The Long EZ Is One Of The Most Fuel Efficient Airplanes To Own
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
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The Long-EZ is a homebuilt experimental aircraft with a canard design, meaning you have 2 sets of wings. One in the back and another in the nose. Long EZs are not only some of the most affordable aircraft to build or buy, they are also some of the most fuel efficient aircraft in the market. A Long EZ airplane gets up to 40 miles to the gallon. Thats better fuel economy than many cars on the road.
The Long EX featured in this video belongs to a friend of a friend. He flies it for both work and pleasure and he is very happy with the plane in how it fly and how economic it is to fly. Standard Long EZ airplanes uses a small 115 hp engine. But being an experimental aircraft, you can always go with a more powerful engine. A builder has been known to strap a 250 hp engine in this thing to make it fly faster. And that it did. Your typical cruise speed in the long EZ is 150-185 mph. With the bigger 250 hp engine, you can expect speeds up to 250 mph. Still you’re burning very little fuel.
The Long EZ is a great preposition for the solo pilot who wants an affordable cross country flyer that’s easy to fly and maintain.
Here are some performance data:
LONG EZ Engine: Lycoming 115hp
Capacity: 2 people
Range: up to 2,010 miles
Speed: up to 185 mph
Useful load: 615 lbs
Price: $25,000 - $50,000
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It's almost a 50 years old design and still looks great. Designs shaped by aerodynamic are Timeless.
And Cessna is about a 100 year old design, I think from the 1920s
Futuristic design. I hope there is AC in the cockpit. The engine must put out heat.
@@markwiygul6356 Cessna isn't a design it's a company
With the range, speed, and gas usage. Seems like this aircraft makes more sense than driving long roadtrips.
Except we could only fit about two pairs of underwear, 1 shirt and two pairs of socks for luggage 😆
@@U20E27 I fly one regularly, they have large cargo pids that look like bombs. carry more than a 172
@@U20E27 thats lots i only need one pair of underwear ,you can turn them around and inside out then back wards. thats 3 wears plus the original thats 4 days.
@@jeffreygoodrich4765 If you get into a dogfight with a 172 you can drop your luggage for that extra performance boost! Haha
@@U20E27 that, and if you have more than 2 people in your family your kids will have to hang onto the wing
I used to hang out at Burt and dick rutans hanger as a child in the 1970s..before they were famous..this was up in Mojave desert in California.
thanks for the memories.
I grew up in Mojave from 84 to 92.
My high school years they gave our high school the money to build an aircraft shop. It was called the Voyager Program. It was a 2 year course. It gave you the ability to go out and get hired by them.
Burt Rutan is surely a living legend
David, having built a Long myself, I am envious. You were a very lucky child, in that regard, at least. Don't know about the rest of it, but hopefully, good overall.
I am green with envy. It's like saying I used to hang out with Orville and Wilbur Wright before they were famous.
Yeah but did your dad go to high school with them in dinuba? 🤣
In my opinion, the Long EZ has always been one of the most gorgeous private planes. I’d LOVE to own one.
I used to fly one of these out of Lunken Airport in the 80´s. It was a ball to fly, felt like a sports car in the sky. I recall the high rotation speed, around 80 kts or so, which was a bit scary until you got used to it. Every airport that I landed at, a group would gather around just to check out the plane. Good, fun airplane, but not for a new pilot for sure. Most of my training was done in a Cessna 152 which almost flew itself. Good memories for sure.
The first time I went to Oshkosh the first thing I saw was three longeasy's flying in formation. Tks for doing this one. Always loved the longeasy. Burt Rutans best inventions.
This design is nearly 50 years old? Holy hell..it’s gorgeous
hey mike, just wanted to let you know I love your channel, and will be keeping up with your progress on your build. I have worked on maintaining a lot of the older birds, including a Constellation and it is a passion that will never leave you, so keep it up and thanks for sharing your journey with the rest if us!
I've had a crush on this airplane for almost 40 years! Thanks for the review.
The ICON of all homebuilts!! This was the gamechanger for the homebuilding community!! My heart still skips a beat when ever I see one flying overhead or if I can get a chance to get up close and touch or even take a ride in one!! Definitely on my bucket list "when" I hit the lottery!! Mr Burt Rutan deserves a hat tip on this masterpiece!!! An American Can Do Classic :up there with Mustang..Warhawk...Sabre..Falcon..Eagle.. ..Lancer..Phantom.. Lear...etc ..etc..etc.. This classic of the seventies set the bar high and kept it there!! This was like an Indy raceer that could fly..fast!!..The first thought that came to my mind when I saw her was...You got to have a jet engine!! And she looked back at me and said " I know sweety..but I'm too fast for you just as I am right now!!! YOU COULDN'T HANDLE IT!!! I could hurt you!! :) Oh.. you know you've got to do a part 2...Flying the Long Ezy!! It's a beautiful airplane. especially this one!! Great build!!Great video!!! Thank you sir!!! 🐦
What a beautiful times less design. I have been in love with Rutan aircraft since their inception.
Thank you Mike. You bring it. I've always wanted to get a good walk around. Bert Rutan's has brought us some of the most aesthetic and unique designs. Fast And Efficient who can beat that? The canard wing? Yea think maybe the Wright Bro's were on to something? Some fighters even have them...go figure...~ your neighbor
Randomly found this channel. Love your passion for avionics. Has actually peaked my own interests. Subscribed!
That sucker brings back memories .......That was the plane I always wanted to build
Beautiful aircraft.
Rutan himself said he'd never fly in a EZE that was painted anything other than white. Darker colors get super hot, taxing the composites in the fuselage.
If you are not the original builder of the aircraft you need to have a certified A&P mechanic to work on it. John Denver hit the water due to spatial disorientation. He was busy trying to swith fuel from the empty left tank to the right tank. The lever was broken so they had a pair of vice grips attached and it was thought that they came loose and he was busy concentrating on reattaching them. The Vari EZ is a very fast and exciting airplane to fly but like any high performance aircraft it can be very unforgiving if not flown right.
Love the whole series of Rutan aircraft.
The starship is one of the coolest planes ever
Escubidu
Never heard of it but it is an airplane I would like.
The ability to go to other countries is a plus!
It never fails. If I have a plane I see at my local airport that I want to know about I wind up at your channel!
I just heard on the radio that "On October 12, 1997 singer, songwriter, and actor John Denver was killed when he crashed the Long-EZ aircraft he was piloting after it ran out of fuel just off the coast at Pacific Grove, CA. Denver, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, apparently lost control of the aircraft while attempting to manipulate the fuel selector handle. Denver had recently purchased the aircraft and had about a half-hour orientation flight the day before the accident." full story/ source:
www.airsafe .com /events/celebs/Denver
Mr. Denver made #1 pilot error: failure to check for fuel in tank before takeoff. I miss his music. He was reaching into the back seat to try to flip the fuel selector to the other tank, inadvertently pushed rudder pedal, plane did stall/spin into the water.
Nice, interesting review. John Denver died in one of these in Monterey, CA. He was checking it out after purchasing it and took off with low fuel in one of the tanks. A previous owner had located the fuel valve behind the front seat and it's surmised that when he was trying to reach it he inadvertently depressed the rudder pedal and spun into the sea from about 600' elevation.
Dang, is this plane notorious for easy spins?
@@joellouisfire yes because what he didn’t cover in the video is the rudder pedals aren’t connected. Each pedal separately moves the rudder on each vertical stabilizer.
How do you control the cabin temp.??
Not true about John Denver. It was a BD.
@@49ProRatStreet Denver died on the afternoon of October 12, 1997, when his light homebuilt aircraft, a Rutan Long-EZ with registration number N555JD, crashed into Monterey Bay near Pacific Grove, California, while making a series of touch-and-go landings at the nearby Monterey Peninsula Airport.[56] He was the plane's only occupant.[61][62] The official cause of death was multiple blunt force trauma resulting from the crash.
Burt Rutan is an aeronautical genius. His designs always look to me like they are eager to get in the sky.
Absolutely!!!!
Hey, Thanks a lot for sharing this with us. The video is very clear and detailed and it appears the plane is ready for the air and easily maintained. I'd like to look into this further, it might be something for me and one other. I think it would need a set of pontoons though, I fish a lot. I gave you a thumbs up even though you deserve a few more. Thanks again, I enjoy your show.
That looks more like a Vari-EZ than a Long-EZ. My father built and owned a Long-EZ since 1981. He flies his Long-EZ from California to Oshkosh in a single flight 8 to 9 hours non-stop.
No stops to re-fuel?!
@@farginicehole513 The guy in the video already told you it does 2000 miles. San Fran is about 1800 miles to Oshkosh, LA is even less.
That's quite dangerous to the body! He needs to rise up and walk around after every 1hour of sitting down, gosh!
@@remyllebeau77 that does not make sense... oshkosh is closer to san fran than la...
@@rosebarnes9625 Not as the crow flies. LA is 1724, SanFran is 1801.
You have such a cool channel, I love this particular review 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Mike you gotta take us on a ride-along in that plane. I'm having dreams of building something like that. It seems like an insanely light air frame that might be perfect for a verticle or near verticle take off type craft if you have 2 ducted fans right behind the front wings.
I also wonder if angling the front wing lower than the fuselage increases lift properties and roll response.
I got a ride in a Long-EZ back in the late 80's. Very cool planes!
1982, Ivan Shaw gave me a front seat trip in his Varieze: the one that he re-engined with two powerplants later. Unforgettable experience!
I want one. It's like a fighter from the cockpit.
I flew in one to an EAA pancake breakfast around 2000-2001. I’m not big and it was pretty snug in the back seat. Had the little 115 or 118 hp motor and we cruised about 160 mph. He let me fly for a bit and the joy stick was very sensitive. Could rock the wings with just bumping my thumb on the side of the stick. The pilot and an bigger pilot flew it to Oshkosh and I’m sure they were ready to get out after about three hours. A lot different than the old Bonanza I flew. Totally different experience.
my favorite small plane. Love to fly it on FSX
I randomly found you and for some reason I'm watching your videos now.
I don't even like flying it scares me but I like learning about it.
John Denver, RIP. Sad tragedy that could have been avoided. Miss his music and concerts.
Is this what he died in because if it was airplane failure I make sure I never want to get one of these
@@mikebe41 Yes it was. But it was Dick Rutan’s prototype version of the Long EZ. The switch for the fuel tanks was mounted behind the pilot’s seat, which made it extremely difficult if not impossible to reach in flight to switch to the second tank.
Perhaps, Denver didn’t either think it was going to be necessary to switch tanks or that he was just on a short flight and didn’t think he needed to fuel up.
In my opinion, after hearing and reading the reports that it was a combination of bad choices on Denver’s part, and poor engineering on the placement of the tank switch, even being that it was a prototype.
Denver’s autopsy showed no traces of medications, illicit drugs, or alcohol in his body.
@@milehighed52801
IT WAS NOT THE PROTOTYPE!!!
@@mikebe41 The engine ran out of gas. He didn't know how to switch to his reserve tank. It was the one and only EZ where the fuel tank select switch wasn't designed to be accessible to the pilot. He was flying the experimental version of an experimental airplane and just purchased the aircraft. All the EZ aircraft built according to the Standard Plans have easily accessible fuel select switch.
The builder of Denver’s Long EZ didn’t like the idea of having fuel lines running to and from the fuel selector valve in the cockpit, worrying about a possible leak and fire hazard. So he deviated from the plans and put the fuel selector valve inside the left fuel tank, with the handle on the left sidewall behind the pilot’s seat. This required an awkward turn and reach over the fixed seat back to switch fuel tanks. Compounding the problem was that the selector valve itself was known to be defective as it was unusually hard to turn. The theory is that Denver lost control by inadvertently stepping on the right rudder pedal while trying to change tanks. This is a perfect example of creating an obvious hazard (loss of control) by trying to mitigate a theoretical hazard (fuel leak). If the builder didn’t want to have the fuel selector in the cockpit, a better solution would have been to put the valve behind the firewall and rig up a cable system to control it remotely.
Very informative for me and very interesting, great job on review, thank you .
I do like the look of this aircraft. Thanks for the review!
Super cool to see one painted, too. I’m an RV lover, but I’d love to get in one of these and fly it a bit. Great video.
I flew one of those and loved it. Put money down on one but walked away. Two downsides: no heater and, more significant, no flaps. I short runway where I am. I still want one, but am happy with what I got.
Nice aircraft keep the videos coming, thanks this is very informative other aircrafts I've never seen before.
Oh you've got to go see one up close and a take a ride in one!! If you can!! Pay. for a tank of fuel and get lost in the experience!! Most owners are really cool pilots and they would love to take you on a"Magic Carpet Ride"!!!
Actually the Wright Brothers first aircraft was a canard as ths is !!!
Yeah, that is so true! Thanks for reminding me of that!
This is a fixed canard with an AOA that makes it stall before the main wing, lowering the nose. The Wright Flyer basically had the elevator out front.
Could you do a video on several planes that burn 8 or less gph
That’s a Vari- ez which was designed before the Long-ez. The Long Ez was a little bigger and very comfortable. I had a Long -ez for 8 years, loved it! Poor mans f-16:
You said F-16. Now i want one even more.
Where Can I get a complete set of plans for a Long-Ez? I have searched the aircraft spruce, and the only thing I can find is prefabricated parts.
@@KarthikSharmaWanderer87
I find it a bit scary to assemble prefab parts whose quality are highly questionable, the best option is to buy plans and fabricate composite material on your own not off shelf stuff - my opinion.
@@amoslukyaa5792 But plans are not available for long Ez as available for a Cozy Mark IV
@@KarthikSharmaWanderer87 you can get plans from aircraft spruce.
Yeah, it’s not a Longez, it’s a Veriez, the first indicator is the mounting brackets at the wings, the Longez has a bigger fuel tank and bolts on differently. I know this because I own one. Mine is not flying yet but hopefully someday. The specs on it with that engine is about 5.4 gallons per hour at approximately 165 knots. Fuel capacity is 23 gallons, range is about 800 miles. The Longez holds more fuel so can do about 1200 miles. That’s if you’re bladder can handle it. Several other interesting things about this aircraft is the main wing will not stall because the the front Conrad will stall first and dip the aircraft back down. Slips are not allowed due to one wing will stall. The two rudders are pressed at the same time to act as a air break to slow down the aircraft. Underneath is a airbrake that comes down to also slow it down since it has no flaps. There is also a third tank called a header tank that is located behind the back passenger head. It is switch on to keep fuel going to the engine while on a descent, fuel in the two main tanks will flow forward and starve the engine of fuel. Basically that’s how John Denver went down by not switching the thanks. Other than that, it’s a awesome design and currently holds most Aviation world records.
Thanks for posting this. I've been interested in these planes for quite a while, but I haven't had the chance to get that close to one.
That got the prop on backwards!!! :) Good stuff, thanks!
Reminds me of my old dragonfly. Had a VW Beatle motor in it.
These planes are AMAZING. I've been flown around in one thanks to EAA young eagles
Love your informative videos. Great job.
I’ve been watching your videos for a long time... you do a great job.
Wow, your in my area. And love the plane!!!
Hey Mike great video of the VariEze. I know it looks very similar to a LongEz.
Kevin Tyler
I was going to say that looks like a VeriEZ to me. The main wings didn’t look like a long. Also the size.
Guessing from the shape of the wings, this is a Varieze, not a Long-EZ, which has larger main wings, and strakes (wing roots/fuel tanks) with 2 facets on the leading edge instead of 1.
Not complaining or anything, what a gorgeous little aircraft! :)
I met Burt Rutan back in the 70''s . Very smart man. Cool design
An absolutely beautiful airplane. This Rutan aircraft is one of my all-time favorites. Anytime I look up on a sunny day I have a pretty good chance of spotting one overhead. John Denver, through no fault of the aircraft, died in a Long EZ,
Well, to be honest, there WAS some fault of his own (you didn't say that) and of that BUILDER MODIFIED specific aircraft (so really, no fault of the aircraft design, as opposed to that SPECIFIC Long EZ off plan specifically warned against modification), as the aircraft fuel system was not built to plan. He bought the plane pre built and pre flown, and the builder had modified the fuel system, which is warned against in the plans, one of the few places Rutan did that...for a reason, and that warning in the fuel piping/valving section that describes the build was pre this accident.
The tank switch valve was located behind him and above his head far enough that John couldn't reach it, so he had a tech standing there snap on some vise grips (I'm not making this up the NTSB report is freely available on the web, and yeah, WTH?) so he could reach it. Obviously that valve as placed worked fine for the builder for all the time he flew it, but also obviously, he was physically built differently than John. It was actually John's responsibility to make it functional for himself, not the builder, to be fair. I would HATE to have built the aircraft that killed John, or anyone else, so I thought that prudent to add, since it is the case.
JD also apparently wasn't aware that the strake tanks are not like normal tanks, in that the bottom is the bottom airfoil shape of the strake, not flat, so you could, if you didn't understand that, think there might be more fuel in them than there was, if it was low, which they think it was, he had just intended a short hop to and from the beach, I think.
They surmised what happened, to the best of their ability, was that he ran one tank completely dry, to engine stall at fairly low altitude, and while he was trying to reach the rather inaccessible (for him) fuel tank switching valve he completely forgot about controlling the aircraft, and flew it straight in, at a near vertical orientation. I might also remember something about him not getting checked out in type, which is a SEVERE no no, just asking for it actually, but I'm not sure about that, I may be mistaken. It seems to me that if he had though, he would have known about ALL of this, and much more, as he would have previously FLOWN the plane, almost certainly from the front (normal pilot) seat, with a high time Long EZ pilot, usually the seller and/or builder in back, with at least stick controls, which can fly the plane by itself.
I also know JD had been arrested DUI at least once, and there was initial justifiable concern of inebriation, but he was sober during the flight, and that was verified. I may have got a bit of this wrong, I read it a long time ago, because I was a Long EZ builder, but the report is available online to read (search John Denver accident Long EZ and NTSB and you should find it).
In any case, pretty sure he did not do what he SHOULD have done to prepare himself and the plane for this flight, and it unfortunately cost him his life. The sea is unforgiving, the air much less so, an he was dealing with both. Sorry, my bad.
@@MrJdsenior No friends, eh? Well, you really can't blame them. Far beyond a bore...you really are a pedantic, no nothing, pain in the ass. Isn't it embarrassing to have all the answers to the questions nobody asked? Dolt.
MojoGrip >>> Man what a cool video and what a cool airplane! You did a good job in introducing it to all us pilot-wannabees. Great!!!
Interesting! Great video!👍
Great Mike.. we all need this kind..
This young man is very passionate about airplanes and is a great ambassador for the sport. He is learning, as we all are and should be, so please keep your comments constructive in nature and help this passionate young man to educate himself and further his dreams of flight and allow him to encourage others to pursue their dreams as well. Thanks.
That looks more like a Vari-Eze rather than a Long-EZ. The Long-EZ doesn’t have negative dihedral in the main wing, and its wing attachment is very different than this airplane. The instrument panel’s horizontal dimension should be able to fit a full 6 pack with radios. This one seems to be narrower. There certainly are mods to this one (ailerons, extensive vortilons, metal rollover structure, long nose), and it does look nice. The Long-EZ is bigger, and it has significant improvements in the structures and flying surfaces.
Correct, it's a Vari Eze
It is a vari ez. The anhedral in wing and no internal side storage is dead give away.. I owned long ez 97wp for a decade.. they look similar but there are major changes…
The Long EZ has a double strake break, one forward and one at the wing LE, and a complete (total chord) sub winglet, as two obvious, easy identifiers/differentiators from the Vari Eze, which what this aircraft IS, a Vari Eze. But yes, to the uninitiated, they look pretty similar, until they are sitting side by side, where the Long is also obviously bigger. The Vari doesn't have NEARLY the capabilities of cargo and fuel as the Long. Yes, it is a foam/fiberglass composite construction...some have kevlar engine cowlings (back in the time frame I built mine) and probably more, now, as I've been out of the sport for a while.
I like the Cozzy which is a 4 seater modification from Rutan's designs
I've always loved these designs. Bucket list item is to build one. Maybe someday.
I love this design!
Love the compact design however the hull should be a bit wider for better seating comfort. Range and speed is amazing!!!
Another good rundown on a cool aircraft! One suggestion Mike - use a mic with a windscreen, the noise really takes away from the viewing experience.
Beautiful bird. I've always loved the canard style aircraft.
beautiful Varieze. GREAT review!!
My flight instructor has one of this!! It's awesome, and one think you didn't say is that you can make some aerobatics with it! ;)
Aerobatics are not recommended. The airframe is not built for high-G maneuvers and the fuel and oil systems are not designed for inverted flight.
Love the long eze. Burt Rutan is a genius. He built 2 aircraft that can fly to space.
Wouahhh....super...Thank you !👀👍
That is actually a very comfortable small aircraft for extended range. The 235 L engine performs well in that type.
Your "I will just start from the back" cleared my confusion about front and back of this airplane.
Thanks for posting this content!!! Great!!!
Thanks enjoyed it.
Such a great design, also more compact in terms of wing length.
I'm assuming twin wings have a lot to do with it.
No word on whether it is very short take-off or landing capable.
How manuveurable it is in the air and on tarmac compared to conventional designs.
40mpg is outstanding and the cost equates in my country to a mid priced BMW ... not bad.
If the price of batteries comes down a lot further, also their weight, then an electric version of this beautiful aircraft should be an option.
Nice vid ... thanks for showing.
I would like to see this one flying!!
I really did enjoy your review! Very cool airplane, but I'd have to build one in proportion to my size, then you could fly it too, haha!
Looks awesome !
Just started building a Pietenpol, but I think I want this plane next. This is amazing! Someday, man...
OMG it is a two seater? WOW what a beautiful plane. EXACTLY what I would like to learn to fly and purchase. Thanks for the review. GREAT as always!!
I knew the uncle in a church in Porterville, he tought a great class, and he always kept us up to date on Burts latest. Didnt know his first name we just called him elder Rutan.
John Denver almost took the reputation of this fine design with him. These are said to be almost stallproof, and truly a great design, way ahead of its time, but uses time proven old school control machanisms to acheive its awesome characteristics.
I saw a Mayazaki air craft at first glance. The plane looks cool. I've always been a fan of conard types. This almost has a delta wing too. Is it stable?
I researched this and ive heard the short version with electronic ignition can get 100 mpg at altitude
My brother used to make and sell models of the Long EZ under Kerr Aircraft back in the early 90s!
Thank you for showing, good video and description. Question are you a pilot, have a good and safe day.
It's been around for 4 plus decades. It's nicely refined now.
There are also under wing small baggage pods that can be mounted.
I had my Sonerai in the same hanger with a long EZ. They look very similar to a very EZ. but they are fiberglass no doubt or composite.
Fun Toy but I should add it took my friend like 10 years to build his long EZ and he worked hard because its all composite. it only took me 6 years to build my tube and fabric Sonerai. So they take a lot longer to build.
It doesn't take 10 years to build a Long EZ.
My father built a Sonerai in our basement when I was a kid - great plane, but the early Monett VW conversions were problematic.
Never even heard or seen anything like this. Such a cool surprise video thanks for making this. 😎
Mike, what I would be interested in is an inspection of the air frame.. Being fiberglass I would be suspect of older fiberglass strength.
Nice job, thanks
I can’t believe I’m just now finding out about this aircraft! This is perfect for me
That's beautiful.👍👍💐
The main thing about that is the foam and fiberglass technique. Figured out how homebuilders could do it. It's actually pretty simple.
Here is a video of rutan demonstrating ua-cam.com/video/p9GTYsNBiaE/v-deo.html
Love it.
Awesome 👍
Great review. You need to review a Velocity or Velocity XL sometime!!
... and don' t forget a flight !
Burt Rutan was a kick-ass genius! With all their advantages, it's hard to believe that these designs didn't catch on more.
I like this bird and I believe lots of people do. Thanks for the great presentation dude.
velocity is pretty cool as well. little more spacious and the even offer a twin.