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Permalink Reply by Gary Welch on May 23, 2020 at 10:28am

I use full flaps for every landing, except in gusty conditions. Yes, I run out of trim and it takes some strength to hold it. In order to assist with maintaining a stable approach I added a 4" high x 6" pad that is velcroed to the top of the center armrest. This provides a support to rest my elbow on. Being able to lock my arm in place has helped with my full flap landings. 

I suppose there is nothing wrong with not using full flaps. I've heard a number of 601/650 pilots who don't use them. I've just had it hammered into my head about always using the slowest possible touchdown speed.   

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Permalink Reply by Merrill Harriman on July 17, 2020 at 11:37am

Sorry folks - forgot to update this with what I found out ....  

I called Zenith and they said it is fine to leave it at 30 degrees - it is not necessary to change to 20.  They said that the older style flap motor (as mine has) is built for 30 degree deflection and it would be very difficult to change to 20 degrees.  The adjustment on the limit switches does not allow one to reduce the travel to 20 degrees.  And those little limit switches are EXPENSIVE ($80) - I broke one while fiddling with it to try to reduce the travel before I called them.  (Wish I called them first.)  The newer style flap motors are rigged for 20 degree flaps - but retrofitting would not be worth the cost.  I'll keep the 30 degrees.  I usually only land at 20 to keep within the trim range - but its nice to have the 30 if I need it.

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