magnum

I just recieved a mail from Martin, Paul Lees son I believe, and he fixed a dead link on Paul's site (construction documents PDF in the build section) and I now have all the factory build documents and some of the notes and drawings that Paul made as he was building. I think I now have most of what I need for all the layup schedules and reinforcements. I didn't know about a lot of the layups, so this is really good info. I read also, that the strakes were pre made so I am going to have to find some I can make work. I have the drawings now and how they line up so it should be OK to follow it. OK, I have some work to do this evening to get this all organized and saved. Later ~~~tg~~~

Thanks, that would be great as there may be some info that I may be able refer to. If you find anything, let me know and private PM me. Thanks ~~~tg~~~

Nice indeed. I really like the naca plenum extension that they built. Nice work, plain and simple. ~~~tg~~~

Thanks, I'm in process of posting ads everywhere I can and it is on the list. I feel confidant I will find all the help I need as I go along. ~~~tg~~~

Update: I have been looking for any infor etc. on this kit and as you may have guessed, its sparse. I got to speak with David Hansen and he will advise me on anything he can to help from his builds with the SQ2000. The wings will interchange so that hurdle is taken care of. He said that the factory canard is very heavy and should be replaced with a lighter one. He no longer has any plans, drawings or info so I am now in search for plans, parts and pieces from a dead or wrecked kit if possible. If anyone knows of anything or someone, get in touch with me so I can pursue any leads to get what I need to help with the build when I get started. Thanks in advance for you help. ~~~tg~~~

Like everyone else, I'd just be guessing but maybe it will be a pre fab long you can buy in parts as you progress. Tub, strakes, wings, spar, canopy complete maybe? I think Tony is on the same track. If its cost effective. it would save a lot of the build time and maybe there wouldn't be so many projects that are never done. The build would keep momentum, excitment and the builder would be more apt to keep going with it. Just my 2 cents. ~~~tg~~~

Boy I remember those days when I lived up north. Using up your energy to stay warm when you wanted to focus on getting something done. Ya have to do what you have to do. Good luck on those cowls. ~~~tg~~~

John, thanks to you and the other forums, my project will go a lot better and a lot safer because of all the information, builders sites, contact info and photos etc that you make available for all of us. A big thanks for bringing this forum back! ~~~tg~~~

Kent, Thanks for all of that. I will be moving probably back to Kannapolis where I used to live till 2002 when I moved to Costa Rica. I had a home repair business there (Rent A Husband) and before that, I worked in the Nascar garages welding, fabricating, wrenching and also worked for Petty in the driving school back then called Nastrak which is now the Richard Petty Driving Experience. My brother lives in Midland (welder and fabricator, worked for the Woods brothers in the fab shop) so I have friends and family there and thats the reason I'm moving back as soon as the house sells here. Plus the car scene is big there and I have a drag car and there are many local tracks in the area. I have spent a lot of time researching what to do and thats how I came to these decisions for this project. The fuselage has a lot completed and a lot of parts to go with it. The big time saver is the instrument panel and the wiring harness. Its been bench tested and only needs a new radio which the owner took and put in his other plane. The engine is a running basically firewall forward package. I didn't want to fall into the "I need to rebuild the engine" scenario a lot of done in the past before me and end up like Chris did with endless issues and frustration. (No offense to Chris by the way). It has the inconel exhaust, water cooled, ceramic bearings turbo with the POV and BOV and boost control. All the needed gauges and radiator and oil cooler and its all wired up ready to go. I have learned to use as much "off the shelf" parts you can and not a lot of unnecessary mods. I went to an air show here a few years back and was talking with a Long owner and one of the first things he told me was "don't change it and buy everything you can pre made and you will finish it a lot sooner. Thats why projects die" So I am changing things, but I'm buying them done so to speak. I'm going to have the wings built, find prefab strakes if they are available and maybe cowls that are close to what I need and then I can work from an existing shape. My back is another reason I'm doing it this way. One neck surgery and 5 lower back tends to slow you down some so I have to lighten the load. I'm pretty sure I will have a helper too so that will make a difference. I just can't put in those 10 hour days like I used to and, I'm single, no wife. I have a lot of skills and the support group on all the forums as well as all the car contacts I have in NC I can lean on for troubleshooting anything from wiring to fuel to tig etc? Is it going to be easy? I kinda doubt it but I am doing all I can to not make the mistakes I have read about and I have no problem reaching out to other rotary guys that are flying for their help. When I get up that way I be in touch as I would like to see your projects and how you did things. We can all learn from each other. Thanks! ~~~tg~~~

Thanks for the support John! its a lot to get done but I am focused and am going to make it happen. Any input is welcome. Tom

OK, as of this morning, I am the new owner of the SQ2000 project that's being advertised on some of the plane sites. I corresponded with the owner last night and this morning and got all the info about it and he sent me more pics etc and its a done deal. The problem now is its in W.Va, (about 30 mins from where I was born and raised) and I am in Fla. So he will store it in the hanger till I can get up there to get it. Hopefully after the weather breaks. The house is for sale here and I am going to move back to N.C so that will slow things down also. The factory main spar is included and installed, factory canard, instrument panel, engine mount, complete wiring harness and lots of miscellaneous stuff. I'll need to figure out what wings will be compatible. I would like the blended winglets if the e racer wings will work. The owner told me that he was planning on the Velocity retracts so I will have to sort that part of the build out also. For the engine, I am going to pick up a 20B I bought in the next few weeks that is a complete new rebuild with all gauges, turbo, radiator, Tracys ecu, oil cooler and wiring harness for it. All new parts. I'll need and engine mount etc for it which is not an issue but I do need to find a proven PSRU for it All in all I feel I made a good start and I think I can find enough info from everyone that I can get it completed correctly and safely. OK, any thoughts or advice is more than welcome. I'm officially a builder again! I start working on my PPL in a week or so so my plate is now full!...LOL

Another aspect from reading through this thread is that you can over think it also. Nowadays, there are many excellent sites, builders and solo info sites that explain almost everything that is done to build one in detail. All of them explain what parts they are using and why they came to that decision. Lots of detailed pics to go along with all of it. Also, not to be left out is the fact that everyone will go out of their way to help and some will make a part for you if they have done it for themselves. As was eluded to previously, a lot of stuff comes up for sale and can be had for really good prices....... Don't over think your way out of a fun project. (YOUR DREAM). Tom

FYI, this site has the plans for download ( http://www.aryjglantz.com/p/documents.html?m=0) As far as I can tell with a quick look, its the same as the terf CD. Its a good info site and he is doing a detailed build. Tom

Sent u a PM Magnum

Wildbird, PM me and let me know what u have and pics. Press on! magnum

Thanks, I'm aware of the suppliers but I want to find used if I can. Trying to keep the cost down as much as possible. Press on Magnum

Looking for nose gear parts , strut, wheel, castoring assembly etc. PM me if you have anything or know of some. Press on! Magnum

Thanks for the response guy's. I'm going to look into it further when I get closer to the gear portion of my build. Any further info from all else is appreciated! Press on! Tom

Not to get to far off subject and just thinking out loud, is there any reason the mains and front gear can't be air operated as air is used for the blow down system? I'm building my own retracts, (not started yet) and am looking at all possibilities. I'm thinking hydraulics can apply more pressure size for size than air and is not used for that reason? Press on T

Heres one builder http://www.abri.net/sq2000/default.php and another http://vonsquid.com/sq2000/index.htm. Maybe contact them for more insight! Press on Tom

I'll be there! Hope to meet some of the builders from the forums, and the 'GURLLLS" :ROTFLMAO: Pickin up my motor plate, lord mount & stuff. Can't wait!!!!! Press on Tom

Thanks! Those pictures on each page are the goal so to speak. I try to work on it everyday. I'm trying to get the fuselage completed so I can roll it outside and start on the wings and canard. Small plane, smaller garage! Press on! Tom

Same here. I made mine out of the shipping crate my main spar came in. I've got about $20.00 bucks in the whole thing and it makes plane building a whole lot easier. About half way down on the page and also on later pages. http://www.free-build-it-info.com/MylongEZprojectp2.html Press on! Tom

"I'm running both tanks to a central sump built as a passenger thigh support. Check valves prevent backflow and crossover." This is my design as well. I'm not to the plumbing on this yet but would like a source for the back flow valves if you would be so kind. Press on Tom

Check it out. Its got 4 weed eater motors for power. Lots of time and effort in this one. Big file so it might be a slow download. http://users.skynet.be/fa926657/files/B29.wmv Press on T