Cozy Mk.III - Dallas to Denver (Derivative of the Rutan LongEZ)

February 2021 with Steve Franseen
This was my first ever Canard flight, and boy was it a good time. This thing flies like a little fighter and Dallas to Denver felt like nothing.
Checkout Steve Franseen's youtube channel / @stevefranseen1905

[@ChrisFranklin.2260]

Correction - not technically a Rutan design. The Cozy is a derivative of the long EZ, designed by Nathan Puffer.

[@Fjord_Driver]

That first landing was smooth like butter. Normally I see them touch the main gear and then two seconds later bounce bounce bounce goes the nose gear.

[@jimrees1778]

I flew the same bird in the 80´s, it belonged to a friend of my flight instructor. We would fly it around northern Ky., and up in Ohio. It was like driving a sportscar in the sky, just the least little input and it would respond. I recall that rotation speed was a bit higher than other planes i usually flew, around 80 kts if i recall correctly. If someone flew it single, a 200 lb sand bag was put in the front compartment. It was a ball to fly, and everywhere it landed it drew a crowd.

[@ChrisFranklin.2260]

Sounds about right! Working on getting one started right now.

[@stevefranseen1905]

Gosh what a talented and handsome pilot you found Chris.

[@ChrisFranklin.2260]

Talented? perhaps. Handsome? might want to get a second opinion....

[@fabslyrics]

the best is yet to come

[@positivevibes2468]

My brother just got one of these and I’m here to see how you take off, thanks for sharing! (I was curious about the front and how the wheel comes down🤪)

[@ChrisFranklin.2260]

Very cool isn't it!?

[@positivevibes2468]

@@ChrisFranklin.2260 Yes very!😊

[@pusherpilot]

Nice!

[@peterashurst4347]

Absolutely gorgeous! If you don't mind me asking, how long did it take to build and how much did it cost?

[@ChrisFranklin.2260]

In flying condition with this avionics set up I think it's around 50k.

[@hadleymanmusic]

Ill guess 6 years

[@John19182004]

is it possible to buy one, already put together and flown?? It looks like a lot of fun!! I’m just not sure I’d ever have the time to build one myself ..

[@ChrisFranklin.2260]

Yeah there's always cozys and ezs for sale. Gotta find someone who knows the plane really well to do a pre-buy. They are all homebuilt, so no factory standard you can rely on.

[@dagestanifive]

Whats up with the nose gear being up during storage?

[@ChrisFranklin.2260]

The aircraft is very well balanced, so with no pilot in it, it is very easy to flip it over on it's back. You put the nose gear up so the nose stays on the ground.

[@rockfishmiller]

Time, GPH, average EGS?

[@ChrisFranklin.2260]

About 165kt TAS, 6-8gph

[@GregoryACross]

Great video and a beautiful plane. However, it is not a "Rutan" Cozy III. It was designed by Nathan Puffer of Co-Z Development Corporation, based on the Rutan Long-EZ design.

[@ChrisFranklin.2260]

Been realizing that lately! I’ll update the title. Thank you.

[@davidrichmond3709]

I was looking for Cozy aircraft videos and was surprised that this one departed Addison Airport near my home. What was the intermediate airport?

[@titantornado8830]

At the range this thing is capable of I doubt there was one.

[@stevefranseen1905]

Liberal KS. The plane can easily make that trip to Denver non-stop. I don't remember if it was expensive fuel at KADS or what, But stops are often pretty fun. You get to meet some interesting people.

[@ChrisFranklin.2260]

Yeah just a rest stop and top up on gas. Could do the whole thing if we wanted to.

[@bobjoatmon1993]

How about turning the sound volume down next video please

[@lynskyrd]

if you can't find the volume control on your computer- what are you going to do in a cockpit?

[@bobjoatmon1993]

@@lynskyrd well bozo, I ment the added background sound which drowned out the information. So your totally useless suggestion was... I'll be nice and not say anything else

[@easttexan2933]

don't understand why the nose wheel is retracted and the aircraft sitting on its nose?

[@pandemoniumcrow]

It’s common with most of the rutan and inspired designs. The issue with the pusher propeller planes like these is they’re so rear heavy with nobody in them that it would be very easy for a strong gust to knock them on their arse so they nose down when parked to A. Stop this from happening but also B. It acts as a built in chock system as there is typically a rubber bumper in the nose which stops the aircarfy sliding or rolling anywhere

[@easttexan2933]

@@pandemoniumcrow learn something new everyday. thanks.

[@ChrisFranklin.2260]

@@pandemoniumcrow Well said.

[@eoinoconnell185]

@@ChrisFranklin.2260 Does the underside not get scratched ?

[@flycow69]

It’s because the engine in the back so it’s back heavy so you tie down with the nose down so the aircraft don’t fall on its back when it’s tie down.

[@brucebalfour8042]

What was your fuel burn

[@ChrisFranklin.2260]

I believe its an O-320 in there so probably around 6/hr

[@SuperV8driver]

At whatspeeds?

[@ChrisFranklin.2260]

@@SuperV8driver Cruise around 165kts

[@CuzznRickH14]

Oh great. More stupid music.

[@stevelarkin5987]

No thanks

[@dickmick5517]

I wanted to know the time or at least the average speed.

[@ChrisFranklin.2260]

About 170kts true.

[@Reloader449]

Your destination airport is Jeffco, where I did all my training for a private certificate. But don’t call it Jeffco now … the tower will tell you “It’s Metro, Metro!” And we have sold our VariEze after 20 years, with plans to finish and fly the Cozy MKIV that we bought. Fly Safe!

[@bobjoatmon1993]

Back over fifteen years ago I helped teach a guy that had bought a kit for the Cozy to do FRP since I had marine hull repair experience and an A&P with that experience. Nice kit BUT it's gone through 3 different hands, sold on because it takes TIME to build just about any airplane and each owner just didn't have the time required. But I shouldn't throw stones as I never finished a BD-5 due to life happening.

[@ChrisFranklin.2260]

Time is the biggest factor in completing an airplane. But I think it really comes down to the relationship we each have with time.

[@16jordanmp]

How long is the flight time from Dallas to Denver in that thing?

[@ChrisFranklin.2260]

was about 3-3.5

[@speedomars]

I am having a Velocity XL built. How are the flying characteristics in your Rutan design? Is turbulence much of an issue given your light weight?

[@ChrisFranklin.2260]

Not sure how well it handles turbulence. You are reclined a bit which is really comfy for cross country, and might help with turbulence as well. Very stable, and extremely difficult to depart controlled flight.

[@speedomars]

@@ChrisFranklin.2260 Have you flown in it? What was your experience?

[@ChrisFranklin.2260]

@@speedomars Few right seat rides.