Kay C. Caldwell

Gunnison, UT

United States

Profile Information:

Aircraft Model
ZODIAC CH 640
Project Status
Nearly done
Building From
Partial kit
Engine installed (or plan to install)
Lycoming
Building Experience
Have worked on airplanes before
Flying Experience
Private Pilot
Building and Flying Info / Your Profession / Other Background Info
composite construction in aerospace industry.

Comment Wall:

  • Brian Jensen

    yea sure, some day, maybe

    Mar 24, 2009

  • Brian Walker

    Been thinking about engines but have not made a final decision yet. Would like a variable pitch prop for mountain flying. Would like fuel injection. The next one is harder....would like 4 cyl & 200hp and the ability to burn mo-gas. Was looking hard at Superior until they went bankrupt. Looking like Lycoming or Contential now. Jeff Paden went with a 6 cyl and had to put so much weight in the rear end for weight and balance that it turned the plane into a 2 seater. Will probebly go with a IO-360 or IO-390. Have not researched the Sybaru at all so am not well versed in that one.

    Jun 25, 2009

  • Geoffrey Alexander

    I have a freshly overhauled O-360 with a fixed pitch prop. I think this will be just fine for the flying I do in Oklahoma. I think Lycoming just recently said it is OK to burn mogas in the 360. We have been burning a mixture of 25% avgas and 75% mogas + 1gallon of Marvel Mystry Oil/100 gal. of fuel in a Cessna 172 with a Lyc 0-320. The plugs don't lead up and it starts very easily. (Your results may vary. )
    Geoffrey

    Jun 26, 2009

  • Geoffrey Alexander

    BTW Jeff Paden is crazy! Zenair will not even talk to him anymore.
    Geoffrey

    Jun 26, 2009

  • Brian Walker

    Jeff Paden's web site is no more. I've finished the rudder, HT, and both wings. Working on the fuselage now. How far along are you?

    Jun 26, 2009

  • Antonio Gil

    Hi Kay, the aircraft have the same performances that Zenair said,By the moment I am flying in 3000ft elevation airfield and with 65% -75% power
    until 50hr.
    The aircraft was showed in Paris (France) and I am very happy by its performances

    Jun 27, 2009

  • Brian Walker

    Hey Kay. Haven't wrote in awhile. Do you have your CH640 flying yet?

    Feb 10, 2010

  • Kay C. Caldwell

    I was hoping to have it in the air this summer but I don't know if that will happen. I am hanging the engine right now. I am using an auto conversion so it has been slower than I had hoped. Keep me posted on your progress. Thanks for the note. Kay C.

    Feb 13, 2010

  • Geoffrey Alexander

    Kay. I only have about 3 hours on the airplane so far. I seems very stable& holds altitude well in turns. I have trim (roll) issues still to work out. I almost changed out the aileron cables for push tubes before I put the wings on. Now I wish I had done this. I have the cables tensioned beyond the specs but still the left aileron will not stay faired in flight. It is OK on the ground. Must be some slop somewhere but I don't know how to fix it yet.

    Nov 16, 2010

  • Geoffrey Alexander

    My goal is to have the airplane at OSH next year with all the details worked out. I also had to make the cowling bubbles bigger to clear the cylinders and plug wires. I will send you some more pictures.

    Nov 16, 2010