Cozy

A few thoughts about the ARCE Newsletter and Web Site

I followed the ARCE newsletter for over three years. In all that time I downloaded many gigabytes of irrelavent images, and a lot more of the author's ego than I needed. I learned very little which was of practical value to me in the work of actually installing a 13B into a real airplane. Most of this I learned from Tracy Crook's book and studying flying examples including the airplanes built by Greg Richter and George Graham. (but see below)

Eventually, In August 02, I posted the following to the newsletter:

> Paul,
> I'm going to try to write this without causing offence. Please understand
> that this is not intended as an attack on either you or your designs - its
> just a call for caution. Reading ACRE over the past few years I've notice
> that nobody argues with you any more. I'm concerned. You are, to say the
> least, emphatic, about you're opinions. This has caused others with much
> more knowledge than I to back off. Consequently you're ideas tend to get
> ramrodded through. For example, this motor mount design (Seawind or Cozy). I
> know Tracy (an engineer I trust) doesnt like it. To my untrained eye it just
> "LOOKS WRONG". No - I don't want a mathematical proof that it's sound. I'd
> prefer a flying example. Until there is one I suggest that those considering
> this and other "theories" take them as just that.
> Regards,
> John Slade
> Cozy IV

Paul Lamar intercepted the above message and responded to me in private with all sorts of reasons why he was right. He may be right, he may not. That's not the point. I'd prefer to participate in a discussion rather than listen to a surmon. The ARCE list is similar, IMHO, to the Canard Aviator's list where opinions are supressed unless they agree with those of the list "moderator". I have unsubscribed from both these lists (but see below).

I'm still a member of the flyrotary newsgroup and the rotary engine section of the canard forum where reasonable discussions seem to occur on a regular basis.

My recommondation to those who choose to install a 13B would be consider the science, but concentrate on physical evidence of what works and what doesn't. Follow those who succeed, and learn from those who fail. Take what you hear from those who merely theorize with a pinch of salt.

Something of a Retraction

In April '03 I saw the Paul Lamar intake manifold and runners at Sun & Fun. Pauls efforts are clearly beginning to generate practical results. I wish it had gone further, but its much better than starting from scratch. I sent him a check for the manifold and a set of runners with the following note:

We might not always see eye to eye, Paul, but we have the same aim in mind. The net effect of you’re work is definitely in the right direction and I need to keep in touch with it. Please put me back on the list. I promise to try to behave.

This said, here are links to Paul Lamar's world....

ACRE web site
ACRE Newsletter

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