Hello,
My name is Rafael. I'm currently starting a Cozy IV build. I have composite building experience just not all that much on aircraft. I only have some hours on the bulkheads I built a few years ago for a Long EZ I started but, gave up on when my family grew by one member. I immiadelty purchased plans for the 4 seater as soon as my son arrived into this world. Life takes us in many directions and it took 5 years to have the space and time to start this project. As luck would have it I am blessed with finding out that we are awaiting a 4th member into our family and this time it's a princess. I'm a very happy daddy. However my wife told me not to ditch the Cozy for a bigger aircraft as it seems she has more kids as the airplane gets bigger. Jokes aside I'm looking forward to starting and finishing this great aircraft. I have built and helped built boat parts and race cars, including one pretty famous pro mod Celica from WPB, FL. That car is currently 4th in the nation on the 1/4 mile and runs in the 5 second marks. Dr. Fiber and myself built it out of a crashed Celica we pulled molds from. I have also done Nissan GTRs, Mazda RX7 and 8s, and lots of Honda's. I'm currently partnered with ECR performance on a few builds but I am doing electrical work and not composites on those. in between cures I plan to finish my anniversary gift, from a 2 years ago, 1963 Lincoln Continental. Only thing left is a little paint and some interior work.
A little background on my capabilities and education. I hold a BS in Aviation and Aerospace with a major in Airport management/ Business management. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Everglades University. I have a private pilots certificate with approximately 500 hrs. I did do IFR and dual engine rating training but never took the check ride due to some financial strains. My plan is to remedy that after the build is done. Before that I was an IT manager holding almost every certificate minus the Cisco CCIE. I also have a degree in information technology. I am a hands on and a visual learner. I am pretty handy with tools. I have applied for a few patents for inventions I created for cell phones, mostly IPhone. I did receive a couple patent pendings and sold my idea off to companies with resources to build and sell the attachments. I love electronics and it's one of my hobbies even though car restoration has taken up a big chunk of my life and time. Currently I bought a small homestead and I am trying to live closer to nature and off the land as much as a city boy with no experience with nature can.
I live in Central FL by the big lake. If anyone would like to take me up in a canard no matter what it is so I can finally go up in one please let me know. I'll pay for gas and buy you lunch at our wonderful cafe at the Okeechobee Airport (KOBE).
Also, any advice on building, tips, tricks, videos I should look at, or anything please let me know. I see the cozy girls and others have made modifications and I am not sure which ones are the most beneficial and which ones are a matter of opinion or preference. I saw they figured out a fuel leak problem that I would like to know more about, how they found the issue and how they fixed it? I would also like to ask you about time scheduling. I see some jump into other chapters while parts cure or for other reasons. Has anyone made a detailed flow chart or spreadsheet on how you should proceed through the build? I have a ton of questions on mods. I see a lot of cool stuff out there. I really just want a safe, efficient aircraft to carry me and 3 passengers, My family, around on our adventures. I would love to do the Blue Spruce route as my wife is from Spain and flying there through that route would provide a very cool journey and many stops to see other areas we would not see otherwise. People including the Rutans have flown Long EZs and other canard's around the world and we would love to give that a try. Anyway, thanks for your time and patience with me in advance. Like I said I learn hands on and visually. Reading to learn is doable but way more difficult for people like me.
PS- if anyone in my area needs help please let me know and if anyone knows how to do interior work but needs a machine to do it on, in my area, I have a Landis leather sewing machine you can do it on. If there was an EAA at KOBE I would have put it there for the group. Closest EAA that I used to be in is an hour away at North Conty F45.
Bless you all, stay safe, and blue skies.
Rafael
tioloco@protonmail.com