Here at Flite Test, we just love doing crazy build challenges. From the very early days when Josh Bixler and Josh Scott made a brick fly, the crew made a mid-air smoothy and David Windestål created an EDF Afterburner, we've always tried to do things a little differently. This project is no exception.
So now you've seen a Cozy Coupe take flight! But here's the question - how was it done?
Building the Flying Cozy Coupe
The project started life as one of Josh Bixler's 24-hour build challenges. If you've not heard about these before, make sure you check out the episode we did on making a mailbox fly. Josh started by designing a pair of gull wings to attach to the Cozy Coupe kids car. These provide much stability as they make the centre of lift higher up on the airframe. They also have that awesome old-school vibe.
There was quite a lot of work to be done, but Josh employed his years of experience to get the first version of the Cozy Coupe looking like an airplane in no time. The main material for all of the wings and booms was our good old waterproof foam board. Anyone can use this same foam board to make RC planes of all sizes. It's up to you how big or small you decide to build!
With the rapid progress, Jeremy decided to come and have a look how things were coming along.
When all the main components were ready - the wings, tail and booms - everything was stuck together to form the airframe. 
After the initial couple of 'failed takeoffs', the Cozy Coupe design was modified slightly to provide the added lift and control the aircraft needed to get airborne. One of the main differences can be found in the wing length: two extra sections were added to increase the Coupe's wingspan.
The wing was also angled differently giving the 'aircraft' a more aggressive attitude when hurtling down the runway. The motors were also angled slightly upwards to avoid driving the plane straight into the ground again. With all of that, it was time for a rematch! I think you can tell from the airplane's smile that it was raring to go.
The Final Flight
With an airspeed clocking in at about 60mph, the Cozy Coupe Flyer was quite a sight as it hurtled down the grass airfield.
After a few tense seconds, it was up!
Then, disaster struck. Clearly, the new thicker spar was not quite thick enough.
Boom! With a heavy impact, the whole flying contraption came crashing down.
The surprising number of times it rolled really pays testament to how fast the thing was actually travelling!
Carnage. I think we're done here. That's a wrap.
Here's the main thing with these projects - yes they're absolutely nuts, but they do show us what's possible when one's mind is put towards a task. Josh wanted to see that little Cozy Couple fly and fly it did, albeit for a brief twelve seconds or so. If you want to do something badly enough, go for it! All you need is a few sheets of foam board and a generous helping of good old imagination.
Other Challenges Mentioned
Article by James Whomsley
FliteTest.com Editor
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Also, plus one to ekidd47's suggestion of a flying kayak. Maybe an amphibian?
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