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Messages - Tom

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 7
1
Hangar Flying / Magnetometer mounting
« on: April 24, 2011, 11:32:56 PM »
Hi Folks,

Im going glass and was wondering where people have had luck mounting their flux valves?  (magnetometer)

-Tom

2
Hangar Flying / Re: Navaid Autopilot woes
« on: January 16, 2011, 07:47:07 PM »
I bought the servo on ebay years ago,   the only reason I bought it was to have a spare.

What I might do it re build the other servo I have, and then re install it.


3
Hangar Flying / Navaid Autopilot woes
« on: January 16, 2011, 02:31:41 PM »
Hi Folks,

My VE has a navaid AP,, and it has been working great.

Recently I changed out the servo with a NEW unit (the old one was starting to show wear in the main shaft bushings and gears) 

I cant seem to get it to settle down, all it does is shake the stick! 

I have the feedback trim pot set correctly on the proper "Null" and all other settings dont seem to help.

The system gain, even when turned down all the way doesnt seem to help,

Any suggestions?



-Tom

4
Hangar Flying / Re: Varieze Wing Attach
« on: January 04, 2011, 09:20:36 PM »
Forgive my ignorance,,  why would you go to the effort to build titanium fittings?

There is nothing wrong with the 2024 alum if taken care of properly.

-Tom

5
Hangar Flying / Re: Alternator help
« on: December 28, 2010, 01:13:25 PM »
Hi Ralf,

It almost looks like a B and C alternator that someone has adapted to use a pulley drive..   I might be full of crap,, but this is what it looks like to me.

-Tom

6
Hangar Flying / Re: Looking for Seattle area EZ owner to chat with
« on: November 14, 2010, 09:41:01 PM »
Hi Drew,

Although Im not in the Seattle area, Im not to far away in Calgary.

Give me a ring if you would like to chat  four o three, six o seven, eighty four fiftyseven.

Sorry for the weird numbering,, it keeps the telemarketers at bay!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri8GTvQrk-4

7
For Sale/Wanted / Re: Vari-Eze N78SP project for sale on eBay
« on: October 11, 2010, 08:55:24 PM »
A decent VE with an O-235 should be WAYYYY faster than 140 knots!

I can do 190MPH all day long with my O-200 VE..

8
Hangar Flying / Broken exhaust/CO in the cockpit
« on: October 09, 2010, 08:29:59 PM »
Hi folks,

Just thought Id share with everyone the "fun" I had flying today...

Long story short, I had an old fitting that was welded on my right hand side exhaust break off in flight,then the exhaust began dumping exhaust fumes into the cowling. Well in about 2 mins, I was nearly useless in the cockpit due to the CO!   I dont really know where the fumes were entering the the cockpit, but double check to make sure your firewall is COMPLETELY sealed up! 

The fitting broke off, and went through the prop, luckily causing minimal damage, I didnt even notice anything when it happened in flight!

Today was the closest I have ever come to crashing my eze,, all due to some silly little issue..  As I write this, Im still a bit sick from the CO..

I'll try and post some pics of the damage.


-Tom

9
Hangar Flying / Re: Actual Aircraft Performance
« on: July 12, 2010, 11:55:29 PM »
Hi Rob,

The props we run are 55 or 54" Diameter,, so we dont really have the supersonic tip speed problem. Mind you we do have other problems with our props.. mainly resonance in the blades at the resonant frequencys (about 1200, 2400, and 3600 RPM) so we really need to be careful to stay away from these ranges.

Come out to Reno this year!  I might race the eze if time permits.

10
Hangar Flying / Re: Actual Aircraft Performance
« on: July 08, 2010, 10:25:04 AM »
Hi Rob,

How fast can you turn you engine?  Good question..

We turn the O-200s at Reno over 4200 RPM, but this is with all internals balanced. Failures are usually spun bearings due to low oil pressure when the oil temps are 260.

I think for a stock engine, lycoming or continental, 15% over shouldnt be a problem.  Listen to your engine and see how it sounds. if it complains about revving high, dont!

11
Hangar Flying / Re: Actual Aircraft Performance
« on: July 05, 2010, 10:45:54 AM »
I have a plans stock VE with an O-200 with Hi Comp pistons, and lightspeed ignition. football style pant with the itsy bitsy tires. I plan on installing lambs and lightspeed pants this year,, hoping for another couple free mph!

At 7500' I can true out 190MPH turning a Teds 56x70 at 2950 rpm, at about 6 GPH  I will get some shots of the panel in flight when I get home.


12
I am an Aeronautical Engineer, and I can tell you the only thing that the "test to destruction" on the liked page proves is the the structure will fail....

It clearly states the wings were loaded to "increase the twist"....

Im not sure why anyone would waste their time doing this as the results will be useless.

If you think you are smarter than Burt Rutan,  give him a call, Im sure he will want to hire you. Otherwise trust his designs and analysis.
He does seem to know what he is doing.

-Tom

13
Sure post it again,

the 7g failure of the wing seems a bit wonky..

As per the plans, the limit load is 5gs... which is VERY conservative....

14
I wouldnt worry about the wing attachments,

The current VE wing fittings are fine,  the problem spawned out of a couple of old clunker aircraft
that had lived outside near the ocean for many years.

Burt also imposed the 2.4 G limit to deal with the dry layup on the spar on the aircraft with the corroded wing fittings....
completely unrelated.


Almost every weekend, I pull 5gs in my VE and NEVER once, NOT ONCE, have I ever been worried about the wings failing...  The factor of safety in the Rutan designs are HUGE!-- much higher than in most certified aircraft....

Bottom line is built it as per plans, and you wont be dissapointed... 

PS scrap the subaru.. that motor belongs on the road, not the air,,  we dont need another statistic.

15
Hi Aaron,

I have a VE in Calgary, sounds like you might be having some trouble with the MDRA guys,

All you should need is to quote CAR 625 appn b and c and quote all of your out of phase inpection items ie altimiters etc.. and also include to maintain IAW all rutan data.

you will also need a type endorsement as the VE is classed as a high performance aircraft in Canada due to its wingloading, and lack of flaps.   I know a couple guys that dont have their type rating, but if you crash, I would consider your insurance worthless..

-Tom

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