Herbert Fürle's German KR2S


Herbert Fürle's German KR2S


Here's some info about me and my "airgrafia". I'm 54 and married with a non-flying but very understanding wife (of course) since 1968,I have a daughter and a son-only passengers-and a 4 year old grandson-my safety pilot for the future?! I learned sailplane flying when I was 14. Since then I flew approximately 1200 hours with different planes-from school gliders up to high performance composite-gliders like the Hornet or the famous Libelle-L/D 40:1. 1984 I started to construct my first homebuilt, a FFP202 "Koala". I flew the little "Piper" a few years and started building my Kitfox IV. in 1993. My successful maiden flight was in the fall of 1995 1994.

I happened to meet Roy Marsh at Sun'n Fun and I was so impressed by his KR2S that I decided to start building this plane immediately after I have finished my Kitfox- and I did it!

After I have finished my "banana boat" and all my spars I took a break(maybe a little listless). Exactly in this time I heard from Mark Langford and got all the new info about the new airfoil and all the good changes on the KR2S - what an opportunity. I immediately continued my project with all the goodies- just at the right moment I think.

I used, as you can see in the pictures,- the AS5046, and lengthened my horizontal stabilizer 3" on both sides. I've done my woodwork with European pine(about 12% stronger than spruce but also a little heavier)and birch plywood. I epoxied it together with UHU-PLUS, comparable with Epoxy T88. The foam I use is polyurethane, a little tighter as recommended by RR. The glass and resin I use is all aircraft-certified and in the same size as recommended by the construction manual. It's also used by Schempp-Hirth and Schleicher.


Side view of the KR2S.


This photo shows the installation of the gear attach bracket from Dan Diehl, the fit of the spars, both seatbacks,the temporary installed aft deck, the fuel tank-dashboard-combination naturally removable and the pedals without brake accessory.


You'll notice the additional 3" span to the HS and how I designed the tip of the HS, probably I added another hinge at the outboard side. Further you can see how the aft deck-made from foam planks ,shaped and glassed in the described manner by RR-fits to the tail group. The following pics gives an impression of my solution how I installed the seats and the controls (most of them standard except the Joystick).












Below is an update, December 2003

My KR didn't sleep and I was very busy with my project as you can watch on the newest pics .I had my first inspection this summer and I continue to finish my Plane probably next year.

The yellow Engine you can see is a type 4 Porsche engine which was restored by me and basically I planned to install this engine.But I changed my mind and now install -as you can see on some pic's- a Rotax 912 S. The one you can see on a pic is only temporary installed and a poor mockup for better handling .

The pic's shows how I did the roots and wingtip on my outer wings.further you can watch the progress of the canopy frame and the canopy also.The canopy is basically used on a german motorglider and the thickness is about 1/8 inch.(3mm).You can also recognize the tailwheel (an oldone RV4).

The cowling you can see is from a 912 equipped Cherry (similar to the Kr2S).I've got the molds from a friend and I've glassed them for my KR. They need minor changes to fit to a KR. One picture shows how much space i had in the fabric-hangar of my friend Norbert-a great mentor of my project.He is the one who made all the machined parts for my KR.















You will notice my solution of installing a "spring trim system" for the elevator into the joy-stick.With the trim lever you change the sticklevel -a very simple but effective way, I think. I installed also two spring wires to give you the feeling of "input force" for the aileron axis due to the very light control forces. The springs also moves the stick to its neutral position.



Rotax gear box.


























This instrument panel was a temporary installation during construction and painting.








Fast forward to 2017. As you can see, there's not much left to finish the plane.










The plane comes with this ICOM radio.


This panel and instruments fit into the panel.



The engine is a Rotax 912. This is a 100HP four-stroke engine. The Engine is mounted about 5.5 Inches forward compared to the 2.4 liter VW Type4 engine weight to stay in the right cg area. Behind the Engine, straight ahead the Firewall, is the cooler mounted. The air for the cooler comes from two big NACA-scoops on both sides of the cowling ,forced through two 2" hoses, into the "roov-box" above the cooler. The thrustline of the prop hub is higher (approx. 2 or 2.5 Inches) than the crankshaft.







Canopy is covered with a protective coating like SprayLat.


I've now turned 70 years old, and realize that I'll never fly this plane. Empty weight is about 635 pounds. I could pack the airplane (and perhaps the trailer, if it will fit) in a shipping container to be shipped abroad. I have a very good friend who works in an international freight forwarder and would help me with the transaction. I will contact him immediately and let you know how expensive that will be (to be posted here shortly). I think it would be best if a potential buyer could come to visit me, to make sure that everything is in order. The buyer would be welcome to stay in my home. All I want is my KR in experienced and good hands. About the price....we should negotiate. I would like to start with 13500€ (euros....about $15,600) for discussion.

My physical address is: Herbert Fuerle, Brahmsstrasse 3, D-83395 Freilassing. Phone number is 0049 8654 65408.

Given that at least 51% of this plane was "amateur built", this plane is eligible for a US Airworthiness Certificate. The photos above clearly show this.

PS: If anyone has questions, feel free to contact me at my email address, KR2SL@aol.com, or call.