Feeling lost about starting

[Kaliche Kid]

I really want to start my build this summer. My hopes were to buy the cad, pre-cut foams in an attempt to fly sooner. It seems like there is no way to order and go build. Hunting for original plans, comparing plans to newsletters for critical changes, errors in kit manuals compared to original. It feels daunting. Everything about the Cozy is great, except navigating the process to get started. Any advice?

[Kent Ashton]

Spruce sells the various Cozy subkits.  https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/kitspages/cozy.php    The Eureka cores are worth the price (current price not known) but many have cut their own cores with good results.  http://eurekacnc.com/Cozy IV.htm       The most efficient way is to buy a partially-completed project.  See my "Sales I've seen" thread here.  Usually great value.

Most  plans changes have been incorporated.  See Newsletter #88, first paragraph   http://www.cozybuilders.org/newsletters/news_88.pdf      and here    http://www.cozybuilders.org/newsletters/MKIV_corr_by_chap.html

I hate to recommend the Cozy Facebook site but there are lot of discussions by new builders and Zoom meetings there that would keep your enthusiasm up--also a number of completions recently that are good to see.  Unfortunately the search and archive capability of FB is terrible and a lot of bad info is passed around but check it out.   https://www.facebook.com/groups/CozyMkIV

It's a big schnitzel to eat so you have to enjoy the process and keep the parts and supplies coming in, otherwise you end up here  https://www.canardzone.com/forums/topic/21972-sales-ive-seen/    🙂

 

[Kaliche Kid]

Thanks for the guidance. I would love to just buy a flying example, but the fact this aircraft is crafted and less assembled has me nervous about build quality. I keep reading that your average Joe can put a Cozy together in a garage. Interviews with builders tell a different story. Lots of engineering  and aerospace type folks. We’ll see how far I get. I’ll give Aircraft Spruce a call. Thanks again. 

[Voidhawk9]

If you want to build, build. If you just want to fly, buy an airworthy example. If the build isn't of much interest to you, you'll never finish.

Yes, there are lots of very smart, highly qualified folk that have done this. There's also a lot of folk without fancy qualifications that have built excellent aircraft. A high-school dropout by the name of Mike Melvill comes to mind...
If you have the inclination and ability to learn and maintain a decent standard, you'll be fine.