Chicago Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 Well, I took the plunge and bought myself a Varieze today. I am the new owner of N11TF and will be moving her to Chicago as soon as the weather gets better. Any advise would be appreciate. I'll post some picks as soon as I get home from Memphis. I took her up today with my transitional instructor and everything felt good. This was my first time flying a canard and I had a great instructor help me out. I can't wait to get back in the air. Dan Egan N11TF Varieze Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Morrison Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Welcome to the canard world Dan, great bunch of people and great AC. Where will you be flying out of? I'm in Aurora ARR building an E Racer. Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longez360 Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 What Jack said. Quote Cheers, Wayne Blackler IO-360 Long EZ VH-WEZ (N360WZ) Melbourne, AUSTRALIA http://v2.ez.org/feature/F0411-1/F0411-1.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMann Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 I'm in Aurora ARR building an E Racer. Jack oh ....... just an E-Racer .... (yawn......) Quote T Mann - Loooong-EZ/20B Infinity R/G Chpts 18 Velocity/RG N951TM Mann's Airplane Factory We add rocket's to everything! 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 9, 10, 14, 19, 20 Done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Welcome to the canard world Dan, great bunch of people and great AC. Where will you be flying out of? I'm in Aurora ARR building an E Racer. Jack I'll be flying out of Chicago Executive KPWK. I got a old T hanger there. I hooked up with a great guy out of clow who gave me some flight tips in his Longeze before I came to get my Vareize. He keeps his Longeze at Lewis Airport. I'm heading back to KPWK tomorrow from West Memphis, KAWM. This is my only shot to get back or I'll be stuck in Memphis for a week due to weather. The Varieze is no C172..lol. She flys great and very responsive. My Varieze was built in 1992 by Frank Bibee and has a 100HP continental with one magnito and electronic ignition. She has a few cosmetic issues but I'm going to fix her up real good by repainting the interior and buy new seats. Her baggage pods look real sexy to. Anyone know where I can get some new seats for the Varieze and what kind of paint folks are using to get the splatter look? The Varieze has duel stick and throttle too with IFR instruments. I think the Garmin GX55 GPS is outdated so Im not sure if I going to keep it. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynn Erickson Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 I'll be flying out of Chicago Executive KPWK. I got a old T hanger there. I hooked up with a great guy out of clow who gave me some flight tips in his Longeze before I came to get my Vareize. He keeps his Longeze at Lewis Airport. I'm heading back to KPWK tomorrow from West Memphis, KAWM. This is my only shot to get back or I'll be stuck in Memphis for a week due to weather. The Varieze is no C172..lol. She flys great and very responsive. My Varieze was built in 1992 by Frank Bibee and has a 100HP continental with one magnito and electronic ignition. She has a few cosmetic issues but I'm going to fix her up real good by repainting the interior and buy new seats. Her baggage pods look real sexy to. Anyone know where I can get some new seats for the Varieze and what kind of paint folks are using to get the splatter look? The Varieze has duel stick and throttle too with IFR instruments. I think the Garmin GX55 GPS is outdated so Im not sure if I going to keep it. Dan Congrats on your new birdThe speckled paint is called Zolatone http://www.zolatoneaim.com/palette.php can be had from Aircraftspruce or Wicks if you want very good seats go to http://www.oregonaero.com/p33-2001.htm Quote Evolultion Eze RG -a two place side by side-200 Knots on 200 HP. A&P / pilot for over 30 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
argoldman Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Chicago Welcome to the North Shore. Once you learn to get along with the surly tower controllers:mad: and the cost of fuel:mad: , KPWK is well located. (kept some planes there for many years when it was still Palwaukee) If you got one of the old Quonset T hangers, make sure you have or build a cover for your plane as those hangers rain rust and sometimes keep the rain out. Perhaps they have upgraded them. (I finished my Dragonfly in one, I built a floor insulated and heated it but pulled all of that out when I left.) I live about 5 miles due east. I am now based at KENW which houses a flying vari, a flying long and my Aerocanard under construction. If you need some help, just give a shout. Quote I Canardly contain myself! Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Thanks for all the great advise and help. I made it home to Chicago from Memphis in about 3 hours. One thing I noticed is the canard waves a little back and forth. I noticed it when I had 170 MPH and I could just make out the top of each canard slowly waving side to side. When I landed, I checked the canards and it seems real strong, stiff and firm. Is this normal in a canards when going pretty fast? I also notice that I have to hold right stick quite a bit to keep from turning to the left. When I turn right, I can feel some spring tension on the right aileron and the plane will turn right pretty fast. I have to move the stick all the way to the left to turn left and she does not seem very responsive as much as the right aileron. When I landed I held the rear stick and grab left aileron and I did not feel any slop and it deflected as much as the right aileron. There is a aileron trim knob but I am not sure if it is working. I had a A&P inspect the plane before I bought it and he signed off the condition report. I am not sure if this is something I should look into or if this is normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Chicago Welcome to the North Shore. Once you learn to get along with the surly tower controllers:mad: and the cost of fuel:mad: , KPWK is well located. (kept some planes there for many years when it was still Palwaukee) If you got one of the old Quonset T hangers, make sure you have or build a cover for your plane as those hangers rain rust and sometimes keep the rain out. Perhaps they have upgraded them. (I finished my Dragonfly in one, I built a floor insulated and heated it but pulled all of that out when I left.) I live about 5 miles due east. I am now based at KENW which houses a flying vari, a flying long and my Aerocanard under construction. If you need some help, just give a shout. Anytime your up for it, stop by KPWK and I'll show you my plane. It always helps to have someone else familiar with the type of plane who knows what their looking at. I would appreciate any feedback on any potential squawks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
argoldman Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Chic-- Send me a PM and we can arrange a meeting Quote I Canardly contain myself! Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 Here are some picks of my new plane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMann Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 That is a sweet looking bird! Quote T Mann - Loooong-EZ/20B Infinity R/G Chpts 18 Velocity/RG N951TM Mann's Airplane Factory We add rocket's to everything! 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 9, 10, 14, 19, 20 Done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 Chic-- Send me a PM and we can arrange a meeting PM Sent. Can't wait to meet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 That is a sweet looking bird! Thanks alot, she is part of the family now. Now i need to put the wheel pants on. I figure, once I get my landing down, The pants can go on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMann Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 I figure, once I get my landing down, The pants can go on.Yeah ..... I plan on flying without pants until I get the landings down as well ............... and I have retracts!It really saves on the entire laundry thing. Quote T Mann - Loooong-EZ/20B Infinity R/G Chpts 18 Velocity/RG N951TM Mann's Airplane Factory We add rocket's to everything! 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 9, 10, 14, 19, 20 Done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhassel Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Stop it - your killing me! Yeah ..... I plan on flying without pants until I get the landings down as well ............... and I have retracts! It really saves on the entire laundry thing. Quote Bob Hassel Cozy Plans #749 Santa Fe, NM http://www.cozyworld.net http://www.hassel-usa.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 Yeah ..... I plan on flying without pants until I get the landings down as well ............... and I have retracts! It really saves on the entire laundry thing. LOL, too funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfryer Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 That is a sweet looking bird! Ditto, that is a very nice looking VariEze! Congradulations! Yeah ..... I plan on flying without pants until I get the landings down as well ............... and I have retracts! It really saves on the entire laundry thing. Hoepfully Tom I will get to see your aircraft one day. Just remember to stay inside the cockpit with the canopy down and lached! You must be a TV anchormann for your day job..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMann Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Just remember to stay inside the cockpit with the canopy down and lached!..... well ......... it is a tinted canopy. Quote T Mann - Loooong-EZ/20B Infinity R/G Chpts 18 Velocity/RG N951TM Mann's Airplane Factory We add rocket's to everything! 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 9, 10, 14, 19, 20 Done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Steve Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Flying without pants seems like it would be very cold. I used to wear battery powered heated socks when I flew my Longeze for very long. I also wore pants they helped keep my legs warm. Steve build on Quote Steve Harmon Lovin Life in Idaho Cozy IV Plans #1466 N232CZ http://websites.expercraft.com/bigsteve/ Working on Chapter 19,21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMann Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Flying without pants seems like it would be very cold.Good point! Hopefully I can work it so I'm doing my flight testing in late spring or summer. Quote T Mann - Loooong-EZ/20B Infinity R/G Chpts 18 Velocity/RG N951TM Mann's Airplane Factory We add rocket's to everything! 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 9, 10, 14, 19, 20 Done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago Posted May 17, 2009 Author Share Posted May 17, 2009 Thanks for all the great advise and help. I made it home to Chicago from Memphis in about 3 hours. One thing I noticed is the canard waves a little back and forth. I noticed it when I had 170 MPH and I could just make out the top of each canard slowly waving side to side. When I landed, I checked the canards and it seems real strong, stiff and firm. Is this normal in a canards when going pretty fast? I also notice that I have to hold right stick quite a bit to keep from turning to the left. When I turn right, I can feel some spring tension on the right aileron and the plane will turn right pretty fast. I have to move the stick all the way to the left to turn left and she does not seem very responsive as much as the right aileron. When I landed I held the rear stick and grab left aileron and I did not feel any slop and it deflected as much as the right aileron. There is a aileron trim knob but I am not sure if it is working. I had a A&P inspect the plane before I bought it and he signed off the condition report. I am not sure if this is something I should look into or if this is normal. Well I was able to trim out the left aileron during flight but I found there is some slop in the ailerons. At first, I thought it was my stick since the rivets holding the stick to the torque tube was a little loose, so I installed a bolt. The left aileron still did not seem to move up as much as the right, so I removed the fiberglass arm rest cover in the passenger section to expose the torque tube. Then I clamped the CS121 universal joint torque tube and when I move the left aileron, I can move it up and down 3/8 of and inch . The right moves as well. With the universal joint torque tube clamped, I found the CS124 bracket that the two aileron rod end bolt to is moving. The plans show the CS123 Boston Gear is floxed to the firewall so the only thing I think of that may be loose is the AN3-11A bolt that secures CS124 bracket tube that goes inside the CS121 torque tube. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to check this out since everything is behind the firewall. Any help would be appreciated or maybe this is something I can just live with? After reviewing the plans and looking at my plane, I see the CS121 torque tube has two AN3-11A bolts located in the rear passenger section. Is the AN3-11A bolt that secures the CS124 bracket tube depicted on firewall detail drawing 17 right behind the firewall like the drawing indicates or is it actually located in the rear passenger section where I can get to it? If it is actual the second bolt in the passenger section, then maybe the hole there is oval and all I have to do is drill a new hole and install the bolt in the new hole? It kind of sucks not being the builder and not knowing how your plane is put together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBarber Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 It kind of sucks not being the builder and not knowing how your plane is put together. I gotta agree with that. I take some real solice in the fact that I am building and know every inch intimantly....good and bad. All the best, Chris Quote Christopher Barber Velocity SE/FG w/yoke. Zoom, zoom, zoom. www.LoneStarVelocity.com Live with Passion... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfryer Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Any help would be appreciated or maybe this is something I can just live with? I am by no means an expert here, but the thought of a possible control system malfuction really concerns me. Have you joined Central States yet? If not, I recomend you do. They will suppply a list of builders/flyers/wanabees and you likely will be able to find someone locally who can assist you with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago Posted May 19, 2009 Author Share Posted May 19, 2009 A fellow Longez Builder friend stopped buy today and helped find the problem. The AN bolt in the hell hole next to the brass bushing floxed to the firewall was loose. We reached in there and tightened the bolt/nut and all seems well now. That bolt must be in the worst place in the plane plus the original builder stuffed everything in the hell hole and made it difficult to reach the nut and bolt. All the linkage feel much better now and feels like there is no slop anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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