Intro and request for help in Texas

[AaronT]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to introduce myself and request some assistance.  I have been lurking here for a few months and I am now in Long-EZ (or VariEze) purchase mode.   I am a Canadian Air Force pilot with a background in Search and Rescue as well as Transport.  I have a mix of time on everything from a Champ (very humbling) to H-46 helo's (we called them CH-113) to A310 Airbus (my first aircraft with an real lavatory).   I am currently in a ground job as an Air Search Coordinator at the Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Victoria on the west coast of Canada and missing flying.   The "Joint" is due to the office being staffed by Canadian Coast Guard and Canadian Air Force Officers (and a way to gain more funding?).

I was wondering if there were any Long-EZ or VariEze builders or owners in the Houston, Texas area that would like to check out a partially completed Long-EZ for me.   I'm looking for someone to give me an honest assessment of the build quality and work required to complete the project as well as snap a few pictures.  I'm not looking for a tear-down, AME inspection of the plane,  just an educated guess as to whether or not the project may be worth the effort.   I would be happy to pay your minor expenses such as gas and lunch. 

Please PM me if you are interested or you have any suggestions.

Cheers,
Aaron

PS - If anyone knows of any composite builder assistance shops in Houston please let me know.

[johnjamis]

Pm sent. 

[pacerpilot]

Hi Arron,
If you're interested I might have my Varieze for sale. I just bought it and it might not be the right plane for me. I'm a "low and slow" kinda' pilot and the Varieze is not that. I also need a little more room. I'm in Livingston which is only 80 miles from Houston. Let me know, thanks.

[AaronT]

Pacerpilot, I sent you a PM.

[A. Bruce Hughes]

Hi Aaron

The CSA should be able to give you some help.   A lot of  information on CSA is
available on this website (look for the tab on the home page).

There are 30 guys who volunteer to help newbies.   The one in Texas (called the
Texas representative) is Bob Sudderth.   He is a great guy.   Unfortunately he
lives far from you (east of Dallas) but he will know some of the experts around
Houston.   I don't know the level of expertise of any of the Houston guys.
Call Bob at 903-569-3028

I do know of 5 guys who live in Houston or nearby.   2 have cozys or cozy projects, I don't
know which.   You could call Dennis Butler at 281-282-3935.   Ken Cameron does not give a
phone # so try kdcameron37@aol.com

Jim Voss has a Longeze.  Try 281-480-6185.   He has a lot of hours on the Longeze.

Aziz Musa is listed in UT but has moved to Houston.   Try 801-467-3323.   That is a
UT number so you may find him only through Dennis, Ken, or Jim.   Also I think he is
still flying 747s or something out of England; he may be gone for a while.   He is a great
guy.

Ryszard Zadow lives in Waller.   His # is 409-931-3314.

There must be others that live close to Houston but I don't know the location of all
the Texas cities and the CSA directory does not indicate location other than the city
name.

Good luck

Bruce Hughes   

[AaronT]

Thank you very much Bruce.   That is excellent info and exactly what I need.

Cheers,
Aaron
 

[Tom]

Hi Aaron,,

I am local to Calgary, and have a Varieze for sale.

Here is a shot of it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri8GTvQrk-4

call me if youre interested 40 3 607 8 45 7

Much simpler than buying a project..

[flyingwaldo]

Tom,
How does one go about flying the pylons at Reno?  Is it allowed at certain times or just by special arrangement?
Thanks!

[Tom]

Hi Waldo,

pylon racing at Reno is not an impossible thing to do,, but it certainly is not eze (pardon the pun)

I race a Cassutt in the formula one class, and as it just so happens, the Varieze just about fits into the Formula one class as well, and as such, I was able to bring it on the course for some training a couple summers ago.    Im not sure If I will wind up racing the eze, but is still in the back of my mind.

If you do want to race,, my advice is to buy a pitts or a cassut,   bring it to the Pylon racing seminar (rookie school) in June,,  Pass your checkride (not difficlut to do, but be prepared ) and come in Sept to race!   its some of the best fun you will ever have in an airplane!