Retracts or fixed gear?

[zies8]

Shirl Dickeys page is still on the net. He advertises his retractable gear that was used on the Berkut and his E Racer. I emailed him a couple of days ago and he has not returned my mail.
Does anyone know if he is still providing any of the parts/retracts that he lists on his site?

Here is Shirls Website

http://127.0.0.1:4664/search?q=shirl...6ZKGPaQrGbzy1c





Shirl Dickey Home of the E-Racer
P. O. Box 445
Aguila, AZ 85320
(928) 685-3148
email: mreracer@tabletoptelephone.com
Dear E-Racer Enthusiast:
Thank you for your interest in the E-Racer for a possible homebuilt aircraft project. You have selected one of the finest aircraft designs on the homebuilt market. The E-Racer has been engineered to be a safe, stall resistant aircraft that also offers a high level of performance. A major feature of this design is the simple weight and balance management procedure. No re-ballasting is required in order to remain within the C.G. envelope when the aircraft is flown either solo, or two place. No other Rutan derivative can make that claim. Only the Long EZ has the same (no need to re-ballast) weight and balance simplicity.
The E-Racer is a very versatile design. It can be built using either an automotive engine (the MK-I) or an aircraft engine the (MK-II). The MK-I uses a low cost, more powerful auto engine but has less baggage volume. The MK-II uses a more expensive, less powerful aircraft engine but has substantial volume for baggage or in some cases, room for a child behind the two front seats. Both versions benefit from the simple, low drag retractable landing gear. You, as the builder can select the version that best meets your needs.
The flying qualities are one of the best features of the aircraft. It is a delight to fly with its precise center control stick. The controls are light, well balanced and responsive. The landing is not limited to a precise landing speed, it will touch down solidly between 70 MPH and 100 MPH. It also has excellent crosswind capability.
The E-Racer uses the moldless composite construction method which has proven to be the fastest, simplest and least costly medium for homebuilt aircraft construction. Fiberglass composites are also the most durable with an expected lifetime in excess of 50 years. Prefab components are available that can reduce your build time substantially. Experience has shown that the high dollar aircraft kits cannot be completed any faster than the plans built Rutan types including the E-Racer.
In short, when you consider the low cost to build and the high level of performance and versatility that is delivered, the E-Racer is the best high speed, efficient, cross country aircraft on the homebuilt market today.
Shirl Dickey
Shirl Dickey Home of the E-Racer
P. O. Box 445
Aguila, AZ 85320
(928) 685-3148
email: mreracer@tabletoptelephone.com
The following items are available from S.D.E.
E-Racer Aileron Control Cable Kit .................................................. ....... $ 145.00
E-Racer Rudder Peddle Assembly .................................................. ......... $ 295.00
MK-II Engine Cowlings .................................................. ........................ $ 495.00
Holley Carburator Mixture Control Device ............................................. $ 195.00
E-Racer Landing Gear Drive (Complete) ................................................ $4,195.00
E-Racer Landing Gear Carbon Fiber Legs (Legs Only) .......................... $1,400.00
E-Racer/Lycoming Engine Mount (Dynafocal or Square) ...................... $ 425.00
E-Racer Wing, Winglet & Aileron Pre-Cut Foam Cores ........................ $1,200.00
E-Racer Canard & Elevator Pre-Cut Cores ............................................. $ 400.00
E-Racer MI-I & MK-II Oil Cooler .................................................. ........ $ 180.00
The following is a list of authorized E-Racer Suppliers
E-Racer raw materials kit including foam, fiberglass, resin & hardware
Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co.
201 W. Truslow Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92632
(800) 824-1930
Wicks Aircraft Supply Co.
410 Pine Street
Highland, IL 62249
(800) 221-9425
E-Racer Canopy
The Airplane Plastics Co.
8300 Dayton Road
Fairborn, OH 45324
(513) 864-5607
____________________________________________
Todd’s Canopies
5201 NE 3rd Ave., Ft Lauderdale, FL 33334 Phone: 954-579-0874 Email: BSILVER05@aol.com Phone # : 954-579-0874
www.kgarden.com/todd
Nose Gear Strut
Nose Wheel Cover (NB)
Nose Strut Cover (SC)
Featherlite Products
P. O. Box 781
Boonville, CA 9541
(707) 895-2718
Landing Gear Components
MK-II Cowlings, etc.
Shirl Dickey
P.O. Box 445
Aguila, AZ 85320
(928) 685-3148 mreracer@tabletoptelephone.com
Shirl Dickey Home of the E-Racer
P. O. Box 445
Aguila, AZ 85320
(928) 685-3148
email: mreracer@tabletoptelephone.com
King Racer Conversion Details
This option consists of the following configuration changes to the basic E-Racer fuselage:
A. The cockpit is moved aft in the fuselage four inches which positions the front seat occupants closer to the center of gravity allowing a greater weight change before C.G. range limits are exceeded. A weight change from one occupant (pilot) to two occupants (pilot and passenger) in the standard E-Racer is 200lb, and with the King Racer this goes up to 240lbs. The E-Racer front seat maximum weight (pilot and passenger) is 400 lb., the King Racer is 460 lbs.
B. The cockpit is widened an additional two inches, from 42 inches to 45 inches at the shoulder. This produces an additional comfort for larger occupants.
To implement these configuration changes the following items must be modified:
1. On drawing ER 1-1. Move the instrument panel from FS50- to FS-54.
2. On drawing ER 1-1. Move the seat back bulkhead aft four inches so the aft surface of the headrest moves from FS-88.5 to FS-92.5. Seat back angle remains the same.
3. The seat back bulkhead in Chapter 2 must be modified to add one inch to each side for a two inch overall increase in width. Note that the seat back bulkhead is not square, it is narrower at the bottom than it is at the top due to fuselage taper.
4. The instrument panel must be modified to add one half inch to each side for a one inch overall increase in width.
5. The canopy bulkhead uses exactly the same rear canopy contour as the standard E-Racer. You must fair the canopy frame below the Plexiglas to match the outer edge of the longeron at WL-23. This will look similar to the original E-Racer prototype canopy frame shape, only it will be two inches wider.
6. These are the major changes to the standard E-Racer to convert it to the King Racer. You may fine some minor interface details that will be effected by this option as you go through the construction process, but there should be nothing too serious. Contact me if you have any questions.
Additional notes:
1. For additional hip and leg room in either the standard E-Racer or the King Racer consider using narrower consoles, or consoles with narrow bases and wider pedestals on top for arm rests.
2. You can also gain one inch of shoulder width by increasing the depth of the shoulder area in each fuselage side from one inch as shown in the plans to one and a half inches deep. This would leave a one and a half inch thick fuselage wall in this area. Add one additional ply of BID locally over this area on the inside surface only if you choose to do this.
Shirl Dickey Home of the E-Racer
P. O. Box 445
Aguila, AZ 85320
(928) 685-3148
email: mreracer@tabletoptelephone.com
The E-Racer (MK-1) is a high speed, cross country aircraft designed around the proven aerodynamics of the Rutan Long EZ. It is unique in that it uses an automotive V-8 engine, a marine adapted gear reduction unit, a fully retractable landing gear, and two place, side by side seating. The main objective of this design was to build a fast, safe, comfortable and low cost aircraft that would be easy to build using proven composite construction materials and methods. The Long EZ was chosen as the basis for this design because of its well established flying qualities and stall proof safety. The E-Racer (MK-II) has the added flexibility to handle an aircraft engine located in the standard Long EZ location. The recommended engine for this application is the Lycoming 0-320. The following is a brief list of E-Racer statistics:
Airframe: Wingspan 26.2 feet
Canard span 147 inches
Landing Gear Hydraulic, fully retractable
Empty Weight 1127 lbs. MK-I, 1000 lbs. MK-II
Gross Weight 1800 lbs. (MK-I & MK-II)
Fuel capacity 46 U.S. Gallons
Engine MK-I: Aluminum Buick V-8 266 CID, 225 hp
Engine Weight 285 lbs.
Reduction drive 1.75:1, helical gears
Engine MK_II: Locoing 0-320, 320 CID, 160 hp, direct drive
Performance: MK-I MK-II
Top Speed 249 mph @ sea level 222 mph @ sea level
Take off speed 70 mph 70 mph
Take off distance 1000 ft 1400 ft
Landing distance 1500 ft 1500 ft
Climb rate 2500 fpm, gross wt. 1600 fpm, gross wt.
Range 1000 S.M. @ 65% 1155 S.M. @ 65%
Fuel Burn 7 to 12 gph 6 to 9 gph
Prop, wood 68x88 fixed pitch 68x70 fixed pitch
The E-Racer is available as a plans built aircraft in either the MK-I or MK-II configuration. The following prices are in effect at this time:
Airframe plans (MK-I or MK-II) $350.00
(Airframe plans now include canard plans not previously offered)
Information Pack $ 12.00
E-Racer Video $ 20.00
Check or Money order: US Dollars to Shirl Dickey
For more information contact Shirl Dickey at PO Box 445 Aguila, AZ 85320 or
Email: mreracer@tabletoptelephone.com
E-Racer website: www.eracer.org
Shirl Dickey Home of the E-Racer
P. O. Box 445
Aguila, AZ 85320
(928) 685-3148
email: mreracer@tabletoptelephone.com

[Buly]

Shirl's link does not work?

[E Racer Extreme]

Shirl is no longer making or furnishing parts for the E Racer as far as I know, hasn't for a few years.

Jack

[tonyslongez]

Just to let everyone know. I'm installing a new machined set of Berkut gear legs into a Berkut this week if all goes well they will be a retrofit for all existing Berkut kits, alot stronger and lighter than the originals. BTW, all of you out there installing retracts of Berkut style, you MUST ADD A LOWER LONGERON and allow the upper gear leg attach plate to contact the lower longeron via bearing plate I have several examples of failed berkut gear that I will post pics on here so you can see what I'm talking about. the lower longeron needs to tie into the bottom engine mount plate and into the firewall. I will have pics demonstrating this layup. Also in the berkut plans MG-30 runs parallel to the fuselage this is not optimal the MG-30 needs to run perpindicular to the fuselage and needs a lid so it becomes a "torque box" which is then layed up into the floor of the fuselage, the gear I'm developing is following Pazmany's book on landing gear design for light aircraft. and other examples of certified aircraft gear. Please do not use any original berkut gear they will fail in short order.

Tony

[Marc Oppelt]

Ok...I'll bite. Whatcha got?

[bangoos]

My strakes are still open on my newly purchased MK4 project, so the subject of retracts is critical. Member kdean, who I purchased it from, was decisively against using retracts for the main gear. He built the main gear, so I have that.

I've read this entire thread, the options for main retracts listed herein is not clear. Could someone clarify what the options are? Is there just one supplier for retracts?
I read JD's main page about his kit, he writes about propeller size increase.

I am wondering if it would'nt be a viable option to place fixed main gear at the end of the spar, where the retracts would be attached. Could'nt we just put pants on them, and be better off?

[SAF_Zoom]

Hi Bangoos,

Just spoke with JD this weak. I ordered is retract install DVD and manual, just in case I decide to go this route in the future.

JD told me that he does not know when he will have another batch of retracts made. So could be a while before he does. Better check with him for availability.

Poeple are VERY vocal about the retract / std gear subject, so you will have to read through a lot of post to get a sence of it all.

Some have went with Velocity style retract and are very satisfied with them.

Well thats my 2c.

[bangoos]

It's very odd that suppliers of aircraft parts do not always keep a set or two of their specialty parts on the shelf. I look at what he sells, that stuff is'nt so complex that it would be prohibitively expensive to have a few sets ready to sell.
In the case of no parts available, I would very much want to prepare my strakes for later install of his kit. What a pain it would be to have to cut up the strakes later.

[TMann]

Originally Posted by bangoos

What a pain it would be to have to cut up the strakes later.

If you make the strake mod now and decide not to install the gear, the only down side is a little additional weight and time invested.

[Dennis Passey]

Originally Posted by TMann

If you make the strake mod now and decide not to install the gear, the only down side is a little additional weight and time invested.

Hmmm. I can think of some downsides.
You may have a W/B issue since the Retract gear weight is not there and no fuel weight is residing "there" and the fixed gear IS installed back there. Maybe no W/B problem but possibly.

Speaking of that. With hollow openings you have that much less fuel on board. Also, you have nothing to attach the inner gear door cover to, so you have gaping hollows and drag buckets under each strake. Keep in mind if you dont make fully closed off AERO retract doors you negated the marginal speed gain of retracts. ( and from watching Jack build his articulating doors- this is a formidable job, not for the faint hearted...as if the doors dont work properly/sequentially, then no matter how good your gear work you arent lowering your gear or getting them back inside, which is a bummer of varying degree no matter which).

Finally, what if something happens to J.D's supply and you cant get his retracts anymore, or there are no more parts available due to lack of supply for parts? Or you roll off the taxiway and into a wet rutted grass and damage one side of your gear beyond repair, and he is not there to support it? Now you have a pickle. No product support...you get to build your own over again using a custom fabrication shop at 125.00 per hour. Yow.

Yea, I can think of some more what if's but this is good enuf for now to say, "why sign up, and build your plane that way for a big question mark about performance and regarding those "promised gear". (i.e. A gear in the hand is worth two in the bush)...

FWIW

[TMann]

My bad ...... I meant the CS Spar Mod. The strakes can be retrofitted later (as Waiter did on his.)

[Dennis Passey]

Originally Posted by TMann

My bad ...... I meant the CS Spar Mod. The strakes can be retrofitted later (as Waiter did on his.)

...and with all due respect to Waiter (who is incredibly talented) took him 2 something years to alter-one thing led to another- and he ended up with a VERY HEAVY Long Eze that was marginally faster than before he did the work.

BUT it does Look VERY COOL. VERY VERY cool, and I like that, make no mistake about it.
But it isnt the speed mod some tout, and takes a lot of hours destroying all the work you did to create good fuel strakes and then do it all over again, with the complexity of retrofitting RG Gear added. HUGE JOB. Even for a whiz like Waiter.
So for someone contemplating this, Whats in YOUR wallet, skill-wise and patience-wise?
FWIW

If some of my info is incorrect above please correct me. This is just what I remember from the past, and my meds are failing me.

[Steve parkins]

Originally Posted by bangoos

It's very odd that suppliers of aircraft parts do not always keep a set or two of their specialty parts on the shelf. I look at what he sells, that stuff is'nt so complex that it would be prohibitively expensive to have a few sets ready to sell.
In the case of no parts available, I would very much want to prepare my strakes for later install of his kit. What a pain it would be to have to cut up the strakes later.

i did it that way and what a pain !
dumb i was! build the plane stock up to that point,and if you still want to get off 5k and wait 5 more years so be it. but i it was me id go bow and fly .

[Lynn Erickson]

Originally Posted by Dennis Passey

Hmmm.

Finally, what if something happens to J.D's supply and you cant get his retracts anymore, or there are no more parts available due to lack of supply for parts?
FWIW

What If? I beleive that is happening as we speak.

[TMann]

Originally Posted by Dennis Passey

...and with all due respect to Waiter (who is incredibly talented) took him 2 something years to alter-one thing led to another- and he ended up with a VERY HEAVY Long Eze that was marginally faster than before he did the work.

I'll let John do the talking (which he does in his own words at www.iflyez.com) as to whether it was worth it or not.

As for his timeline, you need to look at all the mods he did during that time. He completed a lot of items:
Longer nose
Downdraft cooling
Infinity Retracts
Yada, yada, yada

Everytime the subject comes up there is this effort to talk someone out of a R/G implementation. I knew I wanted retracts ...... 20 years ago when I bought my plans.

Berkut has retracts as does Velocity, eRacer and a few others.

For the sake of argument, yes it will add the following:
Weight
Time
Money

In the case of the Infinity Gear, the capability to handle a greater gross weight (from the landing capability) is greatly enhanced.

It's not a logic question. I've noticed lately that I haven't seen many birds flying with their legs hanging down.