I attended the Canard fly in yesterday at Rough River, KY. Unfortunately I did not see a single Dragonfly, Q2 Tri Q or Quickie. I did however see a lot of very nice canard aircraft.?
It brought back some great memories because I had a Varieze many years ago. I would guess that there were at least 40 or 50 canard aircraft there yesterday and I was amazed at most of the quality. I seen a couple of guys constantly giving demo rides in their Long Eze's. Not just quick pattern flights but very comprehensive test rides. Overall I was also very impressed with the friendliness of the group of pilots.? I can not believe that in the 15 plus years that I have lived in Kentucky, that I have not attended such a great fly in before. Now, I want another canard. I did speak at length to a pilot selling his very nice Cozy Mark IV. I liked his plane, and low time engine, the performance specs and radio stack and if I can do some math and figure out how to continue to pay my sons college bills and buy a 60 grand Cozy, I may have found another plane to add to my hanger.? Reality of my use needs brings on a personal debate on the need for 3 + 1 seating as provided by a Mark IV and my love for a Dragon or Q2 Tri Q and all the things I need to consider. Do I need a Cozy 4 seat or will a 2 place suffice. Let me point out. Since I already have a flying KR2, do I want another flying airplane or do really want something to build and put my own signature on. I also like the idea of building something while still enjoying my KR as I build a new project. Ok, Im drifting off here.? I wish I could have seen a Quickie, Q2, or Dragonfly yesterday but, maybe next time.? I had no idea that as long as its been since the Varieze, Long Eze was supported that there would be so many of them out there. But, when I think about the versitility of the Varieze or actually the Long Eze and the canard platform aircraft, I can also see where they would still be more prolific than the KR. Dont get me wrong, I love my KR but I think the design is long over due for a up sizing and a few more things that would make it more versitile and bring in a whole new group of builders and pilots. I guess in many ways, this is actually what Langford and Jones have done and I will once again state that if I was going to build, I would copy exactly what Mark Jones has done with consideration to other power plants in the process.? Just my ramblings and observations? Jeff York KR2 2010 National Peoples Choice, Best Interior 2011 Air Fest Best Experimental, Best Interior, Best Instrument
