Sounds Like we took parallel paths (Cherokee, Mooney).  I also had the
same
mission requirements, but the added desired to travel coast to coast,
solo, non stop.  I opted for a LongEZ (first flight 1996)

After 2600 hours of flying, I'm currently upgrading the LongEZ with a
number of improvements. On that list is the changeout of the Lyc O-320
to a 13B or maybe even a 20B rotary.  I've been paying close attention
to this list and several others.

There are several canard types available, i.e. Cozy, Velocity, and
AeroCanard to name a couple.  If you really like the tandom seating, you
can probably even score a LongEZ or set of plans on e-bay.

Good Luck

Waiter
www.iflyez.com


Re: coast to coast, non-stop.  I would need to be issued a new OEM
bladder.  3 hours, at most 4 hours, between rest stops is all I can take
at this stage of life - and that is not taking into account my sweetie -
that pretty much makes it 3 hour legs for her comfort.  ;-)  If we can
get somewhere between 450 & 600 NM per 3 hour leg, that will take care
of our needs.  Still, even with that limitation, considering that we
live at the center of the continental US, two legs gets us about
anywhere that we could go.

And yes, the Mooney we are looking at should get into that speed / time
/ distance envelope, but at that point, I also want to have the
satisfaction of having "built it myself".

I looked at Canards as (per research) being a very efficient conversion
of HP into speed.  Decided Velocity was bigger than we wanted, and
tandem seating is definitely out (sweetie kyboshed that one).  Cozy is
still on the list, and I do have the advantage of a watching an
acquaintance's experiences building his - he started early this year.
However, I must admit to a prejudice toward a conventional layout - at
least for the first effort.

I've also always liked the appearance / efficiency / cabin size of the
Questaire Venture (now NuVenture I think) but all that riveting /
metalwork in general concerns me - that is also what put RV's low on the
consideration list.  I also wonder about the impact on performance when
going from an IO-550 to a two rotor for the Venture.

Thank You,
Robert E Keighley
Project Manager - IBM PMO
(913) 315-4697


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