Hi Scott,

Its quite dramatic. I think it depends on your flying as to how much of a factor it is. I do a lot of mountain stuff, and on hot days.  The Zodiac climbs well in those conditions unlike many airplanes, but the ride isn't much fun for crossing windy hot mountains etc.  

It is because of all of those factors you pointed out, but yes, mainly C.  

A) 760 vs 1117 empty

C) 9.8 vs 14.8 wing loading - this is probably the biggest factor.

The zodiac is a very high lift airplane with a slow stall speed.  That makes it a great, safe airplane to fly and land, and makes it fit LSA, but it also gives it a worse ride in choppy air like that.   This is true of ALL LSA's.  I haven't flown an RV-12, but my RV friends that have say the same thing as I do about the Zodiac vs RV.

The best analogy to rough air is that the Zodiac is like driving over a speed bump, whereas the RV is more like driving over seam in the road.  Its more of a solid bump, but shorter in duration.

I think for cross country across the rockies & sierra's, an RV is the way to go.  

Yep, I met Arnold.  Nice guy! Chatted with him quite a bit.  I don't remember the name of the chap that helped him, but I've met him also.

Scott,

My 601XL is now in a hanger at Deer Valley Airport in North Phoenix. Rate is very fair from City of Phoenix, at $199.00 a month. I was only on waiting list for 60 days. Now is time to get onj list. Check out the website for Phoenix Deer Valley Airport

Scott,  

The aircraft is in IL until I bring it back to CT.  This is my first plane and first ELSA.  I currently fly an Archer 2 and an Archer 3 with a local flying club.  I looked at a number of aircraft and went through all the attached emotions before deciding on this one.  To date I've only seen photos and talk to people that know the plane.  The owner is 80 and never fly's it so he's letting it go (so the story goes).  In the end it has most of what I was looking for less the Auto Pilot....but I can add that.  The plane is a good value for the agreed price and I'm really looking forward to flying it very soon.  I also took the 16 hour repairmen course last weekend so I can complete my condition inspections.  I'm a died in the wool car guy, used to own a collision shop so my passion for getting my hands dirty helped drive the decision to try ELSA.  Who knows....I may just decide to build the next one, time will tell.

Scott

Im looking for advice on transporting a 701. Im thinking about taking off the wings and hauling it on a trailer. Could you call or send me your number

Thanks Jeff in Michigan 231 342 1853

That's great, thanks for the info on the drill Scott. I'll phone the local DeWalt guys here and see whether they have that and if so how much it is. Thanks for getting back to me.

Is the Airplane that you are talking about?  I happened to see it in Twin as I was flying off my first 40 hours.

This picture was taken on July 18th, 2013.  My first flight was on the first of July and my first passenger was my 85 year old mother on July 25th at 41 hours.  I now have 270 hours of absolute and totally predictable and enjoyable flying.  I am incredibly happy with my decision to build this particular platform, as it does exactly what I expected it would do and it does it for about twenty $ per hr.  :-)

I have had conversation with the guy who owns your 701, but I can't recall his name right now.  I was given his contact info by Joyce at Zenith while I was still building mine.  I would bet she could remind you of the name also if you contacted her.

If you would care to email me directly with your phone number, I would be happy to give you a call to compare notes.  sheldonrburt@gmail.com

Mom and Dad were my two first passengers, 07-25-13.