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Aviation History
1946
1946 - 1675.PDF
AUGUST 2OTH, 1946 FLIGHT 315 The KZ-III Impressions of Flying a Danish Two-seater With Cirrus Minor Engine FEW light aircraft visiting thiscountry from abroad have causedmore interest than the DanishKZ-III. During its brief demonstration at Hanworth and other airfields, quitea number of British pilots were able to fly it and in view of its excellent charac-teristics spoke freely in its praise. A brief description with data and a photo-graph of the cockpit interior appeared in Flight of July 25th. While visiting Le Zoute in Belgium,as reported on pp 222 and 223 of this issue, another opportunity was affordedfor a member of Flight's staff to fly the KZ-III. As is his custom with pilotswho are interested, Mr. Drescher (Sales Manager of Skandinavisk Aero IndustriA/S, 26 Vestergade, Copenhagen) ex- plained briefly the instruments and con-trols, and then walked away leaving our representative to start-up and fly the air-craft himself—such is his confidence in the KZ-III's simplicity and lack of vices.The interior of the cockpit is rather similar to that of the Hornet Moth, andthe impression is supported by the '' split'' central stick and the luggageshelf behind the seats. The doors are not upholstered but the cabin is quitequiet, and it is possible to talk normally while flying. The Cirrus Minor II engineis smooth and well mounted, and the minimum of vibration is felt in the cock-pit at full power. When taxying, extremes of ruddermovement are achieved more comfort- ably than on many comparable aircraft.The brakes, controlled by a large hand lever on the left side ot the panel and by differential rudderj, effect, were satisfactory. Forward view on the ground is quite 'good. There are four flap positions, and a number two is usedfor take-off. When the speed reached about 65 km./hr. with tail up the KZ-III rose gently off the ground without anyappreciable backward movement of the stick. It climbed well Length - - 2l-5ft. All-up weight - 1435 Ib. A KZ-III demonstrator (white), and the first machine to be delivered to theDanish flying clubs (blue) are seen arriving at Le Zoute. A KZ-III Lark 100 b.p. (Cirrus Minor Mk. II Engine)over Knocke in Belgium.The cruising speed is 103 m.p.h. and seemed equally at home when climb-ing at any speed between 75 and 100 km./hr. During initial climb 300etres/sec was indicated at 80 km./hr. 50 m.p.h.). At low speeds there is notmuch change in trim and stick position when bringing flaps in from the take-offposition; there is more change, however, at rather higher speeds and when lower-ing full flap. Low-speed Performance Perhaps the most striking flyingcharacteristics are the ability to main- tain control during extraordinarily steepclimbs at low speed, the extremely tight prolonged turns which can be made with-out loss of height, and the completely docile stall with or without flap.With stick on the back stop and rudder completely stalled, there is still a' littleaileron control. The A.S.I, reading (with passenger up) was 42 km/hr, and therate of descent very low. Recovery is immediate, and when the KZ-III wasfinally induced to stall almost violently by using full engine and flap with stickin the full backward position, the left wing dropped in the start of a spin, but full recovery was effected with the loss ofapproximately 50ft. It has fixed slots. Although the aircraft is relatively short, it has good iore-andaft control and positive feel until touch-down at between 55 and 60 kin/hr. !n level flight at 1,000ft the speeds achieved were almost exactly as claimedby the makers They were: At 2,500 r.p.m. (maximum), 113 m.p.h.; at 2,3001.p.m. normal cruising), 103 m.p.h.; at 2,100 r.p.m. (economical), 91 m.p.h.Later production aircraft are to have extra transparent panels at the sidebehind pilot and passenger and in the roof, and this should remove whatappears to be the only criticism of the KZ-III, namely, poor rearward view.The present standard provision for carry, ing a stretcher which can be loadedthrough a large hinged panel on the port side of the fuselage is to be abandoned.For the time being the KZ-III is only to be sold in Denmark and "dollar"countries, but it will still be an attractive proposition if restrictions are raised nextyear and purchase is possible here. A four-seater with 125 h.p. engine willsoon be ready for its first flight. AU61946
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