Joe Hopwood
  • Male
  • Magnolia Springs, AL
  • United States
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Joe Hopwood's Discussions

601/650 Gen 1 Jabiru Firewall-Forward Removal & Sale Notice

Started this discussion. Last reply by Joe Hopwood Oct 16, 2025. 9 Replies

Dipole Nav Antenna

Started this discussion. Last reply by Bob Simmons Mar 17, 2024. 3 Replies

SOLD - Parting Out Plane

Started this discussion. Last reply by Joe Hopwood Sep 2, 2022. 13 Replies

 

Joe Hopwood's Page

Latest Activity

Joe Hopwood posted a discussion

601/650 Gen 1 Jabiru Firewall-Forward Removal & Sale Notice

Next week, I’ll be removing my complete Gen 1 Jabiru firewall-forward package. The engine has 300 hours and continues to run well. I’ll be flying to Viking for a swap to the Viking 140T—a compelling option for budget-conscious builders seeking an affordable upgrade.This Jabiru engine sat for several years prior to its first start in September 2018. It shows some corrosion, and Nick performed a valve job in September 2022. Leak-down compression values fall below the 60 PSI threshold listed in…See More
Aug 27, 2025
9 Comments
Joe Hopwood posted a discussion

Dipole Nav Antenna

Has anyone mounted a dipole nav antenna on a 601/650? Thinking of mounting on rudder. Your thoughts?
Mar 15, 2024
3 Comments
Joe Hopwood posted a status
"Got a good start on replacing lap/shoulder harness with 5-point."
Jul 31, 2022
0 Comments
Joe Hopwood posted a status
"Flew 37 minutes and practiced using the glide slope feature of Dynon Skyview to any airport."
Jun 18, 2022
0 Comments
Joe Hopwood posted a blog post

601 XL Elevator Balance Bungee

N601LL is 100 hours now and only remaining item was needing some up elevator trim for level flight and not enough up trim for a proper flaps down engine out glide.  The incidence of both wing and stab were good but as it does take quite some force to lift the elevator I decided to try a simple fix.  I put an eye hook on stab, drilled a hole in elevator horn and installed s-hook there.  Then connecting the two using #64 rubber bands discovered that nine was a good balance. Test flight…See More
Jun 22, 2020
4 Comments
Joe Hopwood posted a blog post

601 XL Elevator Balance Bungee

N601LL is 100 hours now and only remaining item was needing some up elevator trim for level flight and not enough up trim for a proper flaps down engine out glide.  The incidence of both wing and stab were good but as it does take quite some force to lift the elevator I decided to try a simple fix.  I put an eye hook on stab, drilled a hole in elevator horn and installed s-hook there.  Then connecting the two using #64 rubber bands discovered that seven was a good balance. I have not test…See More
Jun 17, 2020
4 Comments

Profile Information

Aircraft Model
Zenith CH 650, ZODIAC CH 601, ZODIAC XL, Other Zenith
Project Status
Flying
Building From
Kit
Engine installed (or plan to install)
Jabiru
Your website (about your aircraft...)
http://www.mykitlog.com/joehopwood
Building Experience
Have worked on airplanes before
Flying Experience
Commercial / CFI
Building and Flying Info / Your Profession / Other Background Info
Information Technology for Boeing.
Home Airport (ie. KMYJ)
2AL1

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Joe Hopwood's Blog

601 XL Elevator Balance Bungee

Posted on June 22, 2020 at 7:16am 4 Comments

N601LL is 100 hours now and only remaining item was needing some up elevator trim for level flight and not enough up trim for a proper flaps down engine out glide.  The incidence of both wing and stab were good but as it does take quite some force to lift the elevator I decided to try a simple fix.  I put an eye hook on stab, drilled a hole in elevator horn and installed s-hook there.  Then connecting the two using #64 rubber bands discovered that nine was a good…

Continue

601 XL Elevator Balance Bungee

Posted on June 17, 2020 at 1:51pm 4 Comments

N601LL is 100 hours now and only remaining item was needing some up elevator trim for level flight and not enough up trim for a proper flaps down engine out glide.  The incidence of both wing and stab were good but as it does take quite some force to lift the elevator I decided to try a simple fix.  I put an eye hook on stab, drilled a hole in elevator horn and installed s-hook there.  Then connecting the two using #64 rubber bands discovered that seven was a good balance. 

I have not…

Continue

Avionics Panel

Posted on July 23, 2015 at 11:16am 4 Comments

I have began installation of the Advanced Flight Systems Inc. avionics panel in my 601XLB.  It contains mostly Dynon equipment.  I would surely appreciate any and all input on successful placement of the remote boxes that attach.  E.g., ADAHRS, ELT, remote magnetic compass, etc.…

Continue

Brake Line Routing

Posted on June 18, 2012 at 12:27pm 4 Comments

I find the plans and photos just a little short when it comes to brake line routhing.  I have brakes on left only.  If anyone is really happy with their routing or alternately if anyone would like to share "how not to route brake lines" I would certainly appreciate it.

Jabiru 3300A Controls

Posted on August 26, 2011 at 9:29am 8 Comments

I am in the process of odering a plug n play instrument panel.  I cannot decide whether to put engine controls in a quadrant attached to fuselage or the more standard push-pull controls in the panel.  I don't even know right now how many controls are needed.  Throttle for sure but I would assume no mixture since it has an altitude compensated carb.  How about choke?  Is carb heat needed on the Jabiru 3300A?  Any suggestions or lessons learned sure will be appreciated. I hope to have two of each… Continue

Comment Wall (12 comments)

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At 10:23am on January 2, 2026, Paul Kaleta said…

Mr. Hopwood

Thank you answering my question on whether or not I can install a Viking 195 hp on my CH-750 STOL.  Then information you provided was very helpful thank you sir.

Best regards,

Paul A. Kaleta

psqd633@aol.com

At 2:27pm on September 11, 2023, John Austin said…

Hi Joe,

I don't know why you don't receive notifications - Efe Cem Elci, one of our members, is very computer savvy and might be able to help you out.

John

At 5:30am on June 18, 2021, Michael Mccarthy said…

Hello,

My name is Mr. Michael Mccarthy, I have contacted you before without any response from you. Please replied if you receive this message. I have something very important to discuss with you, I have a vital information to give you. Could you please get back to me on (mmichaelmccarthy4@gmail.com ) for full details.

Michael Mccarthy.

At 8:17am on September 1, 2016, Evan Reisman said…

Thanks Joe. I went ahead and ordered a new steering rod from Zenith. It was only $16 and change with the various hardware. Once I have it off, I'll post a picture. Basically, the bent steering rod made it so that the left and right rudder pedals weren't even when the plane was taxiing straight. This would make for a tricky landing, especially if side slipping, so I decided to just replace the part.

At 8:21am on May 10, 2015, Don Woodward said…

Hi Joe

I have done Zenith paper transferr work for my Ch650B now  so hope to get updates soon.

At 11:10am on June 29, 2013, Jim Snyder said…

Joe,

 

Reading your Kitlog section re: canopy hoop problems.  I have exactly the same problems.  I have been wrestling with this for 3 months.  This &^%$#@! thing is making me suicidal.  How did you finally resolve yours? 

 

Jim Snyder

Indianapolis

At 4:49pm on September 4, 2011, John Benton said…
Joe: I did run both cables through the firewall. The knob ends are located just under the panel at the extreme left and right sides of the cockpit. The carburetor ends terminate in Heim bearings that are bolted with a long AN bolt and spacer to the throttle arm. I am considering making a change to bolt each bearing to a separate hole to get rid of the long bolt, but this would change the "throw" length of one of the cables, so this change is still in the "thinking about it" stege. I do understand your desire to keep the firewall with as few holes as possible.
At 2:39pm on September 4, 2011, John Benton said…
Joe: Since my engine is a Continental, I was concerned only with the throttle. I believe that the mixture located in the center would be no problem and of course I have no choke. I ran two flexible cables salvaged from a Cessna with an extended attach point on the carburetor throttle arm. The pilot's side cable can be locked for cruise stability, but I removed the locking feature from the co-pilots side. The plane has not yet flown, but the system works easily and well.
At 9:36am on January 28, 2011, Don Davis said…
Looks like you are about in the same position I was a year or two ago when the rebuild order came down.  I was asking questions about the Dynon autopilot installation and working on my canopy.  I haven't finished any of those things.  And just getting started on my rebuild.  But I am getting fired back up again.  Got one wing out of the rack and removed the top and nose skins yesterday.  Going out to start on the main spar reinforcement today.  My big question is, should I bother with primer paint on these parts, or just hurry up and install them bare, no paint.  All my other parts are primed on the contact surfaces.
At 11:57pm on January 13, 2011, David Gallagher said…
Joe, The positioning should not pose any elevator travel issues. You can experiment by clecoing the the attach pieces to the fuselage and fitting the HS with clamps. Put the HS full forward and then as far a ft as edge spacing will allow and see if there are any elevator travel problems with either placement.

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