QUICKIE NEWSLETTER 17 page 2
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- Category: QAC Newsletters
- Published: Tuesday, 12 December 2006 11:12
- Written by Quickie Aircraft Corporation
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| GENERAL INFORMATION We have the following phone numbers for the public: (805) 824-4313 and (805) 824-4626. There is also a private unlisted Builder Hotline number given out only to builders. This number is for Technical Building Assistance only. The Builder Hotline hours are: Tuesday through Friday, 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (PST); Saturday 1 p. m.—4:00 p.m. (PST). Since the demand on this line is large, we ask our builders to have specific questions ready before calling, and not to use the line for shipping information, backorders, or option orders. In this manner, we can maximize our builder support. The Quickie Aircraft Corporation facility at Hangar 68, Mojave Airport, Mojave, CA is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a. m.-5:00 p.m. Please note that we are closed Sunday and Monday. To improve customer service, please ask for the following personnel if you have questions in these areas: Shipping schedule: Package 1, 2, and 3...........Ron Lundgren Backorders.........................Ron Lundgren* Literature........................Debbie Schubert *Ron requests that builders with backorder problems and or questions call him between 1:00-4:30 p.m. PST on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. This will permit him to spend the mornings on shipping, thereby providing faster service, Ron also requests that all backorder and materials requests be sent to him in writing so that he will have a permanent record in each builder file. In this way, phone calls should only be necessary for followup and or emergencies. There will be a charge of $35.00 if a kit is picked up in Mojave. This charge is for the shipping entailed by QAC to consolidate the packages as each kit is normally drop shipped. In addition, we find it necessary to charge an additional $25.00 if the customer does not pick up the shipment as scheduled and makes no other arrangements prior to that pickup date. In the past. we have had kits sitting at our facility for several weeks due to missed pickup dates. We ask that all builders please reference their serial numbers on all communications. This will make our job much easier. Also, when writing to QAC, always send a stamped, self-addressed envelope along if a reply is necessary. Builders of both the Quickie and Q2 have the opportunity to receive rides in N81QA, our Q2, within the thirty day period prior to the builder’s first flight in his own aircraft. These rides are by prior arrangement only; in addition, at the same time, suggestions and recommendations will be given to the builder on conducting his early flights to promote safer flying. Over 75 rides have been givn to date. Each Saturday, weather permitting and N8IQA in town, we give a flight demonstration of the Q2. We usually get a large turnout on these occasions, and have been selecting an attendee’s name from the hat at random for a Q2 ride. |
OSHKOSH REPORT It is time to plan for this year’s Oshkosh EAA Flyin, 31 July through 7 August. We have four booths in a square shape for this year in the North Exhibit Building. The numbers are L-9, 1-10, M7. and M-8. The expanded booth will include a cockpit mockup to sit in that we have been working on (no, visitors, it wasn’t a secret project!). The Q2 forum is Saturday, 31 July at 3:00 p.m.; the Quickie forum is Monday, 2 August at 3:00 p.m. The annual Quickie Q2 Builders’ Banquet is Monday, 2 August, at the Pioneer Inn in Oshkosh. Cocktail hour starts at 6:30 p.m. with dinner served at 7:30 p.m. The price is $10.00 per person, by advanced reservations only. Tickets must be purchased by, 1 July from: EAA No. 252 17 East Parkway Oshkosh, Wi 54901 Be sure to include your builder serial number. Because ot the large demand for tickets, only Quickie and Q2 builders & their spouses may attend, We expect a very good turnout of Quickies and Q2’s at Oshkosh this year. Again, we will be offering some prizes and trophies to those v,ho attend. FAA REGISTRATION There is still some confusion among Quickie and Q2 homehuilders regarding the proper method to register their aircraft with the F.A.A. The builder should submit to the F.A.A. a copy of his sales agreement and sales invoice, both signed by an officer of Quickie Aircraft Corporation, along with the other F.A.A. required documents. A bill of sale from QAC is neither provided nor required. The above two documents take its place. We know of rio difficulties in registering any Quickie or Q2 when the above procedure has been followed, QAC will provide the signed copies upon request. In this manner, we can also keep track of builder progress. QUICKIE/Q2 TRAILERS We know of two firms who have specifically developed trailers for the Quickie and Q2. They are: Deltec Aircraft 4230 Grissom Blsd. Batavia, 011 45103 and Experimental Aircraft Trailers 11738 Superior St. Northridge, CA 91325 Contact them directly, for prices and availability. |
INITIAL FLIGHT TESTING OF YOUR NEW QUICKIE OR Q2 We continue to see many examples of unprofessional and potentially dangerous behavior on the part of builders in conjunction with their early test work, Maybe by discussing this in the newsletter again, we can convince current and future builders not to repeat the mistakes of others. 1. Making the first flight in a Q2 with two people onboard: This is not only stupid, but probably illegal, since it is really stretching it to call the second person a crewman required for the flight. Why not give the pilot on the first flight every benefit by minimizing the gross weight, and, thereby, maximi7ing the performance? As the flight testing progresses, uses ballast weight first to explore the higher gross weights, and then take your friends, wives, etc. for rides. 2. Lack of pilot proficiency: An appalling number of first flight pilots lack pilot proficiency. If one is not a current pilot, and also current in several different types of aircraft, one is not ready to make the first flight in any homebuilt. Anyone not current in a taildragger type aircraft is asking for problems in flying a brand new taildragger for the first time, After all, what frame of reference to judge aircraft performance and handling can one have? 3. Short runways: We advise a minimum of 5000 feet for taxi tests and first flights. Some people think that 3000 feet or less with trees at the end is enough. It isn’t; fo high speed taxi tests and potential runway flights, 5000 feet is the minimum to pro‘,‘ide any reserve. All it takes is an acciden tal liftoff, or a crosswind uncorrected for, or some nervousness, to get a chance to see what’s beyond the end, or the sides, of the runway. 4. High speed taxi tests: Many high speed taxi tests end in first flights. The common response is, “. . . but I didn’t intend to fly.” Anytime the aircraft engine is running and the pilot is in the aircraft, that aircraft had better be airworthy and the pilot had better be prepared to fly that aircraft. 5. Tunnel Vision: Another common malady is the “I’ve only got one week of vacation to finish the aircraft and get it flying.” Setting absolute time schedules encourages poor workmanship, inattention to detail, and a poor pilot frame of mind. QAC publishes an Initial Flight lest Guide for each aircraft. Please use it. While you may not agree with everything we recommend, its conservative approach is intended to promote safety and the longterm enjoyment of the project. It is far better to go a little slower, and delay the first flight, than it is to hurry up and wait. |