mfryer

What is really tragic and what should be I think of greatest concern with this latest incident is the fact that two innocent folks were killed just siting in there home. The family and friends of those victims are likely outraged. People will ask why pilots are allowed to fly experimental aircraft (or certified for that matter). The fact that this sort of accident is so unlikely to happen will be overlooked. Friends and family of mine are almost on a daily basis citing aircraft accidents to me. I am tired of it. Even while I point out to them that traffic fatalities that occur daily are ignored by the media they continue, "Hey Martin did you hear about the Cessna (all small aircraft are a Cessna) that crashed yesterday!" I digress... Let's just make sure not to crash into houses, schools and the like. (Even if they did build them at the end of a runway). At my home airport there is a golf course just north of the longer runway. I like to consider that that is an option if I lose power at a low altitude. However when considering the number of lawyers likely to be on the course at any given time, I would probably be best off aiming for the retention pond just next to it.

That is a good idea. I will consider doing that. Thanks.

I think this is the route I will go. Now the waiting game for the antenna kit. Any suggestions on a time consuming, low cost part of the project I can divert to while I wait?

Thanks. I will cut them down. It seemed to me that the dimension is not as critical as ensuring the elevator is positioned correctly while the flox cures. Does this sound correct?

Yes, that is the fellow I was referring to in my earlier post.

It is a little late for me to use that method as my leading edge is bonded in place. Perhaps I should not have been quite so hasty to start work after receiving the beautifully made foam cores. My choice now is to make progress over the weekend and start to glass the bottom of the canard or to wait.... to do this, I would then have to install the NAV antenna on the top. My thoughts (though not backed up by study) tell me that any deformation the foil could cause, probably would be better tolerated on the underside of the airfoil. I would not think that an inch or two of foam would make much difference in the reception.

Yes very sad news. I was very disturbed that the Airport director seemed to use the incident to address concerns that were somewhat political in nature. He seemed to be implying that pilots are reckless by nature and started to talk about runway incursions and other concerns that were not related to this disaster. I wonder what the aircraft was doing over populated areas with only 5 hours of flight time. However I think everyone should wait an hear what the NTSB has to say bout this event before rushing to judgment.

My shear web and bottom spar cap are now complete. Question though. I have ordered an antenna kit from RTS. Should I wait for it to arrive, or should I go ahead and glass the bottom and install the NAV antenna on the top of the canard? http://flyingbackward.blogspot.com/ Flying Backward

:D thanks for sharing that.

Wow! I feel lucky after looking at that. The damage to my cores was limited to less than 1" of a corner of one aileron. I micro'd the damaged piece back in place and all is well. Overall I am very happy with the cores and I plan on ordering a set of wings when the time comes.

My canard cores arrived today. I am very happy with them. I already have them jigged for the shear web layup... more images and story at: http://flyingbackward.blogspot.com/ Flying Backward

FedEX dropped of my Long-EZ cores today and they are awsome, I highly recommend them.. Unfortunatly I cannot say the same for FedEX: The box arrived with a scary gash in the side. All was not lost thought as the damage was minor and easily repaired.

I received my roncz cores from eureka today and compared them to a cad drawing I have worked on. They are a near exact match. So I will share with you all what I have now that I have some backup that the scaling is correct. I welcome folks to check these out and let me know if there are any changes that should be suggested. Roncz.pdf

Hmmmm. I had thought I made this post yesterday. Perhaps I clicked out of the window before submitting the message.... Anyhow I have started to work on the canard. While I am waiting for Steve of Eureka to get back from Oshkosh and ship my cores, I have begun fabricating some of the hardware: I would like to begin making the NC-3 and NC-3A hinges. However there seems to be a discrepancy in the drawings. The plans indicate a demention of 2.3" in the vertical dimention for both NC-3 and NC-3A, but the scale drawings only measure 2". Can anyone confirm what the actual height of those parts should be? Thanks http://flyingbackward.blogspot.com/ Flying Backward

I just sent a check to Steve for canard cores. Now the wait will be even worse for me. Thanks a lot!!!

Chapter 9 complete! Well almost. I have a couple of little tasks like ordering the proper bolts for the electric landing break brackets. Not to worry, on to chapter 10! I have a little video at my site of the landing break in action. http://flyingbackward.blogspot.com/ Flying Backward

However a Long and a Cozy must kneel down when parked. Also the way the rudders are independently linked to the pedals might cause a little head scratching to figure out.

I suppose so. I am a wanna be also. However the Arlington event is over. See you next year....

My son and I headed up to Arlington Friday. Camped overnight. Wow, I am sure this even is nothing close to the size of Osh, but I was not expecting nearly the amount of activity I saw. Nice group of Long-EZs, VariEZEs, velocity's and one Cozy. I introduced myself to some cannard folks as a builder and I was invited to their BBQ Friday evening. Unfortunately my son was getting impatient and wanted to head back to our tents to roast marshmallows and hang out in his tent. I had a thousand questions for folks there, but I couldn't hang out for long. A very successful trip. I am glad I went. Seeing these great machines in person only enspires me to continue my build. I even managed to run into a local Olympia LongEZ owner and his nephew(?) who is building a long locally. I will am certainly planning on going back next year! I have a few photos on Flickr....http://www.flickr.com/photos/8975721@N04/sets/72157606152645408/

Very nice documentation. Thanks. I wonder if that technique could be adopted in other areas of the build.

Thanks. I just didn't even see the Cheng-Shin tires at Aircraft spruce. I will look into them. I wish I had seen them before, they are quite a bit cheaper.

Hmmmm... Lets see here.... Plans call for.. you are correct. 3.40x5 tire. Perhaps if someone who knows where I can find a pair I will give them a good deal on some 5.00x5s

After much hand wringing and head scratching I finally have the wheels mounted . A little more work on the landing break and I can finally move on the the next chapter. Thanks everyone for input on mounting the wheels. As you can see in the photo there are some washers on the axle bolts that that do not belong. I will order shorter blots and do away with the washers then they arrive. More on how I went about this at: http://flyingbackward.blogspot.com/ Flying Backward

Congradulations! My first solo will always be a day I will never forget.

I hope to make it up to Arlington next month. Are there any canard flyers here also planning to make an appreance? I really would look forward to seing a long or cozy in person next month..