New LEU Guy in Georgia.

[ironnerd]

Hey all.
I'm new to the forum. I just got a set of .pdf plans from Mr. Milholland's web site a couple of days ago and have been reading through them. I am looking forward to the process of converting drawings into a flying machine and to becoming part of the Eagle community (way cooler than those Vans guys    )

[Kamcoman77]

Welcome Aboard! Lots of help is available on this forum. Also check out the Legal Eagle and 1/2 VW Facebook pages. I'm in the Southwest Atlanta area (Douglasville). A buddy of mine (Fayetteville) and I are building XL's.

[Chuck in Indiana]

You have the same concept as I did. I tried to simulate a very early "flying machine." I still think it's cool as sh!t to be able to build a machine that flies through the air.  Generations wished they could but we can..

[ironnerd]

Of course I have the normal New Guy questions

Flaps?
VGs?
Gurney Flaps?
Floats?
Titebond glue (really)?
How do I weld?
Oh... and how much does everything weigh (I mean everything...)?
And, since I work in an airplane factory writing the work instructions, I find that I have a urge to "fix" the drawings in my simple 2d CAD, and to write up clear and concise work instructions.

Then I have a beer, re-read the plans, and I'm happy again.

I really like where Leonard was going with this series of planes.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Flaps? No
VGs? No
Gurney Flaps? hell no
Floats? You're kidding, right?
Titebond glue (really)? Titebond III is waterproof for all practical purposes. T88 is good.
How do I weld? Gas 
Oh... and how much does everything weigh (I mean everything...)?

253.9 lbs. Sir. Are you with the FAA?  all that other stuff isn't necessary, and weighs something.

[ironnerd]

253.9 lbs. Sir. Are you with the FAA?  all that other stuff isn't necessary, and weighs something.

I am not (though you are not the first to ask...)
I just wanted to get all the new guy questions out of my system up front.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I am not (though you are not the first to ask...)
I just wanted to get all the new guy questions out of my system up front.

Anything that adds weight is your enemy. The LEXL is very close to max weight doing the best you can. One of the heaviest things is fabric weight and coatings. If you can afford it and don't mind the "look," Oratex will help keep the weight down. You certainly don't need low speed devices. The airplane has excellent low speed characteristics. My recommendation for gas welding comes from years of experience as an EAA tech counselor. It is (comparatively) inexpensive, much more forgiving of contamination, and easy to learn.
Get building. The result is very worthwhile.

[Kamcoman77]

There are a few Legal Eagles flying with vortex generators. The only thing I heard from one of the builders is the aileron response was improved.

[ironnerd]

Okay... I gotta know (since both posts are lost to the Yahoo blight).

1. What does Leonard think of 2-strokes on a Legal Eagle?
2. What glues does he approve of?

I'm pretty sure the answer to question 1 is less than enthusiastic, but I am curious about question 2.

Thanks guys.

[Kamcoman77]

T-88 epoxy and TiteBond III are the two glues most often used.

[Chuck in Indiana]

"Friends don't let friends fly 2 strokes." 

I'm sure they are fine..

[ironnerd]

"Friends don't let friends fly 2 strokes." 

I'm sure they are fine..

I have a 2-stroke (40 hp, 85# with re-drive, muffler, and pull-start, 1,000 hr TBO (uh...huh...)) that I plan to use as "Engine 0" to get the LEU into the air. While I fly about with it, I would like to build a Industrial engine to be "Engine Prime".

[jrbirdman47]

There is a two stroke thread. Without actually looking it up, I recall Leonard said you have to double isolate the engine/ engine mounts because the two strokes vibrate differently and you don't want that transmitted to the airframe.

[Dan_]

Airbikes as far as I know don't bother with extra rubber in the mounts, nor does Hiperlite.  However Airbikes have sweep wires to protect the specific area of concern that came up on a particular airframe with a 2-smoke.

[ironnerd]

Hey...
Are there any other Georgians on the forum?