you'll > get > > more carbon and fouled plugs. Too hot and you'll score > > cylinders/pistons (very quickly). Also, I was always warned about a > > > "cold seize" if you don't let a 2 cycle warm up a little. On > startup, > > the piston heating up and expanding faster than the cylinder. Never > > > happened to me but a couple of guys think it happened to them. > > > > 5. Don't let the engine run below the 800-1200 RPM range where the > gear > > box "rattles". Gear boxes are almost bullet proof these days but > they > > will wear quickly if you run them in the "backlash mode". > > > > 6. Don't mess with the lengths and volumnes of the exhaust pipe on > the > > engine side of the muffler too much. You will reduce your total > power > > output. > > > > After removing the Rotax (503) from a Nieuport and installing a VW > (1835 > > w/Zenith carb), I could make some direct comparisons: > > > > 1. The VW did not have the high frequency vibration of the 2 cycle. > > > > 2. Throttle control was more consistent with the VW. The 2 cycle > would > > gain 100-200 RPM with the slightest nose down and loose 100-200 with > the > > slightest nose up. Not sure why other than just more sensitive to > loads > > since it was generating its' power from RPMs rather than CCs. > > > > 3. The 2 cycle (w/reduction) had more static pull and climb out but > the > > VW could pull away in level flight. > > > > 4. The 2 cycle was more sensitive to environmental factors (temp, > > humidity). Some days it would run good and some it would not. > Until > > you convince yourself to use the recommended book sizes for your > average > > conditions, you can drive yourself crazy replacing main jets trying > to > > chase the smoothest combination. The VW doesn't seem to care what > kind > > of day it is. > > > > 5. The 2 cycle seemed to need more care and attention than the VW. > I > > was always twixing with the Rotax but on the VW I just change oil, > check > > valve clearence, and clean the air filter once or twice per year. > > > > Emotion: > > I much prefer the operation, snarl and solid feel of a VW or Subaru > > better than the whine of a 2 cycle but I would have no fear of > flying > > behind a well installed and maintained 2 cycle engine. > > > > Mark Pierce ------------------------------ End of krnet-l-digest V1 #120 *****************************