Cozy III
Pilot’s Operating Handbook Page 22
you may find that cruise power settings as low as 45% get you to
your destination faster by avoiding fuel stops. Cruise at 60%
power is the best compromise, providing good speeds and
significant lowering of engine noise over 75% power. Lean your
fuel mixture for best economy at cruise. Below 75% power, lean
mixture until a very slight RPM loss is noted (20 RPM max.). This
approximates peak EGT setting for optimum lean mixture. Note
that best range is obtained at a very low speed. See the
“Range” section of this manual.
A good rule of thumb for choosing an economical cruise power
setting is to cruise at the same RPM that you get during a full-
throttle static run-up before takeoff.
Maneuvering speed is 120 knots (140 mph) indicated. Remain
below this speed in rough air.
Check the fuel level in each tank occasionally. Switch tanks to
maintain a reasonably balanced fuel load. If possible, select an
unused tank only when a forced landing can be easily
accomplished (in case the valve malfunctions or there is water in
the newly selected tank). Always try to be within range of a
suitable landing place with the fuel in the selected tank until you
verify that you can select and use the fuel in the other tank.
Once at cruise altitude in smooth air, trim the aircraft to allow
hands-off cruise. It is much less fatiguing to fly by using an
occasional shift of the body weight or an occasional small
adjustment of the trim knobs, than to fly by continuously holding
the stick. After a little practice setting trims, you will find you will
be doing most of your flying including climb and descent without
holding the stick. The rudder pedals are designed to allow the
pilot to tilt his feet inward, slide them forward of the pedals, and
relax in a stretched out position. This places the weight of the
thigh on the thigh support, rather than the tail bone and greatly
increases comfort on long flights.
Lycoming engines are not particularly susceptible to carburetor
ice (compared to Continentals), however, when cruising in moist
air, particularly at low power settings (when there is a larger
temperature drop through the carburetor), check carburetor heat
often or cruise with heat on.
CAUTION
When approaching or entering visible moisture (rain) the COZY
may experience a small pitch trim change. This amounts to
about a 2° change in elevator position at cruise (out of 22°
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