Dave S wrote:
Paul Connor, a builder from Mobile, Alabama, was killed this weekend
after a loss of power in his Rotary Engine powered SQ-2000 canard
aircraft.

Paul was as active participant in several online forums, but I must
admit not this one. He had owned 7 airplanes over his 30 years of
flying
experience. He had made tremendous progress on the SQ in the past
year,
with his moving to the airport last september or so, taxi testing in
November, a First Flight on December 11th, and had either completed
(or
was about to complete) his phase 1 testing period... and was planning
to
attend (driving to) the upcoming rotary flyin at Slobovia
Outernational
in Jackson Mississippi.

Paul's aircraft, N2992, an SQ2000, had an outward appearance similar
to
that of the Velocity lineage, and had several modifications, most
notably was the Rotary engine. The engine was essentially a Mazda 13B

rotary engine from an RX-7 but had been rebuilt and modified from the

factory auto configuration in several ways. His engine control unit
was
not factory, and was a Microtech brand ECU.

Paul had experienced one power-off emergency in his phase 1 flight
test
that resulted in him landing on field, but off runway. Extensive
troubleshooting led us (the rotary community with which he
corresponded)
to believe that vapor lock was the culprit, and after re-running fuel

and vent lines, as well as firesleeving, the problem was eliminated.
Paul's most recent accomplishment was the addition of VG's to the
underside of his aircraft to improve cooling air flow into NACA
scoops.

Paul will be sorely missed by the Canard and Rotary Engine
Communities,
and we hope that the NTSB will be able to ascertain a meaningful
cause
of this tragic accident.



http://www.wkrg.com/servlet/Satellit...news%21 local


http://www.al.com/news/mobileregiste...210.xml&coll=3
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Longtime pilot dies in crash
Paul Conner was flying experimental aircraft
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
By RUSS HENDERSON and BRENDAN KIRBY
Staff Reporters

ST. ELMO -- An Army flying veteran with more than 30 years'
experience
in a cockpit
died Monday when his experimental, rear-propellered aircraft crashed
just west of the
small airport here....



David Staten
Partner in a Rotary Powered Velocity SE

God bless him. Sometimes pushing the envelope to advance mankind will
take out the brave ones....

Ben Haas
N801BH
www.haaspowerair.com