Larry's list of not so authorized suppliers

A list of material suppliers not authorized by the designer of the Cozy.

I am listing suppliers here who carry items that you need to build your Cozy. Notes from the lawyer in me: You are still the final authority on whether the items you might purchase from these suppliers meet your needs. While I have determined for my purposes that the items listed below are equivalent to those called out in the plans, I make no warranty of any kind, especially as to their usefulness to you or your project. Caveat emptor.

Some have argued that the materials I have listed are a fraction of the cost of the airplane overall, and that given this information, why not just buy from the "authorized supplier". My argument is that if it's the same stuff, then please explain why I should pay more. I don't know about you, but when I fly, I look for the lower-priced FBOs to buy gas from, and I certainly don't go flying on into a place to buy high-priced fuel just because someone recommends it. In some cases. the difference in prices are staggering, especially when you start looking at a large quantity of something.

Please do not misunderstand the purpose of this list. The two main authorized suppliers, Wicks Aircraft, and Aircraft Spruce and Specialty are both fine suppliers, and in many cases, are the only suppliers that you can obtain certain things from. It is not my intention to hurt their business rather it is to give you, the Cozy (or Aerocanard) builder, options for certain items.

So, without further adieu...

• RA7725 "BID" and 7715 UND Fiberglass

  Thayercraft Industries Phone: (336) 889-8088 Fax: (336) 889-0014

  Steve Thayer sells 7715 UND for $5.00/yd, and 7725 BID for an equally ridiculous price. He's "homebuilder friendly", and will find whatever you need if he doesn't already have it. Although occasionally stocking the actual stuff sold by ACS and Wicks (Hexcel), he normally doesn't stock it. I asked him for some samples from the alternate weaver, and he sent them to me free of charge. The data sheets match up, and I could see no difference between the two under a stereomicroscope. He explained to me that years ago, 7715 and 7725 were custom weaves. These days most other weavers have picked this stuff up, and now these styles are standards. One unique thing Thayercraft does carry is 50" wide rolls of BID for $5.00/yd. The stuff you normally buy is only 38". UPDATE FROM STEVE THAYER 1/18/2005: Out of the blue, Steve sent me an email a couple of days ago. The prices have gone up a bit (doesn't everything?), but it's still well worth it. He's got 38" UNI and 50" BID for $6.00/yd. Give him a call.

• RA7725 BID

  AVT Composites Phone: (317) 546-6840 Fax: (317) 546-6846

  AVT Composites sells all kinds of aviation-related building materials. His price for RA7725 comes in at $4.50, which is better than Wicks or ACS (and at the time of this writing, the weaver is Hexcel). If you are willing to buy larger quantities (see his Reinfocements page), you can get the price per yard all the way down to $3.83/yard for 100 yards. On the down side, AVT's prices on RA7715 UND is no better than anyone else's.

• Peel Ply

  Fiberglass Supply, Inc. Phone: (509) 493-3464 Fax: (509) 493-4053

  Fiberglass Supply has a good deal on Peel Ply. See their Vacuum Bagging page. I use the Econo-Ply E, which is 60" wide, at a whopping $2.77/yard if you order more than 16 yards (Who wouldn't?).