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Cozy MK IV

From Wikipedia , the free encyclopedia

The Cozy Mark IV is a 4-place, single engine, homebuilt light aircraft designed by Nat Puffer. The aircraft is constructed from
foam and fiberglass and can cruise at up to 180 - 190 knots. The Cozy Mark IV is constructed from materials such as Divinycell,
blue styrofoam, polyurethane foam and fiberglass (RA7715 and RA7725), MGS L285 and MGS L335 epoxy systems or EZ-Poxy.
The builder technically does not need pre-fabricated parts (except for the landing gear bow and nose gear strut which require
forms and an oven for post curing, which is above the skill level of home builders) to finish the airplane, but several suppliers
exist.

The Cozy is similar to the Rutan Long-EZ designed by Burt Rutan. Like the EZ, it is usually built with a retractable nose gear and
fixed main gear. Also like the EZ, they often are parked in the lowered front position known as grazing. Some Cozy's are built
with retractable main gear as well; this is a modification that offers some performance benefits, including gaining a few knots
more to the top speed although maximum wing fuel tank capacity is reduced to accommodate the retracted gear.

The Cozy III was a 3-place and the predecessor of the 4-place. Also designed by Nat Puffer, the Cozy III was initially referred
to as simply "The Cozy". When the 4-place was announced, the qualification of the Cozy III name was required.

The Cozy Mark IV has a plans maximum gross weight of 2050 lb and cruises at 170 knots (~200 statute mph). Nat Puffer
designed the aircraft as a high speed cross-country VFR aircraft, although many equip their planes with IFR capabilities.

The Cosy Classic is the European version of Cozy Mark III, which offers a forward opening canopy and some other
modifications. The forward opening canopy design is available from Uli Wolter, the designer of the Cosy Classic modifications.

The plans calls for a Lycoming O-360 engine (180 hp) or O-320 (150-160 HP). There are Cozys flying with several different
engine types: Lycoming IO-360, Lycoming IO-540, Superior engines, Jabiru 5100, auto conversions like Mazda 13B rotary,
Subaru and T-58 turbine.

This plane is not a kit - it's plans built wich means that you must build mostly all parts from scratch. Some parts however are
available, i.e. main landinggear bow, retract for the nose-gear, most of the metal-parts, canopy etc.

The plans are sold by Aircraft Spruce and costs US$500.

It is a big friendly builder-community on the net supporting the Cozy. Here are some of the resources I use frequently:

- The unofficial Cozy builders website hosted by Marc J. Zeitlin. He is a great resource for the community!
- The Cozy mailing-list
- The Canard Zone forum
- The Canard Aviation forum
- Cozylinks. A collection of builder-websites broken down in chapters. Great site!

Chapters:

Completed:
I: Preparations
II: Materials and modifications
1: Description and introductions
2: Bill of materials
3: Education / composite techniques
4: Bulkheads
5: Fuselage sides
6: Fuselage assembly
7: Fuselage Exterior

In progress:
8: Head Rest & Seat Belts

Not started:
9: Main Gear & Landing Brakes
10: Canard
11: Elevators
12: Canard Installation
13: Nose, Nose Gear & Brakes
14: Center Section Spar
15: Firewall
16: Control System
17: Trim System
18: Canopy & Turtleback
19: Wings, Ailerons & Attach
20: Winglet & Rudders
21: Strake, Fuel & Baggage
22: Electrical
23: Engine Installation
24: Covers & Fairings
25: Finishing
26: Upholstery

Miscellaneous:
Canard desktop calendar