Hangar Flying

Hello everyone
Here’s an update on the Burt Rutan tribute planned for AirVenture Oshkosh 2011.
1.      Aircraft parking & camping
Based on pre-registrations, we are expecting about 200 Rutan aircraft to attend AirVenture!  A special display of twelve significant aircraft will be arranged at show center (now called ConocoPhillips Plaza).   The flightline north of ConocoPhillips Plaza has been reserved for general parking of Rutan aircraft.  If you are parking in this area please display a Homebuilt Parking sign (HBP) in your windshield and the ground marshals will guide you in.   If you are camping with your airplane, please display a Homebuilt Camping sign (HBC).  The volunteers will endeavor to position the Rutan aircraft together, although if the camping area gets very full, this may not always be possible.   

2.      Flying Tribute to Burt
If you are interested in being part of the afternoon flying showcase on the afternoon of Thursday July 28th please let us know by reply to this email, and we will keep you informed as the plans come together.   It would be helpful if you could include a brief summary of your flying experience.  We would like to get a good variety of Rutan aircraft up in the sky on that day. 

 3.      Schedules now online

Almost 50 forums and presentations have been scheduled in connection with the Burt Rutan tribute, and more are being added daily.   
4.      Book Signings

We really like the new book Burt Rutan’s Race to Space.   It gives a comprehensive overview of Burt’s whole career, and contains some great photos and sketches from Burt’s personal archives.   Check the schedule and you will see several book signings with author Dan Linehan, some of which will also be attended by Burt.

 

5.      An Evening With Voyager

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Voyager’s epic around-the-world flight, we have arranged a special evening in the EAA Museum from 7pm to 10pm on Friday July 29th.   This will include a rededication of the Voyager exhibit in the Museum, and a program including Dick Rutan, Burt Rutan, John Roncz, Jack Norris, Mike Melvill, and other guests to be announced.   The evening is free of charge, but capacity is limited so you will need to reserve a ticket.   Follow this link to the online booking system.

 

Please feel free to spread the word by sharing this update with others, and do let us know if you have any questions. 

 

Adam

 

Adam Smith

Vice President, Membership

Lifetime Member #653205

EAA—The Spirit of Aviation

 

Phone: 920.426.4842

 

www.eaa.org

 

See you at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh —July 25 – July 31, 2011

 

 

 

Joe,

Thanks for your reply.  I think that may be the problem.  I'll have to measure the thickness and see if there is enough meat left to grind flat.  If not, then new one's will be the answer.

Man o man, do I seem to chase that left rudder trim around.  I have the old sawtooth rudder trim and it seems that one tooth is to much either way.  My vari requires a lot of left rudder trim on climb out, a different setting in cruise and different again on decent.  Not unusal on the surface but it seems like I'm using a lot of trim on the rudder.  Any thoughts from you high time fliers???

Also, when braking at slower speeds I sometimes get some shimmy in the main gear legs.  If I let go of the brakes it stops.  Seems to happen at slow speeds, anybody else have this phenomonon?

Wayne,

Yes I am happy to report that the Vari is as easy to fly as most any other airplane.  The rant I went on a few post's back was kinda sparked by just this subject.  I was just really stunned at the number of people who were truly worried about how "dangerous" it was going to be to fly.  Not that I did not prepare it well but that the design itself was somehow inherently unsafe.  Nothing could be farther from the truth with regard to the Varieze.  Now.....that being said.......a poorly built varieze could be a terrible flying airplane, same as any other terribly built homebuilt.  I spent a lot of time around the Lancair IV-P community and witnessed both the finest and worst craftsmanship in aviation.  There was a time back in the 90's and early 2000's were every guy who could mix epoxy thought he was smart enough to build a IV-P, or Turbine Legend or Glasair III, I can tell you this was not the case.  I had a pretty good business going wherein 50% of my business was fixing or finishing what someone else started.  There were ton's of wives tales flying around about how bad this airplane was or that airplane was but you know, in the end most of the designs that came out were pretty good, if you spent the time to do it right.  I'm no genius, anybody who knows me will tell you that but I like to think that I take time to consider the facts about something, not just what I read on the internet.  I have always considered the internet both the greatest and worst invention of mankind.  You can really get some great stuff from sites like this, but if you are not careful you can get some really bad info as well.

Dave,

I was thinking the race started somwhere out in Nebraska or SD this year? 

Bill,

I am rendered nearly speechless by the picture you posted.  I'm just sure that Sir Richard will be most interested.............

Arnold Holmes
N80SH

Who is going to OSH this year??  Chime in on your departure point and dates. 

Arnold Holmes

Leesburg FL departing on the 26th.  Going to stay overnight in central Indiana and hit Osh next morning for the rest of the show.

So the airframe is painted and you are wanting to sand?  It's no big deal except that it will take a little time.  If you are trying to get rid of orange peel then you need to make sure you only use a block with a good grade of wet/dry paper.  Generally I start with 800 and a spray bottle of water.  Keep it real wet so that your paper won't clog and that the water washes away the grit.  after 800, move to 1000 or maybe 1200 and do it all again, using a block.  KEEP IT WET, KEEP THE WATER FLOWING.  Last you can use some Wizard Diamond cut and an electric buffing wheel.  BE VERY CAREFUL TO NOT LET HEAT BUILD UP, BE GENTAL AND TAKE YOUR TIME.  DO NOT LET THE SURFACE GET HOT OR YOU MAY GET A DELAMINATION UNDERNEATH.  just do small areas at first so that you can get the hang of it, its not hard.

Arnold