Hello to the Group

[DBJax]

I just wanted to introduce myself. I have been lurking for a few months now trying to decide what I wanted to build. Please forgive the rambling nature of this...

Before I get too far ahead of myself:
I am Dave Brosche (Sounds like Bro-Shay) from Jacksonville, FL a wonderful city at the east coast border of Florida and Georgia. I grew up directly across form Herlong Airfield (KHEG) and dreamed of flying from a young age. By 12 I was spending time at the airfield and speaking to others about airplanes.
Flash forward a little more than 20 years and I feel I might finally be in position to begin my dream.

About 2 years ago, I found the Velocity and said "Wow". I've been fixated on canards ever since. Until recently I was convinced that the V was what I wanted to build. Now I am not so sure. I have John Slade to thank for that, indirectly.

I spent the last couple of days reading his flight testing pages, trials and tribulations and I got excited, literally. I could see myself doing the same things and felt that a plans-built plane might work for me. I also liked the idea of the rotary engine and I am sure that the tech has advanced since the last updates on his site.

My biggest hurdle, though, is trying to convince my wife that it is:
1) safe
2) a reasonable cost
3) within my capability
4) I'm not crazy
5) safe

Once I get past those hurdles, I believe I can begin in about 2 years. My goal is to be complete within 10 years from now. That should give me plenty of build time .

Ultimately, I think a Cozy is in the plans (no pun intended), but I am so early in the process nothing is final. I'm certainly open for input.

I guess through all of this I just wanted to say hi!
Thanks for listening!

Dave

[John Slade]

Welcome, Dave. I'm glad my web site helped. The closest to an "update" is here under the rotary engines section "rotary engines - why and how" - a recent article I wrote on the experience and lessons learned. You might find it interesting.

As for convincing the wife - no problem- just have her call my wife
Seriously - take a weekend at the end of September and take her to the Rough River fly-in. She'll meet other wives, see a bunch of canard planes flying, possibly even get a ride in one, and realize that you're not totally crazy after all.

1) safe - almost as safe as driving to work
2) a reasonable cost - depends on what you consider reasonable. You won't get performance anywhere close to a Cozy for less. Over 10 years it's only $5k/year.

3) within my capability
As Burt once said - Your best is barely good enough. Almost anyone has the ability to build a Cozy. The real test is one of determination.

4) I'm not crazy
Of course you are. We all are. It's the entrance fee.

5) safe
Its as safe as you make it.

My only regret - that I didn't start sooner.

[John Slade]

An after thought, Dave. Tell your wife that building a plane will keep you busy for ten years, and out of bars and strip joints. Once finished, the bird will become your only mistress. What more could a wife want?

[TMann]

I started laying the groundwork early.
Here's what you do:

Start collecting everything you can on bullfighting.
Follow that by laying out catalogs for skydiving equipment.
Start drawing up plans for a cannon (the human cannon ball type.)

along about then, building a plane should seem mild.

[mfryer]

Originally Posted by TMann

I started laying the groundwork early.
Here's what you do:

Start collecting everything you can on bullfighting.
Follow that by laying out catalogs for skydiving equipment.
Start drawing up plans for a cannon (the human cannon ball type.)

along about then, building a plane should seem mild.

Or she might conclude the real truth that you are building a cannon powered aircraft to launch you above the arena to which you are going to sky dive into with a red parachute.

[Erick]

Dave, I discovered the Cozy back in 2004 and delayed until just this year to begin. Start ASAP you never now what might happen in 2 years.

chapter 8 think I will skip to chapter 18 I want to build something that looks like a plane

[Waiter]

Tell your XYL that we'll vouch for everthing except item #4.

Waiter

[DBJax]

Originally Posted by John Slade

An after thought, Dave. Tell your wife that building a plane will keep you busy for ten years, and out of bars and strip joints. Once finished, the bird will become your only mistress. What more could a wife want?

Now this on I might be able to convince her of. I just have to get past the "Rolls her eyes" phase every time I bring up flying.

I can't make Rough River, but I might be able to get to Sun 'n Fun '08.

Thanks for all the support

[Erick]

DBJax, Women like to feel like they are in control of what we do…. So here is the plan, you go out and test drive the most expensive sports car you can get your hands on and drive it home to show her your new found dream. Once she blows up about the car you calm her down and say honey your right instead I will build a Cozy. She will think that sounds like a bargain compared to the payments of that shiny new rocket. No choice but to approve the build.

(above statements have not been tested and I am not responsible for divorce)

[Air-Ron]

Originally Posted by TMann

Start collecting everything you can on bullfighting.
Follow that by laying out catalogs for skydiving equipment.
Start drawing up plans for a cannon (the human cannon ball type.)

along about then, building a plane should seem mild.

I did pretty much the same thing, and my wife told me that I could either build a cozy, or a cannon, or a wheel of destiny, but only one of the three!

Good luck!
Aaron

[rajatgarg]

I got married 2 months back and just told my wife that I want to build my own plane and then fly around the globe. Her reaction was - "if you just had told me before"

She thinks I am crazy ....

[Erick]

rajatgarg, Good job on trapping her before letting her know your true passion.