From: Majordomo@teleport.com[SMTP:Majordomo@teleport.com] Sent: Monday, December 08, 1997 2:03 PM To: john bouyea Subject: Majordomo file: list 'krnet-l' file 'v01.n117' -- From: owner-krnet-l-digest@lists.teleport.com (krnet-l-digest) To: krnet-l-digest@lists.teleport.com Subject: krnet-l-digest V1 #117 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 Tuesday, October 7 1997 Volume 01 : Number 117 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 07 Oct 1997 02:18:47 -0500 From: Mark Pierce Subject: Re: KR: 2-strokes > > ... 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: Tue, 07 Oct 1997 01:13:11 -0500 From: Mark Pierce Subject: Re: KR: "P" leads 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 Ross wrote: > > Rob, > I'm not too sure that TV Coax was designed for the high voltages > the P lead carries. The insulation of TV Coax might melt and short > out... anyone have the specs of that stuff? Most of the signals carried > by TV coax would be low energy so I wouldn't expect it to be a good > choice. > > I'm thinking automotive sparkplug wire might be a closer match, > although I don't know how well shielded it is, or how it would behave > if you put shielding on it. > > OK KRnetters.... I'm thinking that a LARGE step up from TV Coax would > be a length of AN wire say #8 or so, with copper braid on it for > shielding. Isn't that sorta what Model A's used? I don't know if I'd > fly with this, but I'm thinking the chances of dieletric breakdown > (melting insulation etc) are a lot less with this approach than with > TV Coax. > > -- Ross > > Rob Matthews wrote: > > > > Hi Krnetters > > Does anyone know what the minimum resistance of coaxial cable must be for > the P > > lead before it causes interferance with ones radio. I was wanting to use TV > > coax cable but need to know if it would be enough to suppress the > interferance > > caused by the points in the magneto and the spark plugs. I went to buy some > > cord (aircraft spark plug cord with silicone covering) and i nearly fell on > my > > back. They want something like US$ 17.00 per meter. A slight bit expensive > for > > me. > > Any comments welcomed. > > Regards > > -- > > Rob Matthews Have a nice day > > South Africa > > email mathewrz@iafrica.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 7 Oct 1997 05:11:16 -0500 From: "Mark Langford" Subject: KR: beefing the spar Peter Hudson wrote: > The trick is if I want more > strength out of my already built-and-installed wing center section how > I'd go about it. Roy Marsh added strips of spruce to his spar to make the cross-section look like an I-beam. I think he just used 5/8" x 5/8" stock. I thought about using this method, and it would actually give me a nice little ledge to set my inner wing skin on, the way I'm doing it. And I may still use a much thinner ledge, but I built my strength in to start with. Since my spars are only 6.8" tall, I made them a little thicker (front to back) and made the upper cap deeper so that mine are stronger than the plans call for in the + direction, and about equal in the - direction, even with my shallower spar (height-wise). I don't think I'll be doing a whole lot of negative g stuff anyway. My biggest ace in the hole is that I tried to build my spars perfectly, with no voids anywhere. These mods cost me 4.5 lbs though. My biggest ace in the hole is that I tried to build my spars perfectly, with no voids anywhere, and the WAF bolts are a perfect fit. And like Don said, the spars are overkill at the tips, so I tapered them more. I've heard people suggest using carbon fiber on the spars somehow, but a stress analyst at work worries about the significant property differences causing the two to separate prematurely. Mark Langford, Huntsville, AL email at langford@hiwaay.net KR2S project construction at http://fly.hiwaay.net/~langford - ---------- > From: Peter Hudson > To: krnet-l@teleport.com > Subject: Re: KR: RAF 48 data? > Date: Monday, October 06, 1997 9:53 PM > > I definately plan to post recomendations regarding weight limits and V-N > diagrams I'll probably even put the spreadsheets on my web page for all > to review, criticize or even just use. The trick is if I want more > strength out of my already built-and-installed wing center section how > I'd go about it. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 7 Oct 1997 05:29:43 -0500 From: "Mark Langford" Subject: KR: Re: beefing the spar After sending that last message it occured to me: Obvously, you can't do the I-beam thing on the center section though, especially if your fuselage is built already. You could always add material to the front and aft faces, and clearance your fuselage uprights, then reinforce them on the other side, but only if your big gussets inside the fuselage haven't been installed yet. And how much trouble do you want to go to for something that apparently isn't a problem anyway? Mark Langford, Huntsville, AL email at langford@hiwaay.net KR2S project construction at http://fly.hiwaay.net/~langford ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 07 Oct 1997 07:02:25 -0500 From: ejanssen@chipsnet.com (Ed Janssen) Subject: Re: KR: 2-strokes At 02:18 AM 10/7/97 -0500, you 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: > > >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. > Mark Pierce I'll attest to this point. Fellow down the road bought a Hovey biplane, ultralight type, and installed a 503 Rotax, which is supposed to put out 50-55 horses or so. Couldn't get the thing off the ground - just a little daylight under the wheels once in a while. He messed with gearboxes, props and their pitches, gas flow, plugs, etc. til he was about nuts. THEN he put the correct muffler on it - "made ALL the difference in the world" - "had power to spare", he said. So, guess they need the right back pressure or whatever to run right. Ed Janssen ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 07 Oct 1997 07:10:43 -0500 From: ejanssen@chipsnet.com (Ed Janssen) Subject: Re: KR: old boat At 09:59 PM 10/6/97 -0700, you wrote: >Ted & Louisa Jones wrote: >> Hasn't anyone tried a KR seaplane yet? :-) > >There is a webpage someplace with Ken Rand in the KR seaplane prototype. >One was made, but I'm told it didn't fly too well with VW power, and >was abandonded after Ken's passing. > > -- Ross > A few pictures of the seaplane exist in some of the old newsletters. One of the them has a picture of the aftermath of the crash (takeoff, I think) of the prototype (KR-3). Messed it up pretty good, but nobody hurt as I recall. Ed Janssen ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 07 Oct 1997 06:26:50 PDT From: "Oscar Zuniga" Subject: KR: KR- P leads OK, so I'm not an expert on this, either. Some folks call me an electrical engineer, but the following is just gut feeling: don't use coax, any type, for ignition harness. I don't think the dielectric is at all suited for the kind of high voltage (especially continuous) that plug wires will see. I do like the idea of plain old insulated copper wire run inside of a braided jacket, but then I'd question how much value there is in that, over just using regular "noise free" harness? But, since you (Rob) are in South Africa, probably not a Pep Boys or Western Auto store just down the block, it might be more of a problem for you than for us. All we have to do is go choose what color we like best! :^) Oops, there I go- assuming we're talking auto conversion engines (VW, Soob). Oh, and- thanks to Mark Pierce for the post re: your experiences IN THE AIR with both 2- and 4-strokes. I am not changing my mind or preference about using 4-strokes, but am doing some studying trying to put several threads together to ask if/why anybody has considered running a 2-stroke in a KR. I sent off to 2si (AMW/Cuyuna) for info on their 100HP mill; when I digest it, I'll scratch my head some more. Meanwhile, if anybody is interested, they have an interesting item or two available on their page (engines@2si.com) about the failure modes of 2-strokes when we fly 'em. Oscar Zuniga Medford, Oregon sorry about the "commercial" that HotMail sticks on the end of my posts. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 7 Oct 1997 09:51:53 -0400 (EDT) From: Horn2004@aol.com Subject: Re: Re: KR: old boat In a message dated 10/7/97 6:18:11 AM, you wrote: <> Messed it up pretty good, alright. As in totally destroyed. Photos are in past issues of the newsletters. Too bad. Looked like a real nice airplane. Kinda like a smaller, sleeker version of the Osprey II. Steve Horn Dallas, TX ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 07 Oct 1997 10:02:36 -0700 From: Tom Crawford Subject: Re: KR: Project update - The boat has legs! EagleGator@aol.com wrote: > > I've been working since the gathering, with every spare moment I could, and > .... I've got Cleveland brakes, and the way the axle attach fittings > are made on the Diehl gear the only way I can figure to mount the brakes is > on the bottom of the wheel. I don't like that much. How has everyone else > done it? > > Rick, I found that with mine, there were a couple of positions that would work, but if you plan to use Dan's wheel fairings- and I recommend them highly, you must mount the brake caliper down and to the rear of the axle. In other words, if you are looking at the axle from outboard, the brake needs to be at about 0730. Hope this helps, Tom Crawford tomc@afn.org Gainesville, FL GO GATORS! ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 07 Oct 1997 09:06:55 -0500 From: Mark Pierce Subject: Re: KR: 2-strokes Yes Ed. I understand that the Rotax pipes are "tuned" to their engine to provide optimum power. It's been explained to me but I couldn't do it justice to repeat it. However it can't be too critical because the same exhaust system is used on 377 thru 503 and maybe even the 582 (it looks the same). I notice in the KROnline that the 2 cycle engines from 2si come wth their own exhaust system and I'll bet they are matched to the engines also. Big difference in power output. Thanks, MarkPi Ed Janssen wrote: > > At 02:18 AM 10/7/97 -0500, you 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: > > > > > > >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. > > > Mark Pierce > > I'll attest to this point. Fellow down the road bought a Hovey biplane, > ultralight type, and installed a 503 Rotax, which is supposed to put out > 50-55 horses or so. Couldn't get the thing off the ground - just a little > daylight under the wheels once in a while. He messed with gearboxes, props > and their pitches, gas flow, plugs, etc. til he was about nuts. THEN he > put the correct muffler on it - "made ALL the difference in the world" - > "had power to spare", he said. So, guess they need the right back pressure > or whatever to run right. > > Ed Janssen ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 7 Oct 1997 10:45:50 -0400 (EDT) From: LVav8r@aol.com Subject: Re: KR: Copperstate Fly-in Again In a message dated 97-10-07 03:33:28 EDT, you write: << BTW, a show of e-mails will do, who's gonna go to Copperstate? Do we want to meet up? If so, where shall we meet? How about say, 11:00 am Saturday at my KR on the flight line. If somebody has a car, maybe we could go someplace cool and have a rowdy KR lunch/builders/fliers bull session. Jeff >> I'll be there Saturday morning Jeff. And I'll be driving so there'll be KR ground transportation too. But I've never been to the Phoenix area so someone else will have to recomend somewhere cool to go. Your plane sounds like as good a place as any to meet too. See ya and everyone else that makes it there. Tom Kilgore Las Vegas, NV LVav8r@aol.com KR-2S 2% complete __I__ _______( X )_______ o/ \o ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 07 Oct 1997 10:50:11 -0400 From: smithr Subject: Re: KR: counterbalances Steve Bennett wrote: > > I would be willing to bet the ratio of counter balanced elevators to > non counter balanced elevators is about 90 to 10 favoring the non > counterbalanced elevators. s. bennett It seems that many KRs under current construction are planning to counterbalance. I guess they consider that for a little extra weight they get peace of mind. I have been toying with the idea of a partial counterbalance to save weight. Bob Smith ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 07 Oct 1997 11:33:14 -0400 From: David Batton Subject: KR: brakes 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: Tue, 07 Oct 1997 11:43:24 -0400 From: David Batton Subject: KR: brakes ACK!!!! Never, and I repeat never, email while you are cooking a full breakfast and about to burn it all!! It has very nasty effects such as a gobblegook of an email message *grin* What I meant to ask is what is the difference in Matco as compared to Cleveland. I need input on this for I am about to purchase on of them for my KR2. David "I cant type and cook at the same time" Batton ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 07 Oct 1997 16:44:05 +0000 From: Steve Bennett Subject: Re: KR: Lowered GPS price 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: Tue, 7 Oct 1997 15:29:36 -0700 From: Robert Covington Subject: KR: Re:EAA Snobbery 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: Tue, 7 Oct 1997 15:39:50 -0700 From: Robert Covington Subject: KR: Aircraft KR-2's & Specialty/Plywood 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 00:31:29 +0100 From: Antonio Pereira Subject: Re: KR: Re:EAA Snobbery 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: Tue, 07 Oct 1997 19:16:57 -0700 From: Tom Brown Subject: Re: KR: FAA & Inspections When it came to inspection time, the > DAR never even looked at the photo album. > > ------- > 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 Jeff Did he look at the builders log and if he did what was he looking for? ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 07 Oct 1997 17:22:50 -0700 From: Micheal Mims Subject: Re: KR: FAA & Inspections 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: Tue, 7 Oct 1997 21:19:17 -0400 (EDT) From: BSHADR@aol.com Subject: KR: EAA Snobbery In a message dated 97-10-07 18:32:07 EDT, Rob wrote: << Just a few rants. Anyone else suffering from the malaise of Idiot Plane Snobs get thee to Perry next year, it will restore you. ;) >> Rob: I suspected your problems with the snobs over a year ago. This was based on some of your early comments. Sorry you had the problems, but glad you have seen the light. I joined my chapter and almost dropped out for the same reasons. Early on, I saw two KR types chastized, never to return. But as usual, I decided to rebel (imagine that!). Long story short, I became the chapter prez and have tried to turn the acid off and draw from the new member pool of excitement. It seems to be working. We have a larger variety of projects now and the slugs have retreated back under their respective rocks. I stand ready to stomp 'em if they every show their slimy sides around our chapter again. We have some pretty cool members too. One in particular who brings his Hughes 500 to our Young Eagle events to give rides with! Another one brought a Twin Otter from her work to give YE rides. Imagine a corporate Otter, with uniform crew, loading 25 kids at a time for their first airplane ride! Airplane people can be the greatest. My advice, as others have posted - shop around to find the EAA "Community" that suits you. Just like your own neighborhood ya gonna have many flavors...The EAA is no different. Instead of the organization using me, I use it: info, info, info. I'll take the knowledge from anyone who has it or anyplace I can find it. I try to leave every experience with another nugget of knowledge/information. Airplane building is a journey. Enjoy the trip as much (if not more) than the destination. KR Builders, and KRNetters in particular, are wonderful folks. The Friday night BBQ/Fish Fry proved that beyond a doubt. KRNet is the place for the exchange of info, ideas and to toss out questions of all types. You will be hard pressed to find a better family to belong to. Randy Stein BSHADR@aol.com Soviet Monica, cA ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 7 Oct 1997 21:45:56 -0500 From: "Mark Langford" Subject: KR: major milestone 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: Tue, 07 Oct 1997 21:07:53 From: Ron Lee Subject: Re: KR: major milestone >KRNetHeads, > >Well, like Tom, my boat has wheels now. Looks great Mark. How will the canopy open...hinged on the side or perhaps like Jeff Scotts? >If Mims keeps hacking up his KR, maybe I'll beat him. Hey Michael, I think >your fuselage should be a little longer... > Mark is right. The single best thing Mims can do to make his machine ultra- stable is to lengthen the fuselage about 12-14 more inches. Ron "BSer" Lee >Mark Langford, Huntsville, AL >email at langford@hiwaay.net >KR2S project construction at http://fly.hiwaay.net/~langford > > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 07 Oct 1997 20:04:17 -0700 From: Micheal Mims Subject: Re: KR: major milestone 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 ------------------------------ End of krnet-l-digest V1 #117 *****************************