Doug Eaton

Male

Redding, CA

United States

Profile Information:

Aircraft Model
ZODIAC CH 601
Project Status
Flying
Building From
Purchased finished aircraft
Engine installed (or plan to install)
Jabiru
Building Experience
No Experience
Flying Experience
Private Pilot
Building and Flying Info / Your Profession / Other Background Info
Retired Banker. Flying since I was 16 years old. About 3,000 hours in several types. Looked in to Experimental Aircraft about two years ago. Have tried to learn as much as possible since then. Just completed rudder school at QSP. Ready to order either CH650 or 750 Cruzer. Using Corvair Engine as designed by William Wynn and his associates. Just located a core engine in Medford,Oregon. Picking it up this weekend. Would like to talk to some of the builders who have completed and flown the 650 or the Cruzer with a Corvair Engine.

Well, instead of turning that rudder into an airplane, I have found a very low hour 601XLB with a late model Jabiru 3300. I felt that flying was more important to me than building at this time. My wife and I love the plane! We purchased it in Tucson and it is being "ferried" to us in Redding, Ca on May 28th. We are getting our hangar ready for her now.

Thank you to all of those who responded to my questions on the Corvair engine and the performance of your aircraft. I could feel the pride you have when you spoke about all the effort you have invested.
Home Airport (ie. KMYJ)
O85 Benton Airpark, Redding,Ca

Comment Wall:

  • Dave Gardea

    Hi Doug,

    Welcome to home building and Zenith.aero! I chose the Corvair because I wanted to build my own engine and know my firewall forward inside and out. Yes, it does save some money in the process but that was not my primary objective. It was really my choice to make my project a homebuilt from spinner to rudder and after nearly 300 hours on the hobbs, I'm still glad I went this direction with the Corvair. I actually have the 601XL finished with the 650 canopy kit. Yes, it does fly slightly nose high and I would think the angle of incidence change with the 650 wing may have addressed this somewhat. I have not found it a big issue when landing. Regarding performance, I average about 5.3 gallons per hour and cruise at around 115 mph. This works fine for most VFR flying around the state joining other friends for breakfast and lunch and keeps fuel burn somewhat economical. I did fly my plane to Airventure 2012 and also once back to a Zenith Open Hangar event in Mexico, MO .. lots of fun taking my plane on longer cross country trips. I highly recommend you attend one of William Wynne's Corvair colleges to get to know him and other Corvair builders. This will also provide you the opportunity to get a lot of questions answered and understand his conversion approach.

    Best regards,

    Dave Gardea

    Nov 20, 2013

  • Douglas Stevenson

    Hi Doug, 

    My CH 750 with the 3000 Corvair makes a wonderful plane. I'm happy as can be with it.

    I'm a little disappointed with the cruise speed which is about 85-88MPH, but my 750 is especially draggy and I haven't yet started to clean it up. At WOT throttle I see about 2950 RPM and about 92 MPH at near sea level.

    With max. gross load, it gets off the ground in about 500 feet and climbs out at 65 MPH at 700 ft/ minute on a warm 90 degree day. Density altitude problems are the least of my concerns,

    The Corvair is a magnificant smooth running engine that i couldn't be happier with.

    It ought to be perfect for you on a Cruzer.

    Best of luck to you.

    Doug Stevenson

    N632DR

    Jan 9, 2014