The Cozy III is a small, compact, high-performance, high-utility sportplane designed for day-VFR operation, but can be equipped for night and IFR flying by competent pilots. It features side-by-side seating for an average-sized couple or smaller, with full dual controls and an expansive instrument panel. A large baggage bay in the rear can also serve as an extra seat.
Function Description:
The Cozy III is an experimental aircraft designed for sport and personal use, emphasizing efficiency, comfort, and performance. Its unique aerodynamic configuration, including winglets and a high aspect-ratio wing with Eppler airfoils, minimizes drag and optimizes for efficient cruise. A belly-mounted landing brake is used to steepen descent for landing due to its low power-off glide angle of 3.7 degrees. The aircraft is designed for long, fatigue-free flights, offering "recliner-chair" comfort with armrest, lumbar, thigh, and head support.
Important Technical Specifications:
Dimensions:
- Wing Span / Area: 26.1 ft (7.9 m) / 81.9 sq. ft (7.62 sq. m)
- Canard Span / Area: 12.5 ft (3.8 m) / 13.6 sq. ft (1.26 sq. m)
- Total Wing Area: 95.6 sq. ft (8.88 sq. m)
- Length: 16.8 ft (5.12 m)
- Height: 7.9 ft (2.4 m)
- Cockpit Width:
- Front: 40.0 in (1.02 m)
- Rear: 25.0 in (0.64 m)
- Cockpit Height:
- Front: 36.0 in (0.91 m)
- Rear: 35.0 in (0.89 m)
- Cockpit Length:
- Front: 70 in (1.78 m)
- Rear: 54 in (1.37 m)
Weight and Balance:
- Normal Empty Weight: Approximately 900 lbs. (varies with builder workmanship and equipment).
- Maximum Allowable Gross Weight for Takeoff: 1500 lbs. (can be extended to 1600 lbs under specific limitations).
- Front Seat Weight Limits (Prototype): 185 lb. minimum, 340 lb. maximum. Pilots lighter than the minimum must add ballast to the nose.
- Back Seat Accommodation: Up to 200 lbs., provided gross weight and C.G. limitations are met.
- C.G. Limits: Forward 97.0 F.S., Aft 102.0 F.S.
- Maximum Landing Weight: 1500 lbs.
Engine and Propeller:
- Recommended Engine: Lycoming O-235 (any model). A mechanical fuel pump is required.
- Approved Propellers: Light-weight, fixed-pitch, solid wood propellers only. Turbocharging, constant speed, variable pitch, or metal propellers are not approved.
- Static RPM for Takeoff: In excess of 2400 rpm.
- Engine Limitations (Lycoming O-235):
- RPM: 2800 Max
- CHT: 500 F Max, 435 F Continuous
- Oil Temp: 245 F Max, 180 F Desired, 170 F Min. Continuous
- Oil Pressure: 60-90 psi Normal, 25 psi Idle
- Fuel: Series C & E - 80/87 Octane; Series F, L & G - 100LL
- Best Angle of Climb Speed: 70 knots (80 mph).
- Optimum Rate of Climb Speed: 90 knots (105 mph).
- Normal Cruise Climb Speed: 110 knots (125 mph) for better visibility and cooling.
- Maximum Recommended Cruise Power Setting: 75%.
- Maximum True Cruise Speed (8,000 ft density altitude, full throttle, 118 hp): 161 knots (185 mph).
- Economy Cruise (12,000 ft, 2550 rpm, 50% power): 4.0 gal./hr, 137 knots true.
- Power-off Glide Angle: 3.7 degrees.
- Minimum Airspeed (full aft stick): 50 to 55 knots.
- Maximum Speed with Airbrake Down: 85 knots (100 mph).
- Max Gear Extension Speed: 120 kts (138 mph).
- Max Speed with Gear Down: 150 kts (172 mph).
- Maneuvering Speed: 120 kts (140 mph).
- Redline Speed: 190 kts (220 mph).
- Crosswind Component (Takeoff): 15 kts (17 mph).
- Crosswind Component (Landing): 20 kts (23 mph).
- Max Wind for Taxi (canopy closed): 40 kts (46 mph).
Usage Features:
- Cockpit Layout: Throttle, mixture, carb heat, pitch trim, aileron trim, landing brake, landing light, nose wheel crank, cabin heat, and fuel tank selector valve are centrally located for equal access. Individual side-stick controllers are on outside armrests.
- Seating: Semi-supine (reclined) for optimum comfort. Front seat accommodates pilots up to 6 ft 4 in, 200 lbs. Rear seat up to 200 lbs.
- Storage: Pockets on both sides and center of seat back, under front seats, and in the center section spar and behind the rear seat.
- Cabin Environment: Highly insulated fuselage and large plexiglass canopy maintain comfortable temperatures (e.g., 60°F inside with 10°F outside).
- Safety Systems:
- Electrical alarm system with buzzer and light for canopy unlocked throttle advance.
- Canopy safety latch as a backup.
- Buzzer gear-warning system actuated at low power settings with gear up.
- Landing Gear: Tricycle landing gear with fixed mains and a retractable nose wheel. Main gear is a molded S-fiberglass/epoxy unit for energy absorption. Nose gear is mechanically actuated by a crank in the front cockpit and retracts for optimum performance and nose-down parking. Nosegear position is displayed via a plexiglass window.
- Steering: Differential braking for low-speed taxi (below 25 knots/30 mph), transitioning to rudder steering as speed increases. Nose gear free swivels.
- Trim System: Cockpit-adjustable pitch and roll trim (bungee/spring systems). Yaw/rudder trim is ground adjustable only. Pitch trim handle is below the instrument panel, aileron trim in the center console.
- Landing Airbrake: Belly-mounted "speed-brake" deployed by a lever on the center console. Used for steeper approaches and deceleration. Automatically closes above 85 knots (100 mph).
- Engine Start: Can be hand-propped (safer than tractor types due to pusher configuration and nose-down parking). Electric starter is optional. FAA regulations require a qualified person in the cockpit or with hands on controls during hand-propping.
- Pilot Position: Pilots must sit on cushions to ensure eyes are positioned for adequate forward visibility, with head within 1" of touching the canopy. Rudder pedals are adjustable.
- Rough Field Operation: Not ideally suited due to pusher prop vulnerability, small nose wheel tire, and high rotation speed. If necessary, reduce gross weight, adjust C.G. aft, and apply power gradually.
- High Density Altitude Operations (above 5000 ft): Lean engine for best power during run-up, accelerate to 65-70 knots (75-80 mph) before rotation.
- Cruise: Maximum recommended cruise power setting is 75%. Pilots should plan descents well in advance due to the aircraft's clean aerodynamic profile.
- Landing: Best pattern speed 75-80 knots (85-90 mph), slowing to 70 knots (80 mph) on final. Landing brake deployment on downwind or base is crucial for a normal glide path.
- Low Speed Handling and Stall Characteristics: Docile and controllable at minimum speeds (50-55 knots). Exhibits increased aft stick force below 60 knots. May oscillate mildly in pitch or exhibit un-commanded Dutch-roll at aft C.G. Intentional spins are not approved.
Maintenance Features:
- Composite Structure: Painted with white acrylic enamel or lacquer with a dark primer for UV protection. Damage typically appears as cracks in paint. Repairs involve sanding and inspecting glass structure. Delaminations are rare; debonds are identified by tapping and repaired by epoxy injection.
- Plexiglass Canopy: Less susceptible to cracks than common plexiglass. Cracks up to three inches can be stop-drilled; longer cracks require replacement.
- Scheduled Maintenance (Each 25 Hours):
- Check fasteners for security.
- Check canard and wing attach bolts.
- Check wing and canard incidence, rudder, aileron, and elevator deflections.
- Check propeller bolts for torque and propeller for cracks/tracking.
- Check spinner for cracks/wobble.
- Check engine mount bolts, oil level, mixture, throttle, carb heat controls.
- Check magneto wiring, impulse coupling.
- Check cowling baffles for tight fit.
- Check fuel caps, vent system, fuel selector valve, fuel filter, carburetor filter.
- Calibrate fuel gauges.
- Check fuel valve freedom.
- Check main gear tires (40 psi), brakes, main tire toe-in, wheel bearings, brake calipers.
- Check nose gear tire (40 psi), wheel bearing, axle nut, shimmy damper, actuating mechanism hardware, worm and worm gear.
- Verify nose gear warning micro-switch.
- Check instrumentation (CHT, EGT, Pitot & Static System, Oil Pressure, Tachometer, Fuel Pressure).
- Annual/100 Hours Inspection:
- Includes all 25-hour inspection items.
- Review COZY Newsletter and FAA ADs for certified components.
- Reweigh aircraft every 3 years or after major modification.
- Repack nose and main wheel bearings.
- Replace air filter.
- Engine: Refer to manufacturer's manual. Check mags, plugs, compression, controls.
- Control System: Inspect and lube hinges, rod ends, bearings.
- Canard: Remove and inspect rudder pedals, nose gear retraction mechanism, canard lift tabs, elevator torque tubes, elevator balance weights.
- Battery: Check fluid level, remove corrosion.
- Pitot static system: Check for leaks.
- Vacuum system: Replace filter.
- Canopy: Check locking hooks, rig, snub.
- Wings: Remove and inspect glass areas around spar and wing attach fittings for cracks, delaminations, deformity.
- Inspect entire aircraft surface for cracks, delamination, deformity.
- Canard Removal/Installation: Can be done by one person in about 5 minutes. Requires specific tools and ballast to prevent tipping.
- Wing Removal/Installation: Requires three people and specific tools. Shims must be noted and replaced correctly for incidence. Bolts torqued to 150-200 in.-lbs.
- Pilot Experience Requirements and Checkout: No minimum total hours, but variety of experience is key. Checkout should be in calm conditions on a runway at least 3,500 ft long. Includes passenger rides, familiarization with controls, and practice of nose wheel lift-offs. Initial solo flights require ballast in the nose.
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