Seth's KR-2S Airplane Project
Why the KR-2S
Since the summer of 2011, I've been building a KR-2S experimental airplane in my garage.
Personally, my mission as a pilot will be to have fun on my day off, occasionally with a passenger at my side. The KR-2S fits the mission well. It is a relatively easy-to-build, robust, sporty, and economical plane. An active builders' community (KRnet) was also a persuasive factor in helping me choose this plane.
The KR-2 is a 1972 design by Ken Rand and Stuart Robinson. They were trailblazers in their day for utilizing composite foam and fiberglass construction over a wooden frame. The KR is a proven design with many examples flying today.
Building from scratch will enable me to complete this plane for easily less than the cost of a new Harley Davidson "Fat Boy." Scratch-building also gives me a little more freedom to customize aspects of the plane.
Builders have introduced modifications to the design over the years, some of which I will incorporate into my plane. I won't make any modifications that have not already been flight-tested and time-proven. For example, I'll widen the cockpit slightly for more shoulder room, lengthen the fuselage by 14", and widen the horizontal stabilizer by a foot. I will also use a newer airfoil (wing profile) which was specifically designed for the KR-2S by a University of Illinois graduate student.
I've given myself 10 years to build this thing, but if I continue at my current pace, I might finish in seven.
I hope this site will be helpful to other builders, and perhaps inspiring to visitors who are thinking about building their own plane. Contact me any time with questions: Jersild4@gmail.com
RESOURCES
KR Plans:
Building Guides:
AC.43-13b [Acceptable Methods, Techniques and Practices for Airplane Inspection and Repair]
Sportplane Construction Techniques, by Tony Bingelis
Basic Aircraft Building Supplies:
The KR Builders' Online Community:
Builders' Websites I've Found to be Particularly Helpful:
Brakes, Axles and Wheels:
Free Cad Program:
Additional Hoses, Fittings Sources:
Canopies:
Additional Metal Suppliers:
Grainger [Stainless steel foil for firewall and exhaust protection]
Interesting Engine Options:
Aeromomentum [Suzuki based--too good to be true? Talked to him at Airventure--has not fit his engines on faster, higher performance AC yet]
Azalea Aviation "Spyder" Corvair [A former KR builder/pilot]
William Wynne Corvair Conversions [Long experience with Corvair conversions]
Revmaster [Volkswagen conversion]
Great Plains [Volkswagen conversion]
Viking [Honda conversions]
The Latest
October 31, 2016
The Latest: Added pics to the following section:
"General"
Currently Working on: Canopy, Horizontal Stabilizer
If new pics do not show up, hit "refresh" on your browser while on each page.
