PROJECT PURCHASE

March 3, 2007:

Kent Ashton and I flew to Hendersonville, TN to look at a Cozy Mk IV project that was for sale. The weather was less than ideal. As we crossed over the Smokies, we saw head winds of up to 70 KTS at 10,500 ft. At higher altitude, the wind was forecasted to be stronger. The turbulence was bone jarring. At times, I thought it was going to knock my fillings out.

I experienced a mountain wave for the first time. We were showing 150 KTS on the ASI, but only 88 KTS on the GPS. We were climbing WOT, but were holding steady in altitude. Strange phenomenon, which I have only read about.

The seller was kind enough to pick us up in Nashville and proved to be an extremely gracious host.

The project proved to be very well constructed and would provide me with a good platform to start the build.

The pictures here show the tub complete up to Chapter 7 with most of Chapter 8 complete also.

We concluded the transaction and swapped aviation stories over lunch that the seller provided.

I can now theoretically be considered as a Cozy builder, although I still have to go back with a truck and retrieve the items that I did not carry back in the airplane (the fuselage just would not fit in the back seat).

I will write an update when the whole project is at home and all parts are catalogued.

The trip back was FAST. We saw ground speeds up to 222 KTS (255 MPH / 411 KM/H) at 9,500 ft. The turbulence was not any better though.

Kent’s plane held up well under the punishment. I am very impressed with the design and the workmanship.

Watch this space……