Netters Though not totally the same, I have seen with our KR that the wing performs very similarly to a Mooney M20J, or Piper Seminole wing, both of which have similar taper for most of the wing, and are basically designed for speed. Not knowing what the NACA numbers are for the other 2, only the KR RAF48 ( because Mark L has it published ) my comments are merely directed to actual flight observation, not a technical analysis, so please do not take it as such. It is not meant to be.
In actual flight I have noticed that all 3 have a rather steep descent at approach speed, with any kind of drag assistance, flaps, belly board, speed brake, as compared to the basic trainers so many people have experience with prior to owning a KR. This forces the pilot to begin planning much sooner his actions during approach, since the time of glide is less. I have also found that my approach speed is somewhat higher than the trainers, downwind 100 mph or approx 95 knots, base at 95-90 mph or 85-90 knots, and final 85-80 mph or approx 80-75 knots. I am also reading almost 10 mph high consistently through the entire speed range. Any slower than this and the controls are very mushy and sluggish to respond, and it gets pushed around in the wind alot. A few days ago I flew in winds 10 knots gusting to 14 knots, approx 30 degrees off to the left, but variable from down the runway to say 60 degrees to the left. Our KR was very controllable, and handled the winds just fine, but it seemed the glide was restricted to approximately 2 to 3 inches from the edges of the cowling. That is to say, that at a given altitude, whatever I could see 2 to 3 inches from any edge of the cowling, I could glide to it. We had a 1 inch rule for the heavy Piper Arrow, because it is a brick without its engine. It is not very exact, but seems to work for safe planning when routing, power off approaching, or for planning an emergency approach. Better to make the field you plan on landing in, and make a safe landing, then attempt to stretch the glide and come up short. You can always do S-turns on short final to use up altitude if needed to prevent overshooting, or even a circle if there is that much. I am registered this year... Shameless plug...anyone needing assistance getting financing to start/finish/continue their KR write me off line... FLY SAFE!!!! Colin & Beverly Rainey Apex Lending, Inc. www.eloan2004cr.com crai...@apexlending.com 407-323-6960
