Hi Bob, thanks for getting back to me. I'm a little late this time! We just got back from a week in Mexico.
Maybe I'll let you experiment to see what the 601 will do .......or not do on skis!!

I would still like to try skis, it just seems funny no one has done it yet.
James

Hi Bob,
Thanks for the explanation on the extension. On another note, I'm building a 750 and looking at putting it on floats eventually and I was doing research on the subject.
Maybe you have an idea as to why some 701 owners are installing floats in many different angles and some pretty close to the fuselage. Is there a common practice in float installation? What angle is best and why would one install floatd so close to the base of the fuselage and others much higher. Is it because of the prop blade length or just a matter of pilot preference. Maybe having the fuselage almost sitting on the floats is easier to land as one might feel the water closer and more secure than being suspended higher up on top of the floats...
Can you tell... I know nothing about float flying?? -:)

Thanks Bob

Andre

Thank you Bob, much appreciated.
The more I discuss this topic with other pilots, I get the same comment about the Jabiru vs the Rotax especially on floats. Do you think the Rotax 914 would be a better choice for my 750 or the Rotax 912S sufficient?

Andre

Okay Bob, keep us in suspence or what. How about some pictures/

Pat

I can relate, so happens my cowling had to go back to the painter as the colour was off from the fuselage. Anyway got the engine started today, just having problem setting the carbs. Off to Rotec in the moring for a crash course on setting them, then 3 hour drive to the airport and try again. Once that's done we are ready togo. Yes James has quite the eye.

Pat

Hi Bob,

I'm currently working my way through a 750 kit and I need to make an engine decision. I am trying to decide between the 3300 and the 912. I'm thinking that the Rotax might be easier to cool here on our average 95 degree Florida summer day, but I don't want to sacrifice performance to the Jabaru. My question concerns the difference in performance in the two installations. Have you had a chance to fly either C-CLXT or C-IKIM and compare the performance to the Jabaru birds? I know that many of us are interested in the rate of climb and cruise comparison under similar conditions between these two. We all value your opinion, so please let us know what your impressions and data are.

Thanks,

Rich
Ocala, Florida

Bob,

Thanks for your insight. I think that the use of a 912S is a no-brainer in my application for all of the reasons that you mentioned. I hope that you are able to get IKIM in the air in the air in the near future and start enjoying it. Please keep all of us informed on your flight testing and performance data.
Where is your home in Ontario?

Rich

Hi Bob,
Thanks for the info. I just got off the phone with a TC representative and he tells me the rules is the same for AULA 1232lbs and amateur built 1350lbs..... the floats have to be calculated as part of the max gross weight and NO allotment on top for either options.
i asked them for a LINK to see it in writing for TC but I'm still waiting for that link.

Man o man... how difficult to get info that is common to all their representatives.

Andre

G'Day Bob

I guess the 750 is what you call progress! I purchased my 701 drawings back in 2006... so I've been at it for a while, I'm building as an amature built[scratch building] and I really look forward to making all of the parts... nothing like making a part and it actually works. I was quite skeptical at first... did not think that I could do it, now I would not have it any other way. This is the best part about scratch building!

I did not build the Rudder first as they tell you to do... I built the Firewall first which I had no problem doing! I had never worked with aluminum before so that was a bit of an education to get started... but after a few parts I was on a real roll. Now after building the Firewall first... I find that building the rest of the 701 is a snap. One problem when I'm building now, is I'm always looking at making the 701 better... if you can imagine - how can that be done, to a pretty good palne as it is!

Since the 750 came out I have had a chance to review some of the features and will include them in the 701 build. I like the 750 wing... so I've changed my wing to match the 750, along with the stabilizer/elevator. The wing has some nice features I really like... such as the rear spar channel[4 pieces] which is a hell of a mess on the 701[14 pieces]... lots a bloody work for nothing and the skinning is better. You get a straighter, stronger wing with less work. It also is 50mm deeper at the aft trailing edge... ie longer chord! I also added 2.5' to the overall length and made the stabilizer/elevator a full 8' to keep the same wing-stablizer/elevator ratio in tact. If you do one... you have to do the other also.

One area that I'm trying to get straightened out is the size of the streamlined tubing for my spreader bars and struts on the floats... the numbers seem to be all over the place, but then that seems to be the same with a lot stuff when building.

Well Bob... nuff for tonight, keep in touch,
Ron

Hi Bob. Thanks for your suggestion about the fuel cap being the cause of the smell of fuel in my cockpit. A proper examination today with a very bright torch revealed showed up a leak where the pipe fitting comes out the bottom of the tank. With luck I'll have the aircraft back by Friday. The idea about the fuel cap is in my notes for future reference.

John.

Hi Bob, I answered your comment on my page. I also posted a video on youtube today of
another takeoff if you are interested. Wayne

Hi Bob,

You're right, it has to be done from underneath. Jacks will be used OR 3 guys lifting each a wheel at the same
time. For the 701, I think that each wheel should weight around 150lbs so it's still manageable. If heavier, I would try lifting the plane by the fuselage (sling around the fuse ) and then block the wheels while the plane floats in the air.

Nice challenge, I guess. Good luck !

Norm

I like pick ups I have one myself and a friend has a 801 with a franklin 6 cyld I think about 220 hp its a great plane short field and climbs like a monkey he can almost hang it on the prop like a rotary wing thingy and ecconomy cruise at about 100 to 110 knt any faster gets expensive he said I havent seen the 750 in real life yet but will at the next airshow down here, be good enjoy your flying cheers Kevin

Hi Bob,
It is surprising how loud small conrtacts can be when you are not expecting them. Great news on the nil damage. I think that the roller triker is a mod that will be going onto my 750. I am no light wieght and if I take up pax then the chances are increased of a possible strike. Off to a fly in this morning (Driving in unfortunately) but with luck I maty be able to get up :).
Clear skies
Paul

Hi Bob, thanks for that.
I too am very anxious but as long as I get a bit done every day or so, before you know it I will be finished.

Phill

Hello Bob,

The sun shade is indeed an excellent feature. It can be purchased here:

http://www.cleavelandtoolstore.com/prodinfo.asp?number=KS200T

Steve

You are correct...I love th off airport stuff. Soon as things slow down this fall I'll be trying to build a set of wheel skis for the 701. I got the basic drawings from a guy in Michigan and have been trying to refine it some in AutoCad. I'm wanting an easy on/easy off configuration and have an aeronautical engineering friend that says he'll look at and check the design for me. I hoping to post it on my plane page if they work out.

Elmer

thaks for the advise, do u know any site where I can buy used rotax engines, I woold like to find an 100hp rotax engine.

razvan

Where is your friend's Ten Mile Lodge? We have a fly in/boat in camp on Kipawa.

Rich

Thanks for posting great new photos from Canada!

Thanks for you comment. I have given some thought to using the Rotax engine. It certainly has some advantages in that it is light weight and was designed for aircraft use. One disadvantage (other than a relatively high price) is that it has a carburetor instead of fuel injection. I currently have a Suzuki DRZ-400 dual sport motorcycle that is liquid cooled and has electronic ignition but has a carburetor. The next motorcycle I buy will definitely have electronic fuel injection. I suppose that I could expend some of my desires for experimental tinkering by adding electronic fuel injection to the Rotax. It is somewhat surprising to me that the factory does not offer this as an option.

I got a copy of Rob nelson drawings and drew them up in Autocad, but haven't re-measured everything to confirm a perfect fit on my 701. For sure I must go back to the stock wheels and tires during ski season. At 60 inches long, these work to be a much better weight to surface area ratio than standard cub skis can obtain. They look good, but seem a little heavier than need be, so I'm interested in whatever else is available too. Shoot me an email to elmer@adsb.com and I'll email a pdf of the drawings.

Thanks for the calendar comment. It was just about the most perfect flying day you can imagine. Cool, silky smooth air all day and no clouds visable in any direction for as far as you could see from 1,000 feet. I ended up flying about 4 hours that day and made 8 off-airport landings, and spent the whole day just messing around, looking at animal tracks and beach combing. One of several memorable flying days this year. The little 701 on the fat tires has really opened up the back country for me. I'm looking for ways to protect the new Grove gear. Powder coating is out because of the possibility of weaking the temper. Paint can damage too easily so I'm thinking about Rhino bed liner. That stuff is tough and sticks well. Tesing it on some scrap aluminum now.

Also, fyi, Bob Jones is vacationing in the lower 48 and doesn't get back to Alaska until December.

You are probably right, I find that I can put it together faster than I can accumulate the funds---Taking a PART TIME JOB TO SPEED THE ACCUMULATION.

A belated thankyou for your suggestions re the firewall nose wheel linkages Bob - I will follow up.

I am sorry to be slow in replying, had an unexpected problem with my mother-in-laws health just after I raised the question, she has since passed away – funeral and aftermath now all over, so only just putting my plane back on the “menu”!

I saw an interesting option the other day on a passing 601 – the builder and used material cut from a fireman’s coat for the boots – so now to find a fireman who won’t miss a bit of coat!!

Regards

Jock Struthers

G'day Bob. Thanks for your comment re 601UL Vs HD. I have a reply from Zenair and they confirm UL 49% kit. However it has 701 wheels/tires/ forks etc so will look a little different. Great for paddocks and beaches which we in NZ have in abudance. Like you I have recently retired but still landscaping new home when not on the project. Yours looks great and it must be fun to fly. Kia ora, Ian

Yeah Bob, the 701 wheels have all the right bits to fit. I expect to be flying by June2011 so should have all the bugs ironed out by next summer. I now have a Subaru EA81 and PSRU with Ivo prop that flew well on a Ragwing Storch that has now been changed for a Rotec radial. The Soob has all the firewall forward bits etc dual Bing carbs and Compu-fire ignition should be around 100hp. with new valves & porting. I am looking forward to flying it and then fitting vortex generators to give a performance comparison.

We just returned to Alaska and am sending out your plans!!!!

Hi Bob, thank you for your comments. I did not land this time but planning to land one day. There is another beach south of the spit where one can do touch and go for 12 times and still have some beach to play. Cheers. Shafid

G'day Bob. I agree about the tank in the cockpit but as you can see from the old radio etc. cost is a factor so decided to leave it standard. My tilt canopy mod is little extra so going for that. My last plane had a similar tank position but was open cockpit so no drama. 10 years flying it & I never spilt a drop when filling from jerry cans; I trust this will continue. I plan to install locker tanks with pump at a later date to increase endurance. However, ours is a small country so a couple of hours can get you from coast to coast!

Hey McDonald,

 

How can a guy go flying when you fellows send all your geese down here. I cannot post the photos in this block check the main zenith -aero.

 

 

 

Hi Bob, if you could I would really like to get my hands on those plans.. Laval/Montreal same white stuff !!!

Those wheelSkis look REALLY GREAT !!! I know how to attach them. Bungee cord in front, always doubled by a longer wire for safety (in case the bungee cord gives up) and a shorter wire in the back so the skis wont swivel over. I got pictures from a Cessna 140 using those...Very efficient and easy to mount.

Thech701storm@hotmail.com

Hi Bob,

 

Yesterday I made 2 brackets to lift the 701. They are made of 1/4 inch thick aluminum.

They are 1 inch wide by 4 inches long. 2 holes, 1 at each end. The holes are 5/16 to accomodate the bolt from the front spar bracket. The other hole is for a U bolt to suspend the plane with.

I don't understand why you couldn't lift the plane using the front spar attachment bolts ??

Zenair thinks it would not hold ? Too much stress on the tube/attachment ?

I had to lift my 701 form the trailer when we moved it to the hangar and we used those bolts to liftit up no problem...

 

Anyway, if you have that answer, i'm curious...And thanks again for the plans.

Normand

Hi Bob,rigth now i stay in  belgium.when i'll be back in Italy I'll send to' you some picture(12-30-10).about lift it's simple!I did use engine mount and fuselage close to stabilizator .... After lift I deassembly main gear... But before you must assembly the float together...about front firewall it's not complicate(afte send you the pictures).your 750 rudder Will be 2,70 meters from the ground ;-).I hope to finish the work on Float the second week of january....I'm happy for help you.About assembly the kits depend on your skills and of the time have to spend on.I've assembly one Float in less than one week coating included, two people .I hope ear soon!

Hi Bob,
I got a picture of my brackets on MY PLANE. It is not as clear as I would like but you can see it attached to the front spar bracket on the passenger side.
Next time I go to the hangar i'll get a bette shot.
Merry Christmas
Normand

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the offer for the old leaf gear for the CH701. I want to keep the SkyJeep gear on the 701 while it is on floats. This is to make the conversion back and forth easier. Also, I want to remove as little as possible from the landing gear to get to the floats as possible. Target being that only the tundra tires are removed and everything else stays on the plane. Disk brakes, brake lines and fluids stay on the plane even if on floats.

Only question, on the old leaf, where the forks are held by bolts, what is the wheelbase ? I guess close to 6 feet ???

Regards,

Norm  

 

do you think the little walk around is worthy?

Hi BoB,

Looking VERY good ! I'm following your progress with interest!

Normand