Hello from Chicago Mike

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micemb
New Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2005 2:49 pm
Location: Skokie, Illinois, USA

Hello from Chicago Mike

Post by micemb »

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
Topic Moderator
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2004 11:55 pm
Location: Ottawa, Canada
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Post by Kevin Horton »

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?
Kevin Horton - RV-8 - 80% done, 80% to go
Ottawa, Canada
http://www.kilohotel.com/rv8/
micemb
New Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2005 2:49 pm
Location: Skokie, Illinois, USA

Post by micemb »

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
Topic Moderator
Posts: 13
Joined: Fri Dec 31, 2004 11:55 pm
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Contact:

Post by Kevin Horton »

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.
Kevin Horton - RV-8 - 80% done, 80% to go
Ottawa, Canada
http://www.kilohotel.com/rv8/
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