Date: Mon, 19 Jun 95 12:23:52 EDT Subject: performance questions Klaus Melchinger (a new member in Germany!!! who's looking at buying an already built COZY) writes; >The specific information I'm looking for at the moment is on the >takeoff- and landing distances (especially on grass) for the COZY III >equipped with a O-235 engine and with which kind of propeller ? Can anyone help him out with this info - Ron K.? >Depending on living in Germany, I'm especially interested in getting in >contact to european COZY-fans, although I'm thinking about flying over >the ocean with the COZY some day. Does anyone know any COZY builders or flyers in Europe? Klaus can be reached at: 100444.2142@compuserve.com for personal correspondence. -- Marc J. Zeitlin E-Mail: marcz@an.hp.com Date: Mon, 19 Jun 1995 19:39:39 -0400 From: RonKidd@aol.com Subject: Cozy grass strip perfortmance Hi Klaus, Got your message through the Cozy B Board. I have been flying my Cozy 3 for 5 years. It is O320 powered (160 HP).It is equipped with all the goodies (ram air induction, electronic ignition, four pipe exhaust etc.) I am using a Performance Props 3 bladed prop. I would not recommend using it off a grass strip unless it was VERY long and VERY flat! These airplanes are real ground hogs! I am 6'5 and 230 lb. I routinely fly with another passenger 160 lb. and need 3000' of paved real estate to get airborne. Believe me, there is no way that I could abort from a 3000' strip. I consider 4000' feet to be the safest minimum T O and Landing. I can get in and out of 2300' solo but again, it's hairy by rotation. I think the front wheel size is far small for non paved use. I also would question the O235 for strong take off performance.You probably should contact Uli Wolter of Cosy Europe about his experiences, before dropping your money. Uli is very experienced and knowledgable. He was flying with a CS prop and an O320 for take off performance. E me if you need his address and I will get it for you. Hope this is of some help for you. I don't want to be negative, as I think these are GREAT airplanes but what you gain at one end (hi speed and economy) you lose at the other end ( TO and landing performance). Regards, Ron Kidd Cozy N 417CZ Date: Tue, 20 Jun 1995 09:26:11 -0400 From: SidLloyd@aol.com Subject: First ride! I was up in Columbus OH at Alexander Aeroplane's sheet metal workshop. I already took the composite workshop last year (HIGHLY recommended!) and needed to learn about sheet metal to build our GlaStar. We met in a T hanger at Bolton Field and I had told the class that I was building a Cozy IV and a GlaStar. Part way through the class one of the guys said, "Hey, isn't that a Cozy?" Sure enough, there was a Cozy being rolled out behind me. I immediately ditched the class (temporarily) and headed over to check it out. I was surprised to find that the owner was our own Ron Kidd! He has a beautiful Cozy and was good enough to offer me my first Cozy ride (OK, I begged)! Ron is a big guy and I am an FAA pilot +30 lbs myself. Ron had widened the fuselage 2" but we were still snug. We used about 3500' of runway before we leaped into the air. He got it trimmed out and turned it over to me. WOW! What an airplane. This thing is ROCK STABLE! I first tried some gentle turns and found myself gaining altitude as I was using too much back pressure. Control forces were light and well coordinated. We were zooming along about 160 mph and it felt like I was driving a car. Ron said that many people said it was like riding on rails. Later in the flight, I blurted out the same comment. It was very quiet too. This is a GREAT airplane! We flew to another airport, landed and got some fuel. With so much ballast in the front seats (us) Ron touched down about 110. We flew back to Bolton where Ron kindly gave another builder a ride. This builder is building a 2 engine scale Starship! I also got to see a replica P-51 that a guy has been working on for 17 years. Much thanks to Ron for giving me my first actual Cozy flight after building for three years. I would encourage all Cozy pilots to pro-actively invite Cozy builders for a ride. It really helps the motivation and helps avoid builder burn-out. I'm more anxious than ever to finish the GlaStar so I can get back to building the Cozy! Sid Lloyd Date: Thu, 22 Jun 1995 14:08:51 -0400 (EDT) From: Tech Support - Rick Subject: Re: Cozy grass strip perfortmance Question for you: did you cut your main gear by two inches? I am building a Cozy 3 myself, and have talked to other cozy 3 and Long-EZ pilots builders, they all recommend doing this as it reduces the T/O distances by a couple hundred feet. Ed Strickland , who has a cozy 3, lands in 1200' and takes off in 900' solo. He did the above mod when he built. Rick Crapse Now where is that epoxy cup? I just had it ......hey ! stop ! cat not yours!