cdavis

After 6 months and as many broken promises, I gave up and cancelled the order today. I've totally lost faith that they will ever deliver, or if they do it will have the bugs worked out. I think I'll go with Dynon. They are shipping now, and if Burt likes it, it must be good.

I made a simple aluminum manifold whose input is from the electric fuel pump. I plan to bolt this manifold to the firewall. The solenoid primer valve screws into one branch of this manifold, and it is screwed to the firewall too. (that is, the solenoid points away from the firewall). The other outlet of this manifold goes to the mechanical fuel pump, and points straight up. My goals were this: 1. make everything a small package 2. make everything firmly bolted to the firewall, rather than hanging on the engine mount 3. reduce the number of hoses to a minimum So, to recap; the "fuel manifold" is an aluminum block with 3 drilled and tapped holes: Input=from electric fuel pump Output 1= hard barrell connection to solenoid primer valve Output 2= hose fitting for connection to mechanical fuel pump The manifold is bolted to the firewall with two #10 screws. I hope this helps! I have not flown yet, but the whole thing seems simple and solid.

I ordered a VM1000C in early Aug 2006 through AC Spruce. Evidently, this is just before Vision Microsystems moved manufacturing to TX. Over five months later, several promises form AC Spruce and the mfg that it would be shipping soon, and still nothing. The lastest word is they'll start shipping by the end of Jan, but I've heard that several times before. I'm considering cancelling the order. I'm wondering what other systems are out there at a comparable price that work well. I considered buying a 3.5" Blue Mountain Efis/Lite with engine pod. This would have the benefit of operating as a backup GPS and instruments. I'm already planning on a BMA Efis/Lite 5" as my primary flight instruments. I thought of adding the engine pod and sensors to it, but I don't like the idea of having to flip screens to see the engine gauges (even though I have a few steam gauge instrument backups). But as I understand it, by the time you add the pod and sensors, you've got over $5,500 in that solution. The VM1000C is $1,995 with sensors.

IMHO don't even think about it. The EZ will be a huge challenge to finish even if you stick to the plans and are very conservative. Either the EZ is right for you or it isn't. If it isn't, don't force the issue, but buy a Cozy project, RV, or other plane that more fits your physiology.

The value of anything is what someone is willing to pay for it. But if you build a LongEZ from scratch with a good used 0-320, new avionics, nose lift, etc., I believe you'll have over $50K in it. That does not include labor. A new RV would be more $, but I think they would require less man-hours. The LongEZ is a very nice plane, and I think under-valued for what you get.

Given the time, effort and expense to build one new, and the technology, capability and economy of a well built and equipped Long EZ, I'd say it would be a bargain at that price.

I thought of the same thing, but talked with several flyers I knew, including a common-sense A&P guy. According to him, mogas can be hard on the engine, particularly the seals. Another problem is that mogas now has many different types of additives, so you never really know what you are getting. What sealed the deal for me being against mogas is a guy who is, shall we say, very thrifty, but who knows engines well. He even used mogas for a short time several years ago, and says that he would never do it again. That's my 2 cents. I guess what I'm saying is get more info before deciding.

I'd be curious to know what a proven, top-notch Long EZ with all the desirable mods (Roncz, Long Nose, 0-320, etc) and decent avionics is selling for these days. Are prices increasing or decreasing?

Open generally means non-proprietary. Everyone is encouraged to contribute what they can to the effort, but no one owns the copyright to the final product.

I'd think any letter would be a total legal disclaimer to Burt that the Open EZ had any connection with him at all. Make it clear that he has no involvement, or legal liability. This is for all intents and purposes a new design. I think that's what he'd want to hear. Of course he knows he's had a huge influence on aircraft design, helping popularize the Canard configuration. But these are all new templates, designed by a diverse team of people. There is nothing copied verbatim from the EZ design. Burt knows where his legacy credit is due. I'd expect what he wants now would be total and complete release from liability for what us knuckleheads who follow do.

I see Superior has just released their XP-320 engines, including an IO version. If you can afford new, this would be a nice way to go.

Marc, Thanks for the reply. It hardly seems worth the effort. However, it does give me an idea for a new bumper sticker, "Hang Up and Fly"

I have a Sigtronics intercom with King radio. It would be nice to be able to plug a cell phone in so I could make a quick call in flight (Honey, I'll be there in about 20 minutes) while monitoring the radio. You cannot hear anything on a cell phone over cabin noise. I'm thinking of plumbing in a cell phone headset wire into a passenger input of the intercom. Is this as simple as it seems? Just install a small plug and wire it into a passenger intercom interface? Or is there something I'm missing (impedence matching, etc).

Ok, I think I have it now. To go from a 3/8" NPT (which is a 9/16" thread) to a 3/8 fuel line (which is a AN -6 fitting), you need the following Aeromotive part number adapter (p/n 15615). http://www.shopatron.com/product/product_id=AER15615/415.0 The PN of the FlowEZ filters indicate the gpm flow through. Cozy recommends a 61L (6 gpm). Thanks for your patience and help. The people at Flow Ezy are very helpful. http://198.170.245.162/home.html

The existing fuel lines are 3/8" (-6). The engine is an O-320e2d with carb.