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Jerry Schneider

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Everything posted by Jerry Schneider

  1. It is a large undertaking. Fortunately, the way the plans are written, prior experience with composites is not a big deal. You learn as you go. I usually tell prospective builders they should like building as much as flying, otherwise, the odds of finishing are greatly decreased. With 4-5 forums/mail lists to review, "weeks" is pretty optimistic.
  2. Here's a nice PDF of an Excel spreadsheet for those who want to use MGS 335 and a digital scale (I know..... BLASPHEMY!!). mgs335mix.pdf
  3. I was an Electronic Technician in the Navy for 11 years, so I know a bit about of what I’m about to speak. When it came wiring the various avionics, I recognized, early on, that it wasn’t going to be an easy haul in regard to wiring the instrument panel. What with all of the various inputs going to various connections. Not impossible, but time consuming at the very least. Along came Approach Fast Stack Systems. They presented a system which allows for central coordination of all of your wiring for your avionics, and a cost effective way providing the interconnection cables necessary to “make things work”. Given my past experience, I immediately saw the value of the services they offer. I just want to say, Tim Haas, (the General Manager), while being one of the most soft spoken of the vendors we see at the various fly-ins we attend, has been one of the most reliable and competent businesses I’ve come across. Every new thing I wanted to put in my panel has been a “cake walk”, mainly because of the cables they have provided me after I made my purchase of the “Hub”. I would invite each and every one of you to visit their website, (http://www.approachfaststack.com/index.html ) , to evaluate their product. It has saved me NUMEROUS hours of “figure out” time, as well as “troubleshoot” time related to my mistakes. (Try watching an episode of “24” when wiring.... it doesn’t work.) As some of you know, I’m “Queer for Quality”, and this company deserves your attention. Best Regards, Scarey Jerry
  4. Hence my desire to re-work. Between 65-70% of the NACA. The rest goes to the oil cooler and engine intake.
  5. The ripple effect would be pretty bad. I'd have to rework the engine intake, the oil cooler, and who knows what else. The ripple effect is BAD JUJU! I also feel the present plan gives a much cleaner appearance. I would hate to waste the drag created by the Plans NACA,(That's easy, close it off. Did I mention ripple?). Plus, another Cozy driver with DDC (and great cooling #'s) gave me some advice on what was wrong with my work. Hopefully, this attempt will be better. Avg. EGT 425 degrees in cruise. Not out of spec, but I think I can do better with some cleaner work.
  6. Thanks Hat. Yesterday, Buly and Doris Alieve stopped by my hangar on their way to a cookout 100 miles north of me. (1 hour and 6 minutes from Ft. La-de-da to Tampa... Gotta love these planes!) After taking the plane up for a short exibition flight for them, (They said they didn't really belive it could fly. ), I cut the down-draft plenums out to re-make them in an effort to improve cooling. I should be back in the air in a week! I live 28 miles from the airport, so I don't get to fly or work on it as often as I like. 5 hours on the Hobbs and counting.......
  7. The pros: The 285 has higher Tg and strength properties. (Which are not significant in our application.) It also wets out glass cloth a bit easier due to it's lower viscosity. (The 335 is still better than most of the other competitors.) On the cons: 285 is MUCH more caustic to the skin and wallet. To me, the 335 is a more practical and possibly mildly safer product (health-wise), to use. The increased cost, IMHO, is not justified by the advantages.
  8. Here's some pics of mine with some verbiage: http://home.earthlink.net/~jerskip/FIRST/Chapter_19.html#SGROBJ7D55117111C34B1
  9. It sure does!The way I kept motivated, was to do my best to have fun building each piece, and then congratulate myself after each step. Tried not to think too much about flying the plane. As I've said: Eat the elephant one bite at at time. Eventually, it's time for dessert. I also never read too far ahead in the Plans. These 2 methods helped keep me from getting discouraged. Building a Cozy is a real challenge, but very do-able. It will be an accomplishment you'll be proud of the rest of your Life.
  10. Sorry. I'll stop.(Silly spacers anyway.)
  11. Re: Exit area. Good point! I've been reviewing some pictures of Ken's plane. He seems to have some gills on his lower cowl. I'll check with him. If that's true, it'll be the first mod I make.
  12. Not yet. I have a altimeter setup I will install to check though. Lycoming states 6" of water pressure differential is optimum.The changes I plan to make will be making my system look more like Ken Laundrie's, which has been running very cool indeed. Not really making changes based on theory, but based on copy-cat-ing.
  13. See the thread "Web-Slinger LIVES" on this forum, if you already haven't. The only thing to report at present, is I'm looking at doing some moderate re-working of the downdraft plenum on top fo the engine. Some silly theory about "expansion". That will happen over the next 2 weeks. Cooling continues to haunt me.
  14. Not anymore. I now live in a hangar. Just part time. The rest is in the sky. I flew her myself yesterday. :banana: :banana: You can trust me, just not my memory. (Got the 4130 part right, though. )
  15. I'm working from memory here, (Plans are at the hangar), but aren't those the little 1/8"-1/4"spacers made from tubing and go up against the canard push rod/canard attach point? If so, use 4130. I remember having a dickens of a time finding the drawing on them as well. Of course, I could be totally wrong.....
  16. I plan to. As luck would have it, the day after everyone went home from First Flight, I came down with something which nearly put me in the hospital. (It couldn't have been the Swine Flu. Nothing tasted like pork. ) Took the week of work. Fever broke yesterday. I'll spare the details, but I never want to get that sick again without dying. Stay tuned........
  17. Easy for you. Hard for me. I am quick like tree. Smart like rock.
  18. It's ability to fly! :ROTFLMAO: Seriously, if I had to pick one item, it would be the forward hinged canopy. EZ loading. Less likely to pop open in flight. #2 would be the Cozy Girrrl Strakes. The elbow room is nice.
  19. On October 3rd, 2009, (10 years and twenty three days after completing the first bulkheads), N85TT ( aka: “Web-Slinger” ) took to the sky for it’s maiden flight from Tampa Executive Airport (VDF). It was a dead calm clear morning. Vance Atkinson was at the controls. I asked him to perform the evaluation flight, as I’m a low-time pilot, and felt it would be prudent to have an experienced pilot fly it first. They don’t come much more experienced than Vance. I was considering performing First Flight myself, but on the advice of a good friend, and objectively reviewing my qualifications, I was able to tuck my ego in my pocket and take the conservative course. Vance taxied out to the active runway, made a high-speed pass and lifted the nose to see if it felt right, gave us a “thumbs-up”, then did it for real. (Hole-eee-crap!!!!) It was one of the most enjoyable experience of my life, despite the “Comet Kohoutek” sized lump in my throat. I’ve never fathered a child, (that I know of... but then again, 11 years in the Navy.... buy who knows?). I think I understand a bit more about the feeling. As it turned out, no surprises. (Thank whatever Gods which may exist.). It flew stable and as advertised. There were cooling problems above 115kts at full power (surprise!!), and a slight tendency to roll to the right (a skinny washer should fix it). But, all in all, a great first showing! There are a “butt-load” of people which have been instrumental in helping me complete this quest, but I’m loathe to list them, due to the risk of forgetting to put one of you on and make you feel “left out”, (my memory truly sucks.). Hopefully, you know who you are. On the other hand, I must take this opportunity to thank Debbi, my wife, (aka: Epoxy Lady to the Jimi Hendrix tune). She’s been lock-step with me in this quest, because she likes aviation and travel, but mostly........ because I wanted it. Although skeptical at first, once she saw my conviction, and met the people in this community, and saw the Canard and Main Spar on the tub, it was not a far reach for her to lean over to me on the couch while we’re watching TV, and lovingly whisper in my ear: “Aren’t you going to work on the plane tonight?”. I’ve been privileged to serve in the US Navy Submarine Community for a number of years, (which I hold in great esteem). Great bunch of guys. And I can wholeheartedly say, this group of people of “Canardian-ilk” have been the most interesting, diverse, helpful, and fun bunch of people I’ve come across. I'm am, and have been proud to be a part of them. To those coming behind me: If you like working with your hands, like figuring things out, and don’t mind criticism and trail-blazing, this is the place for you! Decide for yourself... but not too quickly, because this has been a hellacious journey, and looking back.... well worth it. No Regrets. None. I’m getting vaklempt.... At your service.....
  20. Bravo Zulu Sam, I left the Navy after 11 years (ET1(SS) on Boomers (NavET). The Defiant is the way to go if you're interested in 2 engines. but if you merely want the extra room, the Cozy MK IV is a great compromise. Lots'a room, and looks cool too. There usually a few projects for sale for cost of materials. http://www.stealthturtle.com/ is selling his project. Give it a look.
  21. When you have to, (or REALLY want to ), there's a way. If you go to Rough. just ask Dan Cruger about "The Day Jerry Schneider Mooned a 737." It's a pretty good story, and a testament as to what's really possible when given the proper motivation. I'd tell you myself, but it looks as though I won't be going to RR this year.
  22. I used water. But I offer this one caveat: Make sure you don't let a lot of time pass before you add fuel, as I did.(MONTHS). When I finally got around to adding fuel, when checking the forward fuel drains, they were severely corroded, and the one I checked wouldn't spring shut. Thereby squirting copious amounts of fuel all over me and the hangar floor. I IMMEDIATELY stubbed out my cigarette, ( don't smoke), and darted furtively around the shop looking for an appropriate plug. If I had it to do over, I'd use fuel.... stinky mess or not. I STILL have a sneaking suspicion there's a pretty good slug of water lurking somewhere in there. Buyer Beware! (Wayne: No! I didn't check the other side 'till I had a replacement in my hand. Thought about it though..... )
  23. These things are expensive to keep. I know of pilots attending RR on a shoestring (Like... uh...me.). IMO, anyone insulted by sharing expenses, has just too much ego. Pay it forward is a nice idea, but Fair is Fair. For the record: If I ever get the chance to give rides, feel free to kick in for gas.
  24. If they say they don't want the money, leave it in the plane after the ride. It will be appreciated. IMHO, It's just the right thing to do.
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