Re: EZBs of different feathers

From: ykleetx <ykleetx_at_gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 03 Jul 2010 05:30:53 -0000

I did more digging into EZB history in the 90's by looking through old INAV issues. Lots of interesting information. Those of you for whom this is old news, please excuse the posts of this beginner.

The first 30-minute EZB flight was made by Larry Coslick, in July 1994 in Akron. But it was not a light EZB, rather a relatively heavy .835g EZB using a heavy .045 x 16" loop. I estimate this motor to weigh around .95 g. This was an AMA Record

Larry Coslick
30:06
Akron July, 1994
Model "EZB Akron"
weight .835g
motor .045 x 16 (~.95g)

Model Components
wing .200 g
stab .055 g
boom .068 g
M/S .332 g
prop .180 g

Total.835 g

You can find Larry's description of this experience in INAV 77/78/78, and the EZB plan in INAV 80/81/82. The dimensions of this EZB are larger than today's EZBs -- more like an F1L. The motorstick length is 10.5 and the boom is 11". The wing and stab are shaped like the Hobbyshopper. There are two interesting details to the modern eye: First, the stab is a V-stab. Second, the motorstick is mounted sideways, with the thrust bearing on the left side of the plane.

Interesting, at the next USIC in 1995, Coslick flew his new design "Akron Light", which weighed .51g. He placed 1st with a time of 27:01. The Akron Light was flown at USIC instead of EZB Akron, showing that having a lighter weight is a big advantage at a low CAT IV site like Johnson City.

Coslick won USIC in 1994 with a time of 25:47. Cailliau won in 1993 and 1992. As recent as 1992, the winning EZB time was 22 minutes. 1995 was probably the first year of the light EZB at USIC.

In 1996, Coslick won USIC with a time of 29:25, with Cailliau in second with 28:57, both outstanding performances from light EZBs.

The next 30-minute EZB flight I found was by Larry Cailliau

Larry Cailliau
30:52
Tustin
Date probably in 1995
EZB Santa Ana
Model weight ?
Motor .040 x .045 x 13.5 (.82g)

The plan is shown in INAV 86, but there is no information on model construction or weight. Based on the weight of the motor, it is likely that this is also a "heavy" EZB, on the order of .7g. This EZB also has the V-stab like Coslick's "EZB Akron".

Enough for now! Hope you find this interesting. More EZB history to come later.
Received on Fri Jul 02 2010 - 22:31:05 CEST