Escape Vehicle Needed

[goatherder]

Hello –I’ve been lurking on this forum for a while now, so I thought I’d introduce myself and maybe ask a couple of questions. I neither own a plane nor hold a pilot’s license…so at this point I guess I’m nothing more than just a wannabe. I have however, spent thousands of hours on the web looking at “airplane porn” and reading & following peoples’ progress as they build their own airplanes. I’ve also been attending the Arlington Fly-in (as a spectator) whenever I can for the last 10 years or so.

 

A few years back I started taking flying lessons in a 172, but then I got distracted and didn’t finish it up. I guess I also decided that buzzing around the local area in a 172 just wasn’t as interesting as I’d thought it would be. In order to actually travel somewhere I would have to buy a plane, which wasn’t in the cards at that time. Renting a plane to travel is really expensive, and it’s still that stupid 172. So I gave up flying and went out and bought a Harley.

 

But now I’m thinking about planes again. The weather here in Washington has been gloomy for a long time now and it’s got me thinking how nice it would be to have an escape vehicle. Now, I like to travel, but I absolutely HATE airports. (I travel to Alaska for work several times a year and it’s just a pain in the ass.) Wouldn’t it be nice to have a plane at the local airport that I could jump in and go find some sun? Hell, I wouldn’t even have to take my shoes off or walk thru a metal detector…just fire it up and go.

 

I’d seen Long EZ’s at the fly-in for years, but never really looked at them that closely. Recently I have been, and the more I look the more it would seem to be an ideal traveling vehicle. Not real expensive to buy, economical to feed, and you can really cover some ground in them. So I’m thinking about buying one…might start looking for a plane this summer after I make some more money fishing up north. I’d buy a flying, fully functional plane…and then build (as time allows) a new, slightly wider fuselage w/ a longer nose, infinity retractable gear, a modern panel and a few other mods that I’ve seen while lurking around here. Maybe a different engine/prop too.

 

Then when the time comes I’d swap the wings over to the new fuselage and off I’d go. Theoretically.

 

So – here’s a question for any who would care to answer: If I go and buy a Long-EZ, what would be best way to get to flying it? (Aside from the obvious 40-50hrs slogging around in a spam can to get licensed)

 

Any ideas or feedback would be appreciated.

 

And don’t worry about offending me…I have thick skin.

 

Regards,

Marc Oppelt

[Big Steve]

Marc:

 

Get your pilots license go buy or build a Longeze and go fly it. I built a Longeze without a pilots license when I got close to having it done (it took 5 years to build) I went out got my pilots licence finished the plane and then started flying it. They are not hard to fly planes just have to learn how to control your speed in the patern. Build one then you will know all about it and it will give you time to get your pilots license my .;02 STeve build on

[mfryer]

Hi Marc, good to hear from another Olympian. I met a fellow at Arlington last year who lives here in Olympia. I tried to con him into giving me a ride, but unfortunately he didn't get back to me. If you find your way up to the Arlington Fly-in you may run across him or another person that can give you some back seat time.

 

Who were you training through? With some advanced notice you can come and check out my build if you want.

[steve]

Welcome, I'm in Tacoma with a build and you are welcome to see it.

I'm in caly right now and just got back from a fly-in at chino airport.

i begged a ride in a cozy 4 and we did wing-overs first left then right.

we got a little slow on the up (70?) so he added rudder but over all they were very cool . after the flip, i was looking straight down and it got going fast and i could really feel the G's on the pull out.

you can solo in a long then get you pl in it as well, so you just rent from your left pocket and pay your right one:rolleyes:

[goatherder]

That sounds great - I'd like to look at both your projects. I might be leaving for the Bering Sea fairly soon so it might be a couple of months until I have the time...

 

So Steve - what I'm hearing is that AFTER I spend the required time with the instructor in their cessna, I could solo in my own plane and work off the remainder of the time required for the exam that way? If so, that sounds like a better way to go.

 

But how would I get the license in my own plane? Doesn't the examiner have to ride with you?

 

 

I guess I need to do a little more homework here. Thanks alot for the info.

[Lynn Erickson]

That sounds great - I'd like to look at both your projects. I might be leaving for the Bering Sea fairly soon so it might be a couple of months until I have the time...

 

So Steve - what I'm hearing is that AFTER I spend the required time with the instructor in their cessna, I could solo in my own plane and work off the remainder of the time required for the exam that way? If so, that sounds like a better way to go.

 

But how would I get the license in my own plane? Doesn't the examiner have to ride with you?

 

 

I guess I need to do a little more homework here. Thanks alot for the info.

it could be done but it might take a bit more effort then it is worth. you could solo in your own plane but the instructor would have to sign you off for that plane and I doubt he will if he did not ride with you on at least a few flights. at that stage in the lessons he will want to be in a plane that has dual controls. once you get to the flight with an examiner you should know how to fly and the need for dual controls is up to the examiner. Also most insurance companies require about 10 hours of time in type before they will cover you.