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Q-talk 110 - Mar/Apr 2005 - index

Quickie Builders Association
Together we build better planes!


Mar/Apr. 2005
Issue Number 110



Sights, sounds, and a little dreaming

After last year's cold fly-in, it was nice to see the sun back in Sun 'N Fun (SNF). I always come to SNF to escape the lingering elements of winter in the north. Last year, Omaha consistently had daily highs above what we experienced in Lakeland. This year however, I got sunburnt on the right side of my neck the first day. I must have missed it with the sun screen. I was glad to see the return of Margaritaville. Although, if I was Jimmy Buffet, I might reconsider SNF franchise rights based on the cuisine. I always consider beginning that diet I never start, right there in the confines of SNF. I usually breakdown around 2pm and pay my $8.00 or so for a crappy meal. I'm sure after a few margaritas it all tastes fine. I think the trick is to start at the east end of the building (where the drinks are served) and work your way west. I would buy one of the sun chairs they display each year for my honey back home, if I could only fit it in the RV6 I came in. That never happens either. Anyway, I'm sure one in my back yard up north, doesn't look nearly as good alone, as the dozen or so they have sitting there together.

As I went on the search for something to write about for the Q-Talk, I noticed the "hot spots" in the vendor buildings are still the companies selling GPS units. I also noticed the EFIS products were a "hot item" as well. You did well if you got close enough to hear the sales rep describe their product to someone else.

Out on the flight line there were two notable home built aircraft. The "just out of the test period" Raptor turboprop. A one of a kind aircraft whose data plate read: Empty weight 2350 lb., Gross weight 4700 lb. and H.P. 750! It was made from carbon fiber and all of us composite guys were wondering what resin he used so he could keep it in the color black with out it melting away in the sun. I never found out the answer to that question.

A jet powered Cozy showed up. I could have sworn it was featured in one of my aviation rags. Sorry, but I couldn't find the article to reference here. Fellow QBA member Jerry Marstall, who volunteers to park aircraft at SNF, spoke to the pilot upon his arrival and reports that he cannot take full advantage of the power of the jet as the aircraft develops flutter and he has to back off. (I think I have the same issue with my VW, but it could be pilot induced).

Then there was the V12 Merlin engine mounted to a trailer and tied to a single tree near the engine forum tents. Its owner was allowed to start and run it every day after the air show. And it did draw a crowd!! After the first attempt to start it, I found myself moving from my seemingly great viewing position in front, to somewhere off to the right. I didn't trust the rope or the tree. It was truly an awesome sight.

Of more interest to our group might be the Dragonfly and KR2 which flew in under Corvair power. Chuck Ufkes had donated his Dragonfly to the SNF museum several years ago, but when nothing became of it, he found a way to acquire it back. While he has only 10 hours on this engine and airframe package, he is concerned about the lack of performance to date. He believes he is using 500 feet more runway to take off and his cruise is 150 mph, about the same as his previous 2300 Type 1 VW. He is flying at 29" of manifold pressure and 3300 rpm. However, the jury is still out on this configuration, as he admits to not knowing what size prop he has on the plane. He has had to lop off about two inches in diameter to increase the rpm. He says the aircraft now weighs about 100 pounds more than with the VW.

William Clapp was more enthusiastic about his Corvair installation in one of the nicer KR2S airplanes your editor has seen. He claims a climb rate of 2500 fpm and a "power cruise" of 180 mph and a normal cruise of 165 mph at 25" of manifold pressure at 3500 rpm. He is throwing a Prince "P" tip 52"x 50" pitch prop which he believes he'll have to change as he can over rev the engine to 3900 rpm peak.

In the War bird area I had my first chance to see Glacier Girl, a restored P-38 recovered from the Greenland ice. It sure sounded nice during her daily flight demonstrations.

At the Quickie forum we had lively discussion on engines, first flights, And cross wind landings, along with other topics. Eighteen people attended and it was great to see my old friends and meet some new ones. Roy Shannon of Edgewater, FL was the only one in attendance to fly his Q1 to the show.

While frolicking in the sun, I started to daydream. What if someone were to reintroduce one of the Quickie models at SNF. What would it look like? Not the design itself, but the kit you would buy. Would we still have to hot wire our wing cores? Would we still have to crawl inside the tail cone to bond a bulkhead? Well, the closest I came to answering some of those questions was at the Esqual display.

The Esqual is an import from Spain, distributed by Jabiru USA Sport Aircraft, and looks like a cross between a Glassair and a Lancair. You can visit their web site at www.esqualna.com and see this LSA ready, all composite aircraft. They describe the build experience as an "assembly" process requiring less than 400 hours to complete and even less time if you choose to take advantage of their builder assist program at their facility in Shelbyville, TN. The assembly process consists of drilling, fitting and bolting things together. The fuselage from the firewall rearward was completely assembled for you with the exception of the canopy. I was told "We had to leave something for the builder to do to keep it under the 51% rule for the FAA" . The wings are completely closed including the fuel tanks which have been sealed and tested. The builder still has to put in the sender and the fuel caps. Their handout boasts "No fiberglass layups! Build with common hand tools. Nice gel coat finish for minimal surface prep. All metal parts pre-painted. Components bolt together. No bonding." (I can't even imagine!) At the time of this writing, the price tag on this bird was approximately $39,500 US for the kit, less engine, prop, and instruments. (The price fluctuates with the value of the dollar against the euro)

The dealer is the largest Jabiru dealer in the US, and the engine options are both the 2200 and the 3300 Jabiru. They report a cruise of 115 and 120 knots, respectfully, behind these engines. Both have a landing speed of 45 mph.

But this isn't the end of the story. This same dealer will be introducing an American made kit at Oshkosh called the Lightning. This will not be an entrant into the Light Sport category. I was told it will be too fast! They have formed a company that goes by the name of Arion Aircraft, LLC and they have a web site at www.arionaircraft.com. This aircraft will have similar lines but will have been cleaned up to achieve a 175 mph cruise. The introductory price is advertised as $25,900 less engine, prop, interior, and brakes. Sounds like you can get more for less at this price. Be sure to seek them out at Oshkosh.

Now, if we could only get someone with money to finance the "New" Quickie, we would have something, wouldn't we? OK, maybe the sun got to me. :)


Articles from this issue:

QBA on the grow! - by Doug Humble
Engines VW Type 4 Part 2 - by Doug Humble
Jabiru 2200 in a Q-2 GU - by Doug Humble
Featured Pilot Dave Richardson - by Doug Humble
Testimonial - by Doug Humble
QBA Web Site Make Over - by Doug Humble
Hanger Tip - by Doug Humble
Cowl Changes For Earnest - by Doug Humble
Sammy's Super Slippery Spats - by Doug Humble


A current QBA member may have one free ad per issue. It may be a maximum of five lines of type and will be edited to fit space available. Items advertised must be owned by the QBA member. The ad contact must be a member name. Ads will be run for two issues and then the ad must be resubmitted. [EDITOR'S NOTE: Please note that these ads may no longer be valid. They are included here only as part of the online archive.]

For Sale: TRI-Q, on gear, dual controls and brakes, belly board, full house antenna system, nav. and strobe lights, VFR instruments, front hinged canopy, removable tail cone, epoxy pump, Needs engine, panel and final finishing. Quality workmanship. Over $12,000. invested. Pictures available. Asking $5,500. In Michigan. Stu White 616-891-7255 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Wanted: Virgin Q1 kit. Any vintage. Must have metal parts & canopy. Ben Bosma 937-477-5238

Wanted: flying Tri-Q200, 235, or a nearly completed project. Charles Babb 719-532-1362

For Sale: Q200 airframe. Complete except for cowling, engine & engine mounts. Best offer. Al Bromann 715-277-3801


Here's something you might want to frame! Five newsletter editors: Doug Humble,Jim Masal, Tom Moore, Dave & SusieRichardson


You can order a printed copy of Q-talk #110 by using the Q-talk Back Issue Order Page.