Monday, April 26, 2004

Another month has passed and I’m a little closer to my build date. Some major life events are behind me now so I’m going to be able to focus a little more on this project. I finished my Masters Degree (mostly) this month and am looking forward to closing that long winded chapter. I recently got into a house that has a garage so I’ve been turning over the configuration in my mind. I’m nearly finished reviewing all the newsletters through 2002 and will start detailing and putting the plans into Microsoft Project next week. I would like to have a good understanding of what tasks can be run in parallel and which tasks have dependencies. I think this software would be a good way to map this out.

I have a friend that stopped by to visit named G E. He was heavy into flying in the late 70’s and 80’s. We spoke at length about the project and he would like to watch and would be interested in participating.

I’ve talked over the 8 cylinder Jubaru engine with my Dad and he suggested I dump the idea. His comment was, “Forget it. It’s complicated enough your building an experimental airplane. The only thing you should experiment with is the color….as long as it’s white.”

Reminded me of the Ford slogan when they first started selling the model T. “You can get it in any color as long as it’s black!”

Some of the more interesting reading in the Journals had to do with the Aft CG (deep stall) testing that resulted in the canard being shortened 6 inches. I’m wondering if the version of plans I get will include this mandatory change. One thing that was a little frustrating is trying to digest the documentation in such an unstructured narrative as a journal. The information is useful, but it’s a little distracting to read about peoples personal trips when I’m trying to focus on technical content. Some of the nomenclature and abbreviations used in the CG Testing documentation was not clear or familiar to me as well. It would be nice to see a more formal documentation of the results. Of course this is why they call it experimental.

I wish I could still buy a true Rutan Design rather than a “based on.” The Cozy is a good airplane, I just think it’s unfortunate that the lawyers in this country have created such a burden of responsibility on the producers that it stifles innovation and free thinking. This probably doesn’t make much sense to someone who hasen’t been told of the historical reason why Rutan no longer designs airplanes. If you want to know more, you should check out the net. I would have liked to have seen more testing and more formal blessings on the present design from Rutan and other talented engineers. I feel a little like my generation is left with tainted leftovers. I would build a Long-Eze in a minute but I can’t buy the plans. Too bad.

Enough of the downers. I’ve written in a modest monthly budget for the Cozy and will begin to set up the garage in preparation for the buildout. In the meantime I need to rebuld the rear suspension on my car. Ugh. I will engoy it, but the timing stinks. Here is a picture of my present car project.

Till next journal!

Izzy