Long-EZ
The Long-EZ is an experimental homebuilt aircraft designed by Burt Rutan in 1979. It was designed as a highly efficient long range 2 seat aircraft allowing cruise speeds of 160+ knots (185 Miles an hour) and covering over 2,000 miles on 52 gallons. The engine is a 235 cubic inch, 4 cylinder, 108 horsepower Lycoming O-235. The Pusher - Canard (engine in back, small wing up front) configuration is a very efficient design as both wings provide lift and the turbulent air from the propeller does not drag along the fuselage. The airplane is built from plans with no extraordinary skills and can be completed in one's average 1 car garage in about 1,200 to 1,500 hours of work for under $25,000. It is constructed from blocks of foam, fiberglass and epoxy resin, along with easy to acquire aircraft hardware, metal and wood.
The airplane parks on it's nose - called grazing - allowing it to sit in 35 mph winds without requiring tie downs. After the passenger boards, the pilot lifts the front of the aircraft to a level position and lowers the nose gear, then climbs in. Baggage pods can be attached to the wings (slowing the aircraft about 5 mph) to carry luggage.
This Long-EZ - N1344T - was built in 1982 by Warren "Rodie" Rodewald to fly to the Oshkosh Airshow from Honolulu Hawaii - unrefueled. He did this before the days of GPS with an 82 gallon tank in the rear seat; this flight was 4,497 miles, 32 hours, 125 gallons of fuel at 140 mph, averaging 36 mpg. The current owner has flown this aircraft from Northern California to New York and many points in-between. For a period of time, he made regular trips from Western Oklahoma to Chicago and back (~4.5 hours each way) twice a month in the EZ. Though it appears tight in the cockpit, it is comfortable to fly on long trips. I can easily beat the airlines anywhere within 1,000 miles and can get most anywhere in less than 1/3 the time it takes to drive. |
Be sure to come early and enjoy the multitude of exhibits and displays as well as an expanded food & drink selection, exhibits, and many static displays of airplanes you can see up close and personal.
Performers, Schedule & Events are subject to change.
