Easy Eagle Biplane

Daniel,

My friend just got back from the Houston area where he checked out a supplier for the welded steel fuselage for the Legal Eagle. Its the ultrlight relative of the Easy Eagle. I looked at the dwgs and it looks safe enough. He has all the wooden ribs made up. A million little pieces of wood glued together. The nose ribs are plywood. There is a vender for the nose ribs.

The dwgs seem to be a bit vague as to the true airfoil and the patterns seem not to be accurate. He tells me that the builder community says not to sweat it and get as close as you can. I accused my bud of trying to build an FA-18. He is a bit obsessive. He is an AI and is one of the senior inspectors at the outfit that I used to fly for. His previous project was a Cub clone that he was unsatisfied with. He cut up the fuselage despite it being some very pretty welding.

He first considered the Easy Eagle,but chose the U.L. because of a temporary medical condition. Both use VW engines. The U.L uses a half VW. Both are similar construction. There is a Yahoo group. Good luck.

Bob

Thanks for the information.

Cheers

daniel

OOps. I got lost in a cockpit fog and thought you were asking about the Double Eagle. They have a Yahoo group. I don't think that the Easy Eagle caught on. Too many Eagles.

Bob

Can't help today, but I should be able to give you reviews in about 2 years, after I finish my Sonerai.  The Easy Eagle is next up in the build cue.  The plans are pretty good, and at $65 (sale) I'm satisfied with them.  The wing building DVD is a bit tedious, but thorough.  I like the airframe in general, but I really don't like struts on a bipe, so mine will be modified with flying wires, and a few cosmetic refinements.  Neat little bipe overall, and Great Plains has excellent customer service and help.

Tom

Thanks Tom,

I have the plans coming and expect them on Monday.  From what little I have been able to find, it looks like a pretty reasonable project.

I have not been able to find any record of one being built much less a review written by anyone who has flown one.  I may take a flyer on it and see what happens, but I would LOVE to hear from anyone who knows how it flies.

MY thought is that my next one might be a Sonerai II.  Originally it was on my shortlist, but I don't think I have the piloting ability yet.

Cheers

Daniel

Daniel, I think you'll like the Easy Eagle as a first project.  Construction of the fuselage is similar to the Sonerai maybe a little less complicated (though both are pretty easy).  Engine systems are essentially the same as the Sonerai.  Both fly light on the controls from what I have learned, but the Easy Eagle should be a little more comfortable as far as speed and response.

My tailwheel transition was unconventional in that I took two hours of dual in a Pacer (did not really enjoy that), then taxied my newly rebuilt Cinquanta Wasp for many hours.  I eventually got my feet to learn the dance, and my head out in front of the airplane, and all went very well.  20 hours later it was second nature, but I give the credit to Joe Cinquanta's great design.

There is a great forum you should check out:  sonerai.net.  There is a ton of great information on VW conversions and a very helpful group of builders and pilots.  You might also give Steve Bennet at Great Plains a call and ask him about other Easy Eagle builders/flyers.  I know at least two have been completed and flown.  The original designer (Grosso?) also built an Easy Eagle II, but it was discontinued.

Keep us informed of your progress.  Since the Easy Eagle will be my next build, I will be very interested in how your build goes.  Best of luck in your quest to build and fly this attractive little biplane.  Maybe one day we can form up and fly them into Airventure.

Tom

Thanks Tom,

Plans arrived.  I don't think it will be overyly difficult to build.  That being said, the instructions and some of the details on the plans are really sketchy and for a first time builder, I think there will be as much head scratching time as actual build time.  The plans are CAD drawn, but not by somebody who knew how to lay out the drawings properly.  There are a lot of gray areas and I can see why not many have been built, even if the plane is a brilliant design.

I talked to Steve Bennet to find out about some of the "kits" they had listed in the plans.  I must say my 2 conversations with him have left me really unimpressed so far.  He did however point me to a yahoo group.  (Search for  for the easy eagle one.)  Not many members, but there are at least 2 active builders on the board.

Right now I am thinking I will go ahead anyway.  Maybe if we can all get the details worked out, more people will join us.

Cheers

Daniel

Hello Easy Eagle Builders,

Any updates on your progress so far.  I have the plans ordered and expect them any day.  Update me when you have a chance and Merry Christmas.

Just recieved my plans for the Easy Eagle and will probably spend most of the rest of the day going over the material I recieved. Good day to be indoors as it was minus 18 degrees celsius this am. Will take some time studying info and then start to accumulate some parts and pieces.

The biggest plus is having an encouraging wife. She reviewed some of the EAA workshop videos and is going to contribute to the wing building. Said she could operate an iron and tie knots and stitch so were planning on going to Sun N Fun to qualify her aspirations of assisting.

Will check in regularly for other builders progress and hopfully will be able to share our own. John

Spring has finally arrived in the Great white North. Finished my hanger flyin' and research. Ordered all building material for the wings of my Easy Eagle 1 fron Aircraft Spruce in Brantford, Ontario Canada. Hopefully the shipment will arrive next week.

We have a group on Yahoo where you can read Forum chatter, but you must become a member to view photos of builders. Drop by and see us. Search for.... easyeagle1  in Yahoo Forums.

As an EAA member I will contiue to post on this site as well and keep you apprised of my progress. Thanks for stopping by.

John