Hangar Flying => Hangar Flying => Topic started by: John Mellor on October 31, 2006, 06:00:02 PM
Title: Varieze nose leg needed
Post by: John Mellor on October 31, 2006, 06:00:02 PM
Hi Everyone, After 6 year of flying my Varieze in the UK and many hudreds of uneventful landings, I have finally managed to do one with the gear up...The nose leg was badly damaged so I am in desperate need of a replacement. Can anyone please advise me on where I can locate one.
Thanks.
Title: Have you tried Featherlite?
Post by: rviglierchio on November 02, 2006, 05:58:29 PM
fthrlite@pacific.net
Title: Re: Have you tried Featherlite?
Post by: John Mellor on November 02, 2006, 06:30:43 PM
Quote from: "rviglierchio"
fthrlite@pacific.net
I have contacted Larry at Featherlite and he only has Long EZ legs but he thinks they could possibly be modified to fit, so I'm in the process of checking that out. Thanks for your response. John.
Title: Varieze nose leg needed
Post by: maprather on November 03, 2006, 05:17:53 PM
Quote from CP23:
"The new nose gear strut has a deeper cross-section, increasing its strength 20%, yet allowing use of the same NG3, NG4, NG6 and NG15A parts. A gap will exist between NG15A and the forward plate. (ditto for NG6). The new nose gear is also longer, for the Long-EZ - VariEze builders will saw it to length."
So, you should be able to easily adapt a Long-EZ nose gear leg to fit your VariEze..
Matt-
Title: Varieze nose leg needed
Post by: MacGyver on November 04, 2006, 11:20:51 AM
The stock Long-EZ nose gear strut, as currently configured, is thicker, fore & aft, than the original VariEze strut. It may be a very snug fit if the airframe incorporates the pre-fab strut cover that is installed between the NG30s. It will not be a "plug & play" procedure.
When replacing, make sure you duplicate the overall geometry of the old strut. This can be done on the bench. You need to be able to duplicate the exact angle that the strut makes with the upper pivot axis (think of a "T", with the pivot axis being the top section, and the strut being the vertical section). By bolting the upper pivot block between two pieces of wood that are affixed to your bench, then placing a fixed index piece on either side of the lower end of the strut, you can maintain this same angular alignment when you integrate the new strut with the upper pivot block. You need to make sure the index pieces for the lower end will also accept the new strut (i.e. if there are any width differences between the respective struts, you need to be able to accomodate them, and still maintain the correct geometry.).
Alignment of the lower pivot & nosewheel fork is best done on the airplane, not only to ensure the net length is OK, but to also ensure the lower pivot's vertical axis is truely vertical, and that the caster angle has the proper "negative" inclination.
Most of the above is all based on a nose gear re-build I did for Dave Koester a while back for his Long-EZ. I did the build-up of the lower end off the airplane, but this was a case of a Long-EZ strut/Long-EZ strut replacement.
Good fixing!
Title: Re: Varieze nose leg needed
Post by: John Mellor on November 04, 2006, 11:34:54 AM
Quote from: "maprather"
Quote from CP23:
Thanks for that useful info Joe /Mat, I have now orderd a LongEZ leg from Larry at Featherlite and he agrees with you that it could be made to fit the VEZ with only a little sanding and cutting. I have repaired the glass damage today and hope to be flying again soon. I will certainly heed the excellent advise about the alignment process Joe, especially the wheel castor inclination. Yoe have been a great help guys. John.
Title: Varieze nose leg needed
Post by: saybeengineering on November 11, 2006, 06:56:41 PM
I had a nose gear up landing today and badly damaged the the nose gear and the glass underneath. Given I'm wasn't the builder, would like to seek some advice on the proper repair of the glass and derivatives to guarantee a better final result. Have pictures to share for an opinion and would like to discuss it privately if possible.
Thanks in advance, Afif Saybe Long Ez HR-ATQ
Title: Varieze nose leg needed
Post by: Bruce Hughes on November 13, 2006, 10:55:53 AM
Hi Afif
Do you know any other varieze or canard-pusher people in your area? Repairs are pretty simple but one has to look at the damage and see how bad it is.
Also there are people (on canard-aviators@yahoogroups.com) who can be very helpful aand do not use this site. Try your posting there AFTER you have joined the group.
We need a phone number and your email address before we can be any direct help.
Bruce Hughes
Title: Varieze nose leg needed
Post by: saybeengineering on November 13, 2006, 11:00:53 AM
Thak you Bruce...I'm th only Long EZ on the area, Honduras, Central America. Really proud. My email is saybeengineering@hughes.net. Phone number is 0-11-(504)391-5972. I have pictures for evaluation. Send me an email....