I will admit I really enjoyed building it. it took me one month more than two years to complete. the plans are minimalist but there is enough information to build the plane. it also helps that enough other people are building and have built them so advice is readily available. ( always confirm the advice is sound though )
Glad to finally see one with a wing tank, gives so much more visibility. Also your seat idea looks more comfortable. How did you build, install the wing tank and fuel line to the engine?
I thought most had wing tanks. I did the styrofoam buck, cover with fiberglass, cut in half, strip and clean the styrofoam out and fiberglass back together method. I put it in the first bay on the right wing. I did the right wing because if you have a 1/2 VW power plant you start it from the left side of the plane and the fuel line doesn’t get in the way. It’s gravity feed so just angle the line down to the carbs. It’s triangular shaped for the diagonal stiffener in the first bay. I originally built the classic seat but I always felt like I was sliding forward. Drove me crazy the new design is very comfortable for me…
I'd do the same thing with the floor, I'd feel better not seeing right under me like that. Too much like a Breezy. Which I've heard have some strange characteristics I don't think I'd like. Such as losing pitch control when you pull the power off, it needs that prop blast for the elevator. But Legal Eagles don't seem to have that issue, which is good.
Yeah, the extra floor was just to get the movement of the ground out of my Peripheral vision. Works pretty well. I don’t know how breezys fly, never been in one but I haven’t found any bad traits with the Eagle.
I used 1/4” dia aluminum rods. threaded both ends and built flat brackets with nuts welded into them for adjustment. the ends of the brackets had holes to fit like the wired ones in the plans. I do not have weights for them but assume they are a little heavier than the wire type.
You mentioned that you added an extra inch to the fuselage frame where the wings connect for more headroom, and that it's still a tight fit even with that modification. How tall are you and what pants' inseam length do you normally wear? I ask that to help understand how much of your height is in your legs versus your torso. That can certainly vary quite a bit between two people of the same height. For two people of the same height, one might have long legs and a short torso and have enough head clearance, while another might have short legs and a long torso and hit their head on the frame. Thanks for the informative video. Your airplane looks really nice.
I consider myself to be of average size and weight . I’m 5’10” and 160 lbs. 30 inch inseam. I fit perfectly in this aircraft. a couple inches extra headroom and I reach the rudder pedals without stretching or bending my legs too much and the reach for the controls is very comfortable. if you watch my flying video you should get a sense of the fit. ( legal Eagle xl around the patch) thanks for the compliment, I think she’s pretty sweet.
I learned quite some time ago that keeping track of the cost of anything in aviation is a lesson in frustration. For me, it takes the joy out of the project. I know it would be better to know the true price but as long as the kids don’t go without and the mortgage is paid I’d rather pay for the pieces along the way and not total up the price. Having said that I would estimate the cost of materials , powder coating,seat materials, cables, pulleys etc at around 8 or 9 thousand.
I’m afraid I can’t tell you exactly how much I have into it. I bought as I built it but I would estimate that it was around 10 to 12 thousand in materials ( engine,frame poly fabric etc)
you are correct about the 1/2 VW engine. it’s a 37 hp Hummel ,full case . plenty of power for this plane I know most people want every bit available but I prefer to have a less stressed engine. the frame is 4130 chromoly steel ( the standard for aircraft frames and what Leonard specked out in the plans ). I had the frame powder coated because I think it will protect it from rust better than regular paint. the reason for the light color was to make any rust show up well.
Super sweet plane! My hangar neighbor has one that he is rebuilding. Such a cute ultralight! Congratulations on a very nice build. Best regards from Brasilia, Brazil.
Thanks I appreciate the compliment. No, I had it built by Hummel, they are the professionals and that removed a lot of the things I would be having to sort out with a new aircraft. They did a great job, it runs perfectly.
standard old school aircraft materials. 4130 chrome moly tubing for the fuselage structure. wood wing structure with poly fabric covered wings and tail feathers.
yes. I tried several iterations of the classic LE seat but I always felt like I was sliding forward when I flew. using the rudder pedals was difficult because of it. having the base of the seat solid takes care of the problem .. the base is just a piece of 1/4 “ thick light plywood ( underlayment ) with padding and covered in vinyl. The strapping fits just like the plans do for the usual LE plans. It’s belt webbing I got at the local fabric store . Sold by the yard. ( I did double strap 3 of the 5 straps. I wouldn’t want to take a chance of one breaking and settling my ass down on top of the aileron control tube) It’s really comfortable ( let’s face it I’m not going cross country with her )
CJWhite, you said your friend/IA wanted tube bracing from the vert. stab. to the horz. stab instead of wire. Why, Is one safer than the other or difficult to install? I saw tube on a Pitts once, maybe on an AG Cat too.
when he and I discussed it during the build he told me to think of what could happen if just one failed. with cables there would be a total loss of support because all four are only in tension. with rods the loss of one would be a problem but hopefully because they work both in tension and compression it would stay together long enough for an emergency landing.. hope that makes sense, it wasn’t harder to install just had to build brackets and thread the ends of the aluminum rods. does add a bit of extra weight..
I'm currently installing the wings on my legal eagle build. I got the front strut set with 3 in dihedral per the plans. I'm curious as to how much twist did you put in your wing, the plans suggest making a wing tip flat. Thanks for your time
I debated that with several guys on here at the time. there was no consensus and so I ended up not putting any twist to them. the eagle is so slow and docile that I don’t believe it would make a big difference. I could definitely be wrong but I haven’t had any trouble with the way it handles ( I do have the 3 inch dihedral though, that’s necessary for some stability)
@@cjwhite1758 ... Thanks for getting back with me. I've had some discussions with some guys as well, unfortunately they are guys like me that are currently building and I'm not sure if they actually know. I got some feedback from a gentleman who has been flying his for about a year now with the twist, and now you without the twist. Is comforting to know that it flys well either way. Thanks so much
hi,sorry this is so late, I missed your question…. I used 1/4” aluminum rods, threaded the ends and built doubled tabs and welded captive nuts to receive the rods.. the threading gives me the ability to adjust the length ( like the washers do in the plans )
![ผัวเถื่อน - ยูริ โตเกียวมิวสิค [ OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/P08ORRVDGl8/mqdefault.jpg)
If you still have this plane could you please answer my question. (Where is the fuel tank is it in the wing ??)
you are correct. it’s between the first and second wing ribs in the right wing…
Practical, and very beautiful, I'm interested in building it😀
I will admit I really enjoyed building it. it took me one month more than two years to complete.
the plans are minimalist but there is enough information to build the plane. it also helps that enough other people are building and have built them so advice is readily available. ( always confirm the advice is sound though )
You missed out the galley, toilet and air hostess's area from the tour.
Crap, Lucy my stewardess is going to be furious if she sees I forgot to include her.
Glad to finally see one with a wing tank, gives so much more visibility. Also your seat idea looks more comfortable.
How did you build, install the wing tank and fuel line to the engine?
I thought most had wing tanks. I did the styrofoam buck, cover with fiberglass, cut in half, strip and clean the styrofoam out and fiberglass back together method. I put it in the first bay on the right wing. I did the right wing because if you have a 1/2 VW power plant you start it from the left side of the plane and the fuel line doesn’t get in the way. It’s gravity feed so just angle the line down to the carbs. It’s triangular shaped for the diagonal stiffener in the first bay. I originally built the classic seat but I always felt like I was sliding forward. Drove me crazy the new design is very comfortable for me…
I'd do the same thing with the floor, I'd feel better not seeing right under me like that. Too much like a Breezy. Which I've heard have some strange characteristics I don't think I'd like. Such as losing pitch control when you pull the power off, it needs that prop blast for the elevator. But Legal Eagles don't seem to have that issue, which is good.
Yeah, the extra floor was just to get the movement of the ground out of my Peripheral vision. Works pretty well. I don’t know how breezys fly, never been in one but I haven’t found any bad traits with the Eagle.
You have anymore details on the rear bracing rods? Like size and weight? Thanks
I used 1/4” dia aluminum rods. threaded both ends and built flat brackets with nuts welded into them for adjustment. the ends of the brackets had holes to fit like the wired ones in the plans. I do not have weights for them but assume they are a little heavier than the wire type.
You mentioned that you added an extra inch to the fuselage frame where the wings connect for more headroom, and that it's still a tight fit even with that modification. How tall are you and what pants' inseam length do you normally wear? I ask that to help understand how much of your height is in your legs versus your torso. That can certainly vary quite a bit between two people of the same height. For two people of the same height, one might have long legs and a short torso and have enough head clearance, while another might have short legs and a long torso and hit their head on the frame. Thanks for the informative video. Your airplane looks really nice.
I consider myself to be of average size and weight . I’m 5’10” and 160 lbs. 30 inch inseam. I fit perfectly in this aircraft. a couple inches extra headroom and I reach the rudder pedals without stretching or bending my legs too much and the reach for the controls is very comfortable. if you watch my flying video you should get a sense of the fit. ( legal Eagle xl around the patch)
thanks for the compliment, I think she’s pretty sweet.
How much total weight without man this plane?
To be considered an ultralight in the USA the aircraft has to be 254 lbs or less ( there are some exceptions)
please tell us the technical characteristics of this aircraft
hi, for information on the plane go to this site...legaleagleairplane.com/legal-eagle/
What was your cost to build excluding the engine?
I learned quite some time ago that keeping track of the cost of anything in aviation is a lesson in frustration. For me, it takes the joy out of the project. I know it would be better to know the true price but as long as the kids don’t go without and the mortgage is paid I’d rather pay for the pieces along the way and not total up the price. Having said that I would estimate the cost of materials , powder coating,seat materials, cables, pulleys etc at around 8 or 9 thousand.
Good looking airplane you built!
thanks
Thanks for the suggestions on the seat . I like a solid seat with a backrest, not a hammock seat.
Please tell me the price of this great plane.
I’m afraid I can’t tell you exactly how much I have into it. I bought as I built it but I would estimate that it was around 10 to 12 thousand in materials ( engine,frame poly fabric etc)
@@cjwhite1758 so something I can easily afford then.
Cool, like the Power Plant! Looks like 1/2
1/2 of a VW!!! ALUMINUM Frame?
Maybe it's a Steel Tube Frame painted Aluminum Color?
you are correct about the 1/2 VW engine. it’s a 37 hp Hummel ,full case . plenty of power for this plane I know most people want every bit available but I prefer to have a less stressed engine.
the frame is 4130 chromoly steel ( the standard for aircraft frames and what Leonard specked out in the plans ). I had the frame powder coated because I think it will protect it from rust better than regular paint. the reason for the light color was to make any rust show up well.
Отличная работа!
If Google translate is correct, thank you !
Super sweet plane! My hangar neighbor has one that he is rebuilding. Such a cute ultralight! Congratulations on a very nice build. Best regards from Brasilia, Brazil.
Thanks, I had a good time building it.
Hi. Nice plane. Did you build the engine? If so did you use engine plans? thanks.
Thanks I appreciate the compliment. No, I had it built by Hummel, they are the professionals and that removed a lot of the things I would be having to sort out with a new aircraft. They did a great job, it runs perfectly.
A beautiful looking aeroplane.
thank you, It was fun to build..
Perfection, Sir! Be safe.
Thanks for the compliment but I would never claim perfection
From what it is made
standard old school aircraft materials. 4130 chrome moly tubing for the fuselage structure. wood wing structure with poly fabric covered wings and tail feathers.
Very nice plane! Can you give more detail about your seat? Looks great
yes. I tried several iterations of the classic LE seat but I always felt like I was sliding forward when I flew. using the rudder pedals was difficult because of it. having the base of the seat solid takes care of the problem .. the base is just a piece of 1/4 “ thick light plywood ( underlayment ) with padding and covered in vinyl. The strapping fits just like the plans do for the usual LE plans. It’s belt webbing I got at the local fabric store . Sold by the yard. ( I did double strap 3 of the 5 straps. I wouldn’t want to take a chance of one breaking and settling my ass down on top of the aileron control tube) It’s really comfortable ( let’s face it I’m not going cross country with her )
@@cjwhite1758 Awesome thanks! Really like your windscreen as well, Lines seem to match the geometry of the XL a bit better than the round one.
Nice and clean
Thank you, I think it’s pretty cool ( my engineer friend says “ strive for elegance” )
CJWhite, you said your friend/IA wanted tube bracing from the vert. stab. to the horz. stab instead of wire. Why, Is one safer than the other or difficult to install? I saw tube on a Pitts once, maybe on an AG Cat too.
when he and I discussed it during the build he told me to think of what could happen if just one failed. with cables there would be a total loss of support because all four are only in tension. with rods the loss of one would be a problem but hopefully because they work both in tension and compression it would stay together long enough for an emergency landing.. hope that makes sense,
it wasn’t harder to install just had to build brackets and thread the ends of the aluminum rods. does add a bit of extra weight..
@@cjwhite1758 Never thought about that. Thanks.
@@cjwhite1758 What size of rod did you use? Any idea if it was heavier or lighter?
@@clytle374 I used 1/4” aluminum rod, threaded the ends and built end brackets for adjustment. I would think it’s a bit heavier than the wires
I'm currently installing the wings on my legal eagle build. I got the front strut set with 3 in dihedral per the plans. I'm curious as to how much twist did you put in your wing, the plans suggest making a wing tip flat. Thanks for your time
I debated that with several guys on here at the time. there was no consensus and so I ended up not putting any twist to them. the eagle is so slow and docile that I don’t believe it would make a big difference. I could definitely be wrong but I haven’t had any trouble with the way it handles ( I do have the 3 inch dihedral though, that’s necessary for some stability)
@@cjwhite1758 ... Thanks for getting back with me. I've had some discussions with some guys as well, unfortunately they are guys like me that are currently building and I'm not sure if they actually know. I got some feedback from a gentleman who has been flying his for about a year now with the twist, and now you without the twist. Is comforting to know that it flys well either way. Thanks so much
I ended up splitting the distance, in regards to the twist. I like the way you dealt with securing the tail feathers...what size tuning did you use?
hi,sorry this is so late, I missed your question….
I used 1/4” aluminum rods, threaded the ends and built doubled tabs and welded captive nuts to receive the rods.. the threading gives me the ability to adjust the length ( like the washers do in the plans )
Nice plane!!!
Thanks it was a fun build