It took longer than expected but ez.org is back up and running on it's own server.

The forum software has been updated and that will hopefully eliminate the spam problem.

The Classifieds and the CSA picture archive is not available yet but should be soon.

Thanks everyone for your patience and notes of encouragement sent the last couple of months, they were appreciated.

There seems to be new reports on the C-A list about a virus on ez.org. Waiter has reported files with the names of lsdmain.info and telecarrier[1].htm. There are no files that refer to http://www.lsdman.info or telecarrier[1].htm on ez.org. However after some testing I determined that the google ad's at the top of the page were loading a hidden iframe that contained a link to lsdman.info.

I checked the owner of lsdman.info and it does not appear to be google, it is registered to a Moscow, RU address. It does appear that Google has some type of virus that has gotten into their ad system but I would not jump to conclusions. This may be legit.

I have disabled the ad's and will be following up.

There have been reports on the Canard Aviators list about a virus on ez.org. We have scanned all the files and there is was no virus found by AVG on any file. Harley Dixon contacted AVG and the response is below:

This problem seems to be really false positive as there aren't any suspicious virus codes in there displayed. I suggest, you might contact the owner of the website (or exactly the webserver) to perform a whole scan of their system for any malicious code.
Thank you.

     Best regards,

     Jiri Tuma
     AVG Technical Support

David Orr checks in with exciting news about the R.A.C.E. events:

Shirlan Dickey has abandoned R.A.C.E. I honor him for doing it so long and successfully. We never had a serious injury on any race course - a
remarkable thing when you consider the other historic venues. A little smoke inhalation, a little use of a rural road and a whole lot of truly
serious fun. We can celebrate the sayings that were in vogue back then: "When the flag drops the b... S... Stops!" among others.

Instead, the original running is now a part of history and we think it can be handled by docents as a museum event. Beagle, Bandit,
Ignition/Windows, and the V-8s are talking about it now and plan to attend as many as they can celebrating a consensus of the original
schedule - the national holidays. Look for historic announcements shortly.

Those of us who have run most of those races most often would take turns historically reviewing what Shirl Dickey briefed, doing some simulated
race starting and simulated racing and touring the course as each pilot chooses to do. We are discussing the 4 times this year to do it at
Wendover, Jackpot, Kanab and Mesquite initially.

The one anticipated difference might be that there won't be any fees - donations, maybe - there won't be any plaques, and new guys who have
never toured one of these courses before and observed a start up close will be taken up the day before or the event before and given the
history of takeoffs, formation and start procedures. We might be looking for people who can simulate the ground jobs, one V-8 has offered
to teach that aspect.

Beagle

The new Google search box at the top of the page will will use Google to search just the ez.org website. It's been one of the most asked for features for ez.org. We have also added a link at the top right to download the excellent Firefox web browser. If you do not use Firefox you don't know what your missing. Firefox is so much better than the standard Microsoft browser and it is simple to install. Many users have reported problems accessing the Classifieds and the Firefox browser corrects that problem in most cases as well as many other problems. Google likes Firefox so much they are recommending it. Use the link below to get Firefox.

Bill James has reached a milestone with his 20th Chronicle this week! Thanks for the great stories and info Bill!

If you like the EZ Chronicles be sure to drop Bill a word of encouragement!

If you have not read any of the EZ Chronicles, take a look, they are a fun read and we have a new one most Fridays!

Terry Schubert has updated the CSA newsletter index. The index compiles all CSA newsletters since October 1990 and contains over 4000 lines. Download the spreadsheet or read more about CSA here. The CSA newsletter is highly recommended for all Rutan canard flyers as it contains volumes of great information. The photo archive for the next issue will be ready in a few days.

Also check out the new downloads section. Terry has submitted a scanned Varieze POH and plans for the Long-EZ rollover structure.

VariEze N95BJ has spent a good amount of time above ten thousand feet. But mostly at cruise. Several years ago I jumped at the chance to plan and try some high altitude takeoffs in the Rockies. The trips confirmed the importance for respect of high density altitude..read more.

Tony Malfa has generously provided a set of CAD drawings for the Long-EZ. The drawings include NG30, F22, F28, Instrument Panel and the front and rear seat bulkheads.

The zip file contains six Autocad drawings that can be printed to full scale at most Kinkos. Tony has spent a large amount of time on these drawings and they have been used on his long-nose Long-EZ. Each drawing includes a stock drawing and a corresponding modified drawing next to it so you can see exactly what has been changed about the original. Tony reports that all measurements are in fractions to make it a bit easier to measure and all measurements where made from an original set of plans. Tony can also supply them in decimal inches if required. You must view these in Autocad to get the full appreciation of the detail involved. You may also use Turbocad and it can be purchased from most office supply stores.

Steve Volovsek is nearing his first flight, take a look at the progress of his Long-EZ project.

We have a great new feature to announce today. Bill James will be checking in regularly with miscellaneous ramblings, mostly about EZ's but sometimes about other things of interest to canard flyers. I'm sure his highly modified Varieze (is it still really a Varieze?) will take center stage.

Take a look at the Those EZ Chronicles.

David Hanson reports a forced landing in his brother Mark's Varieze on September 5, 2005 when he lost power about two miles from KCXY. He survived a terrible crash that destroyed the Varieze. The crash was the typical off-airport flip caused when the nose gear or nose digs into soft dirt and pitches the nose down and inverts the aircraft. This is the first test of a non-composite rollover structure that I'm aware of. The fact that David walked away proves the rollover structure did the job even though it was deformed more than anyone would like.

More details as they become available.

Dan Patch was fatally injured in a landing accident in his Varieze Saturday August 20, 2005.

Like so very many of you who knew Dan, this news brings total shock and dismay. Dan was extremely kind individual who loved being a part of the EZ community. He gave freely his time and commitment to this site and the entire Canard community. Simple words do not describe the tremendous loss this is to the Patch family, his friends and the Canard community. Our sympathies go out to his family and friends.

Details will be made available as they develop.

Very sad news from Sunrise Airpark. Liz Jones reports that Dave Jones was fatally injured while landing at Sunrise Airpark, ID in his Long EZ on June 28th.

Initial reports indicate a hard landing that tore the main gear from his Long-EZ and then continued into a culvert damaging the nose. A passenger survived. No details on the passengers condition, but he was able to exit the plane on his own. More details as they become available.

Heartfelt sympathy from all EZ Squadron members go out to Dave's wife Liz and the family.

Eddie Moody reports about a terrifying experience with a bird strike that ripped the upper two thirds of the right winglet from his Long-EZ. Wow!

We have some sad news to report. Paul Conner was fatally injured in a crash of his rotary powered SQ2000 May 16, 2005. Initial reports are that the engine quit at 250ft. Many of us have followed Paul's progress the last couple of years as he progressed toward his first flight last December. He had a similar incident in February. You can read about that incident here.

You can read the initial reports here and here and here. Paul was a former Long-EZ builder and flyer and will be greatly missed.

Things are heating up for the Varieze 30th Anniversary Gathering at Oshkosh. Eric Whyte and Frank Pullano are working on a mass arrival into Oshkosh just prior to SpaceShipOne's arrival. Eric organized the 20th anniversary mass arrival in 1995 with Norm Howell and is the Chairman of the EAA AirVenture Cup Race. More details as they become available.

Tim "Tiger" LoDolce has published his excellent Western States Calendar of Events. Please drop Tim an email if your event is not on the list.

West Coast Gathering of Canards

Tim "Tiger" LoDolce and David Orr have decided to organize a spring "Gathering of Canards" to bring us West Coasters, and everyone else who wants to meet us, a little closer together rather than at some far away event. One very much like Rough River with the exception that we allowed adult beverages. Yes, Shirl does a wonderful job of organizing the R.A.C.E. events in Utah and Arizona but many people just can't get away, don't want to race (you don't have to and it's still great fun), or just can't afford to fly that far. At the price of gas these days I can't blame them either.

Some have reported a problem with logging into the Central States Photo Archive. Drop me an email if you have a problem getting into the archive using the password in the April edition of the CSA newsletter.

Terry Schubert has forwarded the pictures for the April edition of the CSA newsletter. The user name for the Central States Photo Archive is csa and the password is located near the top of the April 2005 issue. Thanks Terry!

Warning... there are 200 plus pictures for April, modem and slow-speed internet user's beware!

We have a new area setup under Hanger Flying for local canard groups to post news and information that is local in nature. Dan Patch requested this area so the San Diego EZ Squadron members would have a place to exchange information about local issues and events. We can add new groups upon request. If your a San Diego EZ Squadron member take a look.

Steve Wright wants to let everyone know about the 2005 EZ Bahamas Canard Flyin April 18. Steve has put together a Rough River type fly in where you can walk to your room after landing. Steve is a veteren of Bahama flying having made the trip in his Varieze many times and say's it's easier now due to rule changes for experimentals. Good job Steve!

Dan Patch wants everyone to attend the San Diego EZ Squadron meeting on Thursday, March 17th, 6:30 PM, at the Casa Machado restaurant at Montgomery Field. Please note that this is the THIRD Thursday of the month - a week later than the usual second Thursday meeting night!!! Read more about it in a recent Hager Flying post.

Trio Avionics has announced a new Altitude Hold feature for their already feature rich Auto Pilot. Bruce Bohannon used the Auto Pilot in the Exxon Flyin' Tiger to set a new altitude record last November.

Scott Wanzor is selling his Long-EZ project and O-235. Take a look, it won't last long.

The March EZ of the Month is a special story about twin EZ's and a pair of brothers, Mark and David Hanson. One brother struggles with an illness while his brother helps him achieve his EZ dream. I speak for the entire Canard community when I wish Mark a speedy recovery.

I know Mark and David would appreciate an email with words of encouragement.

A Burt Rutan design does it again! As if putting people in Space wasn't enough, the Rutan designed GlobalFlyer piloted by Steve Fossett completed it's around the world flight today to add to a long list of records and accomplishments for Rutan designs. Fossett touched down at 1:48 central time in Salina, KS taking a little over 47 hours to complete the trip around the globe. There is no question that Burt Rutan's genius will be detailed in history books as the greatest aviation designer in history. Congratulations Burt on a great design, we can't wait to see what is next!

We have updated the list of flyers planning to attend the 30th Anniversary gathering. This gathering is for all canards and especially Varieze since the first flight of the Varieze prototype was thirty years ago this May. It is looking more and more likely that Oshkosh will be the location especially with the announcement that SpaceShipOne and Wight Knight will be on display. The contrast of SpaceShipOne against a sea of canards will truly be a special and a once in a lifetime event.

It also looks like that White Knight with SpaceShipOne attached will refuel in Albuquerque and Tulsa as they make there final flight to Oshkosh. I'm sure there will be big crowds at each stop. Maybe flyers that cannot make the full gathering can make one of those stops.

Al Hodges wants everyone to know about the 47th Annual Cactus Fly-in at Casa Grande, AZ Friday - Saturday, Mar 4-5, 2005. Contact: Dave Sirota 520/603-5440, chairman@cactusflyin.org. CGZ Airport Diagram and Info Warning: Watch out for big yellow Stearman aircraft!

Terry Schubert, editor of the Central States Newsletter, as a further service to it's members is allowing ez.org to publish the photo's of each CSA newsletter. How many times have you wished to see some of the great photo's in color or see just a little more detail in a photo? We believe this is a great addition to CSA and ez.org. Please support Central States by joining today!

Read more about this announcement here and take a peek into the next newsletter.

Nobody will ever accuse Bill James of not thinking outside the box. Our February 2005 EZ of the month has more innovative ideas than should be allowed by one person on one aircraft. A definite "I wish I'd thought of that" type EZ.

John Lambert has suggested having the Varieze 30th Anniversary gathering more in the center of the US. He suggested Hondo, Texas (HDO) just west of San Antonio. Hondo is about 1200nm from either southerern coast, Florida and the central Canadaian border. Far east or far west flyers would be disadvantaged traveling about the same distance as the San Diego to Oshkosh flyers would if it were held at Oshkosh. The EAA SWRFI Fly-In has moved this year to Hondo. It is an ex military air base with long runways, and lots of ramp area. San Antonio is a great place to visit with lots to do and see. There is a thread setup in Hangar Flying for comments about this or anything related to the gathering. Everyone please contribute your thoughts!

• Bill James has been hard at work on his highly modified Varieze. Judging from past CSA articles Bill makes more changes to his Varieze in a week than most guys make ever. Bill will be giving us a full report soon. Here are a couple of shots: Photo1, Photo2 of his Varieze.


• Check the EBay auction link if you're looking for Long-EZ plans as there are a couple of sets up for bid and going cheap as of today.


• All canard flyers are invited to the Varieze 30th anniversary gathering. We have had a handful of flyers interested in attending the gathering at Oshkosh. There is a patch/sticker being designed by an interested flyer and most feel that Oshkosh is the best location.

David Orr describes his recent incident where his Long-EZ "PaintBall" was destroyed in an off-airport landing attempt.

The EZ Squadron in San Diego is planning to meet for dinner at the Casa Machado Restaurant on Thursday, the 13th at 6:30 PM.

A Cozy canard flyer, Len Johnson has reported on a taxing situation in Orange County, CA that could affect everyone. Orange County has assessed taxes on the labor required to build his Cozy. I know Len would appreciate all the support he can get to resolve this.

Frank Pullano Jr reports that a Fly-In and formation flying school is planned in Millville NJ on the 15th of January. All the important information
and registration can be found at www.vultureformation.com. It is FREE and door prizes will be given out. Only six canard drivers are registered so signup today and support this gathering.

Welcome to 2005! Tim LoDolce recently responded to a question on the CA mail-list about the annual condition inspection for the non-builder. There is so much mis-information out there on this subject. Here is the real story.

The January 2005 EZ of the month is Harry Manvel's Defiant. Some aircraft are just too cool and this Defiant falls into that category. It looks fast just sitting on the runway and the panel is exceptional.

Prospective builders take note: Condor Sales has several sets of original Long-EZ plans listed on their site as well as many other goodies. Another set of Long-Eze plans recently sold on EBay for $760 off the record price of $1526. A set of Varieze plans originally purchased by aviation writer Tony Bingelis also sold for $455.

The Long-EZ, Varieze, Berkut, Cozy and other canards have appeared in many of EAA's Sport Aviation magazine. Here is a list of the articles and issues for the Long-EZ. A set of thirty CD's containing all the back issues may be purchased from the EAA.

Looking for that perfect nose? A new article has been posted that describes the art of crafting a new nose for your Varieze or Long-EZ.

An EZ way to start the new year! Lynn Erickson reports there is an informal EZ Flyin at the Chino, CA airport. Breakfast at Flo's restaurant on Jan 1, 2005 around 8:00am. Everyone is welcome!

Another set of Long-EZ plans just surfaced on EBay along with a couple of projects. Will this set of plans break the record price set last week? You can use this link to quickly find Long-EZ or Varieze items on EBay.The link is also on the left menu.

Google recently purchased a company called KeyHole. Keyhole lets you "fly" over most areas of the country and even other parts of the world. It's uses satellite pictures and is able to convert these into a 3-D format. You can pan and zoom to any area and even rotate around a point. It has great resolution, I was able to pick out my car parked at my office. It is not like a FlightSim where the buildings are computer generated, it shows the acutal structures. I think it is a great tool to preview a flight into an unfamiliar airport. There is a 7 day free trial and it costs $29 a year after that.

A set of Long-EZ plans sold on EBay yesterday for $1526 gathering 41 bids. I'm aware of only two previous sets that have sold in the mid $800 on EBay so this is a record price. Only a few sets of plans are seen for sale every year and there seems to be great demand. The short supply can only make Canard style aircraft increase in value as time passes.

Several users have commented on the choice of blue for the links on this page saying it is too hard to read against the black. I'm going to try yellow for a while, let me know if you don't like it.

The December EZ of the month is a very nicely done VariEze. Many unique features make this well worth the read.

The links section has been updated with several new links including a link to John Waiters great site that has articles about oil based cabin heat and a cool canopy stay.

Several members are having problems with the links on the left side of this page. Anyone that cannot see the "Classifieds" link below "Featured Canards" on left side of the screen please email me what version of Windows your using and your browser version. Thanks!

Several people have had trouble finding the new classifieds. The link "Stuff for Sale" has been changed to "Classifieds" and is on the left side of this page. I also suspect some browers may be having trouble displaying the main page correctly. A screen shot of what the main page should look like is here. If you are not seeing the same thing on the main page please drop me an email and let me know what browser you are using.

You can upload up to six pictures. The pictures can be any size and will be resized automatically to fit.

Please let me know if you need further assistance.