Radioflyer

When I got my PPL, the simulator at the school was good practice for flying "under the hood" and dealing with equipment emergencies. Flying windy conditions and turbulence was harder in the simulator than in real life. It helped create a certain "awareness", I guess, but the fidelity to real flying mechanics wasn't that helpful. So, I guess I'm saying that probably any simulator time is good for some things, but not for actual aircraft dynamics. (Of course, a multimillion dollar, moving platform simulator is an entirely different thing) Having said that, my understanding is that the differentiating point about X-Plane is its accurate and reconfigurable physics engine that can be applied to new airframes. I would not mind trying out a good LongEz simulator. Before I satrt Googling, can someone provide an overall orientation about setting up X-plane as a Long Ez simulator. Is X-plane only for Apple platforms? Is it share ware? Where can the Long Ez model be found?

Oh, Swin beat me to the punch, but I would definately have to emphasize to add a steel rollover structure. Also, the vaccum bag technique can be very effectively applied to elevators and (I would presume) ailerons. Nick Ugolini has done this and you can check out his site...http://www.canardzone.com/members/nickugolini/ I've been studying the LongEz for a long time and would love to build one. Personally, one mod I would make is to make it a bid wider, say 6 inches wider. I'm 5'9", trim, and 175 pounds, but the extra 3 inches on each side would allow a wider panel, reduce the slight claustrophobic feeling (especially in the winter with coats), and make map folding easier ;-). Building will have to wait for later. In the meanwhile I'll have to buy a completed bird.

Hi Marc, I'm in Wellesley and fly out of Norwood. Fitchburg is an easy drive or flight. Is there much difference between the Cozy MArk IV and the LongEZ in terms of flight characteristics? I had not thought about it, but I guess a Cozy might be great for familiarizing a pilot to a Long EZ. Do Cozys have dual controls?

Hi all. I'm here in Massachusetts planning to buy a completed LongEz sometime soon. I'll be transitioning from a C172. Before making a comittment, I'd like to get some stick time in a canard. So I'm wandering what a good approach would be. The LongEz has limited rear seat controls, but that would be good for initial in the air familiarity. Front pilot could then setup for in the pattern flying with go arounds. Later, the transitioning pilot would be up front doing slow taxi maneuvers. Then gradually working up to 45 knot front wheel only liftoffs. Ultimately, with safety pilot in back, a first takeoff is attempted. How have nonbuilder/owner LongEz pilots made the transition?

Hello All, Great Forum! Looking forward to learning about all your views on these wonderful aircraft. After 8 years of flying a Cessna 172 out of Hanscom (BED) and Norwood (EWD) Massachusetts, I'm deciding to switch to the plane that has been truly in my eyes all along...the Long EZ. I'm hoping to see some local planes and meet with local pilots. I've seen a couple of planes here and there, but do not know how to connect with anyone. Is there any semi-organized group of canard flyers in the New England area? I would like to locate and purchase an already flying plane in the near future. Meanwhile, it would be good to get some direct experience in the plane before I make the full commitment. I flew in one in the early 90's, but would now like to check out in one. I know back seat controls are limited, but between some back seat time, front seat ground taxiing, front wheel liftoffs, I should be able to get the feel of the aircraft.