X-Mozilla-Keys:                                                                                 
Bill Freeman wrote:

Paul,

As to partially built composite aircraft (not premolded)
offered for sale.

I'll aplogize in advance to those folks that might find my
remarks might make it more difficult to sell their partially
finished project.  I'm sorry, but csn't avoid the following
warning.

I would personally *NEVER* buy a completely user-built
(i.e Rutan moldless composite type construction) composite
 homebuilt project with two exceptions ---   ONE - Before any
serious primary structure is completed, i.e. canard , center section
spar, wings, winglet attach.   or TWO - After 200 hrs of
flight.

It is essentially impossible to adequately inspect moldless
composite construction for the ply existence,  proper location,
and ply orientation after the fact.  One Vari-Eze flew 90 hrs with
NOTHING where a 7 ply layup was supposed to be to carry the
primary foldover loads on one winglet, then it folded during a
low, high speed pass.  Fatal.  Another Vari Eze flew about 4 hours with
ALL of the wing spar attach fitting screws *never installed*; only
incidental epoxy bonding to the fittings carrying primary wing
loads.  Fatal, surviving partner/builder had no explanation for
the never installed screws.

As a high time EZ pilot and structural engineer, you have to
**TRUST** the person that built your structure, since you
essentially cannot inspect most of it effectively after it is completed.
There are few people I trust that much. Photos can help, but I am
too big a chicken to buy into this sort of a pig in a poke.

Your butt, your choice; you now know what I would do.

Sorry if this hurts somebody's feelings, but I think it needs to
be said.

Bill

 
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