kingbonanza

9 hours ago, VernB said:

Kevin,

If you can locate the pictures, it would be helpful. Also, if you have any info on the builder, you'd feel comfortable sharing that would be potentially useful as well. 

Thanks!

Hi Vernon,   Are you asking for photos of My SQ2000 or the one that is in the San Diego area? The plane is Based at the Gillespie airport in San Diego. I do not have any photos of that aircraft. 

22 hours ago, Marc Zeitlin said:

If you're referring to N440DH, you want to stay as far away from that plane as you possibly can. See all the other discussions of that plane on this forum, and elsewhere. Anything built or worked on by Dave Hanson should be avoided like the plague, IMO.

Thank you Marc for the info. I agree with your comments on the SQ2000 in the San Diego area. That aircraft was in my hanger for over 5 months before  going to Bill's hanger at Chino. My SQ2000 (N14275) is flying great, I'm out of Corona (KAJO). We met up in Mohave for the 5oth anniversary of the Long Ez. with Burt Dick Rutan a couple of years ago.   

On 2/3/2021 at 7:43 AM, RocketAviator said:

I’m wanting to make contact with anyone who has an actual flying SQ2000 as well as anyone who is building or has been involved in building and flying or maintaining a SQ2000.

Would appreciate any assistance 

thanks in advance 

I have a SQ 2000 that I bought in Florida May of 2018. I flew it home and absolutely love it. I am based at Corona airport (KAJO) in California. I have some photos of the plane somewhere in the Canardzone. I have over 118 hours on it now, I am putting in a new Grand Rapids 10.1 EFIS. Hope to be back in the air next week. Let me know if you any questions.   Kevin

Those were installed to help with airflow across the ailerons at slow speeds. When Norm Caruana the builder test flew the plane, he stated that at slow speeds the ailerons were  sluggish. Sam a test pilot for  velocity aircraft was flying with Norm and recommend the fences. Problem solved and handles very good at slow speeds. Really the only time I am flying slow is landing, we try to touch down at 75 knots, and still have aileron control.

When It was being built there was problems with the retractable landing gear. The retract mechanism was hanging up in the wheel wells. Norm Caruana the builder and owner decided to remove the retractable landing gear and install fixed gear. You don’t have to worry about it not coming down. The gear is 12.5 feet wide, and very stable. We hold 54 gallons of fuel, and we are cruising around 180 MPH. I want to install wheel pants soon, that should help with a little more speed. I have a Prince carbon fiber prop, with P tips. It is 82x65. We also installed a Master Balancer on the fly wheel and it is outstanding. Thanks for your interest.    Kevin 

Here are a couple more photos of the SQ2000.   

Thank you for the nice comments. I would love to send more photos of the SQ2000. I will try this afternoon. If you have any questions please ask.  Kevin

On 8/1/2020 at 1:39 PM, flyboyn222pa said:

Hey guys,

There is an SQ2000 available in California with a low time IO-360.  Empty weight is 1460 so it looks like its a little on the heavy side, but I don't plan on putting a bunch of people in it so that may not be a big deal. The reason I am posting here is to see what people think about the build quality and potential airworthiness.  Here is the link, tell me your thoughts.  Does anyone think this thing is a death trap?

Also I might want to go fly with a current cozy or long ez pilot before I ferry this thing, so any current pilots willing to let me fly with them let me know.

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/avo/d/el-cajon-sq2000-canard-experimental/7167959572.html

-Ryan

 

Hi Ryan, I have a SQ2000 in Corona CA and love it. I know about the plane in San Diego, it was in my hanger for about 5 months. My thoughts about that airplane is to stay clear of it. It needs some work, they are talking about replacing the wings. Marc Zeitlin wrote about it and I agree with what he said. I am not here to bad mouth anyone, but be careful about the workmanship on that plane. Read Marc’s comments. My SQ is great aircraft, I was fortunate to buy the plane in Florida. The workmanship is outstanding. I flew it across country and had no problems. I have 97 hours on her now.  Kevin King

On 12/24/2003 at 7:46 AM, marbleturtle said:

Marc,

 

I thought about the SQ2000 as well, especially since KLS is just a few miles away from where I live.

 

I mentioned this to someone who's opinion I respect. (I won't mention his name because the company he owns does business with several Experimental kit manufacturers.) He has had the opportunity to fly many different aircraft and warned me about a couple of kit planes, the SQ2000 being one of them. It was nothing serious, like "the wings fall off after TO at which point the fuselage explodes." One thing I will repeat is that performance claims are highly suspect (a common issue with kit manufacturers) and certain verticle airfoil surfaces becoming wobbly at high speeds... (?)

 

But I'm a hard headed individual, and since the SQ2000's appearance ranks way up there on the COOLNESS factor, I decided to check them out anyway. (I too like the jet fighter shape!) I called them up to get more information and schedule a time to visit the factory. After 1 minute of talking to one of the sales representatives, all sort of red flags started poping up in the dark recesses of my mind. Our conversation was more "time-share condo sales presentation" and less "cognito ergo zoom" than I wanted. I decided to wait and just take a look at what they had on display at Oshkosh.

 

KLS was not at the airshow. Nat Puffer was. Nat puffer is definately the "cognito ergo zoom" type of person. I bought Cozy plans.

 

That said, the SQ2000 may be an excellent aircraft. It will absolutely be the most beautiful thing parked on the tarmac. But if I were you I would wait until one of the SQ2000 builders finish their aircraft before shelling out the $50k. (Several appear to be close to finished.) Try to catch a ride in one, talk to the builder, and decide for yourself. (Taking a ride in the factory demonstrator does not count!) Maybe a few years down the road, this hard headed Cozy builder will be at Rough River envying your sleek ride.

 

John!!!

 

I was down in Orlando on 12/17 standing outside in the freezing wind at 10:00am wondering if today was the day! Guess not... keep us updated. I want to fly down there first thing when you feel comfortable about giving a ride! I'll supply the Fried Pork Skins. (Where's the nearest 7-11?)

I bought a SQ2000 in St Petersburg FL in May of 2018. Flew it across the country to Corona CA in 5 days, stopping to visit friends and family. It is a great flying airplane, nice and smooth. It is sure a conversation piece at the pumps when you stop for fuel. I was in no hurry to get home, so I would some times talk with people for 2 hours about the SQ. I have a climb prop on it, she climbs at 1,800 FPM very easily. Top speed is 160 knots, I'm going to put a cruse prop on some day. I am planning on flying to Copper state (Buckeye, AZ) this Feb 8 thru 10, 2019 for the airshow. If you guys are around look me up. Thanks Kevin

 Kent I saw your post on the SQ2000. I have one that I have flown 34 hrs in. Flew it across the United States from Florida to California. I am bases in Corona CA (KAJO). Great flying airplane, when you land to get fuel don't think your going to leave anytime soon. When people see the plane they stop by and want to see it. Do you know of any builders / ware to get parts? I do not need anything, but always looking for contacts. Thanks Kevin