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Speed Canard Update


Todd Sanderson

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Well, I have put 10 hours on the little SC now and have nothing to complain about. I have had it to redline, stall (tough to make it stall,) 90 degree banks, GPS approaches to near minimums, single person opps, and up to gross weight with a passenger. I decided to put new linings on the brakes and replace the nose tire tube since I had a flat tire when landing 3 days ago. I'm seeing about 155 knots on 8.5-9 GPH and everything seems fine. Stability is excellent for such a little plane. I had crosswinds (direct) @ 12 knots gusting to 18 today and had no problem with rudder authority. I'm thinking about removing the Argus 5000, KR-87 ADF, and WX10A stormscope since I just bought a 396 with XM weather and it is all I need for terrain awareness, weather, stereo, and backup GPS. The KLN90B and the navcomms with HSI are all I need for navigation. That little hadheld is probably the best addition to aviaton since the GPS was born. It will save me alot of gross weight and will give me my baggage area back under the seat since that is where the processor is located for the 10A. All in all, I don't see how you can buy a better 2-place plane. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.

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Todd,

 

just curious: in that other posting of yours announcing your SC purchase - I'm still envious ;) - you mentioned that it is not registered as an experimental.

Would you still be allowed to make those panel changes you propose yourself, or would you need a certified mechanic to do the work?

 

155 kts? You must have purchased the 180HP variant... Good for you!

 

bye

Hans

 

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Since it is standard category I would have to have our local avionics shop make the changes, but it would be relatively simple requiring very little time and $.

 

I'm getting 155 knots true @ 9000 ft @ 22-23 in MP and 2400 RPM with just me in the plane and 1/2 fuel. It slows down to approximately 152 knots at full gross in the same conditions. It is the 160HP version (I don't think there are any 180HP certified models) with the 3 bladed MT prop.

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  • 1 month later...

I noticed you have your Speed Canard up for sale. What happened? Your posts on this site have been for the most part extremely positive.

 

I've always been a fan of the Speed Canard. Yours appears to be one of the best examples of the type remaining.

 

Is it due to difficulty in maintaining the plane? The AD limiting the airframe to 3000 hours? Performance or reliability issues?

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I noticed you have your Speed Canard up for sale. What happened? Your posts on this site have been for the most part extremely positive.

 

I've always been a fan of the Speed Canard. Yours appears to be one of the best examples of the type remaining.

 

Is it due to difficulty in maintaining the plane? The AD limiting the airframe to 3000 hours? Performance or reliability issues?

Thanks for the questions. Actually, I bought the Speed Canard solely to resell (and enjoy flying until I do sell it.) I have owned 23 aircraft ranging from Brantly helicopters to flighter jets and realized the Speed Canard was a great value for what it can do.

 

The Speed Canard is very easy to maintain and the performance meets or exceeds all flight manual data. Everyone that has flown in the plane with me has commented how graceful, fast, and manueverable the plane is.

 

Just to clarify the directive on the airframe: The 3000 hour European directive you are referring to is only applies to Non-U.S. versions (Serial # 59 and below.) This directive does not apply to the 3 airplanes in the U.S. Furthermore, this directive is nothing more than an extensive annual inspection requing the removal of the wings and canard for inspection for any fatigue or damage. The wings and canard can be removed in less than 1 hour. These are repetive every 3000 hours to 12000 when an extensive overhaul of the airplane is required in Europe only. The U.S. planes have no ADs on them whatsoever other than inspection of the ball joint fasteners that connect the flight controls (takes about 30 seconds to verify they are pinned.) There is not another make of aircraft in the U.S. that requires less maintenance than a Speed Canard. After doing the first annual inspection I can do repetive inspections in less than 4 hours if no engine work is needed. It really is that simple. :)

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Hello Everyone,

 

I am new to the Canard Zone. I am a Long EZ builder. I really like the nose mounted landing light used on the Speed Canard. I believe Hans Georg Schmid uses this assembly on his Long EZ. I am looking for a source for a Speed Canard landing light assembly. Any help I could get finding a Speed Canard landing light assembly would be very appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Greg Gullikson

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Hi Todd!

 

The Speed Canard is a great plane - I've flown one (SN 61) for the past 5 years.

 

I've flown both a LongEZ and the Speed Canard coast to coast and there is no comparison - the LongEZ is a bit faster but the Speed Canard is much more comfortable.

 

I've got a full set of electronic documents on the beast if you need them.

 

Why are you selling it so cheap? How did you get it out of the AirZoo museum?

 

Mike

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  • 13 years later...

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