CBarber

and finally, for today......

Remember, these pix are not for those who get queeeeeeezy.

Ok, I admit it, when it comes to Trek, my geek level goes straight to 10 AND when you are kinda putting off the inevitable, in this case to start removing the Jeffco from my inner stake skins, you come up with all sort of silly things to distract you. Yesterday I straightened up the hangar and today I started to look way down the road and add my Trek touches to my Velocity. Submitted for your consideration. Also, here are some photos of me sanding/grinding etc to remove the naughty Jeffco from my stake inner walls. You will note that I choose to cut out the inner skins in a couple of the compartment and in others, generally where I had more working room I ground out most of the Jeffco. This is still a work in progress as there is still quite a bit of residual Jeffco to remove. Also, this is NOT an exact process and I have hit blue foam a few times. I have spoken extensivily with Velocity, Inc and they are ok with my plan to lay down new glass over the cut out sections and say it is ok to lay new glass over the ground down areas kinda making a inner bladder. The new glass should adhear to the sanded older glass. Where Jeffco failed, which was most prevelant on the top right strake near the front all this upper glass has been removed. I used a Dremel with a RotorZip cutting bit to remove the inner glass. This alowed me to cut a very precise line in very restrictive areas. Flame suit on... All the best, Chris

Uh oh. Here we go again....... I am too biased to the Velocity. So I reserve comment but I am certain many here will not be. I will state the purely subjective comment that I think the Veloicty is prettier. I love how unscientific that statement is. Oh well, out to the hangar with my new batch of fiberglass, EZ-Poxy and Jeffco to rebuild my strake interiors <sigh>. All the best, Chris

Heh, really? Thanks. Guess those pillars are built on set backs Hey, it is a learning experience...one that is about to cost me some bills as I order more Jeffco, EZ-84 and fiberglass from Aircraft Spruce. All the best, Chris

Been here since June of 2002, chugging along on the project. Even with my strake/Jeffco problem, still fighting the good fight. I REALLY need to update my webpage though. I have just been too busy building and dating...both can be really exhausting All the best, Chris

A few more. It was shiny

Yep, major surgery......

I tried sand blasting (aluminum oxide) this afternoon. It was NOT effective. I got MUCH better and faster results with a small "flapper" sanding wheel on a drimel...oh, I mean "rotary tool":D It will be tedious regardless. If you look at these shots, this is how it peeled up. the far left picture is the way it was hanging down. It was all chucky/flacky in this kinda spackled manner. Here are some more pictures. ****WARNING****, they are not for the faint of heart. All the best, Chris

Uh, humidity below 65%????? Have you ever been near Houston???? We MAY get ten of those. I will try to plan accordinly. Houston, Texas...Home of drinkable air. Thanks for the insight though. All the best, Chris

I painted in the Jeffco. Not sure how long after I cleaned the surface with denatured alcohal I applied the Jeffco, but I am assuming it was contemperaniously with the application. So, likley within 20 minutes or so, but I am not certain. Also, seems it was really hot...and humid....shocking for Houston. I need to review my webpage and see if it refreshes my memory. Auto fuel, 87 octane was in the tanks. A label on the pump states "up to 10% ethanal." I don't think I have ever had more than about 20 gallons in the tank, but it has set in the tanks for a while. I had just replaced the hardpoints for the fuel flow since they were originally installed with EZ-84/flox and I found one loose. Also, the flox seemed a bit chalky where it was loose. I thought this was the source of my leak into the cabin floor. Since the hardpoints on both sides were installed the same way, I replaced both of them using Jeffco to ward off fuel contaminant issues. This was done this last week and ws one of the issue that led to my discovery. I am mentioning this again since I had just removed the finger strainers from the tank and they had NO clogging. I am guessing that this may be due to the flakes floating on the surface. This is pure speculation though. I have not been back out to the hangar but when I return I am gonna open up the rest of the strakes (ugh) and see about genral adheasion. I am curious about the brown on the back of the pieces that have flaked off. I am also speaking with my hangar mate about sand blasting to remove the old Jeffco. He did this with success with the VariEZ he is restoring to remove old filler/epoxy. NOW, I would love to hear opinions concering what I should use to seal the tank once I clean up the mess. Jeffco may not in any way be the problem. Same for Ethanal. It could be a builder error or a wiered anomoly. I just don't want to do it again, again. Gary Hunter, the glass guru, piped up on another list and stated that Jeffco went bankrupt last year and its founder is now working for a company in San Antonio. However, Jeffco still seems available, according to the AS&S website. Don't know if the formual was sold off or just reserved stock (it is kinda pricey). Gary mentioned in a tech cousellor report someone posted that Pro-seal has been used in fiberglass tanks as well. I thought this was for AL since all the RV guys seem to use it. I donno. Insight, comment, opinion or just smart ass remarks are solicited and appreciated. Thanks. All the best, Chris

Not sure yet, but it appears it may have. A couple of folks have noted the brown on the back of the flaked Jeffco. The top of the right strake is the wose. I will compare what the stuff that flaked off there to what has peeled/flaked off in areas where genarl adheasion is better. I did clean the prefabbed strake tops with alcohol before I applied the Jeffco and sanded them. However, if there was a problem with a prefabbed unit being contaminated, that does not answer what happened to the bulkheads that I created from scratch. I wishe it were that easy.

Actually, I did do a modified "T" hat install. I just did it as more of a half-T...or inverted "L" version. Its lip is on the opposite side of the picture and does bond all the way. The fiberglass "L" used with my install was very springy upward and shoved right up to the top of the strake. I did a "pre-bond with flox laid on thick onto the duct-taped top strake first, removed the top strake, repeated once, then finally bonded the top on without duct tape/release agent. The part you can see was on the extreme edge away from the "L" and was actually bonded well through. The L provided a small channel between the bulkheads and the "L" and most of my flox went along this channel so as to give is a stable platform. That being said, I don't trust any of it now. All the best, Chris

Even more pix. Did I mention this really sucks <g>

More...yeah, it looks really sad all cut up like that. <SIGH> Also, on a wild hair, when I made my sump tank, I painted it with Jeffco. The Jeffco on the sump is fine....donno about how the Jeffco in the sump is. FWIW.

Pix attached

Well, this was the worst builder day I have had. That includes the day I realized I had to build a new rotary engine. As the collective from the various list I am on may recall, I have had persistent fuel leak issues. A few weeks ago I had a visit from the fine men of the Ellington/JSC/NASA fire department when I leaked a few gallons on to the hangar floor while I was at home sleeping late. Also, I thought my original clear factory tubes failed due to ethanol. They had turned color and became brittle (turns out they had not YET leaked. I tried sucking new Jeffco into where I thought the leak was (very hard to reach area behind the spar. I found a loose hard point and since I was having some fuel seep through the floor of my cabin I thought maybe the fuel was seeping in behind the hard point into the foam to the cabin floor. Since the two hard points from the strake fuel line were both put in per plans years ago (before my choice to use a rotary, thus auto fuel) they were installed with EZ-84/flox. Since the flox around the loose hard point seemed a bit "off" I decided to redo both of them with Jeffco. At the same time I also took out the factory fuel elbow fittings as mentioned above and installed Vance Atkinson's gages. I did this over the last few days. I thought all was well, but when I added fuel to the right strake only, I still had fuel seeping through the cabin floor. So, I am having fuel leak though the inner foam. I spoke with Velocity, Inc who stated I could either go into the inner skin around the stake storage area or cut a hole in the top of the strake to find the leak. I chose to go into the top of the strake as I thought it would be better to not try to patch a leak from the outside. So, I cut a hole in the strake to apply Jeffco to try to find/cure the leak. EEEEEEAAAAAKKKKK. I opened up the top right strake and the Jeffco on the top of the strake was sitting in the bottom of the tank. OMG!!!!. Almost all the Jeffco from the top of the strake had fallen off. It was all flaky and not adhering. Also, a number of places from the sides and bottom had also fallen off. I called Velocity, Inc and they said they had never had this issue before. They suggested I look in the other stake to see if the problem was there too. We discussed when I applied it and how. Now guys and gals, I am not a complete incompetent. I know I sanded stakes before I applied the Jeffco, I mixed it well and per instructions. Also, the top strake Jeffco was applied at a different time/batch from the sides/bottom. The Velocity top strake is a pre-built piece and is laid on the strake sides/bottom in a separate step and the Jeffco is applied to the top before you seal it, then you seal it with more Jeffco. I have never had more than about 20 gallons of fuel in the system (about 60 total capacity). I have had the fuel sit in the strakes for a long while though. I used the Jeffco since it is supposed to be more resistant to fuels like diesel and auto, even with ethanol...at least that was my understanding. Some ares of the strakes seem pretty good (but I don't trust any of it now). I did get TWO, one gallon kits of Jeffco back when I did this part of the build. My first thought is that perhaps one of the buckets was a bad batch. Donno. I did cut into the pilot strake too. It was not as bad. The top of the strake looks good, but I do have some flaking on the sides. There are four compartments in each strake. I cut into one on the co-pilot side, and three on the pilot side so far. One on the pilot side seems perfect (so far). The inconsistency has me confused currently. But to be honest, after dealing with this for a while and trying to be philosophical about it...such as I would much rather find it now, I walked away and worked on re-attaching my ailerons after balancing them. I am posting the pix on the Canardzone but I am posting this message on a few sites like FlyRotary and the Velocity Builders site. The factory asked me to post too so they could have a look and determine if this may be a isolated incident (such as me missing something) OR if it could be a bigger problem. Well, here are some of the pix I took....if they are blurry, don't worry, it is only my tears...... All the best, Chris

I am glad to see the kit spit again. Should make it easier for those who really want a Velo to budget. I believe I got the last split kit delivered in June of 2002 as thd day after it was delivered to me it was announced the option was no longer available. That being said, $2000.00 is really a great price. I wish I needed 'em. Heck, for that price some lucky person should buy them, then build a plane between them:) I wish they kept the website more current. It is such a great tool and is about the only gripe I have with the company...other than them leaving at 5:00pm Eastern when I remember to call at 4:00pm Central All the best, Chris

I will be interested in this. I am very biased though <g>. You did say you have the 173. Isn't that the standard fuselage with the XL wings? The theory being the longer/bigger wing made a more docile bird....thus, the slower response you indicate. IIRC, that is why it is called a 173...one better than a 172 Cessna. I am thinking the Cozy wings would be closer to the SE wings on my Standard Elite Velocity. I am thrilled to get your opinions on comparing the two planes. All the best, Chris

I really can't get into the details but I am an estate planning attorney (and a cop) as well as a licensed insurance agent (maybe I should figure out what I want to do when I grow up), but whole life or what ever they call it, as it goes by various "new and improved" names/products, is usually not a good idea. As stated, buy term and invest the rest. While I like many aspects of the insurance industry in this case they are banking (so to speak) on the fact that you cannot or will not invest the rest. If you know you will not have the dicipline, by all means let the agent make a pretty good commision. Other than that I would think you consider term. Just an opinion, not a legal opinion. Build your plane. Please, I may suggest you consult an independant agent. While a captive agent may be great, they are limited to their product. That may not be bad. Talk to a Piper dealer if you want a Piper. Also, there are good and honest comminsioned agents, just be aware, that even though they are honest, they do have a vested interest in your choice. Also, they are usually honestly conditioned to believe their product is the only way to go. No dishonesty....just maybe a bit of industry brainwashing. They will also fall into the "are we not clever for coming up with this" syndome. Gee, as if no one else has offered this widget just like this before. Heck, I get flooded with emails for this weeks "new" product. Buyer beware. Don't let your passion for the plane drive the choice. IMHO, YMMV, FWIW. All the best, Chris Barber, JD. Legal disclaimer I AM an attorney. I am NOT YOUR attorney

Kewl. Just a minor nit....that is a Velocity. Not a Cozy. As has been mentioned, Rocket Racing has purchased Velocity, Inc. All the best, Chris

First try Al Guetzens site, he is flying a 20b in a Velocity SE with solid success. http://members.cox.net/alg3/airplane.htm For much useful info go to Paul Lamar's site http://www.rotaryeng.net/. His site has a lot of information and his email list is full of folks who enjoy rotary theory. For an email list full of very practical information from builders and flyers, go to www.flyrotary.com and join the email list. Finally, check out Tracy Crooks company, Real World Solutions (RWS) at www.rotaryaviation. Tracy is a retired engineer who sell ECU's, Engine monitor and PSRU/Re-drives' amoung a few other things (rebuild kits etc) for the Mazda 13b and 20b. He just clicked over 1700 hrs in the air with rotaries. He flys an RV-4 that he change from a 13b to a Renesis and is building a RV-8 with a 20b. 'course, you may already know all of this. Good luck. All the best, Chris

As one of the Canard types out at Ellington, I am in the engine test/wiring phases of my Velocity SE (rotary 13b). Your are welcome to come visit me in hangar Alpha Papa (controlled access airport so give my cell a call at 832-818-CELL/2355 if you would like to meet or have any questions). Some of the canards have left the field, but I know we have my Velo, the Vari-ez my hangar mate is rebuilding, the prettiest Cozy 3 I have ever seen in the final stages of the build (It's owner, Dennis, does fiberglass so well it looks like the entire plane was machined out of billit aluminum....go figure, he is a Nasa engineer , a Cozy 4 that in which I have spoken to the owner one time (he is not the builder but is flying and was trying to find a small fuel leak when I spoke to him), a bright yellow Long-ez owned by an astronaut who had to retire from flying space ships due to a medical issue (FAA medical still ok) and an older (single hatch clam shell door) Velocity that we spoted a few months ago and determined had just moved in. The ower had two other planes and we have not seen his Velo in a while). Since there is about a 3+ year wait for a hangar at Ellington for the privilage of paying the City of Houston $450.00 to $950 a month I would think he did not move out on a whim). The couple of canards that left belonged to another Astronaut, Jim Voss (who has also baught a Cirrus) and the former number 2 guy at NASA. I can't think of his name off hand (Charlie Precort perhaps????). Those NASA types have all the kewl toys... I know of two other Velo projects in the Houston area. One, an XL, is owned by the Continental Express Airlines chief training pilot. He is up in the Woodlands. I can't remember his name either, but he visited my project when it was still in my garage and allowed me to "play"...uh, I mean tour/train in a "Flight Safety" simulator out at Hobby (KHOU). The other one is a Velocity SE being built by another Nasa engineer and close friend of Jim Voss, Mary. IIRC, her project is in Jims gargare at the moment in the dead cockroach stage. If you want more Velo builders in the area, contact the factory, they will give you more names and contact info if it has been cleared by the individual builder. No, it is not a Cozy, but there are many similiararities between the build process on the two planes. I would love for you to visit my project. EAA Chapter 12, first chapter in Texas (since 1954), meets at the Southwest Services FBO at 7:00 pm on the first Wednesday of the month, but do not feel limited by the meeting time, if'n you want to come on by, just give me a call. I am a cop in Bellaire and get off at about 3:00 pm and am off on Tuesday and Wednesday's. On the days when my current S/O lets me:sad: , I am out at the hangar. Again, should you have any questions, concerns, comments or curiosities, give me a call. At times, I am able to chat while at work should you want to call. All the best, Chris

FYI, tvbf stands for "The Velocity Builders Forum". Have you contacted the factory? They tend to keep up with kits for sale even though their primary role is new kits. Also, are you looking for an SE (standard elite, elite = gull wing doors) or an XL?) All the best, Chris