Jonathan Porter

Okwenya

Ghana

Profile Information:

Aircraft Model
STOL CH 701, STOL CH 750, STOL CH 801
Project Status
Flying
Building From
Kit
Your website (about your aircraft...)
http://www.medicineonthemove.org
Building Experience
Have already built an airplane
Flying Experience
Private Pilot, Sport Pilot (or Ultralight)
Building and Flying Info / Your Profession / Other Background Info
Jonathan, aka Capt. Yaw, is CFI/CE for WAASPS, and Senior Pilot for Medicine on the Move's Ghana/West Africa field operations - providing Humanitarian Aviation Logists services to health professionals in rural areas. Our 701 is busy already and we are about to enter into service a CH801, both built by WAASPS (www.waasps.com). Operating initially in Ghana, spreading throughout the Region with a planned 5 aircraft operational in the next few years.

Comment Wall:

  • Mark Masse

    Hi Jonathan,

    Oh how I'd love to be the first Masse in Maase. I just had a peek at your and Elizabeth's blog--I have to admit that I'm envious. I don't know what would be more fun, driving around Africa in my 1973 Land Rover or flying around Africa in my (yet unbuilt) CH701. Either way, you've got my 2 favorite pastimes covered.

    Please blog regularly and post lots of photos--Great stuff!

    Regards,

    --Mark

    Jan 22, 2009

  • Isaac Wee and Nita Maharani

    Thanks for the encouragement. Sorry to ask again but I was hoping that you'd be able to tell me what kind of take off roll and climb rates you're getting with the 80hp Rotax on the 701.

    Regards,
    Isaac

    Feb 8, 2009

  • Randy Owen

    Hi, I'm sorry I took so long to answer you...I'm still learning my way around this website, and just found your post today. Right now there are several constraints that would keep me from visiting you..otherwise I'd love to do that and help any way I could. Hopefully in the not too distant future I can do something like that.

    Mar 28, 2009

  • Randy Owen

    Hello from Colorado USA again. I have a question for you guys. Do you think the t-hande throttles with the friction block work well enough on the Rotax 912 equipped 701s, or is it better to go with an aircraft friction or vernier throttle?
    Thanks!
    Randy

    Nov 9, 2009

  • Randy Owen

    Thanks! That's what I am going to do, too.

    Nov 19, 2009

  • Jake Reyna

    Thanks for the words of wisdom. Your "dig it" comment reminds me of the movie "Joe Dirt". His line was "Lifes's a garden, dig it"

    As for my health, I was doing all the right things. The aneurysm was caused by a congenital heart defect, the bicuspid aortic valve. I had a set expiration date, good living wasn't going to help. It did take about a year to fully recover from the surgery, but I'm back to better than normal.

    Life's a garden, dig it!

    Dec 12, 2009

  • Thomas Howard Millington

    On de-burring for the soul: I go so far as to inspect each drilled hole with a handheld magnify glass! I hope to have my plane ready for flying next summer (2011). I will be considering all opportunities to fly until this time. Thanks for the email. Tom
    P.s. With this being my first project, I,m not likely to involve others in on it until I get comfortable with the process myself- I'm into absorbing all I can without distraction!

    Mar 11, 2010

  • Don Herbel

    Thanks for the invite and the compliment. Sometimes I'm too particular in my work which slows down my progress. I spend a lot of time talking with Zenith to clarify my interpretation of the drawings and assembly guides. Maybe when the project is completed such a trip would be possible.
    Regards

    May 11, 2010

  • Phillip Owens

    Congratulations to Patricia! I hope she has a long and prosperous career, it is great to see Ghanaian's getting into the air to help their people. Great Job!

    Jun 10, 2010

  • Ron D Leclerc

    G'Day Jonathan
    Good to hear from you and thank you for the compliment! I don't know if I can help here! I think I know what you are looking for... I have seen some pictures that one other 601 builder took of his method, but for some reason... I cannot find his web site. I think that he is a Zenith member [ http://www.zenith.aero/profile/ScottLaughlin ] and his name is Scott Laughlin - his web site was called "cookingwithgas.com"... but its not working. He also had a link to it on the ch601.org web site... but it's broken and does not work!
    This fellow was also making/selling LRI probes on the Matrionics Zenith Forum, if i remember.... that was awhile back!
    Is there anything else that i can be of help to you? My web site is www.ronleclerc.net... there may be something there that you can use!

    Again Jonathan, it was real good to hear from you and you take care now... BTH I find your blogs facinating and very very interesting to read!
    Ron

    Jul 5, 2010

  • Amaechi Uzodinma Johnbull

    Thanks jonathan,I will get you informed once I complete my STOL aircraft so as to put me through further

    Aug 4, 2010

  • Bob Pustell

    Hi-----

    I enjoy your comments and suggestions in the chat group and respect what you are doing in your work there in Africa. I am honored to be "friended" by you.

    Bob

    Aug 29, 2010

  • Jim Belcher

    Get well! It's easy to forget how common diseases like this area in some parts of the world. You'll be in our thoughts and prayers.

    Nov 21, 2010

  • Sebastien Heintz

    Ouch!! Good luck with the malaria... (and you were wondering I haven't been by to visit!)

    Nov 22, 2010

  • Hank Optland

    Jonathan,
    I hope and pray that you will soon make a recovery from malaria. I have enjoyed reading how you put those STOL Zeniths to good use!
    Hank

    Nov 23, 2010

  • Andrew Conroy

    Hi Jonathan
    Sorry to hear about the malaria hope it does not slow you down too mutch. I have been enjoying your blogs. My 750 will hopefully be flying in January 2011. Mybe I should fly up and visit you.

    Regards
    Andrew Conroy

    Nov 27, 2010

  • Elmer Webster

    The wheels and tires are the same ones Zenith was testing on the CH750 last summer. It's a good upgrade if you do off airport stuff. Not as good as the Alaska Bushwheels, but not as expensive either. The Alaska Bushwheel tires run about $2000 USD. The total upgrade to what I'm using was about $1100 with shipping. Most of the cost is for the new 8" wheels, axles and brakes. The tires are only about $30 each. The stock Zenith stuff is great on beaches, grass and dirt. The bigger tires are needed for rocks and uneven ground. Some of the gravel bars I land on will really rattle your teeth with the stock equipment. When I put on tthe bigger tires (21 X 12 X 8) and drop them down to 6-7 psi (less if I'm very light), it's like landing on marshmellos. See the Zenith test video at (http://www.zenith.aero/profiles/blogs/testing-larger-bushwheel-tires) I'll get you the details if your're interested.

    Dec 6, 2010

  • Elmer Webster

    Just for fun...I'll post some cloudy days too...fyi, I spend more time at or below 500 than above 500ft.

    Dec 6, 2010

  • Joe Spencer

    Jonathan

    I've been looking at your pics. Interesting stuff...I was especially interested in your camera mounts as I am currently working on a vid mount for the baggage. shelf. I've been thru a couple and about have one done that I'm satisfied with...thx for the pics.

    Joe Spencer

    Dec 24, 2010

  • ulis temos

    Jonathan,

    Thank you for the story in the news letter i enjoyed reading it.

    Feb 12, 2011

  • Normand Lambert

    Hi Jonathan,

    Sorry it took so long to answer your comment about the Anti-skid tape found at Rona (construction store)! Went on EASY ! Very nice result and very cost effective. I don't think you could tell the difference between this stuff and what is sold by aircraft shops. Look at the pictures... Easy to cut and very STICKY! Can't pull it off afterwards.

    Nov 8, 2011

  • Normand Lambert

    Hi Jonathan,

    Thw newer Zenair amphib are easier to construct and setup. I think I would go for those. On the CH701 they are pretty heavy...So watch for this.

    Norm

    Nov 9, 2011