Careful son, you'll shoot your eye out with that thing...
So, I did it. I bought a Long-EZ project listed on Ebay. The structure is 95% complete (50% to go!) and the workmanship looks terrific. Strakes and a vert stab left to fabricate. This project was started over 15 years ago.
Enlightened self-interest is at work here. I am now in charge of an up-and-coming Systems Engineering program at a small University, and having worked at a major aerospace firm in the composites M&P group, and having lead a major University effort in vehicle systems integration, and having a suffered a keen desire to fly for most of my life, and having a strong commitment to the idea that engineers need "real" projects to learn their disiplines, I bought this project knowing I would be its driving force and pilot in every sense of th word.
So, I have a request of this group's members: I need your help to make this the best project it can be.
0) Help assessing the current build
1) Mentors for several student teams
2) Solid modeling (CAD) data for use in th classroom
3) Structured advice in restarting a project and continuing safely and with confidence
4) Help organizing the vast information available in the various forums
5) Assistance minimizing our University's costs
6) Someone willing and able to inspect the project here in Utah, soon, and to be available at project kick-off
7) other help I don't know I don't know that I need
I'm excited, and looking forward to the most rewarding Engineering experience I can create with my students. Anyone with the time and experience to share is greatfully welcomed to contribute.
Best wishes,
Jim
