Hangar Flying

Hi Paul

There are several/many canard people in WA.   Some (me) do not know much but
some are very expert.   I think your best bet is ask Joe Person (425-481-3645)
who has built 2 variezes and is an engineer for Boeing.   Also Ken Koskella ((360-337-2171)
who has a Longeze.   Also Joe Hull (425-898-7972) who has a Cozy.   Also Michael
Sabourin (206-246-3263) who has a Longeze.

Be aware that there are 2 types of Longezes, those with the GU canard and those
with the Roncz canard.   If you have a GU canard, you have a lot of air leaks which is
not very good in WA in the winter.

I will not be back in WA until Mar. 2.   I will be happy to show mine to you as an
example of all of the things you can do wrong during building.   Cannot fly you yet;
I still have to get the FAA to look at it.

If you find an airplane and want an inspection (ABSOLUTELY essential), call Dale Martin
or one of the other expert A & P guys (I can give you a list)(my phone is 808-250-0939)

David Orr knows which aircraft are for sale or may be for sale.  949-939-1479
He charges a finder's fee.

Bruce Hughes   

Hi Group

I am nearing the end of a VERY long construction of a Longeze.   Someday soon
I hope to fly it, then rebuild the Longeze construction manual.   Over the years
it has become a bit shopworn.   I am missing a couple of pages; the first page
that I have is the 3 views of the Longeze.   I could retype the table of contents
but that would be a PIA.  Could someone download that page and/or whatever I
am missing and send it to:

    bruce@fairpoint.net

I would appreciate that very much.

Bruce Hughes   

Hi Reb

We need a little more information.   Did you get directions with the antenna?  Follow them?
They may assume that it is going on an aluminum airplane; are you using a ground plane;
ship antennas require a fair sized ground plane.   

Do you know any ham radio guys; they are gems of information, especially those into UHF?VHF

Bruce Hughes   

When I was ready to paint, I assumed that the spraylat on the canopy would
protect the canopy from the paint...    It will NOT. 

After painting, I had some overspray on the edges of the canopy, from 1/2"
to 1" wide.   I tried a few things but only damaged the plexiglass.   

I gave up.

Other work took years and the aircraft was sitting in the sun much of the time.
Finally that paint was the only problem left.  I found that I could flake it off
by very carefully sliding a sharp blade against the edges.  My eyes are VERY
good for close work; very few (maybe none) of you are as nearsighted as I am.

I am sure that the sunlight had degraded the paint slightly so time will help
you. 

I also was planning to use the micromesh but did not have too.  BUT there is
a little epoxy on the inside surface.   That will be a micromesh job, I think.

Bruce Hughes   

Hi Flyboy

Joe made the point but I want to make it AGAIN.  The weight of a Varieze or Longeze
is VERY important.  Mine has not flown but I know that it is VERY heavy.  NOT GOOD.   

I will fly mine (not finished yet) but you would be crazy to buy one that weighs even
close to the weight. 

What is your name?

Bruce Hughes   

Hi Bill

I certainly am not an expert but I have been building for many years.

I use Aeropoxy when possible.  Aeropoxy sets up a bit slow for me and
I am making things that are NOT structural.  I use West System for them
because I make them in the afternoon and want them finished by morning.

Use Aeropoxy for and structural parts.  It is MUCH less likely to harden
too fast (i.e. exotherm) compared to West System.  Be sure to STIR
enough which will help avoid exotherm.

If you use a helper, be CERTAIN that they do the spreading.  YOU do the
weighing (or mixing by dispensor) and stirring.  I have heard of epoxy/hardener
mix that never set up due to little mixing or incorrect ratio.

I know nothing about Ezpoxy

Bruce Hughes

The Eracer, the Berkut, and the Aerocanard have retracting gear, I believe and that is
all except for a very small number of Longezes that have or had retracting gear. 

I am NOT an expert (I am a biologist so I know very little about aerodynamics),
the following is just my opinion.  IMHO I would not try to retrofit a Longeze with retracting
gear.   Anything that you do, adds weight.   The added weight is reflected by your having
to fly just a little more nose-up for just a little more lift.   But that adds drag.   So what
have you gained by the retracting gear?    Proper streamlining of the main gear and wheel
pants will result in very little drag from the main gear (see back issues of the CSA newletters).

Anyway it would be a very long, hard project.

Bruce Hughes   

Hi

If you have definitely decided on the Longeze, you should contact David Orr,
who keeps track of which aircraft are for sale.   949-939-1479 or
canardfinder@worldnet.att.net

Do not ignore the smaller Cozy and the Eracer; those are good airplanes and
have more baggage space than the Longeze.

Are you in the CSA?   You can contact the state representatives for Michigan,
New Hampshire, New York, Illinois, etc.   They may know of aircraft for sale
close to you.    In any case get an EXPERT to check it over.  Best expert in
the northeast is Ken Miller IMHO.   Call him at 516-381-5382.

Bruce Hughes