trans4md

This is straight off the Franklin aircraft engine website:

 

"220 hp Franklin Engine with “STC” Conversion Kit • Install an astonishing 220 hp in your Cessna 170, 172, 175 or Stinson 108 series aircraft. Package comes with used 220 hp 6A-350 Franklin engine and our popular STC'd engine conversion kit. Engine has approximately 2000 hrs with log, disassembled for inspection, yellow tagged crankshaft. STC conversion kit includes installation paperwork, engine mount, exhaust system, oil cooler, air box, heat box, brackets, etc. Only $19,500 for complete package."

 

Astonishing!!! I wonder if thats the FI version?..and if it includes the EI and a Mag?

 

Hmmm. That 19k plus about a grand is what my IO540 will finally cost me, rebuilt to new tolerances. Add a grand for my CGirrlz mount and 2 more for the exhaust. That includes my Klaus EI and Slick Mag on one side, and rebuilding my Bendix FI, by Airflow performance.

Not sounding like a super deal to me on the Franklin as you are buying it disassembled according to the above.

YMMMV

LOL. How embarrassing to have missed it right on the home page of the web-site. When I searched previously, I dug into the Experimental page on the navigation bar. In any event, thanks for passing along the price.

Regarding the Franklin...

The considerably lower price is also a plus.

I'm curious about the price. I missed it in my quick search of their web-site and I didn't find it quickly in a Google search. What price are you seeing?

G'day

 

Yesterday the UPS truck left this at my door from Harbour Freight...

 

...for $49.95 if it is half as good as the real deal it is a steal.

Jeff

Jeff - How has the HF tool worked out for you? Have you tried fitting any other brands of blades/attachments to it? They've dropped the price to $39.99. While the price is certainly attractive, it also increases my skepticism.

I'm committed now. My wallet is lighter though I haven't yet met my project-in-progress. I received a phone call tonight from the previous Cozy Mark IV tub owner during which we finalized the purchase. So, now I have a trip to plan to bring my new "baby" home.

Many years ago I knelt on the floor of a Cessna 172 experiencing a similar feeling. While climbing out onto the step of that plane I realized that this is what I'd planned (trained) for but as I let go of that wing-strut I found myself wondering what possessed me to let go of it so readily. I suspect this ride may turn out to be as exhilarating as those jump runs.

if you want highly conformal parts where conformal of layups to parts may be dificult, then LoVac -may- be helpful provided you use the same techniques, materials and tools.

From a total-cost-of-time standpoint, is LoVac significantly affecting construction time for parts (either increasing or reducing)?

Is there any hard data on whether or not using the low-vac technique produces truly lighter parts when combined with the moldless foam core process on the EZ family?

I'm new to these discussions and also to the topic of low-vac. Since I may soon be diving into my own Cozy project, I'm also interested the answer to JLKnolla's question. The discussion in this thread is educational for me and the various bits of embedded discussions are also valuable However, since I haven't seen an affirmative response to JLKnolla's question, is it accurate to conclude that there is no known hard data reflecting weight comparisons between parts completed using low-vac techniques against those without?

Since I also understand that there are other benefits of low-vac, I'm also curious whether there's objective data regarding strength improvements, time-savings, etc.

I understand that the technique may be somewhat controversial, but objective comparison data of the various attributes would help me make a determination about the techniques that I may use in my own construction.

To use this method would require a re-engineered approach.

I assumed this would likely be the case, but in the interest of education I'm glad that I asked. Thanks for the response.

I'm relatively green to composite construction and the term prepreg was completely new to me. This thread and some additional research have piqued my interest in prepreg construction. I'm interested in what ColinB is building. Are many others using prepreg materials and methods for canard-aircraft construction? Is this an acceptable alternative to the materials and methods used in the Cozy aircraft?

I just went through this process of arranging to transport a Cozy MkIV fuselage to CA. This particular fuselage was finished, through the nose section. I used 1/4th inch plywood from HD, with 2x2 along the inside edges for reinforcement, and used a layer of styrofoam inside for cushioning.

 

Details:

Crate dimensions: 130" long x 46" wide x 29" high

Crate weight: Approx 165 lbs

Fuselage weight: approx 135 lbs

Total weight: approx 300 lbs.

 

I was quoted around $500 or so to ship from VA to CA. I used a service called "U-Ship", which works similar to e-bay in reverse. You post the details of your package (dimensions, weight, freight class, etc...), and companys/brokers then give you bids on the shipping cost. You can choose the lowest bid. Generally speaking, if you can transport the crate yourself to a shipping terminal, you'll pay a lot less than if they have to pick it up/deliver to a residential address.

 

(Also, make sure when building the crate, to put lengths of wood running cross-ways across the bottom, to elevate to crate off the ground in order to permit a forklift to move it. If you can get pallets, you may even want to attach those the bottom.)

 

 

 

BTW -- if anyone is interested, my original buyer backed out of his purchase agreement, so I have this aircraft fuselage, crated and ready to go, for sale again!

Thanks for this detail Steve; this helps greatly.

I'm mildly interested in the specs, pictures, price etc. for your fuselage.

I was actually thinking of shipping it to my home. I've never shipped anything this large before and I assume that freight/shipping companies will need to know the size and weight.

In consideration of adoption an in-progress Cozy Mk IV, I'm curious about the cost of transporting the project. The previous builder has completed the tub. Since I've not seen the plans or project yet, I'm wondering if anyone can provide rough estimates for the weight and dimensions of a typical tub.

Rule of thumb I've always used: you pay for materials and get the builder's labor for free. But a lot of tubs are traded so they don't command any premium and some people just want to dump them. If you pay for plans and materials, it's a fair deal IMHO but who said life is fair. Depends also on any extras you're getting, too.

Thanks, Kent.

Good workmanship is pretty obvious. I would try to establish just where the builder stopped in the plans and how the builder insured that each pertinent step was covered up to that point. If the workmanship looks sloppy, check some of the dimensions. A tub is a tub.

I've checked with the builder and he has completed through chapter 7 and about 2/3 of the way through chapter 8.

So, if I understand the prices from Aircraft Spruce correctly:

Cozy Mark IV Plans: $500

Chapter 4 - Fuselage Bulkhead: $612

Chapter 5 - Fuselage Sides: $363.80

Chapter 6 - Fuselage Assembly: $264.13

Chapter 7 - Fuselage Exterior: $178.95

Sub-Total: $1918.91

Chapter 8 - Fuselage Headrests/Heat Duct: $544.51

Since I'm not sure how much of Chapter 8 is included I'm not sure how to calculate the current investment, but for estimation sake, 50% adds another 272.25. So, it looks like the cost of the materials thus far is about $2200.

Is it reasonable to assume that if the workmanship is good (might be tough for me to assess since I don't yet have experience in similar construction techniques) then such a project might be worth say half of the materials cost invested up to this point - about $1100?

Yow, Wayne, I dont know of anybody who's built a tub in six weeks. Maybe a LongEze? If a typical guy builds a chapter a month he is going pretty dang fast. 6 months of concerted effart is a typical tub. Good luck with that. Theres guys out there been working to finish the tub and have got 3-5 years and still not finished, so certainly your mileage may vary. If you are a guy who wants to be able to say, at the end, I built even last piece of this airplane...build the tub. If you wanna save 6-8 months, buy one. I think this is a long enuf project as it is, and if you can save some major time buy buying some components, it might be the difference between completing, or not. In this, I have just described myself. Buy a turtleback from Featherlight or Aerocad as well.

I would say just run levels for and aft and side to side and if it is within 3/32, buy it. There's Cozy's out there that the canard tilts one ways and the wings the other, and they fly. No need to bring your anal, micrometer. You can true things up all along the way through construction.

I think the 2500 hours was published to sell the plans, more like 2800 or 3000 from listening to the ground.

Tonto also hear that squaw that is moody and not into airplane thing, squash idea and no make good juju for 48 moons of fiddling in garage shaped teepee. YMMV.

Welcome, and we all wish you the best. It's a great dream.

A tub might only save you 4-6 weeks of work. That 4-6 is within the tolerance of building duration for one of these aircraft. If the workmanship isn't desirable, don't waste your time IMHO.

 

If you want a nice project, http://longezforsale.com/ looks to be a beauty.

Thanks for this information on the time savings. You mentioned "the tolerance of building duration". Is it safe to assume that you are figuring about 10 hours/week - a savings of 40 to 60 hours? The subject of time estimates for building various sections is interesting to me. I've seen the estimate of 2500 hours for total building time, but I haven't seen a breakdown. Does such a breakdown exist?

I appreciate the information on the LongEZ; though, I'm primarily interested in the Cozy for its side-by-side seating and extra space.

Since I've not had a chance to review plans for a Cozy MkIV, I'm not sure which chapters are completed in the building of a tub. Are these chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7 or do those chapters include more of the fuselage than just the tub?

I'm in the process of considering adopting plans and an in-progress Cozy Mk IV. The short story is that I have located a builder who is selling plans and a completed tub (I've only seen the pictures at this point). Anyone have suggestions about the questions to ask, criteria to consider before purchasing a project completed to this point. I'm also curious about what would be considered a reasonable price range for the plans and tub considering that both are in good condition.

You should also look to joining the CSA - which is a large canard organization. You can get more info at http://www.ez.org. If you really want to see the canard world check out the Rough River Flyin at Rough River State Parkl in Ky (I have yet to make that one).

 

Bob

I'm quite deep into the considerations of building a Cozy Mark IV. It seems odd that I'm so far along in my research and have yet to actually see one of these aircraft up-close and to fly in one. So, I'm looking for a builder/pilot in the vicinity of Springfield, MO who would be willing to show me their plane both on the ground and in-flight. I appreciate any help that anyone can provide and am looking forward to getting to know the members of the community better.