Steve Innova

I've decided to embark on an ambitious project to redesign a major portion of my Cozy, and therefore I'm placing my already completed (through Chapter 7) fuselage up for sale. Modifications: I've built this fuselage 3" wider, with a slightly (1") wider center airduct and map pocket. This is a significant modification, so a buyer should be aware of the implications, however it significantly improves the cabin space. I've also omitted the landing gear hardpoints, as I had intended to use retracts. I have, however, installed the landing gear bulkheads. A buyer intending to use plans gear would need to install the hardpoints (it should not be too difficult to do -- I estimate 10-15 hrs of extra time.) I'm also throwing in the center-spar jig (which is 3" wider) for free (though it's very heavy). I would consider my workmanship to be average to better-than-average. I'd be happy to take pictures of any parts or provide details and construction logs as neccessary. This is a great opportunity to get a big head start on the project. The materials alone for Chapt 4-7 cost about $1050, and I spent around 450 hrs getting to this point. If you're interested, please make an offer by sending me a private message.

I built a 3" wider fuselage that I am selling for unrelated reasons-- see my "for sale" posting.

Curt, I wish to applaud you for your work! This is a great addition to the community. It's fantastic for me personnally, since I don't have a pilot's certificate yet, and will be flight training as I work on my MkIV. This will be a great learning tool. I was also thinking that if your models could be adjusted, it would really add to the discussion regarding some of popular mods that builders are doing, such as installing retractable landing gear or making a wider fuselage. Would it be possible to model the Infinity retracts, just to see how they perform? I know there is already a v6.0 X-plane model with the infinity retracts out there. This could possibly put to rest a lot of the debate over how much additional performance is gained. Also, many builders are building "wide cozys", typically 3" wider for additional cabin room. Would it be possible to create an X-plane model with the wider fuselage? Thanks for this great contribution to our community!

John, Where did you find a thermostat (for the epoxy pump box) that went up to 120 degrees? I looked at HD & could only find things that went to approx 90.

Hi, Is the temporary firewall in chapt. 4 actually temporary? Will it be replaced by something else later? If so, do I need to order plywood from Wicks, or can I use something from Home Depot? Stephen

I've been checking out the X-plane design and flight model/simulator. Has anyone modelled the Cozy IV for this program? It would be really sweet to be able to train on an accurate simulator so that flying it wasn't such a surprise the first time.

Hi, I'm just about to start construction. My Chapt. 4 materials arrive tomorrow! Would anyone like to loan me their fuselage jigs? I don't yet have a jig saw & would love to get a head start on the process. I live in Arlington VA, are there any builders in VA or MD that might be done with their jigs? STephen Hale drew_innova@yahoo.com

If I get retracts, at what point do I install them? After the strake & center spar are installed? Stephen

Why not build conformal fuel tanks directly beneath the strakes and against the fusilage? That way you could plumb them to connect to the strake tanks? The military likes conformal tanks (better performance in high-g manuevers, lower drag). I don't really know how you'd go about it. Alternatively they could be above the strakes, like in the new F-16 Block 60's we are selling to UAE.

I just did the math on the price difference between the AC Spruce Section 1 & 2 kits vs. the individual chapter kits. It would appear that the Section 1&2 kits cost $8,769.30, while the chapter kits cost $11,821. This is a $3,000 difference. What do I get buy buying the chapter kits that I don't get from buying in bulk? Modifications: I understand most people are buying metal parts from Brock. Are these parts NOT INCLUDED in the chapter kits, or will I buy extras if I buy them from AC Spruce & Brock? Also, I would like to purchase the retractable gear kit from Infinity. If I buy the AC kits, will I end up with extra (original fixed gear) stuff that I can't use? Finally, is Epoxy included? Sorry for so many questions. I'm determined to do it right from the beginning and I'd rather avoid common mistakes that the rest of you guys have figured out from your experience.

Ok... What are people's thoughts on buying the chapter kits in from AC Spruce vs. getting bulk supplies? Will I save money in the long run buy buying in bulk? Also, do I really need to buy the wood from AC Spruce or can I just get that at Home Depot? I'd prefer to minimize shipping costs.

John, I've been checking out websites and your website. One quick question. Does everyone use the same epoxy and microglass brands or are there "better" brands? (If so, I'm guessing that this might be a matter of some controversy). Also, should I get an adjustable ratio epoxy pump or the regular one?

I haven't gotten my plans yet, but I spent the weekend cleaning out the shed. It's not really ideal, but I'm trying to get everything ready to start working as soon as my stuff arives. Until then, it sounds like there are a few tools that I need. Where can I find a list of all the things to build/buy? The epoxy pump & heat box sound like a pretty good idea.

How far can I get with a 13' x 9' area?

Thanks for the feedback. These are just a few ideas that I had in my spare time. That's too bad that the flow gates don't have any effect on the cozy. I'd love to take a couple good aerodynamics courses while I'm building this, to better understand everything that's going on with the aircraft. Once I start building though, I'll probably have a bunch of new ideas that I'll want people to debunk or verify. Steve

Alright-I haven't even begun construction or bought the plans yet, but I confess, I'm hooked. I've already got some ideas about how to modify this thing and wanted to bounce them around: 1.) I'm planning on a "short field" Cozy IV. I want to install "aerodynamic flow fences" on the wing trailing edges. I'm hoping that it will lower the landing speed / stall speed by 5-7 kts. Here's the link, has anyone else tried this with any success? http://www.lightspeedengineering.com/KlausInfo/Flowfence.htm 2.) Retractable Main Gear: I want to use the retractable landing gear, since that will put the gear out on the strakes and out of line of the prop, preventing debris from being kicked up into the prob on landing/takeoff. 3.) Nose Gear Mods: I'm thinking about installing a "mud flap" directly behind the nose gear. This would either by a convential mud flap or a metel wire "basket" to prevent the nose gear from kicking up debris back into the prop. I've never seen this on any US aircraft, but I'm a military analyst, and I know the Soviets installed these on all their Migs and SUs, so that they could operate them from unimproved airfields as neccessary. 4.) Laser rangefinder in the nose, for terrain distance on landing. With a nose up attitude, it would be nice to see precise altitude on the panel. Please let me know what you all think of these ideas, obviously I'll have plenty of time to refine them over the next couple years. Stephen

That's great news. I'm going to be ambitious and aim for 3 years-we'll see. How do I find builders in my area (DC metro area)? I'd especially be interested in knowing if anyone in my area has the jigs neccessary to start assembling the fusilage. Do people re-use these jigs at all? It seems like a lot of time could be saved by reusing & sharing them. Stephen

Here's my problem: I want to start a Cozy IV, but right now I rent and a 1-car garage is the only realistic option in Arlington VA. How much of the aircraft can I build in a restricted space like that? Steve

Hi, Could you email me. I'm looking to buy my first plans and start building ASAP. Email @ drew_innova@yahoo.com Thanks, Steve