Three Ez questions

[kevkevkel]

Q.1.    The Long Ez plans show the outer rib of the fuel tank at BL 45 and the remaining section of the strake is then faired to mate with the wing.  I used Task strake leading edges and baffles/ribs and got a real good match with the wing.  Before fitting the wing top I wish to enquire if anyone ever considered extending the fuel tank out to the end rib (c. BL 55).  Is this acceptable Or is there a prohibition on this?  Would this have a negative effect on centre of gravity? 

Q.2.    Way back a long time ago there was an article in either CP or CSA newsletter about using -3 aluminium tubing in the brake lines in place of nylaflow tubing.  Since then I have never seen anything about the success or otherwise of the -3 aluminium tubing.  Has anyone tried this?  Was it successful?  Is -3 tubing large enough?

Q.3.   I have original brake discs (single puck) on 500/5 wheels.  Can I fit double puck brake discs on these wheels?  Can anyone provide the reference number and source please.

Thank you in anticipation,

Kevin

[EZRider]

Q1  I extended mine to the end, however I did add add another rib at the end.

[dkreidel]

I moved the rib on EZ #1 to ~BL52 and EZ #2 to ~BL55.  #1 holds 54 gallons and #2 holds almost 56 gallons.

I wouldn't use aluminum tubing on the gear leg as it flexes **a lot** and I would be fearful of work hardening the aluminum

I have the single puck brakes off Burt's Defiant, but they are piloted.  As long as you have the thick (3/8"?) discs you will be fine with either caliper. If I were doing this all again from scratch I'd use MATCO brakes.

Dick

[go ez]

Ref Q1  - I vaguely recall Rutan specifically addressed this in the Canard Pusher and vetoed it - can't remember exactly where - or the reason - may well have been excess fuel transfer / CoG related and/or fuel proximity to the styrofoam wings.

Ref Q2 - brakeline internal diameter doesn't matter really as the fluid transfer is negligable but I agree aluminum is a bad idea due to gear and caliper flex - nothing wrong with nyloflow - functional & light - Rutan recommended stratoflex or similar braided hose in the last 8 - 12" / the area of the caliper end where there are  heat & light etc issues.

Steve

[dkreidel]

Ref Q1  - I vaguely recall Rutan specifically addressed this in the Canard Pusher and vetoed it - can't remember exactly where - or the reason - may well have been excess fuel transfer / CoG related and/or fuel proximity to the styrofoam wings

Good memory; it was CG. But:
 • Dick Rutan's light blue Long has the strake/tank close out rib all the way outboard for extra fuel
 • The CG concern was prior to RAF moving the aft CG limit forward 1". You can do the math and see the CG impact of the extra fuel outboard 

[kevkevkel]

Gentlemen,  Your responses are much appreciated  and all very useful.  I'm going to extend tank capacity to BL55.  Thanks.  I estimate I can get an extra 3 US gals per side (2.5 Imperial).

[BruceHughes]

STOP!

Have you considered how you will get the wiring out to the nav. lights?  You have to unplug them
somewhere when you take the wings off.   Also you have to put the strobe system somewhere.
Where will you put yours?  Farther from the radio may mean less RF interference.

Why do you need a couple of gallons more?   You have to land to PEE sometime.
Dick Rutan needed extra fuel because he was going to fly around the world.   Do you plan
to be another Dick Rutan?   Better think again....

People that make changes in the plans always end up with a mess.  I know that because I
made some small changes.   Not good.

Bruce Hughes   

[kevkevkel]

STOP!

Have you considered how you will get the wiring out to the nav. lights?  You have to unplug them
somewhere when you take the wings off.   Also you have to put the strobe system somewhere.
Where will you put yours?  Farther from the radio may mean less RF interference.

People that make changes in the plans always end up with a mess.  I know that because I
made some small changes.   Not good.

Bruce Hughes   

I don't understand your confusion, Bruce.    Nav/Strobe combo (Rob Rollinson's brilliant micro-burst system) goes on wing tip.  Wiring and antenna cables run through the interior of the spar, neither of which interfere with the fuel tank.  And of course I installed a small multi-plug on the wiring system at the join between the spar and the wing, but I fail to see what you are driving at as my query related to fuel tank and brake system.

[dkreidel]

STOP!
People that make changes in the plans always end up with a mess.  I know that because I
made some small changes.   Not good.
Bruce Hughes   

Bruce

I have my strobe power supply in the hell-hole. My strobe wiring and com antennas come through the centersection. I installed full rear seat controls (rudder, brakes, throttle, mixture, frequency flip flop, etc) in the rear cockpits of both EZ's, as well as flight instrumentation and slaved CDI in the rear of #2 permitting one to fly a full ILS from the rear seat. Both EZ's had the MG axle centerline repositioned 1" from the plan FS; #1 an inch forward and #2 an inch aft.

Our LimoEZ (#2) had left side stick, had an 8" stretch in the rear cockpit, 2" wider firewall, longer canard, etc.

Saying all people who make changes in Rutan's plans have problems not only discourages innovation, but is patently incorrect. The plans call for O-235 power; I wonder how many Longs have O-320 & O-360 engines? With thousands of EZ's flying, there are a lot of planes flying safely and successfully with plans deviations. 

Dick Kreidel
2,970 hours on N888EZ

[Justin D]

Just thought I'd share a little, my veri was built in 79, and it has aluminum brake lines...there is no log entries of there ever being any issue with them and I just recently did a gear attach replacement and mod! I am fairly new to eze's, but have other aviation experience.. I also agree with allowing changes as long as they are thought out well enough. Some great innovations have come from a little out of the box thinking! Pretty sure these little glass planes in general are the concept of out of the box thinking...
    Just a thought.....Justin
 O-200 ellison TBI, CNC gear attach,lightspeed prop and ignition, 185 mph @ 2300 rpm no wheelpants