0

Ken Ryan

Anchorage, AK

United States

Profile Information:

Aircraft Model: CH 750 Cruzer
Project Status: Just started
Building From: Kit
Engine installed (or plan to install): Other
Building Experience: Have already built an airplane
Flying Experience: Private Pilot
Building and Flying Info / Your Profession / Other Background Info: I have built a CH-750 STOL, a Just Aircraft SuperSTOL and am currently building a Cruzer.

Comment Wall:

Bill Wilcox

Hi

I am Bill Wilcox and I fly a Zenithair CH-801. I will be in ANC this weekend 4/18 and would like to get together with other Zenithair builders and flyers. Are you interested in dinner at the Sourdough mining company Saturday night? Drop me an e-mail and include the other people I know are building or flying Zenithair planes;

Keystone@gci.net
flyingj@mtaonline.net;
coalwellt@aol.com;
sdrew@ptialaska.net;
elmer@adsb.com

Bill
N801BW
Valdez, AK
420 hrs

Apr 15, 2009
Bill Wilcox

Ken

We had a good time. I did not realize there were so may ZAC people in ANC.

Come on down for the air show in 2 weeks.

Bill

Apr 26, 2009
Jim Smith

Hi Ken
750 weighed 798 with and 0200 and 76" wood Sensenich prop.
JS

Apr 28, 2009
Elmer Webster

Hi Ken,
The Sandbar shots are from Big Susitna, Yenta and Skwentna rivers. Lots of places to put down over there.

Jun 11, 2009
Elmer Webster

Ken,
Still hoping to get over there and see your project soon. Dick Reeve would also like to see it because he's looking for something else to build now that his Legacy is flying.

Jun 12, 2009
Bob McDonald

Ken
Sorry for the late reply.Busy at Can-Zac building my CH750. Completed in 6 or 7 weeks of 12 days. Can't quite keep track of time. The wife is OK with me being away, but the dog is starting to growl at me.
Fly safBob

Mar 20, 2010
Mike Schlichtman

Ken,
The rate would depend on speed and engine temps....but for the most part, I averaged 350 fpm at 78 mph. I could climb all the way at 500 fpm, but my CHT tended to climb. I would climb for awhile...level off and build speed and cool the engine...etc. But for the most part, I could have continuous climb at 350 fpm all the way up.
MIke

Apr 24, 2010
Elmer Webster

Hi Ken,

Just checking to see how the project is coming along. Going to be able to fly this summer?

Elmer Webster

May 26, 2010
Elmer Webster

Had to get the transponder recert done and a couple other things, but am ready to do my BFR Saturday. Plan to do a report of the larger wheels and tires soon as I finish some more testing. So far they are great but I've had a couple problems keeping air in them. I think it was a learning process for me. Engine problem was solved last year with the acquisition of the carb adjusting instrument from Lockwood Aviation. BTW, they are VERY helpful and are THE GOTO GUYs for all things Rotax. They have everything and are willing to talk over any problems. Let me know when you start back to work. I'd like to stop by again.

May 27, 2010
Christopher Desmond

Hi Ken,

I like the new Sensenich prop a lot.

The thing that I appreciate most is the fact that it is hollow carbon-fiber, therefore light weight, which means it has low inertia. I am told (by every ROTAX technician I talk to) that it is critical to the long term health of the 912 engine and gear box to use a prop that, at a minimum, meets the inertia specifications set forth by ROTAX. When it comes to comes to prop weight: the lower the better for the 912 and its gear box. And this new prop is unbelievably light.

Another improvement over the Warp and some others is the hub/blade-pitch adjustment system. With the Warp Drive there are simply two halves that clamp together with through bolts. The blade-pitch is adjusted by assembling the hub and blades and prior to tightening the clamping bolts, rotating the first blade by hand to the desired pitch. Then try to repeat the process with the other two blades attempting to get them all set to the same pitch. there is a lot of trial and error in the whole operation.

The new Sensenich system has indexed pins that drop into holes in the hub allowing you to adjust the pitch very easily with good accuracy.

CONTINUED > > >

Jun 29, 2010
Christopher Desmond

CONTINUATION >>>>>

As far as performance, I think it performs as well or probably better than the other props commonly used on the 912. It is difficult for me to judge the performance difference, however, because for me everything is new. New airplane, new engine, new prop, different pitot static system and completely new instrumentation, so I can’t honestly tell what to attribute any perceived changes in performance to, but it flies great.

Other than that, the craftsmanship is outstanding and prop is beautiful and it makes the airplane look awesome. So, what is not to like, except the price? It is a bit pricy but I would gladly spend the money to get a prop that wont tear up my engine and gear box. The cheaper heavier props, are in my opinion, penny wise and pound foolish now that we have this new option. Speaking of pennies that is my two cents on that issue.

Jun 29, 2010
Christopher Desmond

Ken, thank you for the kind comments. I am working on Vol.2 but it will take at least another year or two.
Christopher

Jul 19, 2010
Ben Knox

Hi Ken Thanks For Your Encouragement Ben Knox

Sep 3, 2010
Dr. Edward L. Olds III

Ken,
Thanks for the comment, I'm not sure if I responded or not? I have talked with Zenith and they are exchanging my inboard skins for a newer version, since they found the problem existed. If that hadn't occurred, I was taking your approach.
Ed

Oct 19, 2010
Joe Harrington

Hi Ken, I am plans building, so I looked at the plans and think that I will be putting about a 10 to 12 litre tank ( about 2.5 gallons) under the seat. There is a rib under the seat so I am not sure if I am going to move it over or incorporate some sort of stiffener into the tank in order to support the seat bottom. My volume amount is based on a half hour fuel reserve that we are required to flight plan for here in Canada. In other words I will be within regs if I have a planned 4 hour flight ahead with 4 hours of fuel in the main (wing) tanks. One other item that I am going to incorporate is a simple float sending unit that will illuminate a warning light if the header tank is not completely full. Cheers, Joe

Nov 29, 2010
Tim Delf

Ken,
Regarding the fuel system on my CH 701. I built the tanks per plans and the outlet is aft of the middle of the tank. I routed the fuel lines through the wing rib and into the cabin area and through the door header. I did not test a nose down attitude when testing flow.
Best Regards,
Tim Delf

Nov 30, 2010
Tim Delf

Ken,
The 701 plans are vague regarding the routing of fuel lines. I understand the concern regarding starvation in a nose down attitude. I copied what Carl Ritter did for fuel lines on his plane. He has been flying without issue since 2004. Additionally, I have a large gascollator from a Cessna 150.

Nov 30, 2010
Ron Belknap

Ken, regarding Lycoming IO233. Contact Jeffrey Schans JSchans@lycoming.com he will send all info. inc price. My engine is due to ship end of Feb. Either fuel inj. or Carb. different prices.

Dec 2, 2010
Buzz Air Flight Academy

We instruct in 750's when we have them. This one has a deposit on it, so we can not fly it unless he backs out. Do you need to get checked out?

Dec 13, 2010
Bob McDonald

Ken

I guess it really depends on the size of the gravel? I know they install that grade of UHMW on grader blades and inside the box of dump trucks. Its tough stuff but even chewed up after several seasons your only looking at $30 / ski to replace with new.... or you could put a 3" wide wear skin of stainless across the very rear of the ski bottom, then replace it as needed.

Feb 9, 2011
Bill Yahner

Ken, Email address is wyahner@hughes.net. I don't do facebook and would rather not talk on an open form. Very willing to share what I think I know or am discovering daily. Looking forward to talking.

Bill Yahner

Jun 5, 2011
Carl Ritter

Ken,

I don't do facebook either but would be glad to share what I know with email. Mine is carlritter@frontiernet.net The fuel system was not even shown in the plans I have so I didn't deviate, I just figured it out as I went.

Carl Ritter

Jun 13, 2011
Victor Menkal

Hi Ken. Sorry dont have any dimensions. Just built from a piece of scrap 6061. The idea of the bracket is to get the flight computer level with fuselage reference level, which Im hoping will also be level in flight.

Just powered Skyview system up. Absolutely awesome display.

Jun 20, 2011
Victor Menkal

Yeah, the safeair1 stuff is pretty cool.

I thought it was top of the cabin frame, which would be pretty close to the top longerons directly behind the cabin frame. The system powered up and it looks like Im pretty close to the factory calibration.

Static port location based on input from other builders and the EAA flight testing book - has some good info on installation and testing of flight instruments. Not sure if there is a "perfect" spot - I noticed later that a number of aircraft have the static port built in with the pitot.

I went with the Dynon heated AOA - pitot so wasnt really an option

Cheers

Jun 20, 2011
Victor Menkal

Hi Ken. Yes I enlarged the existing wing root bolt access holes and made covers out of 0.060 scrap secured with tinnerman anchors. I think that I could have done connections without this mod but think it will make life easier. Have installed a number of maintenance access hatches at key locations. I think that this is one area where the kit could be improved a bit.

Jun 23, 2011
Victor Menkal

Transponder - havnt bought a transponder yet but left space on top of L extrusions as well as 21/4" cutout on panel. Whitehorse International is the only major airport in Canada without radar - we are completely surrounded by mountains so not much use.

Im holding off as long as possible and hoping to get a unit with both ADS-B in and out which interfaces with the skyview unit. Will need before heading over to Valdez for the extreme STOL comp next year.

Jun 23, 2011
Scott Ehni

We have them . What is your asking price? Why the sell?

Jan 29, 2013
Michael Heit

Thanks for your reply Ken, maybe we'll still get to meet.

Mike Heit A&P IA / DAR

Jul 28, 2013
Michael Heit

Thank you, are you still in Anchorage? My number is 907-888-6822 cell; 907-385-0658 home.

Jul 28, 2013
Michael Heit

Ken,

I am getting set up as a DAR out of the Fairbanks / Anchorage FSDO and hope to get to building by end of October. I'm selling my home in Washington and the shop too along with an Excalibur project to finance the CH750 .... can hardly wait to get one in the air. I'll keep in touch with you and look forward to meeting you someday.

Mike

Aug 18, 2013