Hangar Flying => Hangar Flying => Topic started by: wvshoem on September 11, 2006, 02:56:02 PM
Title: Parting Out MyLong EZ
Post by: wvshoem on September 11, 2006, 02:56:02 PM
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 :(
Title: Parting Out MyLong EZ
Post by: tomkat01 on September 11, 2006, 07:45:52 PM
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
Title: Parting out Long -ez
Post by: GlennBob on September 11, 2006, 11:22:06 PM
Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater ! ! ! Like he said, the repair can be very eze ! !
Title: Re: Parting Out MyLong EZ
Post by: on September 12, 2006, 02:10:15 PM
Quote from: "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 :(
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
Title: Parting Out MyLong EZ
Post by: rglos on September 12, 2006, 04:51:26 PM
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
Title: Parting Out MyLong EZ
Post by: rviglierchio on September 12, 2006, 05:52:52 PM
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.
Title: Parting Out MyLong EZ
Post by: rviglierchio on September 13, 2006, 08:06:16 AM
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
Title: Parting out my Longeze
Post by: Bruce Hughes on September 22, 2006, 11:13:44 PM
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. :D
Bruce Hughes :)
Title: Parting out my Longeze
Post by: Bruce Hughes on September 24, 2006, 10:25:03 PM
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. :D
Bruce Hughes :)
Title: Parting Out MyLong EZ
Post by: on September 30, 2006, 12:18:57 PM
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.