> Is there a way KR builders reduce that pitch sensitivity by > bringing the cable attach points on the stick 30% closer together or > something? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Any major changes in the pitch control will throw off the control harmony between pitch and roll. More stick movement for pitch change than roll movement. My KR is too sweet of a flyer for me to want to change anything. The secret to overcome pitch sensitivity is to have your arm supported on something and fly with wrist and finger movement. If you try to fly a KR without the weight of your arm supported on something other than the stick you will easily over control on your first flight. On my dual stick setup my arm rests comfortably on my leg. A center stick setup will require an arm rest. Restrict your arm movement and you'll learn to love the way a KR flies. The KR has control sensitivity similar to your automobile when driving 60 mph down the highway. Wiggle your steering wheel next time driving and see if control sensitivity is really a bad thing or just something to adjust to. My opinion (I won't charge so you get what you pay for) on taxi testing lies somewhere between Mark and Jeff. I'll offer several points in no order of priority. Learn to fly a tail dragger in something other than your KR. Don't attempt to make your first flight without having 25 hours minimum in the past 6 months in any type aircraft, the minimum needed to stay sharp enough to test fly and airplane. Don't let the wheels of your KR even touch a runway unless both the pilot and airplane are ready to fly and with the expectation that this might well be your first flight. How do you know what 80 percent of stall speed is for an airplane that has never flown? You will be taxi testing strictly by feel and not by any instrument readings. At slower taxi speeds tap a bit of rudder and see what it takes to stop / correct a heading change. Be mentally prepared in case the airplane lifts off unexpectedly. Trying to land just seconds after your first takeoff might be more dangerous than taking flight. What's your plan. You will need to high speed taxi to learn the airplane, regardless of what you've been flying. Limit taxi testing to the point you're comfortable in getting the tail off the ground and maintaining directional control in a tail dragger and similar in a nose dragger. Tri-gear is more apt to take flight in high speed taxi as you will be rotating to lift off attitude. Tail coming up on a tail dragger will reduce the angle of attack. On a tail dragger DON'T force the tail down once up or you could take flight. Let the tail come down on it's own before applying back stick to hold tail wheel on the ground. When it touches on it's own you can't increase pitch angle of the wing so it won't fly. That's assuming no wind. Gust could still lift a wing or both wings so be ready. By taxi test time you should know if the engine instruments are working and are accurate. On first flight however, assume that no flight instrument will work, or if working, may not be accurate until proven in flight. I did first flights on my KR and a Zenith 601 in just two days and on each first flight I never looked at the airspeed indicator until I had turned crosswind. Fly the airplane and let it tell you what it needs. Another time I did a ferry flight in an Aeronca Chief without any kind of a checkout. I intended to do a taxi text on the grass strip to assess directional control when first thing I knew I was airborne. So much for taxi test. Again, my first look at the airspeed indicator was at 100 feet altitude. It was nailed on 60 mph and felt good so that's the speed I used for approach. An airplane will tell you what it needs if we only learn to listen. A well built KR is a real dream to fly. Assess your flying skills honestly and either train up for first flight or get someone to make the first flight that is capable. Don't spend years building just to trash the airplane and suffer possible terminal injuries. As always, your results may vary........:-) Larry Flesner
