This is Aussie Alan Buzza in his retractable KR2, flying formation with Peter Gilbert in his BD5 over Fremantle Harbor near Perth.
KRnet is a free Internet mailinglist devoted to helping KR builders and pilots to construct and fly their KR aircraft more safely and efficiently. This is THE place to get your KR questions answered. There are over 650 KR builders and pilots available to help you with problems that you may have concerning construction. It's a friendly group of folks who thrive on helping others. There are about 5-20 messages posted to the net each day. If you can't find it here, you're not gonna find it. To join, send an empty email message to
krnet-join@mylist.net You'll receive a "confirmation" email within a minute or so, to which you must reply for your subscription to take effect. You must be a member to post messages to the list. Again, this is completely free of charge, and we make a point of keeping it "advertising free". Once you are a "confirmed" member, you may make adjustments to your account (using the password sent to you in the confirmation message) such as to change your account to the digest version (which will put all messages into one message per day to reduce email). If you decide you'd like to UNsubscribe, simply send a message to krnet-leave@mylist.net . Other information on the list itself and maintenance of your KRnet account can be found at http://www.krnet.org/info.html.
The KRnet Search Engine is THE way to go to find specific KR information in a hurry. Just enter a subject and hit "submit" and you'll instantly search all the way back to 1996! Please search the archives for information on specific topics before posting questions to the list. It's considered poor form to join and start asking questions that have already been answered 100 times before.
This is Aussie Alan Buzza in his retractable KR2, flying formation with Peter Gilbert in his BD5 over Fremantle Harbor near Perth.
The links below feature various KR projects under construction to provide some insight into the KR building process. There are also links to finished and flying KRs, just in case you need a little inspiration. You can also search the KRnet website for keywords:
KR2S Projects under Construction:
Neal Hornung's KR2
Completed KRs, with most recent completions at the bottom:
Steve Vitrella's KR2S
Events
This is Joe Horton's 3100cc Corvair powered KR2S as seen at the 2006 KR Gathering. Photo by Dave Mullins (the guy with the huge honkin' lense!).
This is Richard Shirley's KR-1. This thing is nothing short of totally awesome, and his piloting skills are incredible, as well. There are more photos and details located on the 2001 KR Gathering web page.
Here's Marty Roberts, Steve Alderman, and Jim Faughn flying formation near the Red Oak Iowa airport during the 2003 KR Gathering. There are lots more photos located on the 2003 KR Gathering web page.
The "Official" 2008 KR Gathering will be held at Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and will again be hosted by Larry Flesner. The dates will be September 19th and 20th, 2008. More details can be found at www.KRGathering.org. You can expect about 10-20 KRs to fly in for the Gathering, depending on the weather (and whether or not the FAA has shut down general aviation at the time). Last year was a record, with 21 flying KRs in attendence. 2008 should be even better, as even more KRs are flying for the first time. This is THE place to put your hands on real KR aircraft so don't miss it! If you're light and lucky, you might just get a ride in one. You won't likely forget it soon either. The die-hards will arrive on Thursday, the 18th...
There is a KRnet FAQ that is full of building tips which you may visit without joining. There is a lot of stuff there, so please check it out before asking the same old questions on KRnet.
Orma Robbins created an Excel spreadsheet of KR Info, (and there's also a web viewable HTML version) detailing performance numbers (speed, stall, weight, prop, engine, carb, etc) of many of today's flying KRs.
There is a directory of US KR builders located at http://krnet.scottstanton.us/cgi-bin/krnet_list.pl .
There is a KRnet member's "Yearbook", including links to their projects, for quick reference. It's way out of date, but maybe I can do something with it soon.
The KRnet Archives is run by John Bouyea, and has almost all of KRnet's correspondence since the earliest days.
The KRnet list archive site is a list of all email messages posted in the last few years, listed chronologically.
A low-drag airfoil was recently designed specifically for the KR2S in a cooperative effort between several KRnetters and the University of Illinois. See details at the AS504x Airfoil Site
Dan Heath has posted several KR Weight and Balance spreadsheets, among other things.
Ernie Koppe, originator and Editor of the KR Newsletter, has graciously allowed us to publish HIS newsletters to the web. Mark Lougheed has taken the time to scan all of them (87 issues!) and posted them on John Bouyea's KR Archive site at http://www.bouyea.net/digests/ , specifically at http://www.bouyea.net/digests/kr01-87.pdf .
A CD consisting of all 27 years of issues, saved in searchable PDF format, is available for $49 by contacting Larry Capps at:
KRNewsletter CD
10S485 Book Road
Naperville, IL 60564
Don Reid has scanned and posted all known Sport Aviation articles dealing featuring KRs. While you're there, check out the rest of his highly engineered KR-2XL!
Rick Junkin, a professional F-15 test pilot, has published a KR2S Flight Test Plan especially for the KR2S. You'd be crazy not to read this before flight testing your KR. This is truly excellent work!
If you are getting ready to make your first flight, be sure to check out Jim Faughn's "How to make a Perfect KR Landing" site.
Rob Schmitt has posted a KR2S Pilot Operating Handbook, provided as a template for others to use.
KROnline is a FREE online electronic KR Newsletter devoted to sharing information with other KR builders and pilots in a timely manner. It is chock full of valuable information gained from the experience of many web oriented KR builders. Check it out!
There's a Word document that details KR accidents listed in the FAA's database, at http://home.hiwaay.net/~langford/KRaccidents.doc .
There is also a "CorvAircraft" list devoted to the Corvair engines in aircraft. You may subscribe by visiting http://mylist.net/listinfo/corvaircraft and subscribing online. There are several Corvair experts on the list, and experimenters working to install one in a Dragonfly, a Tailwind, KR2s, Christavia, AirCamper, and several other homebuilt aircraft. Larry Capp's excellent CorvAircraft Search Engine is located at http://www.maddyhome.com/corvairsrch . There's a LOT more info on my Corvair webpage at Corvair webpage.
There is an alternative aircraft engine list devoted to the use of VW and 1/2 VW engines, as well as other automotive and motorcycle engines, in aircraft. For information on how to join, as well as access to their archives, visit the VW Aircraft Engine List Webpage. This is very good stuff for those interested in Volkswagen engines especially.
Suppliers of KR parts:
Rand Robinson Engineering, 7071 Warner Ave, #F, PMB 724 Huntington Beach, CA 92647-5492 (714) 898-3811
Manufacturer of the KR1, KR2 and KR2S plans and kits. No email available, and they don't take credit cards!
Great Plains Aircraft, P.O. Box 545, Boystown, NE 68010 (402) 493-6507
VW based aircraft powerplants and accessories. Lots of good stuff!
Corvair (Aircraft Engine) Authority, P.O. Box 290802, Port Orange, FL 32129. (904-451-3676)
Corvair Conversion Manual, and all the parts to do the job
Diehl Aero-Nautical, 1855 North Elm, Jenks, OK 74037 (918) 299-4445
Manufacturer of wing skins, VW engine accessory cases, tricycle and conventional landing gear...
Tracy O'Brien, LLC, 156 Bunker Creek Road, Chehalis, WA 98532
360-748-4089
Supplier of KR-sized aircraft brake systems.
Grove Aircraft Company, 1860 Joe Crosson Drive, El Cajon, CA 92020, (1-888-432-7534)
Aluminum landing gear for KR aircraft
Ed Sterba Props, 513 68 Street, Holmes Beach, FL 34217, (941)-778-3103.
Wooden propellers for VWs and Corvairs.
Total Engine Concepts, 2391 Old Dixie Highway, Riviera Beach, FL 33404 (561) 842-2813
VW based powerplants and Accessories
Revmaster Aviation,
7146 Sante Fe Avenue East, Hesperia, CA 92345 (760) 244-3074
VW based aircraft powerplants and accessories, cowlings
Palmer's KR Machine Shop, 3247 High Lark, Dallas, TX 75234
Aluminum, steel, and fiberglass KR parts, many original and unique
Wicks Aircraft,
, 410 Pine St., Highland, IL 62249 (618) 654-7447
KR kits and components and many other aircraft parts.
Aircraft Spruce and Specialty, 201 W. Truslow Ave., Fullerton, CA 92632 (800) 824-1930
KR kits and components and many other aircraft parts
Wag Aero, 1216 North Road, Lyons, WI, 53148 (800) 558-6868
Wide selection of certified and homebuilt aircraft parts
Zenith Fuel Systems,
Carburetor source
Ellison Fluid Systems,
Carburetor source (one of the best, and most expensive).
Aero-Carb,
Another slide carburetor source (new on the scene and relatively inexpensive).
Advanced Composite Materials,
The most inexpensive source I know of to buy 5.85 ounce 48" wide carbon fiber ($17 per yard).
Sport Flyer's Internet Resources
Everything else you'd ever need to find to build an airplane...
The KR Gathering videos are available for $25 from Video Bob at Omega Productions, 1050 Parkhurst NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. Or you can call him at (616)774-3913. Bob accepts checks or money orders. This is as close as you can get without having been there. The 1997 and 1998 videos are still available and feature interviews with KR builders and pilots, a detailed look at many of the KRs attending, lots of flying, and a ride with Marty Roberts in his 0-200 powered KR2. This video is great for getting sufficiently fired up to start or finish building your KR! Another video detailing the antennas, composites, woodworking, and finishing seminars that were held at the Gathering is also available.
Related sites:
Jim Hill's KR2 doing 200mph flyby at Hazel Green airport, trying to get a better look at the windsock. Jim's KR2 has now been stretched and converted to tri-gear.
This is John Schaffer's fully retractable KR2SS.
This is Marty Roberts in his 0-200 powered KR2. I took this picture from Jim Faughn's equally nice KR2. There's also a larger "wallpaper" version available.
This is Rick Lanning's KR2, the oldest flying KR, originally built by Dan Diehl in 1976.
Steve Glover flew his flawless KR2 all the way from California to make the 2004 Gathering.
This is Troy Petteway's O-200 powered KR2. It will do 230 mph flat out, mostly because of attention to aerodynamic detail. A careful study of this photo will show you how this plane differs from most other KRs. He is also flying the new AS504x airfoil.
Sorry if there aren't enough bells and whistles for you on this page. I've tried to keep loading time to a minimum. As a former 2400 modem user, I'm accutely aware of the price we pay loading so many superfluous images, fonts, audio, and video flotsam and jetsam that all too often replace plain text. And while others are downloading annoying flashing banners and advertisements to you, I'm downloading helpful information for you.
This web site was established by Mark Langford in 1994, and was the very first site dealing with any of the KR series of aircraft, or even experimental aircraft, for that matter. Please report broken links or offer constructive criticism to Mark at krnet-owner@mylist.net.
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