Jon Matcho

Wow, you're traveling more than most Americans this year! It's hot, but at least it's humid in Florida right now. 😉 Enjoy the time!

That's awesome, well done! Whereabouts in the US are you?

1 hour ago, bmckinney10 said:

Most recently I installed the SkyBeacon ADSB and Artex ELT.  I put the ADSB in the nose, mounted to the battery bracket, and the ELT on the backseat floor.

Will the SkyBeacon unit be blinking in the nose while it's on? I understand you cannot turn off their lighting function (?)

Good luck with your next steps... looking forward to your updates!

Better late than never @Kirk, but it's good to know your surgery was a success. Sounds like it was absolutely awful, but good thing you had some good distractions.

Getting back to the spirit of this thread, here are some updates from my end (there's progress in here if you squint your eyes).

I have been on a mission to eliminate the noise from my shop (my attached garage), getting rid of anything I no longer need and organizing what I do. I committed to getting the garage insulated and upgraded for all-out building this year, year-round, and the clock is running out. Still, it feels great to see much more wall, floor and table space. The honey-do counterpart of this is that I need to refurbish the small barn we have, which serves the purpose of what a garage would typically store (lawn mowers, my Cozy project in the attic, etc.)  I also have a storage tent, which I have replaced the 2nd cover in about as many years from when we purchased the house. A month after the first replacement a tree feel on it, ripping through the cover and damaging the structure. That's been fixed and now holds some things that won't fit in the barn, along with a Quickie Q2 kit that I need to package up and make available for sale (since I already have a Quickie Tri-Q200 project to finish).

I also did a repair to a Glasair III door which was messed up when the owner attempted to install it. Apparently they couldn't wait for my schedule, but now they're clearly 2 steps back. So I have this door needing some finish work in my shop. I wish I had nothing to do with it. It's one thing to say, "yeah, I can do composite repairs", but another when it comes to finish-quality exterior repairs -- it's very time-consuming.

It's been said many times to spend time in your shop every day, even for 15 minutes. I have been practicing this as much as possible and feel like I have regained the path. I need to write down the steps as if it were a project plan, and keep true to that. All other hobbies need to wait.

How about someone else? What did you do towards your plane/project recently?

(This is not associated with the Canard Zone whatsoever)

Terry Schubert, former editor of the Central States Association newsletter, is offering 34 years of electronic issues on a thumb drive for $100.

See the attached file for more information.

34-flash drive advert.pdf

On 6/4/2020 at 11:50 PM, TParker said:

Doesn't look like they have scanned copies of the past CSA newsletters (yet?).

You may already know this, but Terry will send you 34 years on a flash drive for $100. I'll put the info. up in the For Sale section here.

11 hours ago, 2High2Fast said:

Quickie in Oregon

The listing says it needs an engine and there's no mention of the avionics, but it's worth a look. 

It's setup as a TriQ, which suggests it had (or should have) an O-200 engine in it.

Here's ACS' product page for Last-a-Foam: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cmpages/lastafoam.php

As mentioned, substitutes can also work but this stuff is ideal. It's light and very easy to work with.

9 minutes ago, tfulwider said:

Jon,  thanks for the info on the Permagrit.  Definitely going to have to pick them up!

You're welcome. Hint: Do NOT use them on anything but fully cured epoxy otherwise you'll transform your 80-grit tool into a 300-grit tool. Ask me how I know. 🙂 They do sell replacement paper which is metal-backed and very long lasting. Their rotary bits are quite useful as well.

Interesting on the West 105/206. Recall from another discussion that it's not an approved combination -- only the 105 w/209 super slow hardener is approved (for workable pot life). You'll have a better experience with MGS 285 (if you care to afford all the hazmat charges) as it's much easier to spread. Your 75 degree room would have been more than fine without a hair dryer.

46 minutes ago, tfulwider said:

I noticed in Ary Glantz's videos that he would sometimes use a router with a flush trim bit on the edges.  Any advantages or disadvantages with that method?

You can use whatever tools that make sense for you. Way back I thought to router a few sections for a straight edge, but found it too cumbersome and even dangerous (not to mention the glass was eating my bits). I now just use the Fein tool on a marked straight line, and then sand to "perfection" using the longest Permagrit sanding block for the area. https://www.permagrit.com/sanding-blocks/

I have a copy of those as well. Something happened in the late stages when Jeff Russell was selling the company, where he put the plans up as shareware for a few weeks on a new website at aerocanard2.com for download. The download included only the build manuals so one could not build from them. I suspect this upset the new owner and after some discussion Jeff took the site down.

AeroCad continues to offer the plans here: https://aerocad.com/14-aerocanard-plans 

I'm not sure I answered your actual question. Yes, high-speed steel (HSS) bits are recommended. The basic steel bits tend do lose teeth faster.

I have no issues buying bits at Harbor Freight (or wherever). Fein is an expensive brand.

19 minutes ago, TDubs74 said:

I'm guessing the HSS flush trim will be good?

I find the circular bits are most forgiving and capable for what needs to be done. That's the rightmost bit above, either half-round or full-round. I hardly ever use the 3 to the left, but have on occasion (the leftmost straight bit is actually a knife, which I've never used for building).

On 8/1/2020 at 5:55 PM, tfulwider said:

...and then knife trim flush to the foam part way through the cure.

That works, but requires you to be there at the right time; halfway before it cures.

On 8/1/2020 at 5:55 PM, tfulwider said:

But when you knife trim, how do you keep from cutting into the foam core?

Consider using an oscillating tool, either the best from Fein or a patent copy from Harbor Freight. Several other popular brands now offer theirs at Home Depot. Be sure to get the round high speed steel cutter (the straight cutters most often shown in ads require some skill, but can be used once you get a feel for the tool). You don't need a variable speed model in my opinion. I find you have all the control you need to be as precise as required using just hand pressure. 

I've shown this tool to Lancair and other prior builders and they've all remarked that they could have built their planes in half the time. I know that's an exaggeration, but it's one of the most valued tools I have for building.

On 8/1/2020 at 7:16 PM, Miken said:

I can't seem to download them Jon. 

Ah, thanks. I had to do one last step in the configuration. Navigate to the Downloads section and you should be able to download the Dragonfly Construction Manual now.

On 8/1/2020 at 11:08 PM, Countach74 said:

Look under members gallery. I started downloading them there, but was halted 1/3 the way through do to the size. There is enough reading to get you started. Hope Jon will delete them when the correct file is working.

Thank you for getting this started! I have deleted the image files now that we have a single PDF in the Downloads section.

On 6/29/2020 at 6:20 PM, bmckinney10 said:

I'm jealous.

...and I of you! Sounds like a great set of visits!

Mark Spedding is giving a walk-through of his Cozy IV project tonight. Click below or view the calendar for more details.

You can find a copy of the Dragonfly Construction Manual here: 

I'll work on getting a proper set of templates for the airfoils and bulkheads, so until then you cannot build from these plans -- although they are still an interesting read.

You can subscribe to the CSA/COBA here:  https://canardowners.com/

The magazine was recently handed over from Terry Schubert to new owners, which gave the printed version a long overdue upgrade to a color format. There's something special about receiving a canard-specific magazine in the mail.

18 hours ago, Miken said:

...don't [Quickies] land at quite higher speeds?

I was mistaken. After some simple digging I do see that Dragonfly aircraft are listed to have lower stall speeds than Quickies and other comparable canards. That's surprising to me, but makes sense with the Dragonfly having a different wing altogether.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viking_Dragonfly (stall speed shown is 55 MPH)

https://dragonflylist.groups.io/g/main (stall speed shown is 48 MPH)

34 minutes ago, Countach74 said:

Think I have the plans on my home computer.

I would like to take a look, although I suspect there would be full-size drawings that may not be included in what you have.

22 minutes ago, Miken said:

Hi Jon, so what is the work-around to get Dragonfly plans?

Only way I know is to solicit to buy someone's used plans, or eBay.

22 minutes ago, Miken said:

Since Dragonfly is orphaned , why don't we have a strong community with pre-owned plans, like you have the plans here for Q and Q200?

We could try that. You also have Dragonfly information here and on Facebook groups (although FB is a black hole).

22 minutes ago, Miken said:

...for me as a starter Cozy would be too complex.

Building a Dragonfly is comparable to building a Cozy, at least a Long-EZ. If you think you can build a Dragonfly, I suggest you are able to build a Cozy if you want.

22 minutes ago, Miken said:

I concede to your point, I may have prejudged with my readings about Q200, but don't they land at quite higher speeds?

The Dragonfly has similar flying qualities to the Q2, but a touch slower. All canards (and tandem wings; Qs and Dragonflys) have higher stall speeds, are faster in general, and require longer runways than conventional aircraft.

22 minutes ago, Miken said:

Material list is missing from my Single seat quickie plans which I purchased, but since I was only studying the plans for understanding of canard designs,  it was no problem.

If I do think to start with Tri-Q as my first project, does the plans here have all info to build one, including material list?

Yah... that's an issue. I might be able to locate materials lists, but the idea is that you need to develop the materials list as you go through the plans.

17 minutes ago, Miken said:

@Jon Matcho - So the company which purchased the rights no longer exists, it makes the plans orphaned, right?

Maybe.

I would like to create an Open-EZ version of the Dragonfly plans, but if Dart decided to wake up and do something, the plans would no longer be orphaned.

By my definition, the Cozy Mark IV plans are orphaned. The only real support that's available is through "the community". Aircraft Spruce isn't giving tips or advice on building.

Here's a good introduction to some things to look out for if you're looking to purchase a Long-EZ:  https://www.kitplanes.com/buying-used-long-ez/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=KITPLANES+Weekly&utm_campaign=KP+Weekly+2020%2F07%2F28

18 hours ago, Kent Ashton said:

Sorry, for bad info.   The 209 is approved

Ah, I found this note in the Gary Hunter slide:  "Resins Shown in Shaded Rows are NOT approved for construction of Vari-Eze, Long-EZ’s or Cozy’s" 

Still, there’s not a citation for the source of this, but I trust what Gary and Marc have to say on the matter.

15 hours ago, TDubs74 said:

So, I'm looking at that list and they have N/A for RT cure times for Aeropoxy and MGS.  Does that mean that those need a post cure?

No, MGS and Aeropoxy (and others) are fine with room-temperature cures (some folks have post-cured some parts by putting in a hot attic, etc., but that's very uncommon. There's really no need.

16 hours ago, Miken said:

Does anyone know where to get legit Dragonfly plans? would love to buy them.

They are no longer available. You would have to find a pre-owned.

16 hours ago, Miken said:

Have purchased Q1 plans from QuickHeads, but more interested in Dragonfly, since it is more controllable than Q1/Q200.

That's a broad statement that's most likely coming from the tail-dragger configuration of the Q1 and Q2/200s. I have flown a Tri-Q200 and was remarkably similar to flying an EZ -- VERY controllable. Yes, the wheels outboard at the wingtips have large moments and ask for a ground loop, but those that have them manage quite fine.

Your impression must be related to the Dragonflys typically having gear that is more inboard than the Qs. You can also consider the tricycle configuration of the Tri-Qs.

14 hours ago, TDubs74 said:

You could try emailing Viking Aircraft and see what they say.

I don't believe that's the same aircraft company that once held the Dragonfly plans. I could be wrong.

11 hours ago, Countach74 said:

Believe the rights to the Dragonfly were purchased by Dart Industries in South Africa many years ago. 

They were, and then Dart seemingly disappeared.

I too would like to get a copy of Dragonfly plans.

I vaguely recalled Nat approving it in one of his latter newsletters, but could find no evidence of that.