Voidhawk9

Done some brief testing. Seems to be decently representative, though I wouldn't consider the flight-model to be particularly precise; It uses NACA 23 series airfoils, control surfaces are not accurately sized, stuff like that.

I haven't tested it out yet, but it sure looks nice! Easily the best looking Rutan aircraft for X-plane.

Oh yes, everything changes. But I just modified the drawings for the bulkheads, jigs etc, and got the CAD drawing printed and built from those instead of the stock drawings. No, I won't need to sit at an angle, it is wider through to about F-10.

Do it. I revised the whole tub in CAD to try to get a smooth, continuous profile.

There's been decades pass, hundreds or thousands of airframes, tens of thousands of hours of flight time, and many modifications tried in various forms (being proven or disproven). Yep, I'd say revisions are welcome and valuable!

Absolutely do it by the means that you will most enjoy it. If you don't enjoy it you will never finish. Myself, I find it a pleasure and very satisfying to head out to the shed, even if only for a few minutes. Even if I'm just sanding (like today)!

Araldite K3600 (used to contruct Jabirus, apparently) Adhesive Technologies ADR246 (used in at least 1 aircraft project and high-performance marine). This is what I am using.

Easy to say use an approved epoxy when you live in the same country as those approving epoxies. Happily, I found local composites gurus who were able to advise on local options that are superior to West!

Right - that's why I'm hoping someone will recognize it and enlighten me as to its properties. Otherwise it will not be going into my aircraft. It is in good condition, I removed it's original packaging myself, unfortunately no useful information was on it.

I have bought some 3" uni tape from France, believed to have been intended for someone's canard project, but never used. It is a bit different to the 'usual' heavy stuff. See photo for side-by-side comparison. I have enough of the usual tape for a canard, and enough of the lighter tape for an entire cozy (estimated by weight). There are more cross-threads, and they do not seem to be readily removeable. Obviously being a lighter / thinner tape, I'd need more layers to fill the troughs. Can anyone advise on whether this tape is a good substitute? Perhaps this stuff has been used by some Cosy Classic builders?

Welcome Brian, and feel free to share photos and information on your Dragonfly project!

Looks good. I have wondered why I do not see more lightweight cowls made with stiffening ribs that way, instead of just adding more glass overall.

I'm already visualizing a powered system that moves the gear hoop to accomplish that...

An O-320 and a lightweight constant speed propeller would sure make it perform!

Hi Spencer, Don't be discouraged by a poor experience with an instructor and/or club. Like anything, there are good ones and bad ones. Some instructors are there only to build hours and don't care about your goals at all. You need to find one who enjoys instructing and sees your success as their success; they are out there, and worth finding!

Here's some Ez's for X-plane. Built by a Vari owner / Cozy upgrader. X-plane Ez's

Do keep us updated on your progress, it is always a boost to builders to see other progressing! Just don't let it interfere with your studies - you'll need that to earn enough for a nice engine and avionics later.

IMHO, yes. I've been using X-plane for over 15 years, most other sims feel 'wooden' in comparison - and you can design and fly almost anything in X-plane with the mathematical flight model. There are Long, Vari and Cozy models out there for X-plane, done by others. None have been updated for X-plane 11 yet, as far as I know.

I fly a Cozy in X-plane 11 all the time. It's not finished to 'release' standard, though. I should finish it sometime, just have to get a round tuit.

Sound good, and looks great.

Someone needs to get one of these low-value Cozys sometime and do some testing to destruction, as has been done on other canard types. I'm sure the community would be able to crowd-fund the expenses if the airframe could be acquired for very little.

I just about shorted out and caught fire just looking at that.

The single-fin Twin Velo didn't appeal to me visually at first, but it's growing on me... not that I have any intention of ever owning one. Still, a sweet aircraft.

Definitely a 'gotcha!' of modern avionics. Don't be tempted to cut your margins fine just because of the confidence technology gives! And still, nothing beats the Mk1 eyeball...

I'm using the Hexcel plans glass, having failed to find a suitable local alternative. Just the other day, I got a sample of a BID that I could potentially obtain in NZ, it's similar weight and weave, but it's a looser weave, so would probably result in a heavier layup with epoxy filling the gaps. Weight is the enemy! There is a composites shop in NZ that uses our BID, I believe they obtain it through a Hexcel supplier whom I have talked to - 600m minimum order. I might try my luck buying a partial roll from them, they were kind enough to donate a small amount of glass and foam when I was learning about composites and deciding if wanted to build an entire aircraft out of the stuff. Occasionally a builder abandons their project and sells off their parts and materials at a discount. I have saved $100s buying some glass this way recently. But mostly I've ordered through Aircraft Spruce directly.