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The density of uranium is 19.07 gm/cm3, slightly less than tungsten, at
19.3.  (Lead density is 11.34).  The melting point of uranium, 1132C, is
much higher than lead (327C), but not as bad as tungsten (3387C).  Unless
you want to mold uranium, it doesn't seem worth the trouble and expense to
use it over tungsten.  Actually, IMHO, neither seems worth the trouble
compared to the cost and ease of fabrication of lead.  The few pounds saved
will hardly be noticed.  Besides, the ES tends to be nose-heavy with the
IO-550, so if you save a bunch of weight in the rudder and elevator
counterweights, you might have to just add it back later to get the W&B
right.  Maybe for the aileron counterweights tungsten makes sense, seeing as
how there ain't no room to put 'em in.

Learned a lot at Sun 'n Fun, particularly about doors.  The ES-style door
latch, with an aluminum pin at each side, is a pretty poor design.  Because
of the angled position of the sill, when the door seal is inflated, the
doors pooch out at the bottom, and, in one case I learned about, can
actually break!  I'm told the IV (non-P) uses the same latch system.  Yugh.
I'm working on a short article for LNN describing problems and fixes.

...... And for you ES builders out there  DON'T PUT THE PASSENGER SIDE
WINDOW IN 'TIL THE DOOR'S DONE!  With the passenger side window out, you can
hop back and forth through the window over the right wing while you're
working on the door.  If you follow the manual, you'll be wiggling in and
out through the baggage door, which is not a lot of fun.

Jim Cameron (ES #2 in progress)

LML website:   http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
Builders' Bookstore:   http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair

Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.