Jon Matcho

I believe you're referring to the attachments in this thread.

John Roncz, pronounced "ronts".

I mean it more like "close and lock-down the hatch". While there would be hinges, the hinges would not be structural. The entire door would have a stiff edge, allowing a lock-down mechanism to pull the surrounding fuselage back to it. Perhaps the entire door with my design should be made of aluminum, or reinforced with aluminum ribs, or some other VERY stiff composite laminate. Our thoughts are nearly the same with the exception that my door would be put back into the structure to make it whole again. I actually think I see what you have in mind -- an X-shaped rollbar. That's interesting, but it strikes me as needing to be built-up with a serious amount of aluminum. Steel in that structure might be too heavy. Finally, I really like sitting in the Cozy without a roof overhead, and pulling it down when you're ready. How about you draw yours and I'll draw mine, and then we'll both get pounced at once... ?

Hello Mike. Congratulations! It is overwhelming at first to receive 10lbs of plans, but that will soon pass. Chapter 3 is good reading (as are 1 & 2), along with the video -- did you get one BTW? Ack! You sound like I did when I got my plans back in August 2003. The path along the way is another story, but on May 1, 2004 I finally said, "enough, time to setup shop!" Since I can thoroughly relate to this quandry, please allow me to help you through this process: my sons playground -- okay, that will make Wife and family happy, so do it. my rowboat -- that may do the same, but I would merge this project with the Cozy. You have/need a shop anyway for this, no? Also, I hope it's a fiberglass boat. replumbing the hummidifier -- postpone 'till winter, when there's a humidity issue. finish up the flower bed -- I'm lucky to have Wife take care of the yard "pretties". Unless you really like flowers, have her suit up and get into the critical path on this. clean up the garage, build a table, build a epoxy box, build a fiberglass box -- attack the garage now. That will make Wife happy, but be sure to give her the impression that it has nothing to do with the Cozy. After that, build a table and consider NOT building the other stuff until you get materials in hand. You don't need that stuff for Chapter 4. figure out where the money for the first set of material is going to come from -- less golf or skiing this year? Embezzle your son's allowance? Mac and cheese? www.mikescozydonations.com? Welcome to the club Mike! I just might be cutting foam this weekend myself, and it's great having another building at nearly the same time, give or take.

John, "sshhh, do you want to get us kicked out of here?" Let me just say that for now I will be looking at the AeroCanard plans very closely. It pains me to read things like this, but I don't think the forum software is defective. Can we blame it on sun spots?

I was called in as a 2nd pair of hands this past Wednesday to assist with floxing a fuselage bottom onto the main fuselage assembly. Prior to visiting this builder, whom I shall refer to as "Builder X", I was told that Builder X just glassed the inside fuselage bottom and that during the cure, it "sagged" 1/8 to 1/4" during the cure. I couldn't picture what "sagged" actually meant, but was able to see first hand during the visit. Basically, the fuselage bottom just wasn't touching the seat bulkhead by itself. With the little that I know, it struck me as something that could be fixed by the per-plans application of flox and gravity. So we floxed away for about an hour, laid the bottom onto the upside-down fuselage, and added what seemed like 400 lbs of bricks on top of it. The result? A perfectly acceptable fuselage. Attached are a couple of pics of the night, with the names changed to protect the innocent. I tried to convince X to start a regular "plane day", but no dice. This was my first flox experience, was happy to help, and appreciative of X entrusting me with his "baby" by letting me cut my teeth (or should I say, "flox my teeth" ) on his plane.

A very generous offer, and one I would take you up on if I didn't live in New Jersey!

I have been informed that this event resulted from a failure of the server hosting the Cozy Aircraft Web site. Contrary to what I suggested, this was not intentional on the part of Aircraft Spruce and should not be construed as anything but a temporary fix to address the server failure. Sorry for any confusion or cause for concern.

This is technically true, and may be true legally, but I have decided to purchase both, which I feel helps me manage any associated risks. Check this AeroCad status? thread for related information. Don't forget a door. :-) Buy legit, of course. However, just because entity A says that entity B is not legit (and/or vice versa), does not make it true. I rationalized all of this by looking at the amount I expect to spend in total, approximately $50K (USD). Considering that, I don't have a problem spending an additional couple hundred dollars on someone else's modification designs. If anyone else had proven plans for something I wanted to build into my Cozy, I'd consider buying that as well.

I spoke with Jeff today, and can say that all rumours of him being a nice guy are entirely true. If you want to contact Jeff, his cell phone number is on the home page of the AeroCad Web site. AeroCad, the company, is also not entirely in Jeff's hands right now, as is mentioned in the * New Updates * section of the AeroCad Web site. I could relate to Jeff's side of the story, sensing a certain amount of unfairness to how he has been treated. I get the impression that Jeff has decided to take a low-key postion by not pressing any of the issues right now. He also seems hesitant (understandably so) to market the AeroCanard (for a variety of reasons, including the one mentioned above), yet has several items for sale. I plan to send Jeff a check to cover costs for all his videos and a book of modifications and improvements to the Cozy MK IV (also known as 'AeroCanard plans'). Before anyone gets in a huff, including Nat and Aircraft Spruce, keep in mind that I have Cozy plans #1185, am building a Cozy (which I too will make some modifications), and am essentially buying somone else's "notes" on their modifications. If I decide to send them more money to make a me a cowling or something, there shouldn't be anything wrong with that either. To be continued...

Steve, I felt that one, like I was there with you again. Way to go! I'd take that landing over one that tests the strength of the gear! Please keep us posted with your future test flights. Many of us here are very interested in rotary power.

I have Uli Wolter's plans, and am planning to do the forward-opening canopy, but likely with a per-plans side-opening canopy for the rear. Similar thinking here -- don't touch the bulkheads. For me, rear seat access for passengers isn't a high priority. At best, I'm expecting my kids back there until they're off to college. After that, it's going to be cargo space (as well as per-plans passenger space). This is the velocity design as well as the SQ2000 design, as far as I can tell. You can ask Paul Lee here about the SQ2000 -- he's soooo close to first flight. Both the Velocity and SQ2000 are kitplanes, which is beyond my budget right now. I've decided to build a Cozy, and while I will consider cutting a hole in the side of the fuselage (and replacing it when I'm done ), I would not consider engineering a spine through the center -- that would be too much work. The hole in the side is a lot of work too, but I'm not looking to change any of the control systems and to keep the design as-is as much as possible. I am only in the conceptual stage with this right now, which has me looking at what it would take to cut a foot+ of longeron and to be able to replace it without losing any strength. As you also point out, forces on the side is another concern. How about reinforced or stronger longerons -- assuming the hole (door) is replaced to allow 100+% of strength to be restored relative to the original plans specifications? Ready? Begin.

Posted with permission from Steve Brooks, a Canard Zone Forum member, as originally posted on the COZY e-mail list available at www.cozybuilders.org. I had the pleasure of meeting Steve in during Sun-n-Fun 2004, where Marc Zeitlin flew over to Steve's airport to allow Steve some time in a Cozy. I rode back seat during this ride, which included 3 landings by Steve which were as good as any that I've experienced (either Steve is good, or the plane flies well, or both). Another point of note is that Steve built his plane in less than 2 years -- close to 18 months as I recall! Here's Steve's post: ------------------ This evening (Friday, May 21, 2004) I made the first flight in Cozy N75CZ, which used to be plans #1071. The plane got it's sign off on Wednesday, and I spent that last few days tweaking various things, and doing the taxi testing. I made several high speed taxi tests today, and by the time I was ready, the temperature was up to 93 degrees, and the density altitude was a plus 2000 over MSL, so I decided to wait until evening. I made the flight at about 8:00 PM EDT, and it was still 87 degrees, but at least the sun was scorching down. There are certainly allot of emotions, and thoughts that go through your head when you push the throttle forward for that first flight. The flight was pretty uneventful with the exception of a few squawks. I have a turbo charge Mazda rotary engine, and the temps were a little higher than I had seen, and definitely higher than I like to see. As a result, I didn't climb very high, and keep the flight short. I only flew once around the pattern. On the downwind, the temperature was on the decline, and actually when I throttled back on final, they dropped off pretty quick. I'm making my "official" first flight for family and friends tomorrow in the morning. I just didn't want to make a very first flight with a big audience. The other things that went wrong were that the electric pitch trim didn't work. I had tested it several times, but Murphy must has been riding co-pilot. I tested it on the ground, and it still wouldn't work. It seemed to be stuck, and would only make a ratcheting sound. I messed around with it, and got it working, but then it quit again. I have some white grease on the threads, but I may have to use a light oil or something. The third thing, and probably the most minor, is that I have a little too much pitch on the prop. Climb performance wasn't real good, and I was not turning the RPMs that I should have been. I have a Ivo Prop quick adjust prop, so I'll crank it back a few degrees before the flight tomorrow. The plane few very smoothly, though pitch was an issue, since I couldn't get it to trim. I think that the pitch on the Cozy is more touchy than roll anyway. Since I couldn't trim the pitch and didn't fly very long, I really couldn't fly it hands off, but I didn't feel any roll tendencies, so either I built the wings correct, or I messed them both up the same amount in opposite directions, because it seems to fly pretty straight. I pulled the cowling off went I got down to check and see if everything was still screwed, clamped, nailed, and glued down still. Everything looked fine. Aside from keeping a wary eye on the temps, it was awesome. I was way too focused on flying the plane, and keeping an eye on the airport to enjoy it too much, but when I was on the downwind, I was much more relaxed than I thought I would be. I'm really looking forward to the next flight, which I plan on making a little longer. I only flew .2 tonight, so maybe I'll do a whole 1/2 hour tomorrow. Who knows. Steve Brooks Cozy MKIV N75CZ Turbo Rotary

The Cozy Aircraft Web site is back online.

I think we'd have to accept extra weight on this one, but at least it would be forward of CG. If flying solo, you just won't need so much ballast in the nose. Yes, the design would need to maintain or exceed fuselage strength while adding the least amount of weight possible. I'd err on the side of strength. I have a concept, similar to a submarine door or pressurized airplane door. I saw the Lancair system at Sun-n-Fun and got some ideas. If your door has hardpoints all around, you can pull the fuselage butt up against it to restore the structure integrity. Check out this link for a simple example of a "push" system, but a design that could be made industrial strength. Now there's an idea! Sign me up. This has been done on Long-EZs at least, and something many consider, including myself. Check out these sources: Construction plans for a composite roll over structure for a Long EZ, by Rutan Aircraft Factory Bill Allen's Long EZ rollbar (metail) Art Bianconi's Long EZ (composite) Considerations by Wayne Hicks Perhaps with the rollover structure. With the door, I actually think it would be best to retrofit near/after chapter 8, after building the fuselage to plans.

The Cozy Aircraft Web site, previously at www.cozyaircraft.com has been modified to now redirect to Aircraft Spruce & Specialty's home page. I think the redirect should at least point to Aircraft Spruce's main Cozy "kit" page. You can visit an archive of the site here (circa June 22, 2003). This change makes sense going forward, provided nothing is lost. Right now this is a bit premature given that the following have been "lost" from the official source of information for the Cozy MK IV: 1) Performance Specifications 2) FAQs (albeit sales-centric) 3) Links to some builder sites 4) Important links, particularly to this forum and the Unofficial Cozy Builders Web site. 5) Pics, info, and various other info. designed to get new builders hooked. In the meantime, we do have this forum as well as the "Unofficial" Cozy Builders Web site at www.cozybuilders.org to provide much of this information (and then some). Going forward, I am anxious to hear about Aircraft Spruce's long-term plans for adding this info. back to their Web site, or minimally, providing links to this site and the www.cozybuilders.org site.

Unfortunately, "no." I put in 2 phone calls and 1 e-mail to Jeff without a reply. I have heard rumours that there are health problems close to the Russell family. With them being a small business, I can understand how this might impact day-to-day operations. Regardless, right now, I think it's fair to say that the doors at AeroCad are closed for the time being. I maintain hope that all differences may be put aside and that AeroCad can be back in business someday. Or... it is possible for another company to emerge, whereby they publish detailed plans for modifications to the Cozy IV plans? Or, better yet, an "open design" project develops where we, the community, contribute to a process that produces the same? Food for thought, and let us leave this door open with AeroCad should Jeff and co. find the will to return.

Is that some sort of aboriginal slang from the outback?

This cannot be denied. After getting in and out of a Cozy for several stops, and not trying to scratch anything or step where I shouldn't, I couldn't help but thinking about what it would take to retrofit a door into the existing design. My inner engineer thinks this can indeed be done. What do you think?

Attention Defiant fans and builders! An e-mail list exists for Defiant builders and flyers, which can be found here: https://canardzone.groups.io/g/defiants The Defiant was Rutan Aircraft Factory's last homebuilt and one that Burt Rutan took pride in building, and served as inspiration for the Voyager, Starship and others.

$425! Not bad. So here's how to justify buying NEW plans... 1) Buy the plans from Aircraft Spruce for $500 2) Buy the practice kit (with Moldless Composites Sandwich Homebuilt / Aircraft Construction book by Burt Rutan) for $70 3) Browse through the plans and do the practice kit 4) Conclude whether you like it or not (this may take months considering all criteria) If you decide to move on, then not a dollar or moment of your time was wasted. Dig in and spend another $1,000 or so on materials for Chapters 4 through 7. That will keep you busy for a good while. If you decide it's not for you, then... a) You have received an education in fiberglass working b) Put the plans and book up on eBay, and sell them for $425 -- the cost of this trial then becomes about $150. So... worse case, you spend $150 to find out whether you want to build one of the coolest planes out there!

I made a slight adjustment to the main page's forums layout since my prior post here so that most recent posts are shown on the top level. This now provides the 30,000 foot view, allowing you to drill into sub-forums of interest. Unless there are any violent objections, I'd like to continue with this layout. I find it to be much more useful than the mass of detail that was previously presented.

Okay... take a moment to get over the shock of the home page layout... deep breath... open your eyes, and now tell me, "is this better?" There's a subtle trade-off with this, but this grouping does provide a 30,000' view of the entire forum, main sections, and sub-forums. I can easily change the layout back (in 20 seconds), but want to leave it out there for a while to get some experience and feedback from everyone. At first I didn't like it, but given the breadth of our new and improved hierarchy, it now seems much more practical for me.

That is correct, it is an Eppler E1230 airfoil -- the same used by the Long-EZ.

Paul, thanks for the update. I'd read some of that on your Web site recently, but it's good to hear that KLS is still rolling. I didn't even know that they had a new plane in development. What is the "advanced composite design" link on your home page? Is that what their new Web site will become? Please keep us posted on your preflight efforts and, of course, your first flight. Everyone can visit Paul's project online at http://www.abri.com/sq2000 to see some very informative and unique building techniques.