Hans S

Has anyone ever had that measured? I'm guessing it would have to be done in a wind tunnel to get some accurate feedback.

What I'm building is a Cozy iv, with mods. Granted I haven't cut foam piece one yet, still trying to get the garage emptied and lurking for maybe an abandoned project within decent distance. A few months ago I had a HUGE list of mods, I think I'm down to about 13. Retracts, diesel, 3-4" wider, IFR capable, baggage pods reinforcement, seat back 1.5 " back, 2" higher on the canopy, controls, IP cutout, adjustable pedals, front hinge canopy, longer strakes, A/C, and oil heat. I sat in John Schneiders (thanks again John), almost stock, Cozy with him in it. The width is good until the longeron, my torso is long enough that it hits my shoulder and I think it would eventually irritate me to death, otherwise I fit everywhere else. I want the plane to fit me, not have to adjust to get comfortable. I'm on the Defiant email list. I'd like to find a Gemini list, I don't think that'll happen. The Defiant is a pretty different bird than the Long and Cozy. I was just looking for what the differences were without having to go thru all the fluff that gets put on some of these threads. What kind of sub-structure did Dave Ganzer have to build to hold the extra engine weight, wood, metal, foam? The Defiants seem to be plagued with front cooling issues, was the Gemini? Not to second guess the counter-rotating prop guys, but why not the push pull design with their small suzuki engines? A Harley engine can be beefed to 90hp no problem, air cooled, don't weigh much, and parts are easily available. Maybe a twin for a second time around, but I'll probably build a trimaran instead.

I was trying to think on how to shed the extra radiator weight for a liquid cooled engine. Has anyone tried to build the lower cowl as a radiator? What I'm thinking is aluminum sheet with channel walls welded in, then another aluminum sheet welded on top. It would be similar to a honeycomb panel, but with a channel snaking between the sheets. The whole underside would be in the airflow and small fins could be added for extra heat sink dissipation. You'd lose the weight of the original lower cowling by replacing it with the radiator cowling. It would be a pretty labor intensive to form the aluminum sheets, though a plug could be made from the original to form it. Air wouldn't be forced through it like a normal radiator, it would pass over, so drag would also be reduced. I only thought of the bottom, for if you do top and bottom, it would be a nightmare to get at the engine without opening up the cooling system. Granted, I have no idea how much heat could be dissipated this way, but there would be a lot of surface area. And because the prop would always pull air over it, an electric or mechanical fan wouldn't be needed. I kind of kicked around the idea that the top cowling half could double as a inter-cooler for a turbo/supercharger. And, you wouldn't have to paint it. Shiny aluminum.

No, not fragile, just frustrated at having to read through a bunch of opinions to get to anything with any real substance, (ex) that whole Eminence thing was down right irritating, I ended up not following it anymore so I don't know if anything truelly educational came from it. Many threads get hijacked on tangents. If someone wants a tangent, go to the coffee house section. I was curious about a specific aspect of construction/design theory, not how expensive it would be or where I should place my $$$? I still would like to know what the reinforcements and problems that came from it. The defiant still flies and is being built, there were problems with the Gemini and as far as I know does not fly anymore and was never copied, why one and not the other. I already have a plan on what mods I want in my build, two engines isn't in there, as I stated. I still think the Defiant and Gemini are cool ideas and if I was limited to the size of engine I could get, or an infinite, steady and cheap fuel supply, that might have been an option. You can't be too worried about fuel costs, your monicor says Cozy540xtra, slightly more gas guzzling than stock. This is a perfect example of how these threads get hi-jacked, 8-9 posts and still nothing that resembles what was originally asked for.

Edge, This is why I didn't originally post my questions. You didn't read my post as it is written or the next one and then just decided to make assumptions. I wrote that it was for info only, which is why I wasn't buying Defiant plans, and that I was just toying with the idea, then you jump on me as if I am all but building already. I just was curious as to what the differences were as the Gemini is a modified long and I believe the Defiant is based on the same principals as the Long (canard, wing maybe, front gear, CG), but do YOU know exactly what went into the mod for the Gemini, not what you think or feel, could be this, could be that, whishy washy? I was looking for someone that actually had real life honest experience with both. Why would I buy two engines, I already stated that I'm building a single (9:15am)? I've already asked about Defiants, two engines, jets, diesels, rotaries, and a rump roast worth of other mods. If you do any kind of search on twins, it is pretty much common knowledge that more than one engine is going to cost more in engines, equipment, fuel, maintanance, ratings... Then again, by not reading the posts, you put out useless information out thereby hijacking the thread for your own rants, I'm not really concerned about your economic state, if you are building a plane, you are not homeless or without food.

Doubt if I'd build a twin. But it would have cool factor.

I was kicking around the Gemini idea again and wanted to know from a "Defiant" / "Cozy" builder's standpoint how different the two planes are in the front. I didn't want to answer a bunch of questions as to why I want to do this, or hear why I shouldn't because it is impossible (Gemini, and it flew). I have a set of Cozy plans, but not Defiant. Defiant plans were pushing the $900 range the last time I checked, too much for just info purposes. If I found something useful or built one, I'd share. I can't find any information on the Gemini except for a few blurbs here and there. I'm just toying with the idea, but when people start talking heavy mods, the the threads usually get hijacked and the die hard "build it to plans" people start screaming. After that, no useful information gets passed.

I hit the submit button too quick.

I'm trying to find someone that has built both. I've got some qustions . I would rather ask them offline. Thanks.

If I knew someone headed to Florida that could bring it with them, I go for it. Unfortunately it wouldn't be worth the fuel cost to go up and get it.

It's for sale again. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AIRPLANE-EXPERIMENTAL-COMPOSITE-PUSHER_W0QQitemZ320248240596QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item320248240596&

I've just read thru chapter 24 three times on the armrests (front and back). Aside from holding the bearings/control stick are they needed for the structural intergrety of the fuselage? The part behind cs118 is removable anyway. Can the part forward of cs118 to the IP be made removable? Or, if a centerstick/yoke is used, can the armrests be removed all together?

Take it to a carquest, Napa, or just about any auto parts place. Tell them you want it checked. Most places have a little bench setup that takes five minutes.

South Africa gets cold? Drink Rum till you really think you know all the words to EVERY Jimmy Buffet song. You won't even feel the cold anymore.

Largo, Fl. across the bay from Tampa. I'm building a coxy iv w/mods

But this is what I'm wondering. You are doing a test phase. Silk on yer behind, logging chain in yer lap. Suddenly bam, the wing comes off. Tumbling through the air in all kinds of attitudes, right side up, wheel side up, with this chain flopping around the canopy with your melon. In the middle of all this you are thinking that the plan is to pop the canopy, after securing the chain, then throw the chain, then get out? Doesn't sound practical, or even close to what'll be going thru my mind. I'm thinking: AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH @#$%! Now, bam nothing falls off but you're going down. If the engine is dead, there is no prop to stop anyway. If the plane is still together but with no engine, I'm certainly not just going to jump anyway. What am I missing?

or http://www.canardzone.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2985&highlight=modifications

this? http://www.canardzone.com/forum/showthread.php?t=718

I'm going to start building in a month or two. Looking for people in this area that want to trade build time on their aircraft and mine? Hans

Here's an idea, stop compounding the problem by acknowledging the political stuff. It's like watching my 9 year old, neither one will stop once in the argument. I know I just compounded it too, but I'm done. Now the real stuff: My question is this: The plane can still glide fairly well. Why in the world would you get out? The only way I'd get out is if a wing left. At that point all bets are off and that log chain has probably already beaten you to death.

look at the shadow

I'm trying to do a comparison on the weight of the tube/cable system to something else I have in mind. Does anyone have all the brackets, cables, bolts, tubes..... in a box that they can weigh? Looking thru the plans, I'm guessing about 15-20lbs of stuff. I just need from just after the stick/pedals to where it attaches to the surface flange. Thanks in advance, Hans

It also needs an IO-550 according to wiki.

Since it hasn't been brought up in awhile... except for innodyne Does anyone have information on converting an APU to a turboprop? They can be had pretty cheap sometimes $1500ish.

I haven't found any yet. Stopped looking for awhile. I thought the ones from Eureka were already cut, why do you need templates? The post by Jason Heath has links to where some are that are made from aluminum.