mquinn6

Marc, i think the Picts are bad - it is hard to get a good shot at it. I looked at what I posted and now see what you are talking about. I do not see any crushing or irregularities on the s-glass in person. But that is why I am inviting others to cross check! good suggestion on jacking it up. I was building a rocking horse so I can flip it on it’s back. I will need it either way (repair/replace) - to gain better access to it all. But, by jacking it up, it will give me a much better assessment as to what I will be in for. i will try to take some close ups on some of those areas that you mentioned and see if I can get a better camera view of it all. Kent, with fiberglass - anything is doable with enough time (and/or money). ? you our are welcome down this weekend to look her over. Should be nice motorcycle riding weather! (Watch out for wet leaves).

Port side gear BID delam. Looks like some peeled most of it off. Maybe a little too aggressive towards the top of the hoop (looks like a hoop of carbon on the top). The bid is still at the bottom and looks worse than the pict shows (no s-glass compromises).

The gear hoop had delam of the BID. I was talking to someone and they indicated that there is a good chance the s-glass is still good and I can just relaminate.... want to get more experienced eyes on it (hint, hint...) and have a test plan (ndt) before I put it back into service. have a guy at the airport that is a huge O200 fan. Has been doing o200 builds longer than you and I, together, have been alive (ok, maybe he is not quite 100+ years old...). He said he will help get it all together and even better! now to get the shop cats less interested in it!

It's HERE!!! That was WAY too long to wait for a delivery. I kept my cool (even though three times I almost went down and got it myself!). The guy was a nice guy and all - but a communications conscious, he was not. I finally got a call from him - but it was that his truck broke and he is jack knifed on the freeway (of a 3 day weekend - eveyone must have loved that too!). No injuries - a little trailer rash - but it is now here! I have started the punch list. First thing is to address the landing gear mains. Met a guy at Rough River - but lost his name in my phone (I put it with some clever reminder - like varieze or SOMETHING) - he said he has an extra main for the varieze... Now to figure out who it was and how to get it! As the shipper was late and I was due out of town - as soon as he was unloaded - I was on the road. I never even got 2 sec. to look at it then. I spent the next 2 days out of town - dieing to get back to the bird. Sunday night I returned - and spent til 3 am cleaning and looking things over. I was especially interested in the wing attach points. They were in excelent condition and no cracks or separation between the alum. and the skin. It looks epoxy coated (prior to install?) - the plane was completed in 95, so I HOPE that the builder (Ricky Wilson) stayed up with the CSA and RAF newsletter... I might have less of an engine than promised (complete being overhauled) - I am still inventorying all that and will ask if there is a missing box (I know I am missing one set of rockers, one piston and rings, two piston rods, several plates and accessories. The boxes were not "grouped" in a way. I found pistons with engine bolts and 3 engine mounts... stuff like that. Stay tuned, that part could get expensive ( 0200)/ The plane seems to be well built. the areas of cloth that I can see seem to be nice straight bid. Fit and finish is probably 7-8 (I am critical - I would say it was as nice as 90% that I saw at rough river (the rest were even better done). I need to figure out how best to document the work - and then link it back here in this forum. It is raining here - so good weather to be fiddling around!

It kinda looks like a tuxedo... Saw it at Rough River. Is a sharp looking bird. Way too rich for my blood! On another semi related note: My bird is here (finally!!!). On the home stretch the guy calls me that he has jack knifed on I 85 near Gaffney and broke his kingpin... I had a previous engagement this weekend so I could not even LOOK at it until tonight!!! Hanging up now, going to look her over. Stay tuned in my folder for updates.

I got a driver in that area if you want to make the investment Kent... He is coming up with my Varieze any time now.... I think....

Kent, do you think it would be good for curing smaller layups? ? When my parents got into smoking / slowcooking - they went way overboard... but the flavor was good (be careful of wood selection - it makes a HUGE difference in flavor!). M.

Normally AN8 1/2-20 is 480 - 500 in. lbs. for tension or 290 - 410 in. lbs. I am certain the rubber bushing will smoosh much sooner than the bolt stretches... but, yeah, 40 in. lbs. always seemed low... but I am also surprised how many wings are held on by just 2-3 AN6 bolts (in shear) - but that is 76k psi load... I follow what works (but always question it twice (and verify 3 times)).

I am always amazed at the torque on these bolts! 40 INCH-LBS... and the back out the nut to get to the hole for the cotter pin. Good detail, Kent, thank you!

It is only money - right?

Marc, Is there not concern of the BRS getting caught up in the fan in the back? I would figure even with a rocket going up - and the airplane at 100 kts it would tend to go back until speed was down... (maybe even more likely at 200kts). I just do not know (and wonder if it would have saved Hooley). You design safety around what you think will happen - I would say 80% take off and landings and 40% unknown. Things like early flight testing that probably goes more to 80% take of or landing and 100% unknown. (using common core math percentages). Where did this customer believe it would be used? (when would you predict?)

RAW (Keith), This is unknown at this time - the first thing I need to assess is what I got and what is good... I am still waiting for the shipper to make arrangements. They put a couple things together in a trip to make it more affordable to the customer. I have been reading the HECK out of options - It may turn into a Vari-Long (wings and spar) - depending on what the analysis of the rest of the airframe is. Stay tuned! (I hope it is not going to be much longer!!!)

Nope! ? That is what the FAA sent me... I am going to see if I can track a person down at FAA records to see if that is all there is (or contact FSDO and see if they can pull it...) I think this was the result of some automation - and no verification. There had to be some other docs on this plane (it was a flying airplane - so it had to have some other sort of records at the FAA). I know that experimental aircraft are "usually a little light" - but I think this is a bit on the extreme side! LOL!!

Ok - still waiting on shipper to "arrange" the travel... Took Marc suggestion to get a little history of the plane - contact FAA for all records... They sent me a generic readme file explaining what all the code mean - and this (see attached). So if FAA says this is "original copy" - I can print this out and have it in the plane when I fly - right? Airworthiness.pdf

I am waiting on the estate sale for all your cool tools and toys Kent! ?

I want to join Marc instead Kent! He seems to know something that we do not, apparently...

Kent, is it possible you are having too much fun?

Nah Jon, moving out of the house and into the hanger... ? I have a good size shop and right off my house and spend MANY hours in it now restoring classic/antique cars. I am fortunate to live 3 miles from my regular airport (but will be way too short to fly in/out of until a) I get REAL good at shorter takeoffs (and more important landings) with this slick plane b) cool temps (but know someone that is pretty active on a similar airport with a LongEZ (but he ONLY flys himself and not will full tanks and NEVER on a warm/hot day).. Probably a good thing that I do not have it in front of me - it gives me great time to read and learn. I know when I first get it - I am hopping in with the front level and making jet noises (probably for 4-5 hrs.).

Ok, After a messed up situation of buying a LongEZ boat at OSH 2 years ago at the flymart - and then have someone STEAL it... I kept looking. Ran across a VariEze (the guy that sold me the LongEZ said he would keep his eye open for me - Thanks Trevor). Spent many days talking with the seller and getting as many picts as possible (the seller seemed to be pretty knowledgable about these birds and I felt he was not with holding anything. Took close up picts of things I asked for - as well as "issues" that he had found (and he wanted me to be aware of prior to buying). Know the wing attach concerns - hoping since the plane was completed in 95 - that the builder had taken extra precautions to ensure goodness in this area! Picts clearly show a coating - and zero corrosion. Will have a LOT of eyes on this when I get it to my shop to start the punch list! Have a guy in TX that does airplane parts hauling - and he said he will work me into his next trip up to my area (Charlotte). So if anyone needs anything from around the Dallas, TX area or somewhere between TX and Charlotte, NC let me know and I will get you in touch with him and we can share the transport costs! (and I can get my project sooner!). I will start a new thread and look forward to anyone providing feedback (and warnings!) as I get her back together. Thanks for having me!

The previous owner was VERY concerned about this (he has only had this for 2 years). As the corrosion issues were really identified in 88 and this project completed in 94 - it appeared that the plates had been alodined and no surface corrosion on any parts. There did not appear to be any gaps in the glass around it. - and from all indicators this has been a central TX plane - and hangered its life (or so the story goes). I had him take a 1000 picts (not as good by far as up close) - and did jibe with what he had told me. Seller said he had it inspected before he bought it. I definitely plan on rounding up some of the local talent (pizza party) inspection once I actually get my hands on it to see EXACTLY what I have gotten myself into. (Kent Ashton lives close and I hope to involve his scrutinizing eyes for certain!). Thanks for the reminders of the limits! Would love to figure non-destructive testing (unlike https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/cozy_builders/POwl1duvBOE) to get realistic numbers - but will comply with Uncle Burts limits unil that is possible! Yes - I fit. Have sat in Long and Vari and several variations. The seller was over 6' and weights more than I do and he fit comfortably in this.. (as each one can (is) built a LITTLE differently). I will start another thread to share progress and looking thru the forum, people are not shy to point out things that I may miss!

Thanks Kent! I took the plunge on this one in Dallas. The guy was very friendly and helpful - he just realized he has so much other things in life happening that he will not get to it in this lifetime. if anyone has history on N350W - I would greatly appreciate it. Got the FAA generic stuff - even tried contacting prev owner (a Dr in TX). the fun begins (when my shipper gets it to me)

Better get more rudder - this will flat spin like a saucer with only one engine.