DESCRIPTION AND INTRODUCTION
.....The Q2 is a high performance, homebuilt aircraft. Its compact external size and extremely efficient design results in superb performance and unequalled fuel economy using a low horsepower engine. Inside, it provides side-by-side seating comfort for a pilot up to 6'8" tall and 250 lbs, plus passenger, as well as some baggage in the roomy compartment behind the
seat. Its canard configuration was designed not only for performance, but to provide improved flying qualities and safety as compared to the conventional light plane.
.....The origin of the Q2 dates back to 1977. Although the Q2 has much in common with the QUICKIE, considerable progress has been made since that earlier effort. As a result, the Q2 has lower drag than any other two place aircraft available to the public. Likewise, it has proven to be the most fuel efficient two-place aircraft ever offered to the public.
.....The Q2's high-lift canard (forward wing) is fitted with a plain elevator that controls the air¬craft's pitch attitude. The canard also serves as the main landing gear spring since the main gear is mounted on the tips of the canard. This feature results in a remarkably smooth ride as well as outstanding ground stability during taxiing, takeoff, and landing.
.....Roll capability is provided by ailerons on the inboard protion of the main wing.
.....Yaw control is provided by a rudder mounted on the vertical fin, and is actuated by convent¬ional rudder pedals.
.....The pitch and roll capability is provided by a side stick controller in the center of the cock¬pit. This feature permits precise control of the Q2 while reducing pilot fatigue and cockpit clutter.
.....Optional dual controls provide the option of pilot checkout and instruction.
.....The tailwheel is actuated directly from the rudder pedals, without any springs, thus providing positive steering at all times while on the ground.
.....Since the tailwheel is not raised on takeoff roll
like other taildraggers, this positive steering is available until the aircraft is airborne, making for very safe takeoff and landing characteristics.
.....Even though the Q2 has low horsepower, it can outperform most general aviation aircraft while retain¬ing unequalled fuel economy. The maximum speed is actually faster than most retractable gear aircraft, such as the Piper Arrow, and the fuel economy exceeds
60 miles per gallon.
.....The Q2 obtains this remarkable performance without resorting to retractable landing gear, without flaps, without turbochargers, and without variable pitch propellers.
.....Further, the Q2 was designed to be built by the inexperienced builder, so these Q2 Construction Plans and the Q2 kit contents have been developed for ease of construction. Construction time should require only 500 manhours spread over less than one year of
the builders spare time, with no special tools required.
.....The composite structure of your Q2 provides some important advantages over conventional metal, wood, or fabric construction. It has been tested to loads far in excess of those required for FAA certifi¬cation. Fatigue margins are higher. Contour is maintained underload, the structure does not "oil can," buckle, or distort. It provides excellent insul¬ation and damps noise. It has no hidden joints, no water traps, and is far less susceptible to corrosion.
It is easier to inspect, more redundant and easier to repair. It is not susceptible to thermal stress due to temperature changes. Properly protected from UV, it has an unlimited life.
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Perspective
.....The builder of an amateur-built aircraft is the manufacturer; he is responsible for quality control on all parts, all construction, and the conduct of his flight tests. While Quickie Aircraft Corporation is not the manufacturer of your aircraft, we do, through these plans and services, provide you with information about how our Q2 was built and what we feel is the best way for you to build a safe, reliable airplane. We do encourage you. to build the airplane as shown on the plans because we have found that our airplane provides us with reliability and safety, and any problems that we experience with our aircraft are documented and reported in "The Quickie Newsletter". We have gone to a considerable effort in developing the design, the structure, and the systems, and prov¬ing their adequacy with appropriate tests.
.....If you modify the airplane and then ask us if your modification will work, we cannot give you an answer without conducting the appropriate tests and totally qualifying the modification. This would obviously be quite expensive. Our concern then, is that if your modification is not successful, and causes an incident or accident, this would be attributed to our design, the Q2. Because of this, we must insist that if you modify the airplane with any major change such as an aerodynamic change, primary structural change, or using a non-approved engine installation, that you call your airplane a different name, rather than a Q2. If you make a major change, you must consider yourself involved in basic aircraft design and development, an extremely risky business. As such it is not fair for us to be associated with any results of your development.
We state this, not to discourage inventiveness and progress, but to release any connection of your new development efforts with our proven design, the Q2.
.....We are particularly concerned about individuals using alternate engines to power their Q2's. The Q2 was designed around the engine; any change would require an exhaustive test program to determine not only the new engine's suitability as an aircraft powerplant, but also its suitability as a Q2 powerplant.
.....These Q2 Construction Plans have been specifically designed to educate you in the construction materials, their use, and to guide you through each step of assembly in the most efficient manner possible. It is our intent to drastically reduce the non-completion
rate* common to homebuilt aircraft. With that in mind, we have:
- Preceded the plans with an education section intended to thoroughly acquaint you with the tools and materials, and how to use them.
- Laid out the plans in a detailed, step-by-step format to answer the questions of "what do I do next?"
- Provided all appropriate information to each step adjacent to the words.
- Provided full-size templates, ready to cutout and use, to avoid the work and confusion associated with scaling up drawings.
- Provided a complete kit from one source to eliminate time spent looking for materials.
- Identified the difficult to build items, and included them (prefabricated and ready to install) with the basic Q2 Kit.
- Set up our newsletter, "The Quickie Newsletter" as a continuing plans updating/correcting system.**
*..Over 80% of homebuilt airplane construction projects started, are never finished and flown.
** Because plans updates occasionally are of a mandatory nature, a subscription to "The Quickie Newsletter" is mandatory for those building a Q2.
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