> >There is a guy here in Longmont Co that has a KR... says he can do over 200 >in it... ( not for me ).. but he can, running an O200. He says his plane is >about 500lbs > >So is the top end speed more of a function of weight/HP apposed to just HP >everything else being equal? >-Jeff +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You must be talking about Steve Alderman with the little yellow KR2. He won the Sun-N-Fun race one year and averaged 193 mph ,as I recall. There is another KR2 just south of Nashville, Tennessee that is that fast or more. His is very light also. The more your KR weighs, the more lift you must produce and lift equals drag. Keep it light and "slick" with good streamlining. Also remember, these two KR's may be running 0-200's but they are pulling more than 100 hp from them. They are running them to 3000 rpm ,or close, and probably getting 120+ hp. They have pushed their KR's into the part of the performance envelop reserved for those that know what they're doing and have the piloting skills to handle it. RR claims a cruise of 180 mph on a VW but let's be realistic. That was up high, with a turbo VW, in probably one of the lightest KR's to ever fly. I'm thinking 170 mph with my KR ,that weighs 765 empty, is running an 0-200 with 2000 hours on it and fighting to pull 100 hp at full throttle cruise, is probably as good as I'm going to get. That doesn't keep me from LOVIN' IT though. KR's are not "cookie cutter" airplanes. Every one will be different depending on weight, engine used, engine/prop combination, gear mods or lack thereof, canopies, and the list goes on and on. None of them are bad, some are just better (faster) than others. Larry Flesner
