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Messages - Hank Clark

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1
Hangar Flying / Why keep the engine certified?
« on: October 23, 2005, 07:05:05 PM »
It's going to cost a bundle of money, you know.  My 0-320 still has the registration plate, but it would be a lot easier if I just yanked the thing off so I could do my own work.  Does anybody really keep it certified in case they want to sell the engine some day?

2
Hangar Flying / Replacement tube
« on: April 01, 2005, 06:29:04 PM »
Well Kilo, I'm too new at this canard thing to help with the tire pressure, but I was fascinated with the non-flying lady's first impression.  I guess the moral of the story is to prepare the person for what they are about to see.  
Personally, I am absolutely smitten by the sleek looks of my friend's complete and flying Long EZ and I always show people that aircraft when they want to know what I'm building.  But non flyers need a little preparation I guess.  Plus, let's face it, if she saw it with its nose on the ground, you were asking for trouble.  I suggest we all learn the art of tying the nose to the ground with the gear extended for the bennefit of the uninitiated.
Your blown tire is a small problem.  Here I am, married to a lady whose only comment about my airplane is 'it's in the way' despite all my promises about the wonderful places this machine will take us.

Hank Clark

3
Hangar Flying / Mounting a canard from another aircraft
« on: March 21, 2005, 02:07:40 PM »
According to the plans, the canard angle of incidence is critical.  Zero for the Long, and .6 degrees up for the Vari.  

I have a nice canard to mount on my project Long EZ, but it seems like it came from another aircraft.  ( It was finish painted while the rest of the entire aircraft was not even primed.)  Also, the mounting pins match  the holes nicely but the result is far from level.  The lift tabs were corroded and have been replaced, and have yet to be drilled.


Now, since I don't have the original incidence block for this canard I'm left guessing as to just what is zero incidence.  The bottom of the airfoil is not a straight line, so I could be a few degrees off when I'm done. :cry:
The bushings in the mounting holes popped right out, so I think I can move the holes with no problem.  But how can I measure the angle of incidence?
 
As always, I appreciate any and all the wisdom I have read on this board. Thanks again  :!:

Hank Clark

4
Hangar Flying / Oil Cooler Air Outlet
« on: February 18, 2005, 06:26:15 PM »
Seems simple enough.  Just cut a rectangular hole to let the hot air out the underside of the cowling.  You have the higher pressure air inside the cowling, but it seems like you would have higher pressure air under the wing too.   Has anyone tried a 1/4 or 1/2 inch raised lip in front of the cut out that would, in effect, pull air down through the oil cooler and give it someplace to go?  For that matter wouldn't the same principle work for the elevator tube holes, at least equalizing pressure instead of designing a seal to keep the cold out?

5
Hangar Flying / tying down, not hangaring an EZ
« on: February 18, 2005, 06:08:04 PM »
Louis -
    For what it's worth,  I'm planning on tying my LEZ outside when it's finished.  There simply are no hangars available where I live. (Upstate NY)   I have stored my J-3 Cub outdoors for more than 20 years and it does very well, but it gets the wax job and complete canvas covering, as suggested above.  It is more work, but I have a number of friends who have lost airplanes in hangar collapses due to snow loads, and hangared airplanes are always covered with gritty dust.  The moral of the story is - if you can't get a hangar, look at the bright side!  :D

Waiter -
    If you catch this post....  have you actaully seen two Longs sharing one T hangar?  I have a friend with a Long which fits very comfortably. I can't envision a second airplane in there.  Lots of room spanwise, but nose under tail, I just can't imagine it.

Hank Clark
N72HM

6
Hangar Flying / Sand & Fill
« on: February 13, 2005, 10:47:15 PM »
Somebody tried using a V notched squeegie to apply filler.  The idea being to save a lot of sanding.  Once you have the shape, just fill in the remaining grooves.  The idea seems to work.

7
Hangar Flying / Four wires, one casing
« on: February 13, 2005, 10:43:39 PM »
There is a wire available that carries four wires in one casing.  It saves the trouble of running four seperate wires the length of the fuselage and it may even be shielded.  I have seen this stuff, but I don't know where to buy it.  Who is the electronics expert?

Hank Clark
N72HM

8
Hangar Flying / The Smell of Epoxy:
« on: February 11, 2005, 10:56:46 PM »
John....
My only regret so far, in buying a "99 percent" complete Long EZ is the temperature.  I see you are somewhere in California.  Maybe 85 degrees is attainable.  Here in northern NY it's out of the question.  I have been hauling parts in and out of the laundry room, for as long as my wife will put up with it.  Wooden airplanes were much less tempermental!  Please, somebody tell me it's all going to be worthwhile. :(

Hank Clark
N72HM

9
Hangar Flying / Nose Ballast with O-320
« on: February 04, 2005, 06:18:54 PM »
Excellent advice!   Thanks to all.

I might ad that this is fast becoming a great bulliten board.  When you get six good answers practically overnight, it's a good sign.

The MiniMax builders had a really good board, good bunch of guys, always very friendly, no spats, nothing ugly, and always lots of help with your project.  The Long EZ seems like a much bigger project and is more complex, with less room for error.  This is where the voice of experience is most valuable.  There is much more to know.

Thanks,
Hank Clark

N72HM

10
Hangar Flying / Nose Ballast with O-320
« on: February 01, 2005, 09:07:15 PM »
Somebody stuck an O-320 on my Long EZ project before I got ahold of it.  Not complaining mind you, but I'd like just one of you sister ship owners to tell me how much lead shot I'll have to stuff into the nose.  This is the standard plans nose.   A long nose would be a thing of beauty, but that's a project I'd like to put off for some other winter.  I really wanna fly SOON:!: :!:  
I want to hollow out some foam around the pitot and refill with lead shot before we paint  .  Hoping to keep the electric starter and aluminum spinner.  Perhaps I'm dreaming....   :roll:

11
Hangar Flying / Fireproof aileron tubes Long EZ
« on: January 19, 2005, 12:48:21 PM »
The Canard Pusher was number 49 page 6.    They recomended steel tubing and painting the firewall with fireproof paint.   By the way, I have an extra quart of the paint if anyone wants to buy it.  They only sell it by the gallon.

Hank Clark

12
Hangar Flying / Fireproof aileron tubes Long EZ
« on: January 16, 2005, 11:10:19 PM »
Tony-
There was a mandatory ground in the 'Canard pusher' a few years ago advising EZ owners to get rid of any aluminum in the engine compartment in case of fire.  I really don't want to make this modification because of the added weight, but Rutan said replace, so we replace...........

13
Hangar Flying / Fireproof aileron tubes Long EZ
« on: January 15, 2005, 05:34:42 PM »
I'm looking for some advice on replacing those aluminum 1/2 inch aileron tubes with 4130 steel.  Do we use the same .035 wall thickness as the aluminum?  And those rod end bearings too,  I have new XM-3 bearings with the 1/4 inch threads.  Do we thread them into aluminum inserts, or use steel inserts?  I understand that steel inserts with a collar were used in later design Longs, but I don't find any info about them.
     I sure hope I can find somebody who has done this and has all the answers.  
    Thanks..........

Hank

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