Parting Out MyLong EZ

[wvshoem]

I am forced to part out my Long EZ due to a very unfortunate incident at the paint shop where it was to be painted this past weekend. My plane was covered with 4mm clear plastic and left in the sun for three weeks while it was in line to be painted. The strakes developed several “blisters” ranging in size from a golf ball to an orange where the outside skin separated from the underlying foam.

It may be repairable, but I’m not sure how it could be done short of re-skinning the top of each strake. I would be interested to hear others’ thoughts about how to fix the problem if it is fixable. I’m not prepared to do it, but I would be curious if it is even doable.

I have listed all of the avionics/electronics on e-bay. I have several other items that I thought I would list here first (check the classifieds) including the engine, prop, nose lift, electronic ignition, and other miscellaneous parts.

Not quite sure what I’m going to do with the airframe at this point.

Very disappointed!

William
 

[tomkat01]

I would not part out my airplane ! the strakes are not structual. the repair is not that hard. it may be as simple as drilling a few holes and injecting epoxy in the delam or cutting off the blisters and replacing a few plies.
If it is a a body shop it is the perfect place to do a repair and paint afterwards. you need to look in the plans on how to repair composite structures. It is very eze realy the repair instructions are on the rutan disc.
there is one for sale always on ebay for about $200 or the moldles composite handbook is still for sale on the rutan site .I also checked  and spruce has the handbook and composite learners kit for $49. I dont think It would take that much to fix the tops of the strakes.
I think it would be more work to part out the sirplane than to completly reskin the the strakes.
   If you send me your email address I will send you a digital copy of the
repair information.
If there is anything I can do to help please let me know
Tom

[GlennBob]

Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater ! ! !  Like he said,  the repair can be very eze ! !

I am forced to part out my Long EZ due to a very unfortunate incident at the paint shop where it was to be painted this past weekend. My plane was covered with 4mm clear plastic and left in the sun for three weeks while it was in line to be painted. The strakes developed several “blisters” ranging in size from a golf ball to an orange where the outside skin separated from the underlying foam.

It may be repairable, but I’m not sure how it could be done short of re-skinning the top of each strake. I would be interested to hear others’ thoughts about how to fix the problem if it is fixable. I’m not prepared to do it, but I would be curious if it is even doable.

I have listed all of the avionics/electronics on e-bay. I have several other items that I thought I would list here first (check the classifieds) including the engine, prop, nose lift, electronic ignition, and other miscellaneous parts.

Not quite sure what I’m going to do with the airframe at this point.

Very disappointed!

William
 

William, feel free to contact me offline if you need help with the repair.  I cannot imagine that the airplane is beyond repair based on your description.

rick@belleaireaviation.com

Regards,

Rick Pellicciotti
http://www.belleaireaviation.com

[rglos]

Fixing the skin is very do-able.
If I remember correctly you would cut out the areas or bubbles.
Fill the underlying area with micro and sand later to match the top area. Then two layers of glass ovelaping the delam areas by two inches. I would overlap the first layer by four and the second by two. Then micro the edges and blend in.  Total time about 15 to 30 minutes for each.

You will not even be able to see it

This is not a major job especially as it is essentially pre-paint and I take it pre-primer.

First things first. Get it out of the sun or cover it with some old bed sheets

I saw an early Vari EZ once at Oshkosh that looked like half the plane was a delamination. The owner flew it more than once to Oshkosh cause I saw it several times.

The sign on it aid "Judge not lest ye be judged" What does that tell you

[rviglierchio]

William,
Be very careful with this so-called easy fix.  Talk to a good composite shop and describe in detail the temperatures your plane was subjected to so they can advise you on the condition of things you may not be able to see.  There are some great shops around, one up in Idaho, Texas 9see bleow), Watsonville, CA. (http://www.aircraftersllc.com/index.htm)

Here's a note from this site:
Ron Gowan a long time EZ builder/flyer has recently started a new company called EZ Composites, LLC  His web site is www.ezcomposites.com. It's great to have a resource like this centrally located in Denton Texas. Everyone help make Ron's business successful.

These would be the best people to advise you on the safety of your basic structure after possible overheating the low temp epoxy structure.
Good luck.

[rviglierchio]

William,
Here is another good source of advice on the extent of your damage and it's repairability:

Dale Martin, 509-780-7320
LEZ
Lewiston, ID
EAA Technical Counselor
Owl Eagle Composite Aerial Repair

[Bruce Hughes]

Hi William

I don't think you should part out the airplane unless an expert says
to do it.

There are 6 people/companies that I would trust with an inspection
to determine how to repair the damage.   Probably there are others
but I do not know them.   Depending on where you live:

     Northeast                - Ken Miller
     Eastern                   - ?  Longeze Hangar ?   - in Tennessee
     North Texas            - Ron Gowen  - I don't know much about him.
     Colorado/Rocky Mt. - Burrell Sanders
     Northwest               - Dale Martin
     Southwest               - Bill Oertel

I am sorry that I do not know the people in Tennessee very well.  I
know that someone can give you their address.

Remember:  Klaus flew his "delaminator" at 250 mph AFTER he repaired
some delamination.  

Bruce Hughes

[Bruce Hughes]

I found the missing information from Friday's posting:

EZHangar in Covington, Tennessee is run by Valerie Harris and
her husband.

See www.eracer.com/ezhangar

I believe that they did the 1st jet propelled Longeze.  

Bruce Hughes

The Harris' new web site is here:

http://www.ezjetinc.com

Great folks.  My EZrg would not be flying today if not for their help.

Rick Pellicciotti