Jerry Schneider

I'd like to thank all the little people who made this possible. You tolerate me. You REALLY tolerate me!

In my experince, MGS has had no problem hardening if spread thin. Alphapoxy, which I use for finishing does stay gummy though. FWIW

I agree. When I get the urge to make a blatantly disagreeable remark which may raise another's hackles, I've learned to get away from the computer and go into the workshop and build. MUCH more productive, AND my blood pressure stays within semi-normal limits, (I just LOVE salt!!)

I AM doing them.. right now. (See the site. I'm working on a major site revision right now, but within a couple of days I'll be giving credit where credit is due... ie: Girrrls. ) When Deb & I visited Chrissi & Randi, I saw what they had done. I thought, "OK. Looks cool. When's dinner?" But when I sat in their plane, a MAJOR lightbulb went on. This relatively easy mod adds SO much to the creature comfort, I just couldn't resist. The only way I can describe the experience is like, if you grow up poor, you don't realize you're poor until you get a few bucks in your pocket. Then you look back and say "Man, I was poor! When you sit in the CozyGirrrrl Strake Plane and your elbow swings out about 3"-4" you say "Man, I was crowded! IMHO, this was a no-brainer. (After checking a few things with brainers like Marc. )

Well... It goes like this: If I were going to go with a new engine, Superior would have my vote. (And did.... at that time.) Then, I came across an engine for sale which is on a presently flying Cozy IV. The seller is switching to Mazda. I was able to get the entire firewall-aft package, including the propeller. This should save me a BUNCH of time. And it also relieves me of the break-in worries while I'm doing high speed taxi testing. Then, when I'm ready with a proven platform, I'll be more safely able to put either an XP360 OR Renesis, and break it in properly. Who knows? This engine may become "The Legacy Engine" for Cozy builders coming behind me.

I used the Carbinge in the rudders. They were easy to work with as far as cutting, shaping and what-not. I didn't use them for the ailerons, as I wasn't so confident they would stand up to aileron flutter. They are brittle. But the rudder areas rarely experience that (from what I hear). Plus, if there was a failure, it would be easier to land without a rudder than an aileron. Overall, I think they are a quality product. Also.. You get a few more slivers in your fingers working with them... but they're easier to pick out than glass, 'cause you can see 'em.

Check with Bulent Alieve. He's a member on tis forum. He's a big guy, and has made some modifications to make the Cozy fit him better.

John and Bulent are members of this forum. You can PM them here, email them from here, or check the Cozy archives for their email addresses. HTH

If you're willing to drive 500 miles, why not fly to the Ft Lauderdale area and sit in Bulent Aliev's (modified for size) and John Slade's (stock) Cosy's? It could probably be done for <$300 in one day. That way you KNOW if the Cozy is the plane for you. My 2c.

I looked around and couldn't find any threads dealing with this issue and possible solutions. (I hope I didn't miss it. ) This rumor/fact has been going around for a number of years now, and am wondering what solutions might be on the horizon. This has been one of the reasons I'm considering the 180 HP XP 360 because it can drink 91 octane. I find it hard to believe there aren't solutions on the horizon. Inquiring minds want to know....

Make sure you checkout their website and read how to do their method of vacuum-bagging. Simple, simple, simple, and effective. (Did I mention simple? ) They also showed me their method for installing the windows using large-area washers side-by-side w/clecos to deter the nasty "scalloped edges' where the glass meets the plastic. (I may put more detailed pics on my website when I get there.)

Yes. I plan on doing the "build your own" option at the facility. That way, I'll be able to work on it, as I have no experience whatsoever working with aircraft engines. The decision came after a "daytrip" to the Cozy Girrl's project. While the rotary engine is absolutely wonderful in its simplicity, power to weight ratio, and price, there just isn't a firewall-aft package which you can buy and bolt on. There still is a lot of research and development to be done. Maybe someday when more of the technical details are worked out, the rotary engine will be a viable option for me. Until then, I just have to be happy with the 1940s technology which I feel has been significantly updated by Superior. By the way, the Cozy Girrrls plane is smokin'!

I wasn't sure if I should start a new thread or not, so I guess I'll just put it here. I've decided, I'm sure much to the dismay of the rotary heads, to go with the Lycoming style XP 360. Question: Does anyone out there know the best way to buy an engine from Superior? What I mean is, do they offer any special discounts during Sun-N-Fun/Oshkosh? Any suggestions would be appreciated. TIA

Based on Windows? From the Blue Mountain website: Q: What operating system do you use? Is it Windows / Linux / etc.? The processor is a Transmeta clocking 533 MHz booting up off the metal from FLASH memory. We don't use a desktop operating system since crashes are not acceptable in flight. We use Int 21 support for reading PC -formatted DVDs and reading and writing Compact FLASH, but that's about the extent of it. We have exhaustively tested the system (including a simulated 4 month long flight!) and never a crash. 767 pilots don't reboot their systems -- why should you? Sounds pretty reliable to me.

The plans call for a little window in the wheel well which you can look thru and see if the gear is up or not.

No word yet on when the intake will be available. Everybody says "soon". I don't know the price either. It would be nice not to have to do my own though.

Okay. I give up. Anybody out there able to tell me how to create an avatar? The methods I've been trying give me the dreaded "File Too Large" admonition.

Last I checked, Turrentine will get you a brand new RX-8 modified for aviation for @$5800. Add a Crook redrive for @$3k, a intake manifold (soon to be available as a bolt -on.) and a few other goodies, and you can have a firewall aft engine installation for MAYBE $12k. Not too shabby.

Uli Wolter has the plans. Email him at: Flyclassic@aol.com

Al Wick , http://www.maddyhome.com/canardpages/pages/alwick/index.html is currently flying his Cozy with a Subaru... and loves it. Check his site out. He makes a pretty good case for Subaru and is an EXCELLENT reference on how to do it.

Greg Richter has written: If you're going to turn a propeller, I still say the rotary is the way to do it. I don't think Greg switched to turbine for the maintenance. Probably more for the COOl Factor than anything else. From what I've gleaned, the rotary has no more maintenance than the other options out there.

Cross-Post from Dust (If interested, reply to him): "OK I've specced my wire with the help of mr lafleur. I found a supplier for it. Mike was surprised that i was able to as it is the newest and greatest stuff. For example, in the pros and cons listed in the official "mil specs" there are no known weaknesses with it. The problem i am having is colors, i am running a boatload of 22 and 18 gauge wire and want many colors. Right now i am buying 1000 feet at 260.00 and i can only get 500 feet per color. anyone want to jump in and get 22 or 18 gauge wire for 260 22 gauge, 18 gauge i will have the price this weak. 400C -55C 19 silver-coated strands of 34 gauge wire make up each of 22 gauge wire Mike, can you jump in with the specs and your learned opinion. Just a note, after we decided on the #of wires(19@34) and the temp range, i was asked to supply the mil spec, went nuts with that one on google, lots of suppliers, not many explanations. Called Mike, he knew where to get the mil specs for wire, they were in the back seat of his car. I have to get this stuff NOW so if you are interested, PM me. Could some one cross post this to other canard lists to see who is interested?" Once again, respond to Dust. He has all the info.

Sooo... Take the wings OFF!! (When you need to.) Looks like you got plenty of room to at least begin.

If you've got the required # of layers and the stuff doesn't look starved, go with what you have.... You can always add another layer or 2 if necessary.

One guy started his project in his apartment. Another built his entire plane on his back porch. Unscreened, in FL. Then another is building in a 1/2 occupied 2 car garage. I'm building in a 20'x22' tent, (Kinda), and it feels like I have tons-o-room. Size needed is inversely proportional to your desire to build. Scan the various websites for yourself and you'll see all sorts of sizes. In my opinion, you have enough room.