From: venky@thelonious.bellcore.com (G A Venkatesh)
Subject: Cozy MK IV - the cheaper alternative to the Velocity
Reply-To: venky@thelonious.bellcore.com (G A Venkatesh)
Organization: Bellcore, Morristown NJ
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 93 21:35:38 GMT

There were a number of people that were interested in comparing the Velocity
to the Cozy MK IV. Fortunately one of the repondents to my post on the
Velocity is a Cozy MK IV builder who doesn't seem to have direct access to
the net. He would like some help in this matter. Could someone more 
knowledgeable than me about netnews contact him to figure out how he can do
it? His e-mail address is given below.

Meanwhile I am posting his reply to some of my questions:

	From: Sid=Lloyd%Admin%Sys=Hou@bangate.compaq.com
	Subject: re:Cozy MarkIV

	As far as I know, I can only send email messages on the 
	internet.  I don't know how or where these messages are 
	posted.  We are bridged into the internet from a Banyan 
	network.  Feel free to post anything.

	I've had a lot of fun building the Cozy Mark IV.  There's 
	very good builder support and a lot of EZ-class expertise 
	that can be leveraged.

	I compared the specs on the Velocity and the Cozy4 prior to 
	purchase but did not fly in either model.  My previous 
	canard experience was in a pterodactyl ultralight that I 
	used to own.  The price was the deciding factor for me.  
	That and the fact that the design was endorsed by Burt
	Rutan.  The EZ type airplanes have LOTs of hours on them.  
	There is also a fairly large cottage industry that has grown 
	up around them.
	
	The Cozy is plans built, everything from scratch (if you 
	choose).  The plans are $500 and that includes unlimited 
	phone support and the first year of the newsletter.  If you 
	build most everything yourself, (some hardware, canopy,
	turtleback, etc. you should buy from the approved suppliers 
	if you don't have a machine shop) the cost for the airframe 
	will be about 14,000.  Then add engine, instruments, 
	finish/paint, etc.)
	
	The real advantage is purchasing materials and parts as 
	needed.  There are three approved suppliers and you just 
	call them up and order the materials for a specific chapter. 
	 They have a bill of materials for each chapter of the 
	plans.  I've ordered from all three (Aircraft Spruce, 
	Alexander, and Wicks) and I've received the best service 
	from Wicks.
	
	The plans are very straightforward and I have only had to 
	call Nat Puffer a couple of times.  These planes take very 
	little skill, just time and attention to detail.  I have the 
	fuselage and canard complete and am just starting on the 
	nose gear. So far, I have about 350 hours in it.  
	
	If you don't have 3000 hours to spend or don't have 3000 
	hours worth of patience, there are lots of options.  Two 
	guys have been approved as parts builders.  You can buy
	completed assemblies from them of virtually anything, though 
	the main parts are canard, main spar, and wings. One of the 
	guys is into this in a big way and provides quick build wing 
	kits, canard kits, and strake kits using the same process 
	used on the Velocity.  He's also planning on offering a 
	molded Cozy MarkIV fuselage.
	
	Another source offers beefed up rudder pedals.  A guy in  
	California manufactures a powered nose gear (can be raised 
	and lowered while in the plane as EZ type aircraft park nose 
	down- makes for an easy entry!)  Scott Swing is planning on 
	a retractable main gear kit which should add 10-20 mph 
	depending on who you talk to. Nat is very much opposed to 
	retractable main gear, auto engines, and basically any 
	deviation from the plans.  He has approved the use of the 
	same electric motor on the speed brake as is used on the 
	Velocity.
	
	Standard pre-molded parts include nose cone (makes shaping 
	the nose easier), main gear leg, front gear strut, 
	turtleback, engine cowling, plexi canopy, canard tips, arm 
	rests, and small stuff.  Wheel pants can also be sourced.
	
	Basically, it's money or time.  The more I get into this, 
	the more pre-fab parts I'm buying.  I want to fly, not spend 
	 6-10 years building!
	
	The modifications from the standard plans on mine will be 
	retractable main gear, powered retractable nose gear, nose 
	gear doors (like Bearkut's), electric speed brake, electric 
	variable air intake, common fuel sump for both tanks, 
	Glasair-type instrument panel, and possibly a Mazda rotary 
	engine.  I'm checking out both Duncan (in Canada) and Lou 
	Ross (in Tuscon) for the rotary conversion.  One has a belt 
	PSRU and the other is a straight shot planetary gear PSRU.  
	Looks like it should run $8K-9K for the engine setup.
	
	Anyway, I'm having a great time building it and have really 
	enjoyed all the people I've met.  I made sure to join my 
	local EAA chapter.  That really helps.  If you are 
	interested in canards, you MUST join the Central States 
	Association.  They have a great newsletter and the 
	organization is only for canard owners-builders-enthusiasts. 
	 Contact Terry Schubert at (216) 826-3055 to join.  It's 
	only $15 per year.
	
	If you have any questions, let me know!  Also, if you have 
	any idea as to how I can post and read stuff on the net, let 
	me know.  Sounds like a lot of neat stuff out there.
	
	Sid
Newsgroups: rec.aviation.homebuilt