Questions about speed and Varieze

[renodare]

I an a new owner of a varieze, I flew recently to Middle west with my aircraft, I have a continental 0-200 and I was not able to fly faster than 120Kt, but in general It was more around 110 MPH!!!. I have the feeling that my aircraft is flying nose up at all the time, I am a lot lighter than the previous owner, Is It possible that with the particularity of a canard, I need to put some wheight in the front? and therefore move the cg forward? The previous owner just changed the prop before the sale could It be that I have too much pitch, or not enough?  Do I have to work on having my Aircraft horizontal before worrying about the prop?
If somebody has ideas I will be very grateful of any sort of hints.
Oh and by the way, I am o professional helo pilot, and I love the Varieze

[Drew]

Do not fly the plane until you determine that your pilot weight falls within the CG range allowed for flight for that particular Varieze.

If you don't trust the W/B---go get your plane weighed.

The lead weight in the nose does not effect how high the nose rides---it effects the stability.  If your CG is too far aft, the nose will diverge from trim if you put a perterbation to the nose (stick bumping or wind).

I am not a Varieze expert----so I don't have a feel for what the O200 does to the Varieze.  However, if your deck angle is truely too high, this means you are flying too slow---and using AOA to compensate for the slow speed.  There are two main factors for being too slow
-engine not putting out the power it is supposed to put out (are leaning it properly----sorry--have to ask---have run into more than one person who only thought the mixture lever was there to shut off the engine)
-too much drag on the plane (you didn't buy the plane with the leading edge cuffs did you?)  Do you have wheelpants?

Did you do a prepurchase inspection on the plane?  What was the compression on the cylinders?

You will need some good replys from some Varieze guys to confirm speeds and deck angles.  In general, EZs ride higher than spam cans----but I am used to seeing faster speeds

[eric r]

I purchased a varieze recently in Wyoming. It is light (615 empty), and I am heavy (dare I admit to 255?). Mine has a stock O-200, turns 2750 to 2780 (digital tach) at 11,500 IAS 155 MPH, true at 180 something. I notice a little up angle on the elevator (ever so slight), and it flys at about 0 degrees up angle of attack. Vortillons, stall fences, wheel pants, and an owner made prop. My strakes are slightly oversize (15 gallons per side).
I can not complain about the performance, as with me and full fuel, I'm at that magic 1100 lbs take-off weight ... I see a good climb (no vsi) at 120 to 130 mph indicated ... keeping it flat and cool.  Oh yeah, P-51 scoop and oil and cht temps were very good throughhout the HOT trip. (59 F at 10,000 feet). At 110 to 120 mph, I'm IN THE PATTERN! Get it checked by a canard guru quickly.

[Tom]

If it helps at all

My VE is PLANS Stock with vortilons and pants.
O-200 (stock)
Great american 56X68 Prop
Short Canard
At 5000 Pressure alt wide open I indicate 172 MPH at about 2700 RPM
check your static RPM on the ground,, you should see at least 2400,, if not your engine is either bad or your prop is too coarse.  

it sounds like there is something fishy.
As mentioned you should check your W&B first if you think there is a problem. If you are indeep flying too far aft. this could be fatal!!

Let us know what happens

Tom