Waiter

If I have two engines, the risk of an engine failure is exactly two times greater than if I have one engine. This isn't statistical, its math. Right on, I agree 100 % with everything you said. Whats the joke about twins; "Everything doubles except your airspeed". As an interesting side note, one of the major reasons airlines are pushing for two engine aircraft, vs three / four engine aircraft, is the equipment availabilty percentages. It seems the three and four engine aircraft have a lower availability record than the two engine models. It'll be interesting to see how the two engine Boeing 7X7 fairs against the 4 engine Airbus (380?). Waiter

As long as I uphold the conditions of redistribution that are clearly define in the material, I don't see any problems. My Web host may start charging me more if the downloads continue at the pace they have been! Waiter

I have placed the Shareware Downloadable version of the plans on my web site. Goto www.iflyez.com, and look under DOWNLOADS, Aerocanard Waiter

And don't forget, twice the risk of failures. Waiter

I'm 6ft, but very light. When I built my Long EZ, I moved the pilots seat forward 2 inches. I have no problem, plenty of room. One factor you may not be aware of. Normally, you do not fly the EZ with your feet on the rudders. I use the rudders for Takeoff/landing, and if doing ACM or other foolishness. I put my feet in front of the rudders when not in use. My wife is 6 ft, she does OK in the back seat. I installed Foot rest blocks in the back seat, they allow the GIB to rest their feet in a better position than flat on the floor. ALSO, I ran into one person a couple years ago who was only 5-8, but he had a real tall torso, and short legs. He wouldn't fit in the back seat, I couldn't close the canopy around his upper body. Good luck, and keep in mind the rudder pedals Waiter

Does the word Bowling Ball sound familiar. I have about 50 hours in VariViggen, They fly like a fully loaded cement truck. Waiter

I just seen a set of VV plans on E-Bay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ViewItem&category=19164&item=5970218421&rd=1 Waiter

Thank God our FAA doesn't think they know more than the designer. Waiter

I'm not sure if the Cozy is the same as the LongEZ in this respect, however,; If your plywood has a cutout (presumablly for making it lighter) over the center spar area, I would recommend putting the cutout piece back in. What I've found over the years, it seems like whenever I mount something on the firewall, it always seems like the bolt needs to go through where the cutout is missing. With the 1/4 inch gap (where the cutout is), it makes for a very sloppy bolt mounting. Waiter

When I think of Alaska, I envision a Cessna Caravan with tundra tires, STOL kit, etc. I don't envision an EZ. I assume your follow up question is, Why? Although the EZ can perform many missions, it was designed for high altitude, long distance travel. It rides turbulence much better than any conventional tailed aircraft, and should tolerated below zero temperatures, as these are often found while cruising at the Flight Levels (altitude). Fixed Pitch EZs are runway hogs, I recommend minimum runway length of 2,500 ft. for light weight operations. Runways should be hard surface. There are two factors operating from unimproved fields, 1) everything that gets kicked up, goes through the prop; 2) The aircraft will not rotate, until the canard reaches flying speed. This can sometimes be impossible with turf, pea gravel, sand or other soft surfaces, OR crosswinds CROSSWINDS - Landing in a crosswind is no problem. HOWEVER, You may not be able to take off. The problem is, you may need to ride a brake to keep the plane on the runway. Riding that brake may keep you from accelerating to rotation speed. Ice is a no-no, period. I investigated one fatal EZ accident where I attributed an inverted deep stall to ice (pitot and induction systems) Heavy Precipitation will force you to slow down. Rain erosion on the propeller, and leading edges can do severe damage to the plane (it will only cost you a paint job, if your lucky). Some EZs take on water during rain. A recent forced landing incident involving an EZ was attributed to water shorting out electrical system components, and the subsiquent loose of engine power. Forced Landing - There probably aren't to many planes worst for making an off field landing than an EZ. Their high landing speeds and landing gear geometry aren't conducive to successful off field landings. Probably the only exception would be a water ditching. The aircraft (or major parts) will offer flotation, if the occupants survive the ditching. (Full retract capability offers superior survivability over fixed gear when ditched with the gear retracted) Take a look at these two articles, They probably will answer most questions you have regarding the care and feeding of an EZ. http://www.ez.org/2000ways.htm http://www.ez.org/nonownerguide.htm Good Luck Waiter

Although I agree with you, I'll bet you a soda, that this was not your opinion while you were working on plane #1. It wasn't mine! I snicker to myself sometimes, when I read about some of the modifications, changes, addons, etc that people come up with. But you know what, Often is the case that a lot of these ideas are indeed, a better mouse trap. Its funny how experience changes one perspective. Keep coming up with those ideas, If they look neat enough, I'll ground my airplane and incorporate it into mine. Thanks Waiter

I copied the source text and forwarded this to the Securities Exchange Commission. Waiter

Cris, I was just kidding about the Chevy, Its really in my daughters name Really, It is about Asset protection. I went thru this a couple years ago, I own absolutely nothing. (I don't even own the airplane I 'm fixing), The biggest factor in proceeding with the asset protection planning was the liability I incure when I fly, especially when I have Passangers. Maybe not necessary for everyone, but certianly worth looking into. Thanks My attorney indicated that would be the number one option, destroy the plane, if it doesn't exist, there is no liability. That right there should tell you all about attorneys (Present company excepted, of course) NO WAY, They are going to bury me in that thing. SO, Where we at trying to get an airworthiness certificate with no paperwork???? Waiter

Yah, I was kind of thinking, if he showed up at the FAAs doorstep with nothing but a plane, no docs or anything, how could he get it licensed? I've done ex military jets like this, and they usually wind up in either the exhibition or the restricted classes. Not a big deal, you present them with your maintenance plane, You negotiate Operating Limitations, then your good to go. I think you could certify a barn door in this catagory, if you can convince the FSDO it can become airborne. The FSDO folks are normally good to work with, I always try and get them a ride in the planes, and stay on their good side. Waiter

Mark might be right about the risk of lawsuit (Maybe). But, as I'll point out again, this depends on how deep the manufactures pockets are. Mark and I probably wouldn't have to worry about it. I don't think you could get a Lawyer on retainer if he knew the only thing he was going to get out of me was 33% of a rusted out 1987 Chevy with 250,000 miles on it. However, Bill Gates!!! Mark, I think the seller wanted to withhold all the certification paperwork, so this wouldn't be available. I guess I misinterpreted his question! Waiter

I've got horrible news for him, he will always be responsible, and after he dies, his estate will be responsible. Even the parts he sells you. If he has deep pockets, he will be named in any lawsuit that involves this aircraft. (Keep this in mind when it comes time to sell. 1) Destroy the aircraft, with prominant witnesses, or 2) take your chances and donate it to a museum on condition it never flys) If he wants to sell you parts, It seem that parts are a lot less expensive than a flying airplane. If you do not qualify for the 51% rule, Its still Experimental, but falls under Restricted or Exhibition class. Make a call to your local FSDO and see how they can handle it. http://www.faa.gov/avr/afs/fsdo/ Remember, They're from the Government, and their here to help us. Waiter

1,000 lbs of gas. Makes my 25 gallon rear seat tank look like a thermos bottle. I have a "T" in my fuel line just before it goes thru the firewall to the engine. This "T" is normally capped. When I install the tank, There is a small electric valve mounted on the tank. and I have a hose that connects to the "T". (Theres a "T" in the vent line also that connects to the auxs tank vent) I take off and burn on the left tank for 1/2 hour. I then switch and burn on the right tank for 1/2 hour. I then switch the main fuel OFF and energize the aux tank solenoid valve. I burn the aux tank until exhaustion. I turn off the solenoid valve and switch back to the left or right tank. When I have all the tanks filled, and am loaded up with baggage, I weigh in at about 1750 lbs. Even with my constants speed prop, I still take almost 4000 ft of runway to get this mass up to speed. I'll be very intrerested in knowing how much runway it takes to get off the ground! When I finish my current round of modification, I plane on making a larger seat tank, If I can get 50 gallons into it, I'll be very happy. Waiter

Theres still way to many questions about this particular plane, but the person who originally posted must not be interested in selling, as I've made numerous attempts to contact him. but no returns. This could be a good jumpstart on a project, but as Sully observed, you'll probably need to purchase a set of plans from somewhere before this particular project could proceed. TERF CD - This is the company that digitized all the Rutan plans and drawings. The CD goes for several hunderd dollars. Waiter

Take a look at http://www.ez.org/ and look under R.A.C.E. It would seem Klaus is turning 250+mph with his little pucky O-200 VariEZ. If Money is no object, Then you have contacted the right person (LightSpeed, Klaus Savier ) Waiter

OK, OK, But he still better tell me if he's buying or selling! Every EZ builder in the world has photos exactly like these. Its a strictly plans built LongEZ. Its currently in long term storage The workmanship looks good (as best I can tell from the photo) It has a Brock nose extension system with spring. It has rear mounted brakes and cylinders The rudder cable system is installed, so the rudders pedals may be installed It is set up for an O-235 engine, but the mount is not installed The Center Spar has been attached The Center spar wing bolts have NOT been drilled. The instrument panel has not been cut out yet It has standard Cleveland brakes. It has standard LongEZ nose and main wheel tires (5x500) It has the Nose wheel swivel cover installed. It does not have nose gear doors The Boarding step is installed, but doesn't have a tie down hole drilled. The Canopy has NOT been fitted yet Wheel pant mounts are installed, but wheel pants are not shown Standard fuel sites Currently set up for Scoop cooling (but can still be changed at this point) Seat belt attach fillings are installed both front and rear It is October 2nd 2002, and he got one of his buddies to help him move it out of the storage for photos. From here, I'll guess; The photo was taken in the late afternoon (7pm), and its about 75 Degrees outside. (shadows, color scale, person wearing light clothing) OK, I dun my part, Now, Are you Buying or selling??? Waiter

As soon as he answers my question, I'll describe more detail in those two photos then he would ever care to know! Waiter

Darn, I got some pictures exactly like these Are you buying or selling?? Waiter

Build as much as you can at home. I was fortunate that I had an area large enough that I could completely build it at home. On those days that I get off work and am tired, I'm not going to drive 30 minutes to the airport to work on the plane, But I will certianly get my coffie and walk out to the barn, even if to putz around and do nothing but look through a catalog or take some measurements. Good luck with it Waiter

COOL - Congradulations, now its time to "Get to Work". How many people can actually say "They Built an Airplane, from scratch". Waiter

I'm looking for anyone who shares a hangar. I've had several questions come up on how you can get several planes in the same hangar. Please send me a photo of your stuffed hangar. I would like to post it on my web site www.iflyez.com under SHARING A HANGAR. Thanks Waiter