New member; Just wanted to introduce myself and ask questions

[patchntx]

Hi, I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Scott and I live in Savannah Tx. I have wanted to get a Private Pilot license and build a plane for 30 years now and I am just getting around to it. I just joined this forum to get a better idea of what is involved and get started in the canard community. I am trying to decide what aircraft I want to build. I started narrowing it down based on reading this forum and other home built forums. I think I have narrowed it down to a choice between the Cozy IV and a Long-EZ. Would anyone like to try and convince me which one is better? I would especially love to hear from anyone in North Texas.

[vonjet]

build a Velocity.

[patchntx]

Do you own a Velocity? I actually like the velocity a little better than the Cozy IV for the same mission. At least aesthetically. For a 4 place aircraft I really prefer the side entry doors as opposed to a top loader. I don't know if that would be a realistic option on the Cozy. I personally tend to gravitate to the tandem seating of the LEZ. I like the Cozy and LEZ because I only need to invest in one chapter at a time. Plunking down the price of a Velocity kit probably isn't a viable option for me. I am a little more interested in pay as you go building. I almost bought an un-started Q-200 kit I found and I liked it for the low flight cost. But in the end I decided it just doesn't have enough usable load for me. At the other end of the spectrum, my dream bird is a Berkut. Waaaaayyyyyy out of my price range even if I could find an uncompleted kit. Somewhere right in the middle are the Cozy IV and the LEZ. I like them mostly per plans except that I am considering an automotive conversion engine and mogas capable. I am really hoping to find a ride in one soon or at least get a closer look at these two soon. I am joining the EAA and the local chapter. I am signing up for a sport-air workshop and I would like to make a fly-in this year but it probably won't happen till next year. In the mean time, I am working on my pilot license and starting work on a book end.

[BruceHughes]

Hi Scott

You should join the CSA, then you will get the Jan. and April newsletters plus a directory.   With the directory you can
see who is flying or building a Cozy or Longeze.  There are several canard owners in north Texas, including Bill James,
Bob Sudderth, and Vance Atkinson.

You can buy plans for the Cozy IV.   You may or may not be able to buy plans for the Longeze.   The Longeze can be
flown on a O-235 but many people are using a O320.   

Bruce Hughes   
U T graduate
T A M U graduate, too 

[patchntx]

Thanks Bruce. Yes I ended way out of aviation. I grew up in aircraft. My dad always had a 172 we were puttering around in. We also owned a 310. I have spent some time in Bonanza's and Mooney's as well. I like the faster planes but they still seemed kind of big and clunky like a bus. I graduated from A&P school but the military turned out 50,000 mechanics after the first gulf war. They best job they could get me was $7 dollars an hour in a sweat shop. I got disgusted and didn't even take my oral and practical test. Got a Psychology degree too. That didn't work out either. Still a manager at Wal-Mart. Who would of thunk.

I digress.

Actually I have already downloaded all the plans, CP's, drawings, templates, in PDF and CAD. I think I have everything I need to get started on a LEZ actually. It wasn't all in one place but I think I got it all. I think since it is just me and the girlfriend,(and who knows how long those sorts of things last), I am leaning toward the LEZ. How do I join CSA? I didn't see a registration link or anywhere to sign up.

[LongEZDaveA]

How do you join CSA?  Contact Terry Schubert at jschuber at juno dot com.

Here is one example of the quality info from CSA - http://www.cozybuilders.org/Oshkosh_Presentations/2009_Schubert_Flow_Vis_Forum.pdf

As mentioned above, you should try contacting the TX canardians mentioned.

I go to TX a few times per year to participate in the SARL races.  I'd be happy to talk canard and give you a ride if we can get together.

[flyingwaldo]

Contact Terry Schubert for more information about Central States.

Membership costs $30 per year ($35 international) and includes the four quarterly issues of the CSA newsletter. The dues cover a calendar year, January to January, i.e., you will receive all of the current year's newsletters no matter when you join during the year. Membership lists are not sold to anyone so you'll not be plagued by salesmen as a result of joining Central States Association.

If you choose to join please make checks payable to Terry Schubert and not Central States Association. Bank cards are not accepted.

Send to:

Terry Schubert
9283 Lindbergh Blvd.
Olmsted Falls, OH 44138-2407