Drekar

That would be great Tim! How can I contact you to set up a time? My direct email address is drekar AT gmail DOT com

EDIT: I forgot these things message boards have private messages. I sent you one.

Thanks to you both! I will hold out for a bit longer to see if anyone closer responds. If not I may be headed your way!

Hi there,

Are there any builders in either Dallas/Ft. Worth or Denver that are willing to entertain an overly enthusiastic potential builder for about an hour some weekend? I am willing to drive outside that range if necessary.

Mostly, I just want to see what this composite building thing is all about! (or, more accurately, what I am getting myself into...)

-Luke

Garage is cleaned out, and barring unforseen circumstances, I intend to begin the build come spring.

Keep up the great work!

hmm... that's a tiny bit longer than I was hoping I must admit. Not that I don't want to build, but I /also/ want to fly

I would love to take a closer look at a Long-EZ. Is there anyone in the greater Dallas area willing to entertain an overly enthusiastic, under-informed person for about a half hour?

-Luke

UPDATE: I should have posted this in "Intros" section...

Well, thanks for giving me the info everyone. Just thought you might like to know that I now have a clean garage, and nice big new workbench.

I am really looking forward to the build process, but I must admit it is a little worrysome that nowhere can I find a time estimate for how long it will take to build a Long-EZ. Anyone know what the general consensus is for build time, assuming to-plans and consistent time investment?

Thanks!

-Luke

Thanks a lot for the help! I definitely count myself a Coloradoan, but am currently stationed semi-permanently in Dallas, TX.

I think you are right Remi, the best thing for me is probably to hunt down other builders/flyers and see what they have to show/say!

So far, after a lot of research, it looks like the Long-EZ is indeed more efficient than the RV-9a, moderately. Also, above and beyond the benefits of the canard pusher design, it also has a distinctive edge in initial outlay of cash, and an edge in total build cost. It also appears to be a simpler design (simplicity is definitely a good thing). The downsides, so far are that it is a bit slower of a build, and will be unable to operate out of grass / short strips. It also has a higher landing speed and (by some accounts) is harder to fly than the RV.\

So, it looks to me like I will be building one of the first Open-EZs! Now it is just a matter of finishing my current project (biodiesel refinery) so that I can start on this one.

-Luke

Great! Thank you all for the responses so far. I think i have been officially swayed to do the Long-EZ / Open-EZ (well, that may change, I seem to flip-flop a lot...). Anyone know what the normal "efficient" cruse GPH and airspeed will be in a 0-320 powered Long?

I will be doing a lot of landings at fairly high altitudes (Colorado). Anyone have any experience with the Long-EZ "hot and high"? I know the canard design eats runway, but I am not sure just how much. I actually have family right near Leadville, CO....

Thanks again!!

-Luke

OK, yet another way to word this same question.

I want the ultimate in efficient long range solo x/c flying. If I installed an 0-320 in a Long, what performance numbers can I expect?

There, that should be better. Sorry to be so post-happy, but I can't seem to find performance numbers anywhere!

Another question. The RV-9A was originally designed for a 118hp engine (wow, tiny). With that, it has the following characteristics at solo weight

 

118hp engine RV-9A:

Top Speed 173 mph

Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft]

Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft]

 

What do you think I could get in the Long with the same engine?

 

FYI I am 5'9" and 170lbs.

 

Thanks again, you all are quite helpful!

 

-Luke

Another question. The RV-9A was originally designed for a 118hp engine (wow, tiny). With that, it has the following characteristics at solo weight

118hp engine RV-9A:

Top Speed 173 mph

Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft] 167 mph

Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft] 151 mph

What do you think I could get in the Long with the same engine?

FYI I am 5'9" and 170lbs.

Thanks again, you all are quite helpful!

-Luke

Another question. The RV-9A was originally designed for a 118hp engine (wow, tiny). With that, it has the following characteristics at solo weight

118hp engine RV-9A:

Top Speed 173 mph

Cruise [75% @ 8000 ft]

Cruise [55% @ 8000 ft]

What do you think I could get in the Long with the same engine?

FYI I am 5'9" and 170lbs.

Thanks again, you all are quite helpful!

-Luke

So, with an 0-320, does the Long have appreciably better performance than the Cozy (thinner, lighter, etc. I would assume it does)?

If the "sweet spot" of a Cozy is the 360, is there any consensus as to the "sweet spot" on the Long? That would probably give me a good idea of the differences!

Thanks again for any more insight you can give.

-Luke

Please help me oh great sages of Canardia!!

I am having a really tough time deciding which craft is "for me"; the Long-EZ or the Cozy. I just can't seem to find the information I need! I would really appreciate some help as i am really close to plopping down the money for plans.

So, here are my big questions.

1) How small of an engine can I stick in a Cozy, how small in a Long? That might be a huge cost difference in both build and long term costs.

2) How much more complex is the Cozy to build? In particular, will the Long substantially cut down on my build time?

3) Is the Cozy that much more "refined" than the Long? Enough to sway me away from the Long?

4) What are the relative performance numbers assuming the lowest common denominator of engine? Rough figures?

5) Am I forgetting anything ?

Things that don't really matter to me:

Side-by-side seating (I will usually be solo)

cost of airframe (apparently the difference is negligible)

Extra two seats (Sure, it would be nice, but if I have to drop in a much larger engine, I would rather just travel light).

Thanks so much for any advice, I am going nuts. If I can't decide soon, I may just go build an RV-9

- Luke

I am trying to decide between the Cozy or the Open-EZ as well. Is there somewhere i can see a good comparison of their relative strong-points?

I really don't need a 4-seat, and if I can get away with a smaller engine in the Open-EZ, wouldn't that drastically reduce both the build cost and ongoing cost of the plane?

Thanks!