Daniel Dillon

Woah... fancy pump! Good thing (for me) they were out of stock when I tried to order one.

 

Are you sure you need to bother with what you're considering? If you must, then your approach should work fine.

You think that is fancy... You should see the new pump that Glenmarc makes... it is sort of like a Portionator MBT JR on steroids with a (several hundred dollar) option for keeping the resin and the hardener vats warmed to 120 deg.

No more hot box!

I am a FAE (Field Applications Engineer) for a UK-based semiconductor company. My work has me travel around Western North America visiting customers and working toward getting our devices designed into their devices.

Betcha some of you have my company's devices in your avionics.

If you know of any SoCal based FAE, Applications Engineering Manager, or Regional Manager positions at a semiconductor company, I would welcome an e-mail.

Dan

Fabulous photography.... Question, however (sinde I am not there yet)... what are these screws for, and are they then glassed over?

Just a tip what I did for my screws so they would not turn. You can see from the attached pictures but basically extended slot all the way to edge and then tapped in brass rod that I picked up at local hardware store for 49 cents.

 

John

How did you decide on the Aerocad, and what made it stand out from other designs?

Hi All,

 

I just received my diagrams and templates ($199.00) from Jeff Russell:D . The plan instructions were downloaded from the www.aerocad2.com site. The work-table is complete, shop wired for electrics and waiting on feeder power to be burried, and the hotbox is in-progress. I am preparing to order the first round of materials to get this thing going and look forward to sharing the progress, trials, and tribulations...because I know that I will have them:scared: . If you are building an Aerocanard, I would love to here from you:) .

I am just getting started and will be caught up to this point in no time. If you could post your conclusions to this question, it would be appreciated as I will have the same questions. Let us know how yours turns out.

Dan Dillon

Cozy MK IV #1353

It looks like the plans call for both sides of the seatback to be glassed and allowed to cure prior to cutting the center holes. In fact, it looks like one should glass one side and allow it to cure prior to the corner/side notches being cut.

 

Any reason all of the cuts can't be made prior to glassing and then trim (knife cut stage) the glass prior to cure? Sure seems like it would be easier to cut unglassed foam based on my limited experience from the chapter 3 practice layups.

 

I've searched the archives and this site and cannot see where this is addressed. Lots of discussions on whether to cut now (chapter 4) or in later chapters and on glassing/not glassing the seatback edges, but I can't find a discussion on cutting the foam prior to glassing.

 

Some of the builder's sites have the holes cut, others don't but I can't find an example of the cuts being made prior to glassing.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

I know this post is very old, but for the benefit of those just getting started, AS&S has already demonstrated to me that they are on top of things.

The guys working the front counter are super helpful and will print out a complete estimate for the whole airplane chapter by chapter so that you can see what you need. It was more than I had expected.

I purchased the Cozy MK IV Plans and am very happy with the call. AS&S called me on the phone after reading one of my mosts in an online forum to follow up, answer a question, and make sure that I had gotten everything.

If you have a question about the airfame build cost... call them and ask for an estimate on all of the chapter kits. You can be sure that there will be more to buy, but you will at least have a good estimate to start from.

Kind Regards,

Dan Dillon

Biaspoint@yahoo.com

Call ACS and ask them to send you a materials break down list for all the chapters. You may have to wait for someone to get back to you (I did). That allows a comparison of what is included in the chapter kits price. Wicks already has this in their catalog. You can also compare what they send to what you need.

What is it that limits Vne? Is it control surface flutter? Is it structural strength of the whole aircraft?

I've seen references to a Vne of 190 kt, or about 220 mph. Anyone care to back me up on that?

I don't quite trust kits. They can go out of business and leave you hanging too easily.

I'm going to have to be a plans-built kind of guy with the hope to buy as much prefab as possible in the interest in reducting the time-to-fly.

Dan

These two were also my 'final contenders'.

I chose the Cozy for the following reasons:

 

1. Same speed with less HP - RV-10 needs 260 hp, Cozy 180hp

2. Better fuel economy because of above.

3. Engine costs less, and maintenance of that Engine costs less (smaller HP = cheaper usually)

4. I liked the looks of the Cozy better (vain I know)

5. I preferred the 'pay as you build' mode to the kit mode. This wasn't as bad with the RV since you could get the kit in 'chunks', but then you paid more freight. The freight was a deal for me since I am within easy driving distance of Wick's

6. Less money spent on tools.

 

All that, it was a very close race, and I don't think you'll regret either one.

Mark

I like that.... and maybe I should build one of each because I love motorcycles and sports cars.

Currently I ride a Honda Interceptor (VFR800) with the Honda Vtec Fuel Injected 4-cyl.

I am a former owner of an RX-7 with the famous 13B engine. I swear by those engines, I loved that car. It was my pride an joy until I got stolen. (Always a silver lining... the insurance was very good to me, I paid off my bills, could re-focus on my education, and now I can build an airplane albiet with substantial financial struggle.)

The Cozy MK IV is my target, although I have the plans for the Long EZ.

Marc, on the topic of support, let's not forget this particular forum which some prefer over (or in addition to) other sources of support.

 

Here's an analogy that may help you decide: A Long EZ is to a motorcycle as a Cozy Mark IV is to a sports car.

 

Any canard brand vehicle is welcome here!

I know it has been some time since your post, but thank you for the description of what to expect when I order my plans. I had been asking aircraft spruce if I could sit down with them in their offices and take a look at them before I hand over the credit card.

Chris,

 

I was asking the same question a week ago.

 

 

First I will tell you What The physical Items will be included in the BOX.(My box was 17"W X 26"L X 5.5"D)Be careful ripping it open in the excitement, as there are a lot of Styro-Peanuts.

 

1.)You will receive( as John said ) two HUGE BOOKS 11" X 17". Full of Instructions, and Black & White Illustrations. The books start you off with an introduction to the Cozy, a Bill of Materials, and some Necessary reading. I kept a Highlighter in my hand so I could highlight useful Hints.

 

2.)You will get some "Newsletters", that have changes that need to be made. There are very few changes, I just wrote the Newsletter # down and circled the part that needs changed, Added the change(Keep the newsletters)

3.)You will get some FREE Aircraft Spruce Advertisements.

 

4.) A few Pages of Parts Lists for purchasing: Chapter Specific Materials, and various Kits.

 

5.) The Folded set of 25 full size drawings, (17.5" X 22.5"). I copied these onto "Tracing Paper" for backups and templates. I found a book of tracing paper(19" X 24") at the art store. Keeping them in a separate location.

 

6.)You will receive a heart felt, "GOOD LUCK" from Renee, at Aircraft Spruce.

 

7.) An agreement that needs to be signed and returned the Wonderful Renee .

 

8.)And you should expect to be up all night looking the Plans Over.

 

9.) And you should expect to get two or three days, before Dust, and John start wanting to see some parts made.<SMILE>

 

Now what you don't get in the box, You can expect to get here, and on the Cozy Mailing list...........Helpful People with a lot of advise.

 

 

Like Mr. John said, everything will fall into place, as long as you keep at it. Three weeks ago I didn't know what a strake was, or a or a Longeron. Read starting at page one,

 

 

If you haven't gone over the web-sites of a few builders, I would make a suggestion of doing it.Here are two of the many:

 

http://www.maddyhome.com/cozy/home

 

http://www.kgarden.com/cozy/

 

I might also suggest doing your aircraft exactly like I do mine, since I AM doing it the RIGHT WAY.

 

Way to go, congratulations.

Sincerely Your Peaceful Happy Hippy, In Taos..........

Joe:cool:

Could you explain what these drawings are, and if I will need them? I will be a new builder and will be buying the plans from Aircraft Spruce as soon as I satisfy myself that I can do this, I can fit in this, and I can be successful.

I'm 6'1" 175#, with long legs that get in the way of small planes.

Thanks

I recently spoke with Renee at Aircraft Spruce, and asked if we could get an extra set of the "M"Drawings instead of having to copy them. She sent me the below e-mail today.

 

 

 

Hey Joe,

 

Got the pricing for the M Drawings. It is part number 01-00570 COZY M

DRAWINGS 2ND SET $49.95. If the other builders are interested in buying

these have them call me or email me. I will need their plans number to

process the order, as these are only to be sold to Cozy MKIV plans owners.

Regards,

Renee Gelinas

 

P.S. Feel free to post this message if needed.

 

I am getting myself a second set, to cut up as templates.

 

I LOVE aircraft Spruce, & Renee & Jim......."Edited to include"....Of course I think $20 would be about the right price, considering we just spend $500 on the plans.

 

 

 

Joe:cool:

I sat in a Cozy MK IV today for the first time. I am about ready to buy the plans and get started. (Technically, I have gotten started if you consider workshop preparation, cleanout, etc.)

Sitting in a Cozy.. I found that I simply could not fly it because of legroom. My knees came square up against the bottom of the panel, and there is no way I could work the pedals. But the Cozy looks like the perfect airplane for me to build.

I would need the pedals several inches deeper and/or an inch or two further back on the backrest.

I found the width to be very cozy.. but that is ok by me.

Comments are highly welcome.

Erm, if you don't know enuf to mess with the wings you probably shouldn't mess with anything else either. The design really shouldn't be played with just by eye or imagination, but by actual knowledge of what any changes will do. If you build as per the plans you will get an aircraft with reasonably well known flight characteristics that will be (with the required test program) be safe to fly your family in. If you change things then you are the test pilot trying out a new design. On the other hand, I'm just a newbie like you but kinda old and cautious.

 

There are modifications approved by Nat for the larger frame. 25mm wider at the seatback and mount the canopy 25mm higher. For those with piano legs the center console goes and you can slosh over a bench seat. Nat's standard answer to those who want to bloat his design are to sit in one first, you may be fine. I'm 195cm & 110kg, and am intending the first two mods.

 

I've read on this and other forums that every change you make will take MUCH longer than if you build as per the plans, and you will regret the change later.

 

Substituting CF into any of the airframe is a divisive issue you can read about if you search the archive. In short it will increase the cost for no real weight benefit and extra problems may arise, unless you know your materials. If you just slap on extra layers of FG, or CF over the plans-required FG you will add weight and not neccessarily add strength to the whole structure.

Anyone know how good the video and the info pack on the Cozy is?

I'm no expert but from the one ride i had with the plans built plane, lycoming 360 75% power, cruise ias 210@6000 feet and 1100 fpm climb from 3000 to 6000, tanks almost full, front seat weight about 216+160

 

Mike

Cozy Mk IV - Loaded Panel, and a few extra electronics gadgets.

I am also considering a Cozy... but my decision is between the Cozy MK IV and a Long EZ.

I am strongly leaning toward the Cozy at this point, but I have a million questions about homebuilding and other things at this point. After years of looking into it, talking to people, and reading... I wil be starting something (likely a Long EZ) by mid-2005.

Happy New Year,

Dan

I am considering building a plane and my top contenders are the Cozy and RV-10. The advantages I see of the RV-10 over the Cozy are the ability to operate from grass strips, short takeoff/landing distance, and more useful load. Disadvantages of RV-10 are initial cost and fuel economy.

 

I would like to hear from Cozy builders/flyers your opinions of these airplanes and the advantages/disadvantages of each.

Greetings everyone, (I am new to the Forum)

I am considering a Cozy, but have not yet made the decision. The reason I post is because I wanted to know if that is really true... dropping off a passenger and needing to move ballast to the front seat. Is it really that sensitive? I am suprised.

I do have a million other questions and don't know quite where to begin. I have made the decision to build... finally after about 6 years of wanting to. Now I need to make the decision on WHAT to build.

** I have had the plans for a Long EZ for some years now (don't know how complete they are). I do like the Long EZ for a number of reasons

** I am also interested in the Cozy, but I hear that factory support is a bit less than friendly for some people. (Who knows if that is true.. you all know how rumors are.)

** I love the Velocity - but not the cost.

My mission specs, ramblings, and notions:

- Minimize cost as much as possible, so that I can maximize on-board equipment. (I want the works in the panel.)

- I want it reasonably comfortable for long flights.

- I want fast... as fast as possible. (200Kt +?)

- I want long range... as long as possible. (1,000 NM+?)

- I want easy and fun to fly

- I want a SAFE, proven design or variant thereof

- I want an engine and airframe that I can work on, maintain, etc... avoiding paying people. (I am not wealthy.)

- I like the idea of a non-aviaiton engine ... but I want long life and reliability of an aircraft engine. (impossible dreams)

- I want something that is easy to get in, start up, and fly away in without excessive preparation or work every week once it is built. (I want to put in the work to build it... and then enjoy flying it and showing it off.)

- I don't expect that it will be a showplane.

- I want a design that I can modify. (Ideas that I have in mind are hard-point removable baggage pods, camera pod, wingtip cameras, on-board laptop, overdone avionics, ham radio, radio/cd player, head-protection rollbar, and some years after completing the build I hope to experiment with an active noise reduction system for the whole cabin.)

- I want an autopilot.

- I want to fly IFR, and want the glass cockpit with analog backup instruments.

- Side by side seating is preferred (wife factor) and more than 2 seats is preferred. Although two-seat tandem is acceptable.

- I need to have a pretty good understanding of the scope of the whole project before I begin, and I want plans that are detailed enough that even a monkey could understand. I might be an electronics engineer... but that won't help me here.

- I need to build it in a small 2-car garage in Orange County, CA.

Luckily I live 30 minutes+ from Aircraft Spruce, 30 Minutes from John Wayne SNA Airport, 30 Minutes from Fullerton FUL airport, 30 Minutes from Long Beach LGB Airport (my favorate), and 30 Minutes+ from Corona Airport.

>Do you mean the CG envelope is smaller on the Cozy?

EZ and Cozy drivers have been handling this for years without problems, but you DO need to pay attention to C of G in a Canard.

 

For example, she sits nose down. Lift the nose before anyone gets in (or get out before lowering) and the nose want to come up. You have to be careful she doesnt tip over and fall on the prop / winglets.

 

Fly dual and drop off a 200lb passenger. You'll need to carry weights with you, and move them to the front before taking off solo.

 

Aft C of G beyond limits is bad in a conventional airplane - been there, done that. Aft out of limits C of G in a canard can be worse because it can put you in a position where the main wing stalls before the canard. This leads to a condition known as deep stall where there's no elevator response and no way to get the nose back down. The airplane sinks in a stable ass-down attitude.

 

Having said all the above, let me repeat that thousands of canard drivers have been living happily with these issues for 30 years with very few problems, expect during the early years. As someone said - every airplane has its advantage, disadvantages and limitations. You just have to know what they are and fly inside the envelope.

 

Hope this helps.