Hi Jeff. I've been at it about a year now. I had to stop off and on because I ordered my 601XL in separate kits. I had the first rudder done in just a couple of days and I KNEW I was hooked. I ordered the horizontal stab/elevator kit next and it took about 2 1/2 months to get it. That kit came to me via commercial carrier (Roadway) with the end all crushed but thankfully, nothing was damaged. I knew this one was going to be more involved but I ordered the wing kit next. It took Zenith about 3-4 months (guessing) and my wife and I drove down to Mexico to pick that kit up. I had my fuselage kit/canopy on order since the beginning of April and was waiting on it to be ready, but then Zenith introduced the CH650 at Oshkosh and I KNEW I wanted all the updates. I immediately made the change because I was wanting the Todd's canopy (more head room and wider). I just picked up the kits on the 19th of December. It took them quite awhile to get everything in the CNC programmed and the structure debugged. I'm GLAD I waited for it. To date, I've finished the new CH650 rudder, the horizontal stab/elevator, flaps, ailerons, and the wings (with lockers). I just started the fuselage yesterday so it's slow going at first for me. I've been away from it for a month or so.

How about yourself? What are you building and/or flying?? I see your from Elkhart. Small world! I met Ray Ridenour at Ducks Hog Roast this last August. He's stopped in a couple of times to see my progress. Where abouts in Elkhart do you live? Do you belong to the Elkhart EAA Chapter 132??

Jeff,
My living room has some very large windows that the fuselage will fit through. I'll have to remove the horizontal stab. Gotta do what ya gotta do!
Dan

Too bad you can't spend at least an hour a night on your 601. Maybe you can make a small area someplace for it so you can work on it. You can still be working on your home too. We had our home built and I know what your going through if your trying to do all, or most all of the work yourself. I don't envy you!

No. this was taken the mornign of new years day. the airport is on the south side of town about a mile from the Bario as they say. Every new Years and 4th, the locals come out shooting their guns up in the air. if you look , you can see the bullet came down at an angle and went entirely through the aileron. SO much for the theory that a bullet's energy is spent when shot in the air. If the bullet is shot in a Parbola, it obviosly keeps the energy. ANy way. I went to tell the lineman, and quickly excuses himself. A mintue later he comes runnin back with a coffee can. IN the coffee can is abouth 2 inches deep of bullets." Ive been collecting these for a few years" he says. " there are quite a few plane round here, even inside the hangars that are struck". Needly to say we will move the plane next holiday.

I have a Zenith CH640 that was just recently completed. I also fly a C-150, Evans VP-1. I'm now working on a Starduster. I keep my planes at home, as I live at an airport community in Northeast Indiana. Feel free to drop in sometime. www.tropria.com (airport spelled backwards)

Hi Jeffrey,
Yes I do belong to chapter 132 in Elkhart. I am building a 701 from components. I have finished the tail and am working on the wings. I started in 06 and I am building most of the sections in my basement before moving them to my pole building for final assembly. I will be operating out of a private strip on my property. I live north of Wakarusa and east of S.R. 19 on C.R.32. I am sorry I haven't answered you message until now but I have been on the east coast of India on a missionary trip for the past 2 weeks. I will be returning on the 25th and I will try to get some pictures to you after that. Good to hear from you.