Super Cozy

[Jon Matcho]

I know it would require redundant computer controls, and that there are other failure modes that this doesn't address, but I was just throwing this out as an idea to see what others think. I guess what I was looking at here is something similar to what SpaceShip 1 and other planes do when they go trans-sonic.

I'm not an aerodynamicist, but I find this very interesting. Assuming you have the aeronautical skills and knowledge, then by all means you are certainly free to pursue such improvements.

 

However, unless you actually have a team like that of Scaled Composites', you're really talking about adding several years to the build-time of your project. That shouldn't discourage you, but something to keep in mind as you consider the scope of your modifications.

[Jon Matcho]

What we need is a Cozy with thrust vectoring and a super-powerful jet engine. Forget the piddly one that Greg Richter put in his, we need one with afterburners! Oh, and a bunch of computers to control fully moveable canards and other control surfaces by wire.

Consider this to be one end of the modifications spectrum -- a place we'll never go (or should even consider). On the other end of the same spectrum, we have modifications which are approachable and have actually been flown.

 

While it's very interesting to me to think of a 6-place Cozy, changing the shape of the wing/strake/canard, and other things, I find much more comfort (and likelihood of success) in the area between "build 100% per plans" and "pragmatic and possible modifications".

 

I often check myself, and find that I need to pull myself back to the per-plans side, as I do want to finish this thing on the short side of my mid-40s. (ouch)