EZ Checklist

[Delta Mike]

Where can a comprehensive checklist of Vari-EZ features/issues/critical inspection points/Rutan recommended modifications/etc. be found?

This could be useful to prospective buyers of flying EZs, as well as give an idea to prospective kit builders of what to expect in a finished product.

If none exists, I am willing to compile such a checklist into a nice format and post it on this topic.

For Example (condensed format):
Engine: Type/size/HP/piston type/cyl type/compression/valve type/SMOH/TT/exh type/etc.
Engine Electrical: Ignition type/alt/starter/installed sensors(#EGT/#CHT/manifold pr/etc.)/warning systems/etc.
Instrumentation: Alt/AIS/T&B/ROC/Artifical Horizon/Nav-Com/Transponder/DME/DG/Intercom/GPS/autopilot/etc.
Fuel system: Tanks/capacity/fuel consumption vs power setting(or speed?)/pumps/baffles/other fuel management systems/etc.
Airframe: empty wt/paint/repairs/TT/fairings/brakes/controls/etc.
Critical Inspection Points: ?/?/?
Special Modifications: Berk-EZ/?

[Drew]

Not sure about where to find a comprehensive list----but all the info you are looking for to make such a list can be found in the Canard Pusher Newsletters.  

I am not nearly as familiar with the Varieze as the Longez---but many of the modifications people talk about in the Long are not Rutan approved.  For example, Burt recommends the 0235----but Dick flys the O360 and I think Mike flys the O320.  Big rudders are approved but long noses are not (I think Dick and Mike have long noses).

The main point is that the CPs (and plans) contain all the info you are looking for.  There are many people flying modifications that are not Rutan approved----and in many cases (but not all----and maybe only some) that is ok.

[Delta Mike]

Here is a checklist that I am currently using to evaluate EZs. I am learning one of the most important elements of an EZ is the quality of craftmanship, which is difficult to capture. Any ideas on questinons and pictures/photos that could help evaluate this?

EZ Checklist:

AIRCRAFT:
Registration
Owner
Builder
Location
Asking Price
Equipment value

INSTRUMENTS
Fuel Flow
Oil Pr
Oil Temp
Tach
Voltmeter
Manifold Pr
EC1 (engine control cluster)
# of EHT/CHT
Fuel gage type
GPS
Radio
Nav / Nav-com
Transponder
Encoder / ModeC
Altimeter
DG
Artifical Horiz
VSI
Arispeed
Electric Trim
Autopilot
PTT / Intercom
Nose gear warning light / horn
ELT

WIRING / ELECTRICAL
Battery type / location
Wiring type (teflon/PTFE)
wiring diagrams
electrical conduits

ENGINE
Engine Type
ETT
SMOH
Engine History
Engine History
Cyl type (chrome/std)
Piston type
Exhaust
Horsepower
Fuel Consumption
Time between operation
Break in procedure
Prop Type
Prop Hours
Alt / type
Starter
Fuel Pump
Carb type
Carb Heat type
Oil Filter setup
Compression
Who overhauled
Engine Log books
Ram Induction or Firewall induction
Oil burn rate
Oil type (on break in/ current)
Spare parts
Carb Ice alarm
Ignition type/config/settings
oil cooler
GAS
Eng compartment push rods

AIRFRAME
Builder
Total Time
build year
Fuel capacity Mains
Fuel Filter
Fuel Reserve
Ballast
Fuel Selector
Paint (close up pics of any defects)
Urathane vs Styrofoam
Wood
Delamination spots
Tyre size/ply
wheel
brake
Wheel fairing
Trailing edge fences
Stall fences on small wing
Canard Design (CU or Roncz)
Any Fuel leaks
Canopy type/condition
Canopy seal (water / flight noise)
Flight handling
Nose wheel off
TO speed
Rollout roll
Landing speed
Water drainage
air brake
Landing gear ratchet
Landing rollout characteristics
Landing gear
Max flown altitude
Logbook / original plans / CP's
Gear up landing
Lights
Emergency brake
Split rudders
Air intake
Steering
Accidents
Trailer
Cover
landing gear fairings
Buyer Beware

PICTURES:
Paint closeup
Instruments
Behind panel if possible
Wing attach points
Engine compartment with cowl off
Left / right / top / bottom
Behind Canard

NEEDED ACTIONS:

[Drew]

Craftmanship quality can be captured in a couple of ways:
-builder reputation
-fuselage/wing finish----generally speaking, if the builder took the time to give the aircraft a very smooth finish, he probably took the care and effort to build it right  (the exception to this would be the builder who covered up all his sins with a smooth finish)
-documentation. There are many builders who have documented their effort on the internet.  They took pictures of everything---you can see all the layups and see what kind of quality work actually went in it.  Some people did not document on the internet----but they do have the photographic evidence
-aircraft hours.  An aircraft with lots of hours may be evidence of a nice, safe, flying airplane