Newb that can't decide on which Eagle...

[ArcticDave]

Hello fellas,
I have been kicking the idea of a homebuilt aircraft around for a couple of years. I have plans and was going to build a Hipps J3 Kitten(still may), but I have really taken a liking to the Legal Eagle. I live in Arizona near Wickenburg, and the open cockpit of an Eagle seems more appropriate for our weather. I'm just stuck on which one. 
I am 200 lbs so I believe the smaller one would be fine, but the higher gross of the XL has visions of a sleeping bag and desert camp outs swimming amidst the other confusion of my brain. 
The concern I have is how will the craft fly when not loaded up with gear? The light wing loading could make for an interesting ride in a rough patch of air...
Any input on that would be great. 

Thanks to all!

[Bob S.]

MY experience with the 'smaller' Eagle loaded to max is it bumps around a lot in Texas thermals! I am not sure the XL would be any better/worse similarly loaded... If I had the choice to do it all over I believe I would build the XL and additional flexibility & "room"! (i.e.load carrying ability)

[ArcticDave]

Thanks for the input Bob. That was my worry...later on wishing I had a built the bigger one.
We get some pretty wicked thermals here in Arizona too. As light as an Eagle is I don't think there is anyway to get around a bumpy ride.
Other than staying home, but who wants to do that?

[PropMan]

I opted for the XL fuselage with the shorter wings. by my calculation saving 10 lbs with the shorter wings, but more room in the seat. can always build another set of wings if desired.

[ArcticDave]

Propman...good idea. Did you just use LE wings or did you clip XL wings?

[PropMan]

Clipped the XL wing and moved the strut attach in to location of UL wing. This shortens the struts , saving weight. It's basically the UL wing with a bit larger cap strips.

[ArcticDave]

Very nice. That should work great. 10 lbs is a lot of weight when margins are so small. 
Guess I'll send a money order off to Mr. Milholland after the holiday weekend for a set of XL plans. Having the added wiggle room weight wise seems prudent.
I hope you all don't mind if I hang around for awhile. Good info here and just reading old topics has answered most of my questions. 
I have started aquiring stuff already. Scored a running vw out of a baja bug the other day. The fellow really can't get out anymore and is willing to trade it for air conditioning repairs on his pickup. 
I won't be able to get real serious about building until winter, but I have enough free time I'm hoping for 1st flight next summer. 
Thanks again guys.

[John Reinking]

Welcome aboard!

[joecnc2006]

As Frank mentioned, that's the beauty of building things yourself, It may take longer (and sometimes more money than buying something on Barnstormers or other places), but you know the plane inside and out and can maintain/fix or even change things on it to suit your needs as long as you maintain the integrity of the plane, you can try different things. Just the sheer joy of building, and telling someone you built the plane yourself from scratch.

[ArcticDave]

Thanks for the welcome John!

Mr Joe...you hit the nail on the head. I could not have stated a better reason for doing it myself.

[scottiniowa]

We get some pretty wicked thermals here in Arizona too. As light as an Eagle is I don't think there is anyway to get around a bumpy ride.
Other than staying home, but who wants to do that?

There use to be and am guessing still are literally 100's of Ultralights in AZ- So making a major change, simply for bumpy ride fears is not warranted.  To be fair, any and all planes can experience rough rides in tough thermals. Most learn when it is best to fly...then take advantage of it.  Of course, the higher the wing loading, the less you have to worry about it. Generally the less wing (area) will increase the wing loading, thus lowering your bumpy ride. But tends to increase your stall speeds.  Always a trade off.

cheers
scott

[ArcticDave]

Point taken Scott. 
I pretty familiar with the bumpy ride part of flying. I'm from Alaska and only moved south 4 years ago. I grew up flying with my uncle in his 170. He made supply runs for the miners back in the 70's and 80's. Later he added a Super Cub to the fleet. The places that thing would get in...and out of, were amazing. 
A lightly loaded Super cub has almost 7lb/ft2 wing loading and almost 12lbs/ft grossed out. 
I was more curious as to whether the < 1 pound/ft2 wing loading between the two Eagles(for my weight)  would be noticable. 
Well the money is in my hands and as soon as the Post Office opens today Leonard will sell another set of XL plans😊

[Theodore]

Hello Arctic Dave,
I have same situation here, can not decide which plane
I've been working on engines three years now, 1200cc, 1600cc, then built 2.0 Type 4 (barn find in Missoula Mt.).
Thing is my engine alone will take me out of the FAR 103 class, (weight ~170)
I was comparing Cabin Eagle to Christavia, WagAero L-3, BabyAce, MorinM85
now stuck between DOuble or Cabin...
Emailed Leonard a couple times, he knows subtle dif's between the two yes.

 

[Kamcoman77]

Cabin Eagle has folding wings. May be the deciding factor.

[Theodore]

good point, MorinM85 fold too, i havnt the time and money for Rec license, i do have permission to fly on 6K farm(outside of airspace) planning to test there lots of roads with no utility poles. and virtually no trees