Test Flight Preparation - Last Minute Problems Discovered

[@highpointview256]

When replacing my lower cowling, the hanging oil cooler is what gives me the most interference so I tie it up out of the way some. This particular very extensive condition inspection is something that all new owners of experimental category aircraft should go through. It’s the only way to intimately know important details of what someone else built and correcting them to your liking and to the latest solutions to problems common to the specific aircraft model. I consider it a rite of passage and pity the owner who can’t do it or afford to have a knowledgeable person do it for them. Future condition inspections will go much faster.

[@CanardBoulevard]

I actually did the last condition inspection WITH the builder when I bought they plane - he supervised, I did the work. It was a great way to learn the ins and outs of the plane. My oil cooler has a couple brackets that hold it (more or less) in place when the lower cowl is removed.

[@Lyle-In-NO]

Wow. First test flight after 4 months of maintenance. That must have been an agonizing wait. Thanks for sharing your journey. I'm really enjoying learning the ups and downs. BTW, I preferred the long hair.

[@iservespirit]

Scott, I have been thoroughly enjoying your Cozy series. Thank you for sharing your journey with the Cozy. Back in the mid 90's I had the opportunity to meet Nat Puffer in Phoenix and see his Cozy. I was planning to buy the plans from him but held off as I was still looking at other options. In retrospect, given how inspiring your videos are I wish I had bought the plans when I had the chance! Awesome channel. Keep the videos coming!

[@billwilliams9527]

That test flight is gonna be a winner, can't wait to see that big smile.

[@stefanmargraf7878]

I respect someone not only paying, but able to do and do the work himself.

[@carlosa.avalle528]

I learn something new from every one of your videos. This time, splashing oil around w/o starting the engine by pulling the top plugs. I'm not a mechanic so I wouldn't have thought of that. I have a suggestion for doing glass work that was recommended to me by a composites expert. Wear a good respirator. The recommended model: 3M model 06782. I couldn't find it here in the US so I bought it from the UK. Can you share the type of paint-on epoxy that you used over the micro layer (skin coat) and the UV protecting primer? Would really appreciate that info if you would!

[@CanardBoulevard]

It does more than splash the oil around - it actually pumps it through the whole system and pressurizes it, so you get oil on all the crank bearings and cams. If you watch my other videos, you'll see that I always have a full respirator on when doing glass work - unfortunately, I did not bring it out to the hangar with me, so I had to make do with a particulate filter mask - doesn't help with chemicals, but it at least is better than nothing when it comes to microballoons. The paint-on epoxy over the micro is just the same exact epoxy used to MAKE the micro (and to do the fiberglass layups). It's a trick I learned...actually, I don't remember where. Instead of laying on micro, sanding away, finding pinholes, filling with micro, sanding, more pinholes ad nauseum, you sand the micro how you want it, then a single thin layer of epoxy on top - it lays down and fills the pinholes. Then you can give it a light sanding and prime. The UV primer is Stewart Systems Ekofill - actually intended for fabric surfaces but also recommended as UV protection for glass: www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cmpages/ekoFiller.php?clickkey=3133197

[@carlosa.avalle528]

@@CanardBoulevard I know exactly what you mean about the tedious process of filling in micro pinholes, your trick with epoxy is great! Thanks for the reply!

[@donduffy6463]

Love this channel and the way you explain everything you're doing and why ...

[@Kolbra2004]

I can see you are a detailed kind of guy and that's what it takes.

[@tjjoseph333]

Is that a camera artifact or can i see run out in the prop hub on oil up? Great vidoes!

[@CanardBoulevard]

It's not the hub, it's the spinner mounting flange, and it is slight - but with the spinner installed, it's so light and such a tiny imbalance that doesn't make a difference to vibration levels.

[@brucec.822]

It's interesting to watch the progression of your airplane and how you solve problems. I hope your test flight goes off without any problems.

[@russellesimonetta9071]

Good job!! That,s the beauty of experimental aviation! Taking problems to a shop will use up all your flying money!

[@gmonnig]

Looks like it's going to turn out really nice! I kind of wish I had a Cozy now!

[@kieranshanley7365]

I really enjoy your videos and admire the way you work through issues as they crop up.

[@RemonV76]

Nice work! Been following you for a couple of months now and like your vids. Also started with my PPL and who knows, maybe i will buy myself a Cozy one day. So i definitely will keep following you. Can’t wait to see the cozy up in the air again. Greets from the Netherlands.

[@richarddubord3978]

Great work!

[@orvjudd1383]

Where is your breathing apparatus while you are grinding on fiberglass?

[@CanardBoulevard]

I unfortunately left it at home, so I was wearing just a particulate mask. Normally I have a full respirator.

[@JJMedusa]

-- Another great video, as per usual! 😊👍🛩️

[@crazymonkeyVII]

6:40 Sorry if I missed it, but what's with the crack around the hole? Are you fixing that before your flight? Looking forward to seeing you fly again.

[@CanardBoulevard]

It's just in the paint, not in the underlying glass. One day I'll fix it, but it's cosmetic only at this point.

[@richardwallinger1683]

why replace the two bladed prop . a two blade silver bullet prop is a good choice .. 30% less restriction around the hub . following the propeller evaluation testing carried out of the powered paragliders pilots like Tucker Gott.. Maybe make an approach to those / his propeller manufacturers and become a test pilot for their products .

[@CanardBoulevard]

I never had a two-bladed prop. The original prop was a three-bladed Catto, as is the new one. I like the three blade, as it provides a lot of braking effect when you pull back power.

[@DoRC]

Oil galleries not galleys :-)

[@CanardBoulevard]

People use both terms, actually

[@DoRC]

@@CanardBoulevard they do but only one of them is right. A gallery is a long hallway or passage and a galley is a kitchen on a ship.

[@malakov5]

Did you take a class in fiberglass? Just curious where you learned all of this stuff

[@CanardBoulevard]

Nope. Just lots and lots of reading, studying and practice.

[@ghsfdl4350]

Lot of runout on the prop hub, is there a spec for that?

[@CanardBoulevard]

It's actually not on the hub, what you're seeing is on the flange that mounts to it that holds the spinner in place. I saw it as well, but the spinner is extremely lightweight fiberglass, and it doesn't seem to cause any vibration (or any that it is creating is being damped out by the balance ring).

[@stvcolwill]

yay!

[@moonmullins8227]

Always something...

[@valleyken]

- Cool.

[@videomks]

💯

[@carlbeaver7112]

👍

[@kepamurray1845]

None of that crap you were grinding/cutting/sanding is good for you to breathe in. You really should have feathered the edges more and stepped out the repair. Mixture control split pin looks a bit sloppy. My tradesmen would have yelled at me for doing a split pin like that. Trying to keep it positive, most of the work you do is very nice and you take great care of it. 35 years of this caper tells me to look after your health.

[@CanardBoulevard]

I actually have a full respirator that I normally wear for this type of work - but I want expecting to have to do this, so it was at home, which is why I was just wearing a dust mask. But yes, I normally have my respirator on!