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John Caulkins

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Personal Information

  • Real Name (Public)
    John Caulkins
  • Location (Public)
    Bay Village, Ohio

Project/Build Information

  • Plane Type
    Long-EZ

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  1. Thanx, Kent! I love it when someone comes to my support! "Very high frequency Omni-directional Range".......sort of like where the cows graze (on the "range"), ehh? I suppose I will be caught making fun of VOR's on the forum when the GPS goes to crap nationwide as we bring on "a new phone service" and all we are left with is the few VOR's still ticking. John Caulkins
  2. Of course, Marc is correct. The RH antenna is connected to the ELT and I have not tracked down the LH antenna cable yet (batteries in my VOM are dead..... again!). What"s a "VOR"?
  3. Sorry for the long delay....I would love to blame it on the new puppy....but.....here are some pics of N37EZ while still in Florida (was N61TG then): John Caulkins
  4. Marc and Kent, Thanx for your kind words of encouragement. So, Aerobatics. Not happening here. But I do recognize G-load risks in the circumstances Kent mentioned. Unequivocally, I state here: I am not interested in aerobatics (except unanticipated maneuvers that may save my life/airplane and then I want to be competent in their performance). "Heavy Long-EZ": Empty weight at 1135 in April. I will be re-weighing after I re-install the wings and canard (removed for ground transportation - don't ask....long story). I would not say my dream was/is a "folly", but rather the idea of just reducing the weight of an all-composite aircraft. "Reputable pre-buy inspection": Marc, thanx for making that point and I endorse your comments wholeheartedly. I did not do the pre-buy. What happened? Earlier, I bid on another aircraft online, talking with the owner, only to have it snatched away before I could act. Then, I found a nicely priced Cherokee 235 in decent condition by all appearances several weeks later at Indy Aircraft Sales. I submitted a full asking price offer with a pre-buy contingency, only to lose this aircraft to another bid (the Broker reported to me that I lost out to someone who withdrew their pre-buy contingency). Then, three days later, I found my Long-EZ on Barnstormers. On my first phone call, the Seller informed me that he had been contacted by a buyer in Texas with a partial asking price offer and that he was inclined to accept that offer. I asked some questions over the phone and established with the Seller that if I placed a full-asking offer immediately, he would decline the Texas Buyer. I did so and now own a very heavy Long-EZ with accident history and not so complete log books. In fairness to my Seller, I believe he was/is an honest and honorable man and he did reveal the accident history - and subsequent corrective actions - to me. I am responsible for this purchase. I remember asking myself what were the odds that a Long-EZ that had been flying since 2016 would be "unacceptable". I spent too many years working on airplanes to be fooled by a paint job, but it happened. I had spent months researching Rutan, canards, and the Long-EZ in particular, with contacts like David Orr (Beagle) and others, but failed to ask about the aircraft EW and EWCG. I knew that Gary Hertzler's Silver Bullet prop on my airplane was probably the finest available. I knew that while an O-320 was usually more than enough power, my O-360-A4A at 180 hp was going to get me up and out of some "tight" airports. I am not after speed - just gave up a GP-4 Project (75% complete) that could easily compete with the Falco and even some Lancairs in that category. But then came the 95 kt approach and all of a sudden I owned an airplane that would be very challenged getting into my 3000' strip with trees in Ohio. I do not seek sympathy. I know I took a chance and it became a mistake. As a Private Pilot, I am currently grounded until I can get my 3rd Class again, but the ATP who ferried it up to Ohio from Florida for me as well as the Seller all commented on how nice the airplane flies.....with one person onboard, only. And yes, it is fast. You can probably hear my wife in the background, "WHAT!! You spent all that money on an airplane that you have not seen in person and now it cannot even land at our airport?". I bought her a new puppy a couple of days ago, and now have some renewed hope for my marriage! Currently, and quite by luck, I am doing the most intelligent thing possible (for me) right now. I made contact with Terry Schubert whose 34 year old Long-EZ is parked less than 10 miles from mine, and I am listening to him. Under his guidance, I will correct some minor safety stuff (fuel cap retainer chain; nose wheel bracket attach method; etc.), redo some placards (including installing a compass correction card and the airworthiness certificate plastic pocket), and rework some wiring that just is not up to my personal standards. At that point, I plan to offer it for sale. Marc, your comment about this aircraft's usefulness for someone intending to fly solo without full tanks is supported by similar comments from Terry, and I just hope both of you are correct. As far as "gospel", well.....that's another long tome...for another day. But suffice it to say that someone who has been through my experience can easily be forgiven for having more than a passing interest in carbon fiber construction. The clear admonishment against throwing CF at a Long-EZ which several members have posted here is an example of accepted "gospel" for me. It is not blind faith, but informed inspiration supported by reason.
  5. I am John Caulkins and I purchased a very heavy Long-EZ. My original plan was to identify where the extra "weight" was located and reduce it. With guidance from several very fine folks like Terry Schubert, I have come to see the folly of my dreams. I am an A&P (retired) and determined to fly my own Long-EZ....someday. I am familiar with the stellar reputations of folks like Marc Zeitlin and others herein and accept their written guidance as gospel. Hopefully, I will find a workable solution to my problem, but in reading several of the posts here, I am sure contacts here will be very valuable.
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