This morning I was up at daybreak and could not wait to get to the airport. The wind was calm and the temp was 36° and the sky was beautiful blue. What a morning to fly!!! I got to the airport at 6:30 am and pulled the KR out in the glistening sun. Did my pre-flight, hopped in and prepped for start up. Pumped the prime and she fired on the first revolution. I taxied to the pump and put six gallons in each tank on top of what was already there. That would give me a comfortable two hours in the air. Taxied to 29 and did a run up. Pulled out on the runway and firewalled it, rotated at 60, lifted off at 70, climbed out at 95 and was at pattern altitude as I turned on downwind. Held steady at 100 mph on downwind. Turned base then final. I was on a 1.5 mile final and reduced throttle to start bleeding off speed. Dropped the speed brake half way and settled in at 90 mph. At one mile out, I dropped the speed brake all the way down. Slowed to 80 by 1/2 mile and was at 70 over the numbers. I began my flare, throttle all the way out, and settled down for a smooth as glass landing. Had her stopped at mid field turn off (runway is 3000'). I then taxied back to runway 29 and prepared for departure. All was clear, I made the call, firewalled it....rotation again at 60 and lifted off at 70 mph. She climbed to about 300 feet above the ground and stopped climbing. Speed had only reached 80 mph....the PUCKER FACTOR was really setting in as I started looking for a field to set down in. The engine was running smooth and strong....all gauges were right on....what's happening...I stayed very calm and began checking everything. Throttle full...mixture rich...carb heat off....all gauges were still reading perfect except the altimeter and airspeed. I was clearing farm silos not more than 200 ' and I think I saw the farmers daughter in the buff in a hay stack. So, has anyone figured out the problem? All of a sudden it hit me like a brick wall. I did not raise my speed brake after I made the last landing. As I raised the speed brake, the airspeed quickly reached 100...110...120 and I pulled back on the stick and she climbed like a homesick angel. Thank God..... Well after I peeled my butt loose from the seat and relaxed, I continued on for a 1.3 hour flight.
Now, before you guys start flaming me, I was not going to tell this story on the list but the more I thought about it, the more I felt you could learn from my mistake. Yes, I have laminated check lists I use for every phase of flight but I made them long before I installed the speed brake so it is not on the check list. Second, I have not installed a position indicator on the speed brake but now have the plans done to do so using micro switches and LED's for indicator lights. So, learn anything? I did. I know the KR will take off with the speed brake down but I would not advise doing it. I honestly think by staying calm and level headed and meticulously diagnosing the problem, saved my butt today. Man I love this KR stuff. Glad I am still with you guys and I can not wait till tomorrow morning to fly again. Mark Jones (N886MJ) Wales, WI USA E-mail me at flyk...@wi.rr.com Visit my KR-2S CorvAIRCRAFT web site at http://mywebpage.netscape.com/n886mj/homepage.html
