Last month we reviewed the talk that people talk about when they talk about the EXPERIMENTAL aircraft. How about this month we review what “we” say about the EXPERIMENTAL airplanes. We love these planes just the way they are or do we? If we loved them we would build them EXACTLY the way the kit plane designer said we should, as per THE PLANS. What scares some people, and the designer too, is how WE change the design. I am not an engineer or a rocket scientist but.. some of the thing’s people say about their airplanes and what they are going to change seem real frightening. The Teenie Two Airplane that I had brought out some interesting EX-PERIMENTAL people. One man told me at our EAA builder’s conference that on his Teenie Two he added “one more bay to each of his wings.” This resulted in a three
foot longer wing span. Someone in the crowd quickly stated that you must also lengthen the rudder if you lengthen the wings. The builder said he did not do that. Another ExperiMENTAL Teenie builder made an engine mount extender out of a two inch thick steel plates so he could extend the engine out eight (8) more inches. He needed the eight inches for the dual magneto installation he put on the back of the Teenie Two’s Volkswagen engine. The designers’ plans call for the engine to bolt directly to the one (1) inch steel tubing used for the engine mount/nose gear structure. Also included, as if this was not enough...on the front of this engine was a four (4) inch prop hub extension. The idea here was to one, extend the propeller out past the
exhaust pipes and secondly, to install a standard automotive alternator with its drive belt. The drive belt would be wrapped around the prop hub. I had to ask if he thought that this installation was maybe just be a little nose heavy? He stated that he was sure that the full size battery placed back in the tail cone would balance the plane. This builder was so frustrated with the project that he offered the designer (a 78 years
young man) MONEY to come from Texas and finish the project for him!!! The prototype Teenie Two weighed 310 pounds (sure it did). My Teenie weighed 386 pounds (per the neighborhood’s bathroom scales) which was the lightest of any in the building group. Thanks to EAA Chapter 32 member John Framiglio for allowing us use of his aircraft weighing scales one Saturday morning. What a difference using the correct and quality equipment can make. I learned that my Teenie actually weighed 398 pounds empty. It was still the lightest by four pounds. I have no idea how the prototype weighed 310 pounds because I had the same minimal equipment it did! Recently I had an FAA Maintenance Inspector on the jump seat of the DC-9 as I left Washington-Dulles Airport. I knew it would be a great flight when I heard him talking to the co-pilot about the Cozy IV he was building. In cruise flight I asked him what sort of strange things he has seen as he ventures out to do Certification Checks of home built aircraft. He said he could tell the people who utilized the EAA’s Technical Counselor program. It saves him a lot of explaining to the builder about the basic HOW’S and WHY’S of aircraft construction. He mentioned a man who had so many electrical back ups to his electric system that he had added so much additional wiring to the airplane that it was a big spaghetti nightmare. The KISS (Keep It Simple Silly) “plane” of thought was not utilized in this builder’s airplane. We our very fortune in our EAA Chapter to have some great Technical Counselors. Lee Lawson, Bob Jude, and Gale Derosier. These guys really enjoy looking at airplanes and are extremely helpful and knowledgeable in this area. Please use them because the earlier “trouble” is found in the building process the quicker those things can get fixed. With three Technical Counselor reports on your airplane Avemco Insurance will reduce your rates by 10 per cent. Using the Flight Advisor Program will be able to have insurance coverage on your first flight! Wow you get expert advice from some friends and a reduction in your insurance rates. Hey and the FAA really likes the Technical Counselor program too!!! What a country!
Congratulations are in order for RV-4 builder and new TWA DC-9 Simulator Instructor Kevin Lowery!

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