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Q-talk 103 - Jan/Feb 2004 - index

Quickie Builders Association
Together we build better planes!


Jan/Feb 2004
Issue Number 103



I want to thank Gene Knapp for providing the Q2/xx image for the new Q-Talk logo you see directly above this article. This is what I always had in mind, but did not have the time to prepare. Now that I have received my airworthiness certificate and winter has stormed in with a vengeance, there seems to be a little more time available for things beyond building.

There have been several inquiries from QBA re-subscribers about my flight testing (thank you for asking), so I will fill you all in at the same time. A few weeks after the Sullivan fly-in last fall, I had a DAR review my plane and I received the airworthiness certificate. Soon after that, I met with Terry Schubert, who is the editor of the Central States Association newsletter for canard aircraft. He is also one of EAA's Flight Advisors who is familiar with fast glass. Teny inspected my plane and gave some very insightful feedback, especially regarding the engine baffling. We then talked for several hours about my experience, expectations and what my plans were for flight testing. It is good to have someone ask you the tough questions because it keeps you honest.

In the beginning of November, I spent a weekend with another Tri-Q2 driver who graciously provided me with an excellent opportunity to become familiar with the specifics of flying a Tri-Q2. In just two days, we flew over six hours, allowing for some time between flights to refuel, absoib the experience and discuss the next objective. My goal for the weekend was to become familiar and comfortable enough with the take-off and landing sequence that I would feel ready to begin the flight testing my plane. While we did achieve most of the objectives and I did make a landing or two that I would write home about, I still was not landing consistently to my satisfaction. We knew going in that tiying to accomplish this during one weekend was an aggressive schedule, to say the least. We also knew that with winter approaching quickly, the hopes for flying before spring were dim, if we did not succeed. I had to make the tough decision to end the flying for the weekend and to pick up where we left off in the spring. As it turns out, the winter here has provided very few opportunities to fly since then, anyway. We are in the process of making plans to continue the training in April. I hope to be ready to begin the flight testing in May.

Part of the reason I am going into this much detail about my first flight preparation is that I have found that earning a brand new airworthiness certificate is the moral equivalent of a kid with a five dollar bill in his pocket while walking by a candy store. The tug is certainly there to put it to use. Since I have almost 10 years of my life wrapped up in this plane, there is no good reason to push the flight testing. It is too important and preparation is the name of the game. I hope this gives you something to think about when it is your turn to fly. By the way, please contact me when you are getting close to flying your plane so I can attempt to put you in touch with other Q pilots in your area who can help you be successful.


Articles from this issue:

QBA on the Grow - by Dave Richardson
Sun 'n Fun 2004 - by Dave Richardson
Spinner Precaution - by Lynn French
Dual Electronic Ignition Installation on a Q200 - by Jim Patlllo
Are You Building a Bomb in Your Shop? - by Joseph Hogan - The Hartford Submitted by Al Kittle
Slick Stick - by Dave Richardson
Smokin' Prop - by Brad Olson
Simple Balance Scale - by Kurt Van Dyke
Flying a Q - Tri-Q2 - by Dave Richardson
Ammeter Secrets - by Dave Richardson


A current QBA member may have one free ad per issue. It may be a maximum of five lines of type and will be edited to fit space available. Items advertised must be owned by the QBA member. The ad contact must be a member name. Ads will be run for two issues and then the ad must be resubmitted. [EDITOR'S NOTE: Please note that these ads may no longer be valid. They are included here only as part of the online archive.]

FOR SALE: 0-200 key start engine 1523 SMOH; 3992 TT. Pulled from Q-200 after 1032 hours. Still ran well when it was removed. Includes 2 Slick Mags, Starter (needs new starter clutch) Asking $3,500. Contact Paul Fisher? This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (319) 798-2282

WANTED: Engine mounts for Q200 and complete cowling Continental 0200 engine. Contact A1 Bromann, 9186 Island Rd. Harshaw, WI 54529 (800)746-3963. (10)

WANTED: Canopy for Q-l. Also, I need an Onan engine in good condition Please contact Nathan Peck, Marthas-ville, Missouri. Call collect: (636) 433-3633 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

FOR SALE: Completed Q2 N393JT with LSI canard less engine and some instruments. Includes hydraulic disc brakes, reflexor, belly board, sliding canopy and sharp paint job. Flown for 12 hrs TT. John Touchet, FL (863)294-8540 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (8)

FOR SALE: Various Q items. Jon Finley

http://www.finleyweb.net/default.asp?id=l44

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (4)


What a beauty! This Tri-Q 200 belongs to Lynn French from Broken Bow, Nebraska. It has many unique features, including RV- style pressure recovery wheel pants on his mains and improved CamLoc on the cowling. The matching accent stripe on the fuselage, wheel pants and embroidered upholstery is very classy. More info on page 2.


You can order a printed copy of Q-talk #103 by using the Q-talk Back Issue Order Page.