KR> Fw: Coaxial Cable

[Jim Vance]

Not all coaxial cables are created equal.  The Radio Shack cheap stuff shields 
maybe 60% of the signal at low freqencies.  At VHF (com) and transponder 
frequencies, it's shielding is maybe 20%.

There must be a reason why people will pay five to ten bucks a foot for the 
100% braid double shielded coax for critical applications.

Coupling between two cables is affected by the square of the distance.  Work 
that out at 1/4" inch spacing for adjacent to 39" for opposite sides of the 
fuselage, and the difference in coupling is a very large number.

Jim Vance
Claflin, Kansas

KR> Weather forecasts

[JIM VANCE]

Mark asked about sources of weather forecasts.  I suggest you try 
www.usaircom.net.  You can access any weather station in the U. S.  Click on 
the AVIATION WEATHER button to the right, then fill in the blanks for the state 
and city.  It will give you a 72 hour forecast in four hour increments, with 
wind, temps, cloud ceiling, percent chance of precip and thunderstorms, dew 
point, etc.  There's a bar at the bottom where you can access winds aloft.

It is geared to local flying, but I've found it to be the most accurate 
forecasts of any of the sites.

Jim Vance
Claflin, KS

KR> Weather

[JIM VANCE]

Sorry, but I have a short circuit between my headphones.  Try www.usairnet.com.

Jim Vance

KR> KR-2 for sale

[JIM VANCE]

Last February 17th, the FAA sprinkled holy water on my KR-2 and officially made 
it an airplane.  It is a standard version with a Great Planes 1915 cc VW with a 
rear drive and Ellison throttle body.  Instrumentation and avionics exceeds 
what most people would plan for.  It has about two hours of ground time on the 
engine but has not been airborne.

I am going to offer it for sale.  Between the surgery, chemotherapy, and 
recovery, I have no idea when I will be back into flying--if ever.

If anyone is interested, please contact me offline and I will provide a spec 
sheet and pictures.

Jim Vance
va...@hbcomm.net
N 303 JV hangared at 9K7 (Ellsworth, Kansas)

KR> Oil Pressure

[JIM VANCE]

I, too, am having oil pressure problems.  It's in my 1977 Sterling that has a 
1915 cc. VW engine set up the same way as in a KR.

I had to rebuild the engine.  I pulled the plugs to do a compression check and 
learned the hard way that someone had put plugs with one inch of thread on them 
in heads designed for the plugs with 1/2 of thread.  The carbon built up on the 
extra threads and installation without NeverSeize boogered the threads on both 
heads, so I rebuilt it with new heads, jugs, pistons, rings, and bearings.

The oil pressure before I overhauled it ran around 55 psi cold and 42 fully hot 
at 3000 rpm.  Idle pressure was around 15-20 psi hot.

The engine sounds fine and runs well.  However, the oil pressure is low:  about 
35 psi when hot at 2500 rpm and drops below 10 at idle.  I'm beginning to 
suspect that the pressure relief valve near the pump is hung up and not closing 
fully.  I removed the spring, put the plug back on and turned the engine over 
to get the oil pressure to pop the piston down.  It doesn't seem to be galled, 
but it still has low oil pressure when I started it again.

This engine case has a pressure relief valve near the oil pump and a pressure 
control valve near the flywheel.  I was careful that I didn't mix the pistons 
and springs during teardown.  The relief valve has a pretty heavy and long 
spring.  The pressure control valve has a short and much weaker spring.

Any suggestions as to where to start trouble shooting?  Although the pressure 
gauge varies with rpm and oil temperature, is it possible that I have a bad 
sender unit?  Does anyone know the distance from the bottom of the relief valve 
piston and the outside edge of the hole?

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Jim Vance
va...@hbcomm.net

KR> Foamed tires

[JIM VANCE]

These tires are designed for lawn and garden equipment only.  Most will have a 
notice on the sidewall stating that they are not for highway use.  Top speed is 
about 15 miles per hour--far below the 70 of a hot touchdown.

When I was an engineering manager with Gates Rubber Company, we declined to 
manufacture them because of the liability problems.  If you enjoy flying--and 
living a long time--stay with pneumatic tires.

Jim Vance
va...@hbcomm.net

KR> Flat work table

[JIM VANCE]

I bought a level with a laser in the end of it from Harbor Freight Tools for 
about $15.  I sat it down on my table at one end with the beam shining down the 
table.  I then used my six inch cabinet square as a target for the beam.  I 
could easily read the levelness of the table to 1/32 of an inch (0.031).  I 
then brought the top of the 1 inch thick plywood top to perfectly flat with a 
belt sander.  It was messy and laborious, but it makes for an excellent 
reference plane.  The two coatings of deck enamel have survived well during the 
construction of two planes.

I also found that mounting the laser on a camera tripod and using the 
line-making lens gave me an excellent reference for a straight line around the 
compound curve for the part line on my cowling.

Jim Vance
Claflin, Kansas
va...@hbcomm.net

KR> Fuel primer

[JIM VANCE]

I have a Great Plains 1915 cc VW with an Ellison EFS-2 throttle body.  I'm 
afraid I'm going to wear out the starter getting it going.  I searched the 
archives, and the consensus seems to be having a primer injector for each 
manifold run.  That means four injectors on this engine with the dual port 
heads.

I'm considering a single primer injector just downstream of the throttle body.  
That would give me gas to start without a lot more plumbing.  I would use an 
electrical valve, not a manual primer.

Has anyone used such a system?  What are your experiences and opinions?

Jim Vance
Claflin, Kansas
Trying to start N 303 JV so I can get on with my taxi testing.

KR> Fuel primer

[JIM VANCE]

Mark,

Thanks for your prompt reply.

I have ordered the solenoid from Wicks, but I'm having a problem coming up
with a source for the injector nozzle.  Where did you get yours?

Jim

KR> ELT

[JIM VANCE]

I have the AmeriKing AK-450 in both of my planes.  I chose it because it was 
inexpensive, and it uses D flashlight batteries.  Some of the other units use a 
custom battery that greatly increases your cost over the years.  I use the 
batteries I remove from my ELT to power my flashlights.

Jim Vance
va...@hbcomm.net

KR> ELT

[JIM VANCE]

I just learned that my new emergency locator transmitter has become obsolete 
before I got it airborne the first time.  The current 121.5/243.0 Megahertz 
analog ELT's will no longer be monitored after February 2009.  They are being 
replaced by a new digital system that operates on 506.0 Megahertz that will be 
much more accurate.

Of course, the new units will cost about ten times what the older ones cost.  
That will be a $1000 to $1500 investment, compared to $195 for the current ones.

The details of this change are in a great article starting on page 113 of the 
April 2006 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine.

It looks like I will have a 10% increase in the cost of building my KR-2.

Jim Vance
Claflin, KS
va...@hbcomm.net

KR> Ethanol

[JIM VANCE]

In their great wisdom and ignorance of the consequences, the Kansas state 
legislature has passed a law that PROHIBITS the filling stations from 
indicating if the gasoline contains alcohol, except for the E85 designation 
(the farm lobby is strong here).  Consequently, you can believe that they are 
dispensing whatever in the cheapest.

I bought some 91 octane car gas to flush out my tank and system, and to check 
for leaks.  I left it in the plane about three weeks, then drained it.  I 
checked the gascolator to see if any residue had come from the new tank.  When 
I opened it, the rubber gasket at the top sprang out about half an inch bigger 
in diameter than the groove.  I dried it as much as I could, and let it lay on 
the workbench.  After about ten days, it had shrunk back to where it would fit 
properly.

I put 100LL in the tank, and after six months, the gascolator gasket has 
remained the same size.

So much for gasohol in a system designed for airplanes.

Jim Vance, Claflin, Kansas
va...@hbcomm.net

KR> FAA Inspections

[JIM VANCE]

The FAA inspector sprinkled holy water on my KR-2 last week.  He made the 
comment that he really enjoyed inspecting homebuilts, because he got to see 
some neat innovations and some new construction techniques.  He went on to say 
that inspecting "spam cans" usually involved hours of paper shuffling, and 
sometimes he didn't even get to see the plane.

The impression I have is that they really enjoy their contact with home 
builders, but their priorities are commercial aircraft manufacturers first, 
then parts suppliers, then homebuilts.

Jim Vance
Claflin, Kansas
va...@hbcomm.net

KR> FAA Inspection

[JIM VANCE]

YEEE HAA!!

The FAA inspector has just left.  My KR-2, N 303 JV, is now officially an 
airplane.

It will be at least a week before I will be able to take the wings off and 
trailer it to the airport.

Jim Vance
va...@hbcomm.net
Claflin, Kansas

KR> FAA Inspection

[JIM VANCE]

He gave me the "pink slip" without seeing it move.

I  built the KR in my barn.  With the small wheels and low ground clearance,
it is definitely a hard surface bird.  Besides, I wouldn't want to nick the
Ed Sterba prop.

Jim
- Original Message - 
From: "bob" 
To: "KRnet" 
Sent: Friday, February 17, 2006 11:11 AM
Subject: Re: KR> FAA Inspection


> > The FAA inspector has just left.  My KR-2, N 303 JV, is now officially
an
> airplane.
> > It will be at least a week before I will be able to take the wings off
and
> trailer it to the airport.
>
> I'm working from memory here, which means I'm almost definitely
> wrong, but didn't I read in the FAA docs that they do the final
> AW inspection after the taxi tests are done?  I'm assuming from
> the 'trailer it to the airport' part that you built it somewhere that
> wouldn't permit taxi tests of course.
>
> Bob
>
>
> ___
> Search the KRnet Archives at http://www.maddyhome.com/krsrch/index.jsp
> to UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to krnet-le...@mylist.net
> please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html
>
>

KR> Test

[JIM VANCE]

Did I get disconnected?  This is the first time that I've received no messages 
from the net in 24 hours.

Jim Vance

KR> Compass in Panel

[JIM VANCE]

Jeff York asked about deviation on his compass when it was in the instrument 
panel.

Take a hand held compass and hold it near the bowden cables for you throttle, 
mixture, and heat controls.  I'll bet that you will find that they are 
magnetized.

Back in the 60's and 70's, the picture tubes on the color TV sets would get 
rainbows in the corners because of magnetism building up on the outside metal 
shield of the tube.  The TV repairmen had a degaussing tool that consisted of a 
coil of wire about 8 inches in diameter that was plugged into 100 volt ac.  By 
passing this over the surfaces of the picture tube, it would eliminate the 
magnetism.  For the past 30 years, the TV sets have a degaussing coil built 
into the mount for the picture tube that degausses  every time you turn off the 
set.

If you can find a radio amateur that used to repair TV's, there's a good chance 
he has a degaussing coil in his junkbox.  You turn in on AWAY from the Bowden 
cable, then pass it slowly down the cable, then pull it AWAY before you turn it 
off.  Check for magnetism again with the compass, and you will probably find 
the compass deviation has gone away.

The reason I know about this is because I put a vertical card compass in my 
Renegade, and it had over 30 degrees deviation.  After degaussing the engine 
control cables, the maximum deviation was 1 1/2 degrees.

The chances are slim that the aileron/rudder/elevator cables are magnetized, 
because they are normally made of stainless steel wire, which is non-magnetic.

Jim Vance
va...@bhcomm.net
Claflin, Kansas

Re: Réf. : KR> Its Friday

[JIM VANCE]

Re:  Fire extinguishers

You use any type that's available when your KR is on fire!!

Jim
- Original Message - 
From: "Phil Matheson" 
> -
>
> KR stuff
> I've just sanded my fuse and placed one layer 2 oz deck cloth.
> Hopefully close the inner wings over the next few days, and spend some of
my
> 3 weeks holidays getting more building done. still waiting for my 60 inch
> prop to arrive.
> Question
> What FIRE Extinguishers are being used in the KR's

KR> Type IV engines

[JIM VANCE]

I have two type IV engines, an extra set of cylinders, pistons, and head, and 
other miscellaneous parts that are in the way in my shop.  If Orma or anyone 
else are interested, please contact me off line.

Jim Vance
va...@hbcomm.net

KR> Type IV engines

[JIM VANCE]

The spare cylinders measure 94 mm (3.675 inches).  Neither engine have been 
opened so I don't know the internal condition.  These were part of the deal 
when I bought the boat for the KR-2 I just finished.  There is no sheet metal, 
since they were to be used in a plane.

Both engines have serial numbers with a prefix of C V.

I will send pictures to Jim and Ray off-line.

Jim Vance
va...@hbcomm.net

KR> Heat muffs

[JIM VANCE]

To increase the amount of hot surface area in the heat muff, I used an ordinary 
screen door spring.  It was about 18 inches long when I bought it.  I put one 
end in the vise and stretched it out to about 12 feet.  I then spiraled it 
around a piece of one inch o.d. pipe.  I heated it with my propane torch until 
the shiny galvanized coating turned gray.  That removed the temper from the 
spring.  It was then very easy to wrap around the exhaust pipe.  I secured it 
at each end with stainless steel wire.

My heat muffs are tear drop shaped in cross section.  I joined the small edge 
with piano hinge.  The heater hose to the carburetor attaches to one end.  The 
reason for making the muff easily removable is that it must be removed for 
inspection, since it would be a most dangerous place for cracks to occur.

I have pictures if anyone would be interested.

Jim Vance
va...@hbcomm.net

KR> Heat muff

[JIM VANCE]

Serge asked how to clamp the spring in the heat muff so it doesn't move around 
when the engine is running.

The spring is spring loaded ;:) against the exhaust pipe. It won't move, unless 
it was spiraled at no tension.

Jim Vance

KR> KR Fuel

[JIM VANCE]

My Kr has a Great Plains 1915 cc VW engine with an Ellison throttle body 
injector.  Great Plains recommends that I use car gas to prevent valve 
problems.  Ellison states that the seals in their units are designed for 100LL 
only, and that any fuel with alcohol in it will ruin the unit and void the 
warranty (not to mention create engine problems).

I'm driving a 2003 Mercury Sable with a 3.0 l. V-6.  When I use 87 octane 
regular gas, I average about 26 miles per gallon in highway driving.  When I 
switched to E-10 gasohol, my mileage dropped to 19 with the same driving 
profile.  My next tank of fuel was regular, and the mileage went back up.  A 
second tank of E10 dropped it back down to 19.

What would be the best fuel for my VW engine?  Opinions?  Comments?

I thought about writing to Ann Landers, but she probably wouldn't know.

Jim Vance
va...@hbcomm.net

KR> Engine Choice

[JIM VANCE]

Sam Bailey in Pratt, Kansas, was running an 1835 cc VW in his KR-2 for many 
years.  He had gone into Salida, Colorado, with a density altitude in excess of 
9,000 feet several times.  He decided that he wanted more power, and replaced 
the VW with an O-200.  By the time he added more fuel--since he doubled the 
fuel consumption--his total increase was 300 fpm in climb, and 10 knots in 
cruise.

Like all things about airplanes, there are tradeoffs on engine selection.  The 
Corvair is an excellent engine with great horsepower-to-weight ratio and 
moderate fuel consumption.  However, if you are trying to build light and 
simple, the VW is a good choice for a low-cost KR.

My opinion is worth what you have paid for it, and it's free!

Jim Vance
N303JV waiting for the final inspection.
va...@hbcomm.net

KR> Ellison TBI

[JIM VANCE]

The discussion about primers and Ellison throttle bodies almost had me 
convinced that I should tear into it again and add some more stuff.  However, 
I've discovered a little trick that might work instead.

The port that senses the vacuum pulses is upstream from the throttle slide and 
fuel injector. When the throttle is cracked open to a fast idle position, it 
takes quite a bit of cranking to get enough vacuum past the throttle slide to 
cause the vacuum port to initiate fuel flow.

If the engine is cranked with the throttle about 3/4 open, the fuel delivery is 
almost immediate.  Of course, you must be ready to pull the throttle back as 
soon as the engine lights.

Jim Vance
va...@hbcomm.net

KR> Engines

[JIM VANCE]

I have been following the threads on engine modifications, and I want to add my 
two cents worth.  You can boost the horsepower considerably--consider the 700 
horsepower that dragsters get out of conventional blocks--for a few seconds.  
However, it is NOT a one way deal without a tradeoff.

I have driven air-cooled bugs several hundred thousand miles.  If  you keep the 
valves adjusted and change oil whenever it feels gritty on the dipstick, you 
can safely expect 80 to 100 thousand miles out of the engine.  However, if you 
put a supercharger on the engine (as I did), you quickly find out that the 
valves are the weakest link.  You get them fixed, then you find that number 
three piston is quick to melt down.

My point is that a standard engine is good for 2000+ hours.  Each time you 
raise the horsepower 10%, you halve the life.  You can quickly get to the point 
that you may get to your destination faster---maybe.

I would rather take a little more time and KNOW that I am going to arrive.

Jim Vance
va...@hbcomm.net

KR> Microair

[JIM VANCE]

I have installed a Microair 760 in the panel of my KR-2.  I won't fly it until 
January, but the ground tests with a wattmeter, SWR bridge, and signal 
generator indicate that it performs as well or better than any other 
transceiver that I have worked with.

Jim Vance
va...@hbcomm.net.

KR> Tiedowns

[JIM VANCE]

My KR-2 is finished and waiting for the inspection.  Then, I realized that I 
had had a short circuit between the headphones.  I did not provide for a means 
of attaching tiedown ropes or for jack points for lifting the mains off the 
ground.

Any suggestions how I can tie the bird down without having to open my virgin 
wings?

Jim Vance

KR> Tiedowns

[JIM VANCE]

Steve,

Thanks for the great idea.  I'll say three hail marys and punch some holes 
tomorrow.

Ain't the KR net great?  You can show your stupidity, and the whole gang jumps 
in to get you going.

Jim Vance

KR> Overvoltage protection

[JIM VANCE]

Any alternator will deliver a very high voltage spike when it first comes on 
line.  I have measured these to be as high as 90 volts, using an oscilloscope.  
It only lasts a few milliseconds, but that is enough to fry electronics.

The battery will absorb a lot of the spike, if the cables from the alternator 
to the battery are large diameter and short.

Circuit breakers can take up to half a second to open when there is an 
overload, because they are a thermal device and have to heat up before they 
open.

If you are using fuses to protect your electronics, make sure you are using the 
quick blow type.  Some fuses are time delayed so they won't blow on a spike, 
but open when the average current goes high.

The best approach to limit the spike is to put an 18 volt, 5 watt or larger 
zener diode from the alternator output connection directly to ground.  It 
doesn't take a large one to swallow the spike.  Any electronics supply store 
should have them in stock.

When the voltage regulator goes belly up, there's little that can be done, 
since most electronics will go before the fuse or circuit breaker blows.  I'm 
breadboarding up a low voltage indicator (with a flashing light to get my 
attention), since I'm using the standard VW ignition system and want maximum 
time to get on the ground before my battery quits.  I will probably play with a 
high voltage warning circuit, too, but that is a good winter project.

Jim Vance
va...@hbcomm.net

KR> Rudder cables

[JIM VANCE]

I found that I needed the rudder pedals as far forward as I could get them, to 
get enough knee room under the instrument panel.  I'm 6'0".

I ran a 1/2 x 1/2 aluminum angle vertically in the center of the firewall.  I 
used a piece of 1/4" cold roll steel rod from one outside rudder pedal, through 
a hole in the angle, and to the opposite outside rudder pedal.  When one pedal 
goes in, the other comes out a similar amount.  That permitted  a couple of 
inches more distance than the pulley/cable system that I tried initially.  A 
bow in the rod is the tensioning device.

Your results may vary.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> YeeeeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!

[JIM VANCE]

Check out page 66 of the October issue of Sport Pilot magazine.   It has to be 
a KR pilot.

Jim Vance

KR> Gyros

[JIM VANCE]

Bob,

I bought a rebuilt certified vacuum gyro from Century Instrument Corporation
at 4440 Southeast Boulevard, Wichita, Kansas 67210. The DG was $375, much
cheaper than any other source that I looked at.

 They have a large business of testing, rebuilding, and certifying various
aircraft instruments in Wichita, which claims to be the air capitol of the
world.

Sorry, I don't have a phone number or website available.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com
KR-2 Almost ready for the inspection.

- Original Message - 
From: "Bob Unternaehrer" <shilo...@mcmsys.com>
To: <kr...@mylist.net>; "Corvair Maillist" <corvaircr...@mylist.net>
Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2005 7:00 AM
Subject: KR> Gyros


Does anyone know a good source of repair and/or cores for the old style
large 3 3/4" gyros

Blue Skies
Bob Unternaehrer
shilo...@mcmsys.com






No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.18/88 - Release Date: 9/1/2005







> ___
> Search the KRnet Archives at http://www.maddyhome.com/krsrch/index.jsp
> to UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to krnet-le...@mylist.net
> please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html

KR> Avgas/Mogas & Ellison

[JIM VANCE]

The documentation that I received with my Ellison throttle body states that it 
is intended to use 100 LL only.  I assume that this is specified at the behest 
of their attorney, but could be that the seals and diaphragm wouldn't tolerate 
the wide rank of stuff in car gas.

Has anyone used car gas with the Ellison TBI?  Have you had any adverse 
experiences?

Since the compression ratio on my GP VW 1915 cc dictates that I used 90 octane, 
I would have to use gasohol here in Kansas.  Would this be adverse in an 
Ellison?

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Weight & Balance

[JIM VANCE]

I weighed my KR-2 yesterday.  It was 637 pounds empty.  The forward and 
rearward centers of gravities calculated at 8.28 and 13.25 inches from the 
leading edge.

Are these numbers in the ballpark when using the AS5046 wing?

Jim Vance (N303JV)
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Gap Seals

[JIM VANCE]

Steve Jones,

Please contact me offline.  I have some Mylar for you.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Working hard and getting nowhere

[JIM VANCE]

Dan,

Are you grounding the minus connection to the engine and the minus on the
gauges to a different place?  I had weird readings until I ran a ground wire
from the sensors to the gauges.  Then life was wonderful.

The voltages involved are minuscule.  If you are using the engine-to-panel
ground, you will have all sorts of voltage drops from other components
getting involved.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

- Original Message - 
From: "Dan Heath" <da...@alltel.net>
To: <kr...@mylist.net>
Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2005 7:35 PM
Subject: KR> Working hard and getting nowhere


> I have been fighting this problem for over three weeks now, so I am
throwing
> it out to you Netters just in case someone knows how to debug this thing.
> We have an Oil Pressure (OP) and an Oil Temp (OT) gauge.  The gauges have
> three lugs, sender, ground, and +12V.  The OT sender is a brass lug that
> screws into the oil sump and the OP sender is one of those almost bell
> shaped cans.  They both have lugs on the end of them where the sender
wires
> are attached.  From the lug to ground, they both measure a little
resistance
>   I am getting no reading on either of the gauges.
>
> Today, I took out the oil sender and put it in boiling water and the
> resistance measuring from sender lug to ground, moved toward zero.  I
heated
> it a little more with the torch and it went farther toward zero.  This
tells
> me that the OT sender is sending a signal.
>
> How can I test the OP sender and how can I test the gauges?   I have taken
> voltage readings at the gauges and they read +12 between the sender and
+12
> and strangely between +12 and +12.
>
>
>
> See you in Mt. Vernon - 2005 - KR Gathering
> See N64KR at http://KR-Builder.org - Then click on the pics
> There is a time for building and a time for FLYING and the time for
building
> has expired.
> Daniel R. Heath - Columbia, SC
> ___
> Search the KRnet Archives at http://www.maddyhome.com/krsrch/index.jsp
> to UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to krnet-le...@mylist.net
> please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html
>

KR> Fuel gauge mystery

[JIM VANCE]

Serge,

I installed sight tubes on my Renegade and on my KR.  The tubes from the tank 
to the sight gauge must be fairly straight.  If they have a loop in them, there 
will be a siphon effect that will make it hang up until the head gets great 
enough to overcome it.  It took me quite a while to get it to work right.  It's 
especially important that the top of the gauge is vented to above the fuel line 
in the tank.  Any pressure differential will make for an error.

Jim Vance in Kansas, USA
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Belly Board Location

[JIM VANCE]

The further forward you locate the board, the more unstable it will be.  
Placing it forward of the center of gravity--like the main spar--would be like 
putting the feathers on the head of an arrow.  

I hinged my board from just  below the rear spar.  My board is only 9 inches 
high, but given the reports by those using them, it should be adequate.

Jim Vance, Claflin, KS
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Status-Do Not Archive

[JIM VANCE]

Since it's so quiet, I'll update my status.  My KR-2 is essentially finished.  
I need to check that my Ellison TBI is set right on my 1915 cc Great Plains VW, 
then I'll be ready to run the engine up.  Then comes the airworthiness 
inspection.  I won't make any promises about getting it to the Gathering, but 
I'll sure try.

Jim Vance, N303JV
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> GP VW Rear Drive

[JIM VANCE]

Has anyone had experience with the rear drive?  I've been told that one person 
had it fail in less than an hour's run time.  I've heard no other comments, pro 
or con.

I just want to see if I should run the engine at cruise power for several hours 
before the big flight.  I sure wouldn't want to practice an engine out landing 
on the first flight.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Rivets

[JIM VANCE]

I used flat headed countersunk pop rivets on the piano hinge on my cowling.  I 
could control the force on the rivets so that I didn't beat up the 
fiberglass/epoxy that I worked so hard to form.  They covered nicely with 
filler so they are invisible.

Jim Vance

KR> British Imperial Viscosity

[JIM VANCE]

Serge,

I looked up my conversion tables for the old British Imperial measurement 
system.  Pressures were indicated in stones per square hand.  Velocity was in 
megafurlongs per fortnight.  I couldn't find anything about viscosity.

Jim Vance

KR> Rivnut Puller

[JIM VANCE]

Oscar,

I had only a few Rivnuts to pull too.  I used a bolt and some fender washers, 
and my torque wrench.  I pulled a couple of them on a scrap of aluminum to 
determine the right amount of torque.  They look and didn't come lose, so it 
works.

Your results may vary, of course.

Jim Vance

KR> Engine mount fixture

[JIM VANCE]

Steve Bray,

Please contact me off net and I will provide you with pictures of the "rocking 
chair" that I used.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Hangar costs

[JIM VANCE]

I have my planes hangared at Ellsworth, Kansas (9K7).  My cost for a large 
single hangar (will hold 2 planes) is $45 a month.  There is a public hangar 
that will hold about six planes and it costs $25 a month.

If you want to move here,  the City of Ellsworth is giving away free building 
sites.  Pre-owned houses are a bargain.  A six bedroom, three bath brick home 
on 7 acres with two large barns for all of your playtoys sold for $70,000.  
See, there are advantages to putting up with Kansas winds.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Trim motor

[JIM VANCE]

Jerry,

Almost any outside powered mirror will supply you with a trim motor.  Try 
buying one with a broken glass--they will be at giveaway prices.  The screw 
that moves the mirror is a 1/4-28.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Oil

[JIM VANCE]

I believe that Great Plains specifies 30 W, not multiviscosity, for the VW 
engine.  I drove air-cooled VW's for about 500,000 miles in the 70's, and I 
never had a problem with the standard 30W that VW specified.  However, the oil 
does work harder in an air-cooled engine, so it should be changed more often.  
My rule of thumb was to feel the oil on the dip stick.  When it felt gritty, it 
was time to change.  That was as little as 1200 miles during hot weather, but 
never over 3000 miles in cold weather.  

I'm not sure what the Corvair specification is, but I would suggest considering 
whatever is the standard oil for a Corvair car engine.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Ed Sterba Mail Address

[JIM VANCE]

> Anybody have a current e-mail address for Ed? I told Steve that it was not
> valid but no change yet.
>
>
>
> Also, do you know if that is the place to go to get a crush plate for one
of
> his props?

~~~
The most current address I have for Ed Sterba is ed_ste...@excite.com.
Don't know if it is still good.

My crush plate came with my engine from Great Plains.  Contact Linda or
Steve.  They probably have them for sale separate from the engine.

Jim Vance
>

KR> Firewall

[JIM VANCE]

The stainless steel will work harden quickly when you drill using normal
procedures.  It can even melt the end of your drill bit on the second hole!!
The trick is to run the drill as slowly as possible while maintaining as
much force as you can without buckling the bit.  Use Go Jo handcleaner for
lubricant.  The Go Jo will stick to the bit and keep it cool, instead of
slinging off like most lubes.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

~
>
> My stainless sheet is already attached to the 1/4 inch
> firewall.
> I need to drill holes.
> Is there a drill bit that cuts thru the stainless?
>
> So far no joy.
>
> Louis Staalberg
> Payson, Arizona
> n...@cbiwireless.com
>
>

KR> First flight

[JIM VANCE]

Barry,  

Congratulations on a job well done.  It's good that the flights were 
uneventful, but not boring.  I'll say a Y H for you, in case you don't 
do that sort of thing down under.

I WILL being making my first flight in early 2005.

Jim Vance

KR> Buying another aircraft kit

[JIM VANCE]

Mark,

You made my day!!!  The trick is to get her to help with the fun things, like 
sanding.  That way, you can tell her "WE bought another kit!"

This is reason 3,278 that I'm glad to be single.  If I were still married, I 
would still be begging to go look at airplanes, let alone build two.

A very merry Christmas to all.  With the weather like it is, stay inside, warm, 
and deice your own system instead of the wings.

Jim Vance

KR> Buying another aircraft kit

[JIM VANCE]

Rich,

I've heard that the guy that has the most playtoys when he dies wins.

You sound like a winner!

Jim Vance

- Original Message - 
From: "rparker" <rpar...@wwhotspots.com>
To: <kr...@mylist.net>
Sent: Friday, December 24, 2004 5:06 AM
Subject: RE: KR> Buying another aircraft kit


> Never can have too many airplanes just too many wives.
>
> Santa came a couple of days early.  I just bought (more like stole) an
almost ready to fly Titan Tornado 1 project for $2k delivered. The kit alone
sells for $10,590.  Got to break the news to my wife before it shows up.
>
> I'm going to have to buy her a big ice scraper for her car as she isnt
going to be able to park in the new garage this winter, I dont even have the
garage doors hung and its full - 2 airplanes, 4 motorcycles, 2 snowmobiles,
tractor, snowblower, etc.
>
> Merry Christmas
>
> Rich Parker
> Peterborough NH
>
> ___
> Search the KRnet Archives at http://www.maddyhome.com/krsrch/index.jsp
> to UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to krnet-le...@mylist.net
>
> please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html
>

KR> Weight and Balance

[JIM VANCE]

I have a standard conventional geared KR-2 powered by a 1915 cc GP VW with a 
rear drive.  I have the battery mounted on the firewall at this time.

I'm ready to weigh it, and would like to have it close to the right c of g 
before I rent the scales.  Right now, when I bring the tail up to flight 
attitude, I have almost no weight on the tail.  Is this an indication that it 
is nose heavy?  Should I move the battery to behind the seats before I bother 
with weighing?

I would appreciate input from those who have gone before.

Thanks.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Adjustable propellers

[JIM VANCE]

Brian asked how adjustable propellers work.

The hub is a clamping arrangement where you can loosen the each blade and set 
it to a new angle using a bubble gauge on the tip of the blade.  It takes me 
about 20 minutes to change all four blades on my Renegade.

However, there is a major disadvantage to their use on a KR-2.  The blades are 
constant angle.  When there is little difference between takeoff and cruise 
speeds, this is okay (my Renegade stalls at 38 mph and cruises at 70).  With 
the much wider speed range of a KR, the straight blade cannot be efficient over 
the whole range.   It can be efficient at takeoff and climb, but most of it 
becomes a rotating speedbrake at cruise.  I would suspect it could make a 15 to 
20 mph difference in cruise speed.

The importance of blade twist is very evident in Ed Sterba's propellers.  He 
has spent a lot of time understanding how the blades work.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com 

KR> Federal Do Not Call List

[JIM VANCE]

According to a message I have received from the A F Academy Association of 
Graduates, the FCC has recently authorized the publishing of a directory of 
cell phone numbers.  That means that the tele-marketers will be able to call 
you with their wonderful offers, unless  you have opted out.

To do this, go to www.donotcall.gov. It will permit you to verify if your home 
phone is on the llist.  Mine was not, although I had placed it on the Kansas 
list.  It will also allow  you to list your cell phone number.

You can also get on the list by calling 1.888.382.1222.  However, you MUST call 
from the phone that you want to have on the Do Not Call list.

Thought you might want to know.

Jim
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Fuel Pumps

[JIM VANCE]

Phillip asked about fuel pumps running from crankcase pulsations.

I am flying a Renegade with a Rotax 582 two-cycle engine.  It has a pulse 
powered fuel pump mounted on the firewall.  That engine burns 5 1/2 gallons per 
hour at cruise, so the output of the pump would be more than adequate for a KR. 
 The hose connecting the crankcase to the pump must be fairly rigid--rubber 
hose or ordinary urethane tubing will dampen the pulses.

I would assume that the crankcase pulses in a four or six cylinder engine at 
3600 rpm would not be too far off the pulses in a two cylinder at 6600 rpm.

Any Rotax dealer should be able to provide you a pump for around US $30.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Batteries

[JIM VANCE]

Lee Van Dyke asked what type of battery to use in a KR with a 1835 VW engine.

Lee, I have a 1835 Great Plains VW in my KR-2.  I have a 14 ampere-hour battery 
that I bought from B and C Specialty.  It is a sealed starved electolyte lead 
battery.  It is 5.88 inches wide, 5.63 inches high, and 3.43 inches deep.  It 
has plenty of crank power for my VW and didn't have to be recharged while I was 
checking all of the electrical and running the engine on the starter to lube 
everything before I started it for the first time.

Their part number was BC114-1 and the cost was $112 including shipping.  You 
can see their selection of batteries at b and c specialty.com.  If  you have 
any questions, contact Todd at t...@bandcspecialty.com.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> flying

[JIM VANCE]

I'm north of Claflin, Kansas.  If you put your finger right in the middle of
the map of Kansas, it will be on Claflin.  There used to be a one-room
schoolhouse a mile north of my place that was name State Center, because it
was.

Jim Vance

- Original Message - 
From: <ifly...@aol.com>
To: <kr...@mylist.net>
Sent: Saturday, November 06, 2004 6:04 PM
Subject: Re: KR> flying


> Where are you located?
> ___
> to UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to krnet-le...@mylist.net
> please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html
>

KR> ELT Antenna

[JIM VANCE]

Clay,

I have built many antennas using coaxial cable.  The VSWR is less than 1.05 to 
1.00.
I'm using the same type of antenna for my comm radio.

I have written up a blurb on how to make one, install it, and tune it.

If you will contact me directly with your e-mail address, I'll send it to you.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> First Flight

[JIM VANCE]

Colin,

Congratulations on a fine first flight. You made it sound almost routine.  If I 
had had my airspeed indicator fail on my first flight, it have taken three crew 
chiefs to pull the seat cushion off my bottom.

If you were a matador, the crowd would have awarded you both ears and the tail!!

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> HVLP

[JIM VANCE]

Dene,

You asked about experience with a HVLP gun.  I found that most of the paint 
went on the plane, instead of on the floor.  It is definitely more efficient 
than a conventional spray gun.

I also found that you needed to hold it much closer to the surface.  With a 
conventional gun, I would work about 12 to 14 inches (30 centimeters) from the 
surface.  To get good flow out, and coverage, I found it worked better at about 
half that distance.  Otherwise, you get orange peel that would make oranges 
jealous.

Your results will probably vary.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Embarrassing Moments

[JIM VANCE]

Building airplanes is like raising a family.  By the time you are finished, you 
have finally figured out how to do it right.

That's why grandparents are so neat!!

Jim Vance

KR> GPS Antenna Cable

[JIM VANCE]

I had a short circuit between my headphones!!  I attached the top of my header 
tank to the top deck below the windshield to increase its rigidity.  I want to 
mount my GPS antenna on the top of the deck below the windshield.  This means 
that I can't drill through the deck to bring the antenna cable to the GPS unit. 
 Instead, I will need to lay it in the groove where the windshield meets the 
deck.

How can I do this and make it look professional?

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> KR Listing

[JIM VANCE]

Matt,

The list would be most helpful.  Keep us advised.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

Final testing of electronics before engine tests.  KR-2 N303JV 1835cc GP VW.

KR> Check valve

[JIM VANCE]

Dan,

If you have a breakout pressure of seven psi, wouldn't the fuel tank have to be 
more than 15 feet above the checkvalve?

Jim

KR> Silence

[JIM VANCE]

It is so quiet on the net that you could hear a mosquito fart!!

Really sorry that I'm not laughing it up at the Gathering.  I WILL fly my KR-2 
to the 2005 Gathering.

Jim Vance

KR> Strobes

[JIM VANCE]

I bought strobes made by Aeroflash Signal in Chicago.  The wing tip units 
contain the white rear light, the front green/red light, and a side mounted 
strobe.  This eliminates the problems with wiring and mounting a tail light on 
the rudder.  They have about one square inch of frontal area, so should be low 
drag.  There are two power supplies for the strobes, and I mounted them on the 
floor of the fuselage behind the cockpit.

They are expensive:  Wicks presently lists them on page 196 of their catalog 
for $432 (part number 156-0049DF).  Weight including the power supplies is one 
pound 2.3 ounces.  Current draw is 3.8 to 6.0 amps.

One suggestion about wiring.  I placed a length of 3/4" diameter plastic wire 
conduit (from any lumber yard) from the wing tip to the WAF's, then an 
extension through the stub wing into the fuselage.  It makes pulling wires a 
breeze, and it also carries the tubing from the pitot tube and static port at 
the outside end of the left wing.  Murphy's law says that you will need to 
change the wiring at some time in the future, and this makes it simple.  I used 
knife connectors covered with heat shrink tubing at the WAF's, then pulled the 
loose wire under the seat and into the wing tip.  That way, there is nothing 
hanging out to interfere with the aileron cables.

As always, your results may vary.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Rotax

[JIM VANCE]

The two-cycle Rotax really drinks fuel.  I have a 582 in my Renegade, and it 
burns 5 1/2 gallons an hour.  What you save in engine weight you more than make 
up for in fuel and fuel tank weight.  Also, their life is short compared to 
four cycles.

The Rotax four-cycles are good engines, but require a gearbox and a big bank 
account.  One ready to hang on your plane goes for about what most guys are 
putting into their entire KR with an engine.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> KR's For Sale

[JIM VANCE]

There are two KR-1's for sale in Pratt, Kansas.  Both are tri-gear.  One has 90 
hours 
TTSN, the other 230 hours TTSN.  He is asking $12,000 or best offer each for 
them, but they have been available for several months.  They are for sale 
because of health reasons.  For information, call days 620.672.7426, or 
evenings 620.672.3325.

Also, there is a KR-1 1/2 project in the boat stage.  It is in Great Bend, 
Kansas.  Includes a corvair engine.  All proceeds for this sale will be donated 
to the local EAA chapter.  Best offer contact Keith Benker 620.793.2280.

Back to buffing the paint before I assemble my KR-2 for the final time (I hope).

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Carbon Fiber Seat

[JIM VANCE]

Dean,

Your aircraft seat is much more elegant and weight saving than the lead lumps 
that I have permanently bonded to my floor pan.  Please keep us advised of your 
progress on the backboard.

Jim Vance

KR> Cowling joints

[JIM VANCE]

I used piano hinges to join the top and bottom of my cowling.  It resulted in 
an almost perfect fit.

The wires of the hinges pull out the front of the cowling to release it.  How 
do I retain the wires so they don't slide out and customize my propeller?  I 
would like something that looks intentional, rather than an after-the-fact 
bandaid.

Jim Vance

KR> Drilling Stainless

[JIM VANCE]

Bill,

I had the same experience drilling stainless.  I used a good tungsten carbide 
bit and set the drill press for the correct speed.  The first hole went in 
okay, the second much harder, and the third one gave me a ball of fire and a 
melted tip on the bit.

I contacted a friend that is restoring his eighth aircraft and had just drilled 
some 1 1/2 inch deep holes through a stainless steel gear leg mount.  He said 
to run the drill as slowly as possible, use as much pressure as possible 
without bending the bit, and used GO-JO handcleaner for the lubricant.  I 
followed his directions and drilled 125 more holes in the stainless without 
dulling the bit.  Life is wonderful.

His explanation is that stainless gets very hard when it is worked fast.  The 
GO-JO doesn't sling off the bit and seemed to cool the metal quite well.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com 

KR> Weight and Balance

[JIM VANCE]

Those builders who have shared their weights and balances with the group 
usually have the main gear within a few pounds of each other.

Since the KR-2 will be flown solo most of the time, shouldn't the heavy items, 
such as the battery and ELT, be placed on the right side to partially 
compensate for the weight of the pilot on the left side?  Comments and 
thoughts, please.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> ELT Antennas

[JIM VANCE]

The extensive demands to make a huge groundplane for your ELT antenna is based 
more on the lawyers' input than the engineers.  The company insists that you 
put in this huge groundplane, which won't fit in 98% of the planes.  Then, if 
you have to use your ELT and it doesn't work properly, they can say it is not 
their fault because you did not install it properly.

Run a piece of RG-58 FOAM coax to about 18 inches behind the cockpit area.  
Leave an additional 21 inches of length.  Cut the cover and remove it without 
damaging the shield.  Push the shield up so it becomes loose and work the 
center wire through the shield where the cover begins.  Flatten the shield out 
and pull it to maximum length.  Cut the shield off 22 inches long.  Bend the 
center wire away from the shield about 90 degrees.  

Put the center of this new dipole antenna about half way up the side wall of 
the fuselage. Run the center conductor vertical and flox it into place.  It 
will curve towards the center of the aircraft on the inside of the turtledeck.  
Run the shield down the sidewall and across the floor of the fuselage, and bond 
it into place.

The antenna will check real close to a 1:1 standing wave ratio.  

Then  you can concentrate on the really fun things, like sanding.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Wheel Pants

[JIM VANCE]

I've completed the molds to make my wheel pants.  As Mark has said, they will 
look like dolphins under the wings.  And I made them that way on porpoise.

Should a liner be placed inside around the wheel to keep the pants from filling 
with debris or water?  Is 1/2 inch clearance on the tire sufficient?

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Pictures

[JIM VANCE]

Since this is Friday, I'm going to ask a non-KR question.  I take pictures with 
my 35mm Canon, scan them into the confuser, then send them by e-mail to my 
family.  I'm still waiting for the 5 megapixel cameras with a good zoom lens to 
come down to about $300.

My question is, what resolution is adequate for net pictures?  What is an 
adequate size?  

I've tried some lower resolutions with my HP scanner, but I still get files 
that are several megabytes.  I would like to send some adequate brag pictures 
without spending 20 minutes sending them over my dial-up modem (one of the 
pleasures of living in the great American desert called rural Kansas).

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Personal Property Taxes

[JIM VANCE]

You should shop around.  You may find that an airport in a different county can 
make all the difference in the amount of taxes you pay.

I live in Barton County, Kansas.  When I was completing my Renegade in August 
2000, they wanted to value it at the cost of all of the materials ($25,000), 
PLUS $40 for each hour I put in building it ($93,640)!  Next door in Ellsworth 
County, they asked me what the basic kit cost without engine ($16,000) and they 
based my taxes on that.

Now I drive 26 miles each way to fly, but I save about $3000 a year in taxes.

Life is wonderful.

Still painting my KR-2.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Speed Brake Location

[JIM VANCE]

Mark,

The speedbrake needs to be behind the center of gravity.  The further it is 
from the cg, the more it will affect pitch, etc.  It needs to be mounted 
securely, and the rear spar is the logical location, unless you like adding 
structural weight to accomplish this elsewhere.

I have an electrically actuated speed brake also:  I wanted control close to 
the throttle with minimum hand effort during the critical time of landing.  I 
am using the seat actuator from a 1985 GM car for my actuator (cost $15).

I'm not flying yet, but this is the way I've set up of my speedbrake.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Ignition Noise

[JIM VANCE]

The auto plugs should have an R in the number.  These are the resistor version 
of the standard plugs and will greatly reduce radio interference (Rotax changed 
their plugs to resistor type for this reason).  If all else fails, buy some 
metal braid that is used for grounding straps, etc.  Put it over the ignition 
wires from the plug to the distributor/magneto.  Use heat shrink tubing at each 
end.  Ground just one end of each wire at the distributor.  If  you ground both 
ends, then you have a conductor rather than a shield and it won't work.

I've done these two things to the Rotax 582 in my Renegade.  I can hear people 
in the pattern at airports a hundred miles away.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Ignition noise

[JIM VANCE]

Ken,

A brute force line filter at the power inlet of the radio stack is great 
insurance.  Then it's not important to have a shielded power wire.

The ignition noise can be getting into the radio on the power wire or on the 
antenna.  One quick check is to  have the engine running and disconnect the 
coaxial cable at the radio.  If the noise goes away, it's coming in on the 
antenna.  Then the only solution is to stop the noise at the source.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Glove protection

[JIM VANCE]

I started using latex gloves when I was applying epoxy.  I developed a severe 
allergic reaction on my hands that took three months to heal.

I'm glad I'm old enough to not worry about putting latex on other parts of my 
body.  It hurts just to think about that!

I have been using nitrile gloves from a local medical supply house.  They are 
more rugged than latex and will withstand hours of sanding.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Groundplanes

[JIM VANCE]

A groundplane should have a radius at least 5% longer than the driven antenna.  
That means that a true groundplane for 121.5 megahertz would need to be about 
52 inches in diameter.

For our small KR's, the best alternative is to use a counterpoise made up of 
the braid of the coaxial cable that is about 5% longer than the driven element. 
  I put my antenna about two feet behind the seat on the sidewall with the 
feedpoint about midway up the sidewall.  The driven element was floxed into 
place vertically, with the top curving toward the center of the turtledeck.  
The braid counterpoise was floxed down the sidewall, then across the floor of 
the fuselage.

I have used this type of antenna in my Renegade with excellent results.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Speed Brake (Belly Board)

[JIM VANCE]

For a reference about the weight of metal speed brakes, my speed brake is made 
of 1/4" five-ply plywood and is 7.5 inches by 30.5 inches.  I covered it with 
glass on both sides.  With the piano hinge attached for mounting, and with 
paint, it weighs 2 pounds 1.6 ounces (953 grams).  It will be actuated by a car 
seat slide and motor.

Hindsight is always 20/20.  If I were to do it again, I would use a sheet of 
1/4" Last-a-Foam with reinforcement at the attachment for the actuator arm.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Microair 760

[JIM VANCE]

Dene,

The Microair includes a two place intercom.  It can be set up with either a hot 
mike, or push-to-talk.

If you go to the Microair.com website, you can see the circuit diagram that 
includes the wiring for the intercom.

I hope everything I've said is correct.  I ordered my Microair from Aircraft 
Spruce the end of April, and they were expecting a new shipment on May second.  
It still hasn't arrived.
So I don't have hands-on experience, yet.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Microair 760 Transceiver

[JIM VANCE]

The correct website for the transceiver is microair.com.au.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Fiberglas Cloth

[JIM VANCE]

Aircraft Spruce has a glass cloth designated #7533.  Their description is "5.85 
oz/sq. yd.  Lightweight boat or tooling cloth.  Plain weave.  Thread Count 18 x 
18.  Breaking Strength 250 x 250 lb./in.  Finished weight 5.64 oz.sq. yd.  
Thickness .009" as used on KR aircraft."

It comes in a 60 inch width and is priced at US$ 5.75 per lineal yard.

I used it on my KR-2 without any serious problems.  If I could get it to work, 
anyone can work with it.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Painting

[JIM VANCE]

I'm finishing up the 600 grit wet sand on my primer.  Since I haven't painted 
vehicles before, I need guidance from the experts.

I put acrylic lacquer primer over the Smooth Prime, which is water soluble. I 
have sanded through the primer in a couple of places.  Should I shoot another 
layer of primer, or will this be okay?

When painting the wings, do I paint them with the ailerons in place?  If I'm to 
paint the ailerons and wings separately, how do I keep the paint out of the 
piano hinge?  I don't want to spend the rest of my life cleaning them.

Building airplanes is a learning experience.  I think I've earned a Master's 
degree in the school of hard knocks.

Thanks for your help.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Painting

[JIM VANCE]

Thanks for the many replies to my questions about painting.

I have learned that a composite airplane can be any color you want, as long as 
it is white.  I have seen a lot of Chevy pickups up to 20 years old that still 
look great.  Their Arctic White seems to survive well.  Consequently, I'm using 
the Sherwin Williams white and primer.  I know it is a little heavier than real 
aircraft paint, but it is about one third the weight on my wallet.  

The initial painting I have done looks like it was intentional.  Using a $37 
HVLP gun that I bought from Harbor Freight, the majority of the paint went on 
the plane and not on the floor.  I'm still learning, but by the end of the 
month, I may have my nerve up to shoot the fuselage.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR> Elevator balancing, et al

[JIM VANCE]

I might be missing the point about the comment of 15 G's on the elevator 
counterbalance.  If I understand the issue, the G forces being imposed by the 
pilot through bank and pull ups is not the issue.  The issue is that when the 
control surface flutters, there are tremendous forces on the attachment of the 
counterbalance.  Apparently the flutter generates enough acceleration forces to 
rip the control surface off the plane.

Was the strengh of the counterbalance mount the original issue, or am I having 
a senior moment?

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR>Painting

[JIM VANCE]

I've got primer on everything but the wings.  It's amazing how much bigger the 
bird looks when it is all the same color.

What is the best way to support the wings for painting?  I sure don't want to 
have to paint one side, then the other, and somehow get the junction to look 
like it was intentional.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR>Training Wheel

[JIM VANCE]

If  you really want to be the center of attention, retract the mains too.

Jim Vance

- Original Message - 
From: "Mark Jones" <flyk...@wi.rr.com>
To: "KRnet" <kr...@mylist.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 6:13 AM
Subject: KR>Training Wheel


> All of you guys talking about the KR with a training wheel (noeswheel) are
> going to make me have an inferior complex when I pull up in mine at the
2004
> Gathering. Therefore, I have decided to make mine a convertible. I think I
> will install a fake tail wheel (like an inline skate wheel) on the back
with
> a swivel. Then, on the nose strut, I a can install some of those push
clips
> so that upon landing, I can jump out at the end of the run way, remove the
> nose wheel, transfer a sand bag from the seat to the back of the plane to
> hold the tail down and come taxing up on the ramp as a taildragger. Then
> maybe, just maybe I will be accepted. :-)   What...it's not FridayI
just
> could not resist
>
> 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
>
>
> - Original Message - 
> From: "Dana Overall" <bo12...@hotmail.com>
> To: <kr...@mylist.net>
> Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 6:02 AM
> Subject: RE: KR>Do we need a tail wheel lock on a KR?
>
>
> > >From: "Dan Heath" <da...@alltel.net>
> > >
> > >No, but you need to use expansion springs. The compression springs are
> way
> > >too stiff, ask me how I know. Also, use springs, don't set it up with a
> > >direct connect. AS sells a nice compression spring set.
> >
> >
> > Here' something to look at if you can make the geometry work.  This is
an
> > aftermarket spring replacement unit that proports to achieve dramatic
> > improvement in the feel transferred to the rudder pedals.  The length
from
> > rudder horn to steering link is 13.25".
> >
> >
> > http://www.iwantarocket.com/
> >
> >
> >
> > Dana Overall
> > 1999 & 2000 National KR Gathering host
> > Richmond, KY i39
> > RV-7 slider, Imron black, "Black Magic"
> > Finish kit
> > 13B Rotary. Hangar flying my Dynon.
> > http://rvflying.tripod.com/aero1.jpg
> > http://rvflying.tripod.com/aero3.jpg
> > http://rvflying.tripod.com/blackrudder.jpg
> > do not archive
> >
> > _
> > Store more e-mails with MSN Hotmail Extra Storage - 4 plans to choose
> from!
> > http://click.atdmt.com/AVE/go/onm00200362ave/direct/01/
> >
> >
> > ___
> > to UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to krnet-le...@mylist.net
> > please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html
> >
>
>
>
> ___
> to UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to krnet-le...@mylist.net
> please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html

KR>Pump Mounting

[JIM VANCE]

The pump will quiet down when it gets filled with fuel and pressurized, but it 
will still be an electric rattlesnake that will make some noise.

The floor and walls of the fuselage are just like the sounding board in a piano 
or guitar.  You must remove any hard contact between the pump and the sounding 
board to reduce the noise.

I believe that the best way to isolate the pump is to enlarge the mounting 
holes, install rubber grommets, then bolt through the grommets with a flat 
washer in top.  This is the same principle as the car manufacturers that use 
rubber air springs to prevent the road noise from the wheels from getting to 
the body panels in the passenger area.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR>Masking Tape

[JIM VANCE]

I found some masking tape on the front side of my windshield bow that has been 
there for over a year.  It's hard to get to and it is thoroughly dried out.

What's a good way to remove this dried tape that won't ruin the painted surface 
underneath or damage the Plexiglas windshield?

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR>Triim indicator

[JIM VANCE]

Gavin,

I also am using the mirror motor for trim.  A microswitch can be placed so that 
it will turn on a panel light when the trim is neutral.  There might be a 
problem with space to do this if you have imbedded the motor in the horizontal 
stabilizer.

I've mounted my motor in the rear of the fuselage with a push-pull cable to the 
trim tab.  The reason is that I put limit switches on the motor, since I found 
that the force developed could peel the trim tab right off.  That would not be 
good when on short final.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR>Trim tabs

[JIM VANCE]

Both the Learjet 25 and the AC-47 I flew in Viet Nam had free floating 
ailerons.  The control wheel was connected by cables to aileron trim tabs.  The 
controls were very effective.  But that is the reason that the Lear was limited 
to 0.80 Mach--aileron buzz was quite spectacular above the Mach limit.

Of course, the aileron trim tabs on my AC-47 were about the size of the 
elevators on a KR.

With the near-neutral stability of a KR, the effectiveness of the trim tab is 
small on a properly functioning elevator.  But, it is the difference between 
continuously correcting the aircraft attitude and getting a few seconds to do 
other things in the cockpit.

Jim Vance

va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR>GK 1 Aircraft

[JIM VANCE]

At our EAA chapter meeting yesterday, I was given the owner's manual for a GK-1 
aircraft.  It is powered by a Honda engine with a reduction drive.  It looks 
exactly like a KR-1.  The registration number on the aircraft on the cover is 
ZU-BLJ.

Can anyone tell me the lineage of the GK-1?

Jim Vance

va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR>Switch Ratings

[JIM VANCE]

John,

The exact number varies with the construction of the switch, but a rule of 
thumb is that the D C current rating is about 1/8 that for A C.

As the switch is closed or opened, there is an arc as the contacts separate.  
Since A C reverses itself 120 times a second, the voltage passes through zero 
120 times a second.  That quenches the arc, and it won't melt any more metal 
off the contacts.

With D C, the contact points are a miniature arc welder.  As the points open, 
an arc is established, and it keeps burning until the points are far enough 
apart to cause it to quench.

I would suggest buying switches from an electronic supply house that will have 
all of the voltage and current parameters available.  If you can't find such a 
source, then I suggest that you replace your ignition switch with one rated at 
25 amps.

Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR>Switches--again

[JIM VANCE]

The voltage passing through a switch is significant only when designing the 
insulation.

The power that a switch dissipates is the current passing through the switch 
times the voltage DROP across the switch.  For example, if a switch has a 
voltage drop of 0.01 volts and is passing ten amperes, it will be dissipating 
0.1 watts.  If the contacts get bad and the voltage drop is two volts with a 
current of ten amperes,  the switch is dissipating 20 watts.  That's why a bad 
switch will get worse very quickly.

Every time a switch opens or closes, an arc results.  If the current is more 
than an ampere, that arc will "clean" the contacts.  However, with the new 
solid state technology, we sometimes have switches that are passing 
microamperes.  There is no arc, so dust and oxidation can build up and cause 
the switch to perform intermittently.  That is why good quality electronics 
equipment will use gold plated contacts to eliminate the oxidation.

A C switch ratings versus D C is a whole different ballgame.  It is a function 
of how quickly the arc is quenched when the switch is opened.  As the 
alternating current goes from positive to negative, it passes through zero.  If 
the switch has just begun to open and it is arcing, as the voltage goes through 
zero, the arc goes out.  Once the arc has shut off, it probably won't reignite.

When you open the switch on a D C circuit, the arc starts and keeps on going 
until the switch contacts are far enough away to cause the arc to quench.  
Switches designed for high D C current usually have a snap action so that the 
contact is broken quickly.  They also usually have more metal in the contacts 
to dissipate the heat and to compensate for the metal lost to arcing.

When  you see volt-ampere ratings on a switch, that switch is probably designed 
to control a motor.  A motor will draw several times as many amperes as it 
starts than it will when running.  Obviously, that takes a very strong switch.

If anyone has further questions or comments, please contact me off-line.

        Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com

KR>Internal antennas

[JIM VANCE]

When I was building my stick and rag Renegade, Poly Fiber told me that the UV 
coating would NOT affect radio signals.  

I put my comm and nav antennas inside the fuselage.  I am using an ICOM 
handheld attached to the instrument panel with Velcro.  I am able to monitor 
aircraft in the traffice pattern 125 miles away when flying at 2,000 agl.  I 
have had consistent communications with the tower from 20 miles out (that's 20 
minutes of flying time in the Renegade).  I believe that you will find that the 
uv coatings are not metallic, but an inorganic material.

 Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com