Wings Forum

micemb · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 2:17 pm Post subject: Hello from Chicago Mike

Hi,
I am the owner of a modified Longster, designed by Les Long in the early 30's. The aircraft is a single seat, taildragger, tube and fabric parasol design, that has an aluminum RV-3 wing and (currently) a Rotax 532 engine. I bought the plane on e-bay almost 2 years ago, but have only flown it once. I just completed my private pilot certificate in May, and now intend to get more serious with the Longster. I recently bought a Subaru EA-81 engine, which I hope to install over the winter, despite the fact that it will add over 100 # to the empty weight of the plane. Clearly, I need all the help and advice I can get (No, not psychiatric help and advice.). I'll try to keep this forum informed as to my progress and problems/solutions as I go.

Kevin Horton · Joined: 31 Dec 2004 Posts: 14 Location: Ottawa, Canada

What does the Longster weigh with the Rotax engine? Do you know which variant of the RV-3 wings it has? What type of flying do you intend to do with the aircraft?

micemb · Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 12:45 pm Post subject:

As currently configured, my Longster weighs 556 pounds. It has a 9 gallon fuel tank, so with a full load of fuel, leaving a 30 minute reserve means I can fly for 1 1/2 hours. Since I cruise at about 65 Kts (75 mph), this gives me a range of about 110 miles. Until I can increase my range, which I hope to be able to do with the EA-81, this means that, as far as cross country flying is concerned, a visit to my family in Lafayette, IN, is about as much as I can do without having to refuel. So, the primary mission of the Longster is fun flying in the local area. I do not know which RV-3 wing I have. I have no flaps, and full length ailerons. I was told that the original builder, from Eugene, OR, was a friend of Dick VanGrunsven, and that friendship was the origin of the wing design. I believe it was based on the RV-3 wing, but was in fact designed for the Longster.

Kevin Horton · Joined: 31 Dec 2004 Posts: 14 Location: Ottawa, Canada

OK. The early RV-3 wing design had some problems, and there were several in-flight wing failures during aerobatics. But, those aircraft were much heavier than yours (1050 lb, I think), and it sounds like you don't plan to do aerobatics. And it seems that your wing probably differs from the RV-3 anyway, as the RV-3 wing has flaps.

Good luck. Fly safe.