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fjk

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Posts posted by fjk

  1. On 3/12/2021 at 9:46 AM, Marc Zeitlin said:

    So the POH is very clear on the "as designed" limitations of a Varieze. The V/N diagram on page 22 shows an positive "G" limit of 5G, and a negative limit of -2G. Assuming that one built a VE today and used appropriate protection techniques for all the AL wing fittings, those would be the limitations, AT the MGW of 1050 lb. per the diagrams on page 26.

    Now, given the wing attach fitting corrosion issue, RAF lowered the limits to +2.5G and -1.5G, based on nothing other than "sh*t - we don't know what to do about this, but the wing attach fittings might be substantially weaker than planned". It was intended to be a temporary change while a fix was developed, but no fix was ever developed by RAF.

    There are a couple of folks that have figured out how to replace the fittings, and have done so, but it's a 40 - 80 hour job, so if you're paying someone to do it, it's a substantial portion of the cost of the airplane. And since there's no way to determine if there's corrosion without taking the fittings apart, well, it's a catch-22.

    Most planes are fine, but having seen 4 sets of corroded attach fittings that were in flying airplanes, to me, VE's are somewhat problematic and whenever I perform a Condition Inspection on one, I include a very clear note about the wing attach fittings being uninspectable and a complete unknown.

    Hey - my dumb for not figuring out the poh on g limits...

    This is all depressing and gratifying in that it seems like reality and there is at least a way to mill out the wing structure and take a look (presumably after purchase...) and I assume it can then be rebuilt (God knows how wrt connecting to severed strands of fiber???  I should talk to these aforementioned people.). 

    I assume that the LE does not use such an Al fitting?  I should check the open EZ plans.

    The entire situation with testing buried load paths in composites seems quite daunting.  I've lost friends to this issue, and due to blunders by real big factories doing carbon vac bag and autoclave (presumably).

    Thanks for the info

    Regards,

    f

     

  2. 4 hours ago, zolotiyeruki said:

    Yeah, I'd love to have a fast airplane with the engine and wings behind me, but there aren't many of those.  The closest I've found is Ion Aircraft, and 1) the company is getting sold off (they couldn't get into production) and 2) I don't know how fast it actually goes (there's not much detail on the site).

    Hey,

    Last two (I think both...) Oshkosh Ion was there and were trying to get a buyer for the project.  It is a great solution as you remark except that I was really saddened that they aimed it at the "it's easy to fly crowd" which to me is a euphemism for dumbed down.  I understand the necessity (market) but stall speed around 85MPH is no a deal breaker for me...

    Otherwise it was a really nice ride (probably) as they guy said their focus was on the view - right where I live.

    Regards,

    f

     

  3. Hey,

    Thanks much for the perspectives.  That addresses my questions.   One of the appeals of the canard pusher was the idea that with the wing aft you had a berter chance of having an unobstructed view - I suspect the canard denies you that hope.  Certainly all the low and high fixed wing aircraft I've flown have had a real problem with that.

    I have significant time in helicopters and in open cockpit gyroplanes and sitting smack dab in the middle of the latter with no wings at all is extremely scenery friendly.  It is also like real slow, but that's kind of relative.  I would really like formula 1 handling in an airplane I could see out of in a turn, and was hoping the VE might qualify.

    Thanks again for the responses.

    f

     

  4. Hello,

    I've been on here for a bit researching what I can from the historical documents (viz cp etc) and while I'm pretty dialed in on other forms of sporty aircraft I've never flown any of the canard stuff.  Not averse to building, nor to purchase of existing aircraft.

    I'm hoping some of you can offer your opinion as to what kind of distinguishes the various canard models one from another, and to tell me if there are things I've been ignoring that I shouldn't.  VE and LE are the only ones I've looked at closely (documentation wise - haven't seen either up close much).

    Which of the canard pusher aircraft so you find most sporty in handling (vice speed or going long distances)? 

    I'm leaning toward Varieze but I'm pretty ignorant as to what each type is like.   Gotta be single seat or tandem.  Just going to fly about and see the sights 3 times a week or so.

     

    Thanks,

    f

  5. Hey,

    What is the limit G load plus and minus of :

    1.  A varieze built today (if that is possible)?

    2. A vintage varieze?

    I ask because it seems there was serious concern about the limit load factor on VE from past CP writings and it is unclear from that whether or if

    there was ever a fix or inspection/recanting of those concerns. 

    I don't know if this had been beaten to death on this forum but I can't seem to find the definitive if it exists and this is a critical issue for me, so pointers to the real truth very welcome.

     

    Thanks

    f

     

  6. Hey,

    Thanks for pointers.  I've been going through the Open-ez plans and such for about a year now and eventually realized my mission is best suited to the VE platform or one like it, hence my current belief that that's of much more interest - going for more basic, more sport.  3 to 5 flights a week within 50 miles, 3 or 4 per year overnight, and KOSH every summer.  (They used to have this airshow thing for a week there and it was really big and you could camp...)   Until now (or 2019 anyway) we did this in a Gyroplane.  Except for the sideburns and bellbottoms that ancient Rutan "Flying is very easy" movie is right where we live (not geographically) hence keen to move up to something with a roof that doesn't have a view out the front like an airliner.

    Very familiar with smaller experimental fixed wing as well.  If any of this blather about me me me suggests a different aircraft we (me n wife) should consider to augment the gyro I'd be interested, but side by side is a deal breaker for it's corrupting the view.  (No accounting for taste).

    Open-ez project has always had much respect from me as it preserves the coolness of something very cool indeed.  Very generous to have made all that available.

    Regards,

    f

     

  7. Hello -

    Can one get plans for the VariEze  these days? 

    Many searches in many places have been unsuccessful but maybe it's just me...

    Thanks,

    f

    ps - sorry if this is in the wrong place - pretty green here.

  8. Hello,

     

    Regarding the original gear level, does the lever or lever end interfere in any way with the pilot in normal seated position when the gear is retracted? 

    I'm not seeing this properly perhaps in the two photos I have been able to locate regarding that lever.

    Thanks,

    f

     

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