G-RPEZ (PFA 074A-10746) Rutan Long-Ez

By Mike Dunlop

This project was started in 1982 by Mr D Richardson and Mr B Fairstone at the main workshop of London Gliding Club where Simon Westley (LAA 273) was the Chief Engineer, he was also overseeing the build process. After some considerable time the project build stalled after the basic fuselage and wings were completed, and it was stored for many years before being purchased in 2003 by Don Foreman, a Rutan VariEze and Long-EZ builder.

Once again the project was not worked on due to Mr Foreman prioritising the building of his Rutan Defiant G-OTWO, and eventually the Long-Ez was sold to a third party, from whom I purchased it in 2007.

Having contacted Simon, he agreed to continue to oversee the project even though we lived quite a distance apart. Fortunately he still had a very good track of the build process.

The first part of the project was to modify my single garage to make a more comfortable working environment. This included adding a new flat roof with six inches of insulation, filling the side walls with three inches of insulation, a 12ft roller door in the side wall providing access to the garden, strip lighting, a space heater, a radio and last but not least a fridge for beer!

For 14 years I worked on the project nearly every evening between 1900 and 2130, listening to Radio 4. While a long project, it has proved to be enjoyable, doing some remedial work, incorporating LAA required modifications and adding some extra non-structural refinements, along with all the typical systems work. It’s powered by a Lycoming O-320 B3B (160 HP), with a Hertzler propeller, Wilhemson electric nose gear with auto retract and manual override, and an MGL Xtreme EFIS.

The aircraft is now based at Shobdon Aerodrome and has now been issued with a Permit to Test. For now, the aircraft is in primer only until any adjustments have taken place. We are now in the ground running and shake-down phase before the long awaited first test flight.

New Projects

If your aircraft has been featured in the New Projects list, please let Project News know of your progress at: projectnews@laa-archive.org.uk n Sling 4 TSi (LAA 400A-15797) 29/11/2021

Mr T Pactat, Farthings, Links Road, Bramley, Surrey, GU5 0AL n Plumb BGP2 Parasol (LAA 426-15798) 29/11/2021

Cleared To Fly

If your aircraft has featured recently in the magazine and has subsequently completed its maiden flight, Project News would like to hear from you at: projectnews@laa-archive.org.uk n G-ANWB DHC-1 Chipmunk 21 (s/n C1/0987) 9/11/2021

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Mr B Plumb, 17 Old Oak Drive, Silverstone, Northamptonshire, NN12 8DN n Bristell NG5 Speed Wing (LAA 385-15796) 10/11/2021

Mr G Hall, Elm Cottage, Bowers Lane, Aston by Stone, Staffordshire, ST15 0BN n Van’s RV-14 (LAA 393-15795) 5/11/2021

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Name & Address held by LAA Engineering n G-GSCD Jodel D140E (s/n 180) 9/11/2021

Name & Address held by LAA Engineering n G-KATO Sonex (LAA 337-15137) 5/11/2021

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Above The Long Ez has a long retractable nose leg, when not in flight mode it’s quite normal to see the front end resting upon the ground like this.

Left An interesting view of ’EZ note the front gear doors just under the nose and the substantial prop extension aft of the ring gear.

Mr K Charlton, 34 Bridge Street, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 1BP n Cricket MK6 (AV18) (LAA

Name & Address held by LAA Engineering

Right Will Greenwood completed the flight testing of his beautiful imported Jodel D140E, with the help of friend Brian Smith in mid-November