Matt Chapman Airshows- Lazer Z230

[Mitsu1]

Wow, that's some super flying. The plane really reminds me of Leo's Laser, but ... (The flying style reminds me of Leo even more than the plane!) I have several professional videos of Leo's airshows and he did a lot of very similar outside maneuvers as well. did Leo's style influence your flying style back then?

The plane ... How much did that Z230 weigh? I know Leo's Laser weighed about 850 lbs. That Z230 really appeared to be light as well. I've seen you in person flying the Cap and although an awesome performance, I don't recall it appearing as agile as that Z230 just looked. Was that a standard NACA airfoil or something custom? As seen several Lasers and Caps over the years, and although it I know it depends a lot on the pilot style, it seems to me that pilots feel more comfortable doing close to the ground work in Lasers than they do in Caps. I just don't recall seeing many Caps doing inverted ribbon cuts. Any thoughts, Matt?

[Mitsu1]

Most of my questions were just answered ...while I was typing them out ...

[66stang]

That's a cool story Matt, really cool that Leo Loudenslagers had it for awhile. Just kinda makes you think!.

[ULTIMATE1]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Mitsu1
	Wow, that's some super flying. The plane really reminds me of Leo's Laser, but ... (The flying style reminds me of Leo even more than the plane!) I have several professional videos of Leo's airshows and he did a lot of very similar outside maneuvers as well. did Leo's style influence your flying style back then? The plane ... How much did that Z230 weigh? I know Leo's Laser weighed about 850 lbs. That Z230 really appeared to be light as well. I've seen you in person flying the Cap and although an awesome performance, I don't recall it appearing as agile as that Z230 just looked. Was that a standard NACA airfoil or something custom? As seen several Lasers and Caps over the years, and although it I know it depends a lot on the pilot style, it seems to me that pilots feel more comfortable doing close to the ground work in Lasers than they do in Caps. I just don't recall seeing many Caps doing inverted ribbon cuts. Any thoughts, Matt?

Lets see some of these professional videos of LEO flying posted !!!!!!!!!!!

[RappyMan]

I'd like to see the routine sheet & give it a try with RC - maybe I can pause it at just the right time in the video. The zwobble turn is cool - sort of an upward blender that keeps the flat spin going?

Thanks
Terry

[Mitsu1]

	Quote: Originally Posted by ULTIMATE1
	Lets see some of these professional videos of LEO flying posted !!!!!!!!!!!

I'll try when I have time. They are all on VHS and will have to be transfered. He does an inverted ribbon cut and then an outside 1 1/4 negative snap to knife edge right on the deck. ... wicked!

[Matt Chapman]

No, Leo never owned it. It simpley ened up in his old hangar. Leo had already passed.

The plane came in at 930 lbs. Not too heavy, but then Leo was also obsessed with weight. He would drill holes in everything.

Yes...Leo was a huge influance on me. I still love the way he flew. His focus and intensity was unmatched. Hecalled me one night and we talked for a hour or so about how to approach competition flying. It was very cool. Leo's inverted ribbon cut and his outside snap after was a ball buster. That had to have been the hardest push I had ever seen at the time. And lowwwwwwwwwww.

Not sure why you have the impression that Lazers fly lower... most likely due to the fact the not too many CAPs here state side being flown by experianced show pilots. Some that have them are excellent pilots, just not 100% show guys/gals. Also, with me, I just have become....well.... older...I want to die in bed..with a hot babe next to me at the ripe old age of 85 plus. Not in some smoldering hole in the ground in front of thousands of people only to be forgotten the next week and played time and time again on CNN.

I will leave that really low flying to the new guys and the guys that are out there doing it all the time making a living at it. I no longer have anything to prove. I'm happy doing a good, safe demo without pushing the limits.

next question.

[ULTIMATE1]

Man I'm glad I dug up this old video of you matt and the story behind it? Here is a pic of Leo's Laser 200 with the original Ultimate 10-300s in the background that Joanne Osteraud set the world record for longest inverted flight leaving Abbottsford International Airshow flying to Prince Geoge Inverted!!

[Mitsu1]

Hey, I certainly understand leaving that dangerous on the deck stuff to the young guys, and I agree you've made your mark and have nothing to prove. A great guy and a super pilot for sure. I bow to any and all of you guys that go out and bring the thrills to all of us.

how much does the cap weigh? Is it truly more agile than the smaller and lighter lazer?

[ULTIMATE1]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Matt Chapman
	No, Leo never owned it. It simpley ened up in his old hangar. Leo had already passed. The plane came in at 930 lbs. Not too heavy, but then Leo was also obsessed with weight. He would drill holes in everything. Yes...Leo was a huge influance on me. I still love the way he flew. His focus and intensity was unmatched. Hecalled me one night and we talked for a hour or so about how to approach competition flying. It was very cool. Leo's inverted ribbon cut and his outside snap after was a ball buster. That had to have been the hardest push I had ever seen at the time. And lowwwwwwwwwww. Not sure why you have the impression that Lazers fly lower... most likely due to the fact the not too many CAPs here state side being flown by experianced show pilots. Some that have them are excellent pilots, just not 100% show guys/gals. Also, with me, I just have become....well.... older...I want to die in bed..with a hot babe next to me at the ripe old age of 85 plus. Not in some smoldering hole in the ground in front of thousands of people only to be forgotten the next week and played time and time again on CNN. I will leave that really low flying to the new guys and the guys that are out there doing it all the time making a living at it. I no longer have anything to prove. I'm happy doing a good, safe demo without pushing the limits. next question.

Yes I agree it seems to me Leo did his whole performance in a box the size guys fly 42% Imac planes in I mean his whole routine was down on the deck right in your face couldn't take your eyes off him kind of routine!!!

[Matt Chapman]

Very cool pix.

One reason the Lazer may appear more agile is its lighter and slower. It will turn a corner sharper due to weight and speed. I was also pulling 10 "G" on almost every corner in that video. My old shakey bones cant do that anymore. I do 3 9.5 to 10 pulls in my demo now, but thats it.
THe Lazer was on average 170mph at 930 pounds and the CAP 1330 pounds up to 240 to 250 mph on opening type manvrs. The corner in the CAP is much larger for that reason.
Now, when the Bucker is done, I'll be able to do a corner that looks square, but it will only be 4 "G" and going about 120mph!

[SleepyC]

Man.. I want a lazer now.
With that Z230 cowl.. looks killer.

[ULTIMATE1]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Matt Chapman
	Very cool pix. One reason the Lazer may appear more agile is its lighter and slower. It will turn a corner sharper due to weight and speed. I was also pulling 10 "G" on almost every corner in that video. My old shakey bones cant do that anymore. I do 3 9.5 to 10 pulls in my demo now, but thats it. THe Lazer was on average 170mph at 930 pounds and the CAP 1330 pounds up to 240 to 250 mph on opening type manvrs. The corner in the CAP is much larger for that reason. Now, when the Bucker is done, I'll be able to do a corner that looks square, but it will only be 4 "G" and going about 120mph!

Matt I used to race for Honda but now it's a Harley still stand it up on the back wheel 1st 2nd and 3rd and bang 2nd or 3rd mid corner and get it sliding sideways like a big dirt bike but that's it for me now? I just don't bounce like I used to?

[rdgood]

Matt,
I saw Leo fly several times.

How cool - the story about the birth of Leo's LAZER.
Matt have you thought about writing a book?
If you haven't already.

Thanks for sharing the cool history with us!

Ronster

[Zee]

Hello Matt,
I have never meet you, but in some way we did. I am the " Z " in the Z - 200, 230, and 250. I started building the first prototype back in late 1976. We test flew the first prototype sometime in '79. All here in Colorado. I know lot of parts vent up to Denver as Gerry Zimmerman, that use to sell Stephens Akro plans was going to do plane for that lady name Joane (sp) beside my Z-200 planes I have sold lot of extra parts for modif. Stevens Akro. One of the later airplanes that we build was Z-250 for Michael Wigens that airplane had our build wing with 15% airfoil at root and 12 % at the tip, Modified NACA0015. Originaly I had guy in Texas (same guy that build Leo's wing)
Build few wings for my Z-200, but later I have open woodworking shop and build my own wings, with symetrical airfoil. I have close my airplane shop back in 1983, few years a go I supply my plans to Devin York "York Enterprises" in Canada and he continues on with some modifications.
Also if you know someone that need nose bowl for Z-200, York Enterprises now has my mold for it.
I have build all togetter 9 Z-200 series airplanes lot of them are now under the name Lazer Z-230,
Out of nine two vent to Europe, one to Germany and one to Swis.
I was always wondering where your Laser Z-230 come from, Now I know.
Real good video, it hurts to watch it. :-)
Regards,
Zee