Kirk

Kirk,

There are several Ez flying at Meadow Lake.  I keep my Long-Ez there and share a hanger with another one.  I know of one that is being built and almost finished.

 

Send me an email and we can find a time to meet over the holidays. (swrothert@yahoo.com)

 

The EZ is a blast to fly but it takes a significant commitment to build and support of the family.

 

Steve Rothert

I will take you up on that Steve, maybe new years weekend'ish......I'll email you!

That is understandable but I can only recall two airplanes with significant structural failures.  In one, the builder got allergies, close relatives completed the build but left off crucial layups in the winglet attachment, winglet came off, killed builder.  In the other a year or two ago, a winglet began to show cracks at the attach point but it was discovered before an accident.  I've never heard of a defective canard although some years ago, a fellow named Fitzgerald was selling clearly-substandard canards.  

 

I have only seen one project that I would be reluctant to fly in.  Even that one is flying.  Most builders are very careful.  It is the non-aircraft engines that worry me.

They key word is "MOST" builders are safe.... while an inspection of their work would show signs of good or bad workmanship, I'm just the kind of person that wants to do it myself. I guess if time was the key factor a partial build would be great, but in my case, time I have.

That Barnstormer's project is typical, but I always wonder about taking someone else's flying surfaces ("partial canard").  That's just me as a builder.

 

Still, it's hard to mess up the fuselage ("the tub") unless you're totally sloppy.  The gear hoop is $500 I recall.  Not trying to discourage you, but you'll spend more to get yourself to that same stage.

 

If you did buy plans you could sell them the next day for $350 if it didn't work out, maybe more.  There's a ton of work just to read-through and prepare yourself for next steps.  I believe you'll still have to update the plans with the corrections (unless AS&S has brought the Cozy IV plans to the next revision).

 

I was on a tight budget when I started (and still am!) which is why I and many others prefer the plans "pay as you go" approach.  You got this!  

Yesterday I was thinking about "someone elses project" and I don't think I could go that route simply because "I" didn't build it!

I would always have unanswered questions about THAT PART of the build..... so, if I'm going to do it... I'm going to do ALL of it!

So it will be the plans route for me!

Check out projects being sold. There are several each year. One now on Barnstormers.com for $3000. Search for "cozy". Lots of value in those abandoned projects

I've seen that one on Barnstormers Kent... that one has crossed my mind more than once!  While I wouldn't mind going that route, my amenities won't allow that yet.

I know, it's a newbie question, but I have to figure this out for my peace of mind and the sake of my household budget (nevermind a plane budget).

I downloaded AS & S parts list however it doesn't list prices, only quantity of said part. I understand that as prices are constantly changing.

I went to their website and under the plans heading http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/kitspages/cozy.php.

They show hardware kits, wood kits, fiberglass kits, foam kits, metal kits, epoxy kits, this kit, that kit,and then they have everything listed by "chapter".... my question is what's the difference? Do you need all the kits and chapters, can you just start with the first few chapters, and will you still need the kits at some point, or are all the kit parts incorporated into the chapter sections? I've seen that most start with chapters 4-7.

Woohoo 2015!! I'm ordering plans this year if it's the last thing I do! I keep thinking about it and like I said, thinking isn't DOING!

I do have several questions and I will post them under the correct forums... gotta get my budget planned out here.

Kirk here....

I've been a fan of flying ever since I went up in my dads Ercoupe when I was 6 (1974) Was interested in canards back in the 90's, but marriage, kids, divorce, marriage and several kids take priority over toys.

It's time to stop thinking and start doing! I'm not gettin any younger!! (Even if I do get better looking every day.)