How MINE's coming along.

[Britguy59]

Love this site, but not a lot of people posting. I thought I'd add some reading material about my own EZ, maybe a few others might provide the same.
I bought one partially built last year, along with lots of odds and ends, pieces and a well worn and epoxy spattered set of plans. I have an early version it seems, it has the old male inlet. Never heard of the female EZ till I saw one at Sun n Fun. These forums, (and the other canard sites) are a great souce of info. I spend many a spare moment reading and learning. Each night I dream of flying my own. (never been flying in one yet). I sweat the details, rebuilding things I'm not 100% happy with. I'll complete a section and later find something here that says, "gotta redo it, that won't work". I'm on my 3rd instrument panel, and changing the mounts now from Aluminium to steel for the heavier 0-320. There is so much I don't know, fear pervades me at times, thinking I'll miss something that will be my undoing down the road. I read the accident reports, learn from others faults and sometimes their demise. After so many years, there are no local builders near me, few used (or new) parts, not too many people to ask questions of, or look at their planes in person. Sometimes I regret even starting it all, but we all need a dream, and despite the constant stream of money and a thousand things to do, it remains my biggest reason to go to work in the morning.
 Fortunately I am supported in the dream by my long suffering wife who never fails to encourage me, just another reason for me to appreciate her.
 One day I will join you in the skies and I will get to feel the joy of canard flight. Lets all keep up with the postings and encourage these often complex and difficult projects.

[walter]

My thoughts exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Drew]

For the extrusions, I used aluminum for the O320.  Same thickness of extrusion (use the same thickness if you use steel too or the mount won't fit.  The only change in the extrusions that I did was a 1/2 inch taller vertical web.  Did not change out the lower extrusions---but if you are at a stage you can easily do it---I would.

The Cozy and Berkut hang their engines "more normally."  I have never bothered to check if a Longez can be done this way.  But if it could, this would be best.

[GlennBob]

My EZ, . .did fly one day, . .but I was very worried about getting back on the ground in one piece.  That was 18 months ago.  I too build a new panel, . .( but not 3 of them )  Actually 4 or 5 but only one went into the plane.  I am quite happy with how it all came together with the exception of not having a turn coordinator.

After months of head scratchin' and plaguing people for info, . .I finally have my radios and antennas installed and WORKING  ! !   That was such a relief to see ! !   Now I'm wrapping up all the loose wiring and am headed to so many more projects.  I was hoping to be airborne this summer, . .but it looks like a long shot.   I hate it when people ask me when I'll be done.  I have absolutely no way of knowing ! !  

For a while there, . . it seemed like being on a treadmill going nowhere.  There was so much to do and I couldn't see any progress even though I was working on it quite a bit.  But now, . .I see things done and I know  (from other projects I've done )  eventually, . .it will be done ! !

Glennbob

[Britguy59]

Glad to hear aluminum still being OK. I'm changing the top fittings to stainless steel, but was going to leave the bottom ones due to the risk of damaging the sumps in the the removal process. All the alum ones are
 1 1/2 by 1 inch, the taller vertical web you mentioned. My concern was actually that to get the mount accurately pointed to the rear left me with one engine mount leg connected with a single bolt, no room to place a second. I wasn't comfortable with 7 bolts instead of 8!! I'm going to try to use a laser to set the angles right.  The plans don't really discuss how to do this, but lasers wern't around in the 80's.

[Radioflyer]

Kudos to all of you for having the courage to build. My impression is that even all ready built, active flyers often wind up on the rebuild/modify treadmill. I don't mean to be discouraging at all. It just seems to me that these planes are a "journey" one has to enjoy rather than being a full time "destination". (Please remind me of that when I have to fix something.)

In reference to engine mounts...
I made a little effort a short while ago asking how people have dealt with hanging the O-320. I got about a dozen responses from several places. Some bulders have beefed up the mount, especially when they are in the building stages. However, there are many, many O-320 LongEzs flying with the per plans mounts. The more important thing seems to be to add a stiffener tube if using the dynafocal mount originally made for the O-235. I have read about an occasional mount crack, either the extrusions themselves or the dynafocal/conical tubing, but those had occurred with O-235 as well as O-320s, if I recall correctly. No one has ever reported an accident or incident due to a failed mount with an O-320.

My take on the O-320 is that while it has more propulsive and torque forces, it does not necessarily weigh more than an O-235 if lightweight starters and alternators are used. In the air, the additional forces are not such a burden on the extrusions. I may be uninformed and incorrect.

[Jeffco]

I am in the category of a flyer owner who purchased my Long ez from the original buider. I have now owned the airplane for 9 years and have learned alot about flying her and maintaining her.  I would have to say that I do spend alot of time either fixing something or trying to upgrade something else.  Seems like it is never done, but I enjoy working on the plane and leave the complicated things to the AP.  I have put a Catto 3 blade prop on her and saw a good improvement in speed and vibration. I added an electric nose gear which is a great mod which is a life saver if you have a bad back like me.  Next will probably be paint, something I have put off for a long time. Dont relish the idea of sanding her down. Like David Orr says, it is hard to let go of these airplanes. I was half heartedly tryng to sell her last year when I found a partner to buy in.  He is in the process of checking out right now and is looking forward to upgrading some things.  We bought a new ICOM radio and he also has a 0320, so we may go to that engine some time next year.  The 0235 has been good, but with two people aboard the 0320 is the way to go.  I have put about 300 hours on her ( it has had some extensive down time due to maintenance issues) over the last 9 years.  Some great flying in the Pacific Northwest where my brother lives and of course some good times here in Southern California.  If you are thinking of buying one of these planes, and you can find a good one, it is a hoot!

Jeff G
Torrance Ca.

[GlennBob]

"Hoot"- a thought it ! ! !

GM  !   :lol:

[Joe Dubner]

I added an electric nose gear which is a great mod which is a life saver if you have a bad back like me.

This is a subject which is beginning to interest me, especially after flying a poker run last Saturday (6 full stop landings)!.

Jeff, which electric nose gear did you install and how much hassle in the installation did you find?  As far as I'm concerned, the less "Dremel surgury" needed, the better :-)  Also, I understand that clearance behind the instrument panel can be a limiting factor in some cases.  What was your experience?

Thanks,
Joe

[Britguy59]

Thought I'd jump in and reply to that. I am right now fitting a Steve Wright electric gear on my near completed Long EZ. So far its been simple job though I'm early into it. It does not seem like a hard job and mine was completely built using original manual crank, so its like a flying plane  being converted. I can follow up as I finish, but it wont be long. I anticipate it taking just one more workday, two total. Minor glasswork, simple tools.

[Jeffco]

Joe
I installed a custom lift made by Bill Ortel.  It was not that hard to put in, other than working in the tight spaces.  It will lift the aircraft at full gross weight. I think it is very much like the williamson unit.  I don't know if Bill is still making these unit available, I could ask him and provide his number to you if you need it.  I just put on a slick nose tire that I got from Ken Miller.  Have not tried it yet, we are down for annual( condtional ) inspection.

Jeff

[Joe Dubner]

I've had a call in to Bill Oertel but he's away on a job and I don't expect to hear from him for a while still.  I had dismissed the Steve Wright unit because as far as I could tell, it wasn't a bolt-in unit (some fiberglass work required) and was planning to go with the Jack Wilhelmson unit until I ran into Bill at Columbia earlier this month.  Bill sounded like he was still making these and it would be lower cost than the other units.  I was just looking for some first-hand installation experience, so thanks.

[Britguy59]

First of all, let me say I'm not trying to steer anyone here. My only experiance with this is my current installation of a Wright made gear. Just thought I'd throw in a point. The glasswork is really a minimal piece that takes maybe 60 mins. The whole thing could be done in a weekend and uses the same holes as before for mounting. I don't know about other systems, but I chose this one using my limited knowlege but I'm quite happy. Steve has continued to improve the system as time has gone on  and maintains a very high quality.
Just wanted to share info.

[Britguy59]

Got my gear and air brake installed. Only gear issue was a stuck "down" switch that threw me for awhile. Otherwise the Wright gear seems fine and I'm impressed with its build quality. The $98 Ebay actuator I got for my airbrake also seems a easy retrofit. The limit switches do a good job and a simple stick switch to a relay board gives great results. Total cost $110. Not bad. I also switched my panel to aluminum and mounted an Avmap EKP IV next to my Dynon Efis. oooooo,  that looks cool. I had to mount some gauges in the arm rests to make room, but will all look good once complete. I'm a stickler for cockpit happiness and want it to be my dream spot for years to come. Wil post some oics once complete for referance.

[GlennBob]

Hey Brit guy,

Can't wait to see your pics.   Send or attach them as soon as you can.

My panel is done now too but for a few lighting details.  Working on oil heat now and carb heat next.  Then reconfigure exhaust and then rebaffle for downdraft cooling.  Want to put my landing light in the nose, and then some work on the gear fairings,  and then Paint ! !  

Glennbob