Jon Matcho

I feel like I have a chance at dealing with the Finishing process when I get to it (which I've been told is 33% of the entire build). West is your friend and there are a lot of good guides out there, such as this one:

I'm actually using West 105 Resin with the 209 Extra Slow hardener. The properties for 209 are slightly lower than the 205 Fast hardener, but the window before cure is MUCH longer. I like going to bed sometimes. 😉 Ah, I just learned about the line of West Filler products. Cool, I'll have to get some and try them out! Thanks for the tips -- my next question coming in here today was going to be about when/how to transition from epoxy/filler to primer.

I'll go out on a limb and say that Keith and I both meant "just follow the plans." Where else would one "follow the layup schedule"? My point is not "exactly incorrect" and is not even "just" incorrect. If anyone were to follow the plans exactly ("follow the layup schedule") their planes would build and fly as intended by the designers. In the Cozy IV plans (not sure why we're discussing the Cozy in the Open-EZ topic, but OK) Section 14 Step 6 states (bolding and underlining is mine): Some deviation from theoretical is acceptable, if due to the tape being thinner or thicker than .025 after removing cross threads. It is acceptable to use one or two layers more, or one or two layers less, to fill up the trough. For the Long-EZ Section 14 Step 7 is also clear on how to do this: Measure the depth of the spar -- if the layup is over-size, sand (maximum of .04) to size. I have not checked the Canard Pushers, but in either case following the plans and incorporating all changes (Canard Pusher newsletters, or Cozy newsletters if we're talking about an Open-EZ 4!) will produce a good result. Perhaps there are developments in the Cozy community post-Nat Puffer, and I would certainly research these tips and recommendations (notably from Marc -- the human center of the Cozy universe -- and several others such as @Kent Ashton). I suspect Cameron does not have Long-EZ drawings so a methodology to link the Long-EZ plans in the plans-only TERF CD to the Open-EZ drawings (same measurements as Long-EZ drawings) is flawed from the onset. My point is that the same confusion would have been produced in 1984 by doing the same thing with Long-EZ Plans and Long-EZ drawings. Presently there are no Open-EZ plans per se; one needs to use Long-EZ plans. Cameron, how specifically did you get your Open-EZ measurements? If you are interpolating top/bottom trough sizes from the Open-EZ drawings, please do the same with actual Long-EZ drawings and I assure you that you will end up at the same place.

Seriously, where are we at with this? Are we good, or am I still confused?

I was working on sand-and-fill using the West 205 105 epoxy system, which is just a mix of micro-balloons ("micro") and epoxy. I can now confirm these statements: Sanding after the MGS epoxy system cures is like sanding a rock. Sanding after the West system cured is much easier. I still don't like finish-sanding.

I do believe you missed the side you wanted captured on that PDF -- it's blank.

Still putting the Cozy aside, no. 😉

Ah, I think I see the issue: comparing drawings to a layup schedule was never meant to be. 😉 In other words, and still putting the Cozy aside, given (a) and (b) below, the conclusion is true: a) The layup schedule and tape thickness noted in the Long-EZ plans on the TERF CD matches the printed Long-EZ plans last published by the Rutan Aircraft Factory. b) The Open-EZ drawings Rev. 5 matches the printed drawings last published by the Rutan Aircraft Factory. Conclusion: You could compare your #1 and #2 using the original Rutan Aircraft Factory counterparts and produce your same results. Now what?

I suspect the source of your data is off (as Keith also suggests with scaling issues on your drawings). Putting the Cozy drawings aside for now, I assume you must be comparing the following: Long-EZ drawings that you have acquired from somewhere. Open-EZ drawings that you have carefully printed and measured, or measured on the computer using a digital tool. As Keith points out it's most important to follow the layup schedule, but I am still concerned over the above and the source of your data. Please share more about how you came to #1 and #2 above. Are the Long-EZ drawings copies you received from somewhere? I know I once received drawings from someone in Australia and ended up throwing them out suspecting they were copies of copies. The Open-EZ drawings were taken from actual Long-EZ drawings and verified against other actual Long-EZ drawings, so I trust what's in the Open-EZ drawings but can't verify what you may be comparing to. At the end of the day the Long-EZ and Open-EZ drawings should have identical measurements.

The Open-EZ does not introduce any new design changes. The Open-EZ specifications are meant to be identical to those of the Long-EZ. The TERF CD contains the Long-EZ plans, which require all applicable Canard Pusher updates to be accurate. Are comparing the TERF CD's Long-EZ plans with something else you have on hand?

I know the feeling -- opened an old box and found some more epoxy this past weekend! How's the weather holding up? Are you managing in your heat tent?

That's great -- I think I will copy that design! Coremat as a core material reminded me of the Mini-IMP and Molt Taylor's TPG (Taylor Paper-glass) which follows the same principle. This is basically creating box structures; something we do all the time with foam, but in just a smaller scale here. You could even use balsa wood for this application. I missed the memo on "PVC wiring". What exactly is it and what's wrong with it?

The NTSB had a press conference on it. Apparently a wing departed the aircraft. http://www.covingtonleader.com/news/police_fire/ntsb-pilot-crashed-after-wing-separated-from-jet-eze/article_5c57009a-afc2-11e8-a5db-0f8e921ec5cc.html I spoke w/Lance last year about his passion for jet-powered canards. He was quite the character and I could barely keep up with him even over the phone. He will surely be missed. RIP Lance.

Kirk, are you off on a dirt road from the highway of Canard Progress? Were you able to convince your wife that you need a hangar?

It's good to receive reminders as to why we chose to build a Rutan-designed/inspired plans-built aircraft. These planes are cross country fuel efficient aircraft. Sure, there's room to load them up and add weight, but at the expense of efficiency. I am now more into watching GPH than MPH.