Mailing List lml@lancaironline.net Message #57909
From: Gary Edwards <gary21sn@hotmail.com>
Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: High Time 235/320 Story in EAA Experimenter
Date: Fri, 01 Apr 2011 08:02:10 -0400
To: <lml@lancaironline.net>
Great article.  I remember Dave Roach's plane under construction in the first video that was made about Lancair.  Not a company video.  Still have it; VHS.
 
Actually, I believe Don Goetz, a long time past employee, installed the first 320 engine in the 235 airframe.  He tried several innovations to the 235 airframe including Cleveland brakes.  The Cleveland's were subsequently not utilized as a replacement to the Matco's, as they were too thick and too many mods. were required to get the mains into the gear wells.  He built it as a proof of concept for the subsequent 320 airframe.  It included the first bottom hinged flaps (235 airframes utilize top hinged flaps unless modified by the builder). 
 
Also, it was Don that 'splashed' the mold for the 235 cowls with the round inlet holes.  Since the 235 airframe is narrower than the 320 airframe, 320 cowls are not a direct replacement without extensive mods.  As a result a mold was made from the 235 airframe cowls utilizing round air inlets and more bottom room for the deeper 320 engine.  They were a bit difficult to fit as they were just a 'smidge' too short, and some builders had to add material to the cowls at the firewall end to get the proper length. 
 
I had the chance to get the last set of round inlet 235 airframe cowls from Don at one of the 1990's Redmond Fly-ins.  Took a look at them at his house.  I ended up utilizing my original flat inlet opening cowls and had to make extensive mods to them for the 320 engine.  With all the changes and mods along the building process, it was just another of many.
 
Gary Edwards
LNC2    
----- Original Message -----
From: bob mackey
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2011 3:52 PM
Subject: [LML] Re: High Time 235/320 Story in EAA Experimenter

http://lancaironline.net/lists/lml/Message/57576.html

http://www.eaa.org/experimenter/issues/1103.html

The article is about Dave Roach and his 235/O-320.
When I was buying my 235/O-320, I was fortunate to find Dave to teach me to
fly a Lancair, and to help check out the purchased aircraft. It turns out that
my airplane (s/n 30) was effectively that twin of Dave's. Mike Dehate was
first with the O-320 installation and also pioneered the flap fence,
and prop selection. Both aircraft later adapted the round inlet cowl,
oleo nose strut, debongers, flexible fuel-transfer options, and other
details as described in the article. Both aircraft are continuing to
improve year by year as we make modifications.

In buying that particular airplane, I met and gained two friends
in Dave Roach and Mike Dehate. It has truly been a great pleasure
to get to know, learn from, and fly with those two gentlemen.

-bob

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