Load test

[Kimjensen]

I am going to make a load test on my Cozy mk3 and have Been trying to find a "manuel" how to with sand bags.

Eny One Who have a god Way or a guide Line

 

Best regard

 

Kim

[Kent Ashton]

Why are you doing this?  If the Danish authorities do not require it, it's a bad idea to do it.  And if they require it, it's still a bad idea.

 

You would likely need to hire an engineer to design a jig to hold the airplane upside down, and compute the load.  There are many Cozy IIIs flying (and Long-EZs) and these airplanes have no history of breakup when they are built to plans.

[Marc Zeitlin]

I am going to make a load test on my Cozy mk3 and have Been trying to find a "manuel" how to with sand bags...

There is none, and if you're not an engineer who's done load testing before, it's very unlikely that you'll do it correctly.

 

I agree with Kent - if it's not required by the authorities, DON'T DO IT.

 

But if it is, get in touch directly via email - I can give you the contact info for someone in Germany that WAS required to do this testing and built a full static test rig, with all the engineering done correctly to appropriately test the plane.

 

Still a REALLY bad idea...

[Kimjensen]

Hi Thank you for reply

 

It is the authorities that demand the load test so there is no Way around This.

The jig Will be no problem but the Weight calculation and distribution of the Weight I like to know more about

[Kent Ashton]

It is the authorities that demand the load test so there is no Way around This.

The jig Will be no problem but the Weight calculation and distribution of the Weight I like to know more about

 

 

Couple of ideas:  First, try to negotiate with the Danish authorities.  Sometimes you meet a reasonable person that will accept documented evidence of the historic safety of the design.  There are a thousand (?) EZs and Cozys flying with no history of breakup.  Often times a regulator is looking for an acceptable reason that will cover his ass if you crash your homebuilt.  He can say "the builder proved that the design was historically safe and he built it to the plans so we, the authorities, were justified in granting him a certificate to fly."  Show how onerous it will be to do a load test and how the test may not ultimately prove the absolute safety of the airplane.  Sometimes it works if you meet the right person and you are persistent in seeking a reasonable solution to your problem.

 

Second idea:  Build your airplane and register under U.S. rules.  It can be done if the airplane is owned by a U.S. trustee on your behalf.  

http://www.coolinglaw.com/Content/UploadedFiles/Documents/Articles/BAMJ%20-%20Foreign%20Owned%20U%20S%20%20Registered.pdf

http://www.aircraft-trust.com/N-Registration_Questions.html

Then you fall under U.S. rules for fliers.  As I recall, there are three rules for flying U.S.-registered aircraft overseas,  (1) the pilot has a U.S. license, (2) the aircraft is U.S. registered, or and 3) the aircraft is inspected and maintained per U.S. rules [not sure abut the last].  Two out of three will do.  You could get the U.S. pilot license pretty easily.  There are FAA inspectors in Europe who can issue an airworthiness certificate to your trustee-owner.  This is often done for certified airplanes.  Not sure how often for experimentals.

 

third: Forget the Cozy and build something else.  Sometimes life is too hard to fight.  BTW, there are N. European builders around.  I bet they've got better advice.