Netters Jeff and I have both presented 2 different ways of modifying a KR, specifically in my case a KR2, to correct some of the complaints other pilots have had with the original design. The internal changes I spoke of make corrections that do not require any airframe re-construction, but only require the actuation methods and ratios to be adjusted. This is very simple and have been used by MANY builders in one form or fashion for years. One right way of doing things.
Other builders have added to the horizontal and vertical stabilizer areas without adding to the control surface, increasing the stabilizer effectiveness. Based on pilot reports this works well also to tame the KR down some. However, so that builders know they have choices and choose what is best for their application, by increasing the size of these surfaces it has an effect on how rapid the response is from the elevator or rudder. Increasing the size of these surfaces has the effect of making it harder to move the tail around which adds to stability but also slows the response from the elevator and rudder, which is how it "corrects" the pitch sensitivity. At speed this is good. When slow, I prefer the fabulous elevator authority that I have with the original KR. Since in my opinion pitch control is the single most important control that you have, having authority literally all the way through the point of a stalled wing gives me a great deal of comfort. I chose not to change the effectiveness of these controls, simply their actuation ratios, mainly decrease the elevator, and increase the aileron, no change to rudder, to make the airplane more fun to fly. All surfaces still deflect the same amount as designed and have the same authority. Each builder will have to decide for himself what is best for himself. As in each plane style and design, there is more than one right way to do it. crain...@cfl.rr.com http://kr-builder.org/Colin/index.html KR2(td) N96TA Sanford, FL Apex Lending, Inc. 407-323-6960 (p) 407-557-3260 (f) crai...@apexlending.com
