It cost 4 times as much as a Corvair.
Jim
On Wed, 10 May 2006 16:57:24 +0100 (BST) JAMES DUFF
<jamieduff1...@btinternet.com> writes:
> I'm surprised that no US builders consider the Jabiru 2200
> engine....
>
> Colin Hales in the UK built G-BSTL with a Type 1 VW, canned it in
> favour of a Type 4, junked that too and eventually settled on the
> Jabiru 2200 which weighs 60kg (132lbs) all in with starter etc. It's
> putting out 85hp and his aircraft weighed 530lbs empty using a 14
> gallon (That's Imperial gallons, not US gallons) header tank and dry
> wings.
>
> He flew G-BSTL from the UK to Australia with his girlfriend a few
> years back.
>
> My KR2 is getting the Jabiru too, and is on target for a very
> similar empty weight. (We're only allowed 900lbs MTOW in the UK for
> a KR2)
>
> Robin Wills <krvia...@bigpond.com.au> wrote:
> G'day Dave.
>
> You are as tall as me, but about 100Lbs heavier. I manage to fit in
> a
> bog-stock KR2 but I fly(flew - before the gear retracted on landing)
> in
> socks, no shoes.
>
> Just going by your figures, you would be very close to a 1200Lb
> Gross
> Weight, assuming a 600Lb Empty weight, which is difficult, although
> not
> impossible to achieve.
>
> There is an article by Neil Bingham about the KR2 and weight
> issues,
> which basically states that the heavier the KR, the worse it flies.
> And
> the more aft your CG, the touchier it is. His recommendation, along
> with
> RR and countless others is to keep the plane as light as safely
> possible, and enjoy what you have, ie a day VFR sport aircraft. If
> you
> try to turn it into a long-range tourer you may well be
> disappointed
> with its performance, both climb, cruise and stall.
>
> If you were to fit your baggage locker in the forward deck, you
> need
> wing tanks, which need pumps which add weight. Then you have your
> Corvair engine, at 200Lbs, battery at 20, see how it adds up and
> eats
> into your operating weight?
>
> I can't help you with speed reduction vs width, although there are
> many
> on here who can, but in all honesty, for the type of flying you
> want,
> the KR2 would be marginal at best.
>
> My KR2 is nearly 23 years old, I didn't build it, but am re-building
> it
> after drastic surgical procedures instigated after the gear
> collapse,
> and have removed many small items to get the weight down. Wing
> tanks
> went, T+B and VSI went, fuel gauge is going (replaced with sight
> glass),
> starter and alternator are going, to be replaced with a small
> battery
> powered by a solar cell. Diehl gear in place of the original
> retracts,
> to save me 15 lbs.
> She weighed in at 630Lbs before the makeover and flew "well" and I
> am
> hoping to have her weigh in at around 580lbs and fly "great" when
> she is
> next airborne.
>
> My personal opinion is if you want a fantastic little VFR plane
> that
> will blow the doors off a 150, you would be happy with the KR, but,
> you
> need to decide what it is you will use it for, how often you will
> use it
> for that, and what performance compromises you are prepared to
> accept to
> achieve that mission.
>
> Cheers,
> Rob
>
> Robin Wills
> Second Person, Pacific National
> KR-2 19-4594, Ser# N111
>
> krvia...@bigpond.com
>
>
>
>
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