Wayne Clagg

Male

Milton, WV

United States

Profile Information:

Aircraft Model
STOL CH 701
Project Status
Flying
Building From
Plans-only
Engine installed (or plan to install)
Rotax 912
Building Experience
Have worked on airplanes before
Flying Experience
Private Pilot
Building and Flying Info / Your Profession / Other Background Info
Self employed heating and air conditioning contractor.
Home Airport (ie. KMYJ)
12WV

Comment Wall:

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  • Wayne Clagg

    Yea that cowlng took 4 months, not something I want to go through again!

    Mar 9, 2010

  • Ricardo Rodriguez

    Hello Wayne! Sergio and I were talking about engines. He mentioned you were thinking about switching the VW for a Hirth because of the weight. I too think the VW is heavy, but it is cheap and works. Anyway, I read most of your postings and I have been following the progress of your project. Very nice plane! Take care.

    ...Ricardo

    Mar 18, 2010

  • Ricardo Rodriguez

    Hello Wayne,

    Yes, I saw the pictures of your Fat Fins. Looks great. Also, I read your comments on the problems you had at the begining with the heads. I hope that those fat fins do fix that and improve the performance. Maybe in the future you can cast fat fins heads for the VW at a reasonable price...

    Mar 19, 2010

  • Razvan Chiriac

    Hi
    Than you.
    It took me 2 years and 7month to build it. Everything went nice and it was fun. At the end the aircraft got around 25kg heavier then I thought. I have made some modification that costed me that extra weight.

    First I cracked the original canopy and I had to buy a new one. The new one thickness is double compared to the old one so it added some kg. I used the forward opening canopy system from the XL model which I think is slightly heavier then the original side to side for the HD model. I was also forced by the EAA here in Sweden to install a roll over bar which added about 5kg.

    I purchased the VW engine because it was cheaper the others. Now I wish I did not. The engine is direct drive and is a little bit o weak for he HD. According to sonex the engine should give 80hp at 3200-3400 rpm and have a max rpm of 4000. I cant reach douse figures. I have two sensenich props that I have tested, on 62x40 and on 58x36.

    The smaller one gives me higher rpm but lower cruise speed and the bigger one the other way but also lower fuel consumption since I can have a lower rpm but the same cruise speed.
    Climb performance is 500´-700´/min @ 3000-3100rpm. Cruise speed 90kt-95kt @ 2750-2850rpm. Empty weight 303kg.

    I think that the HD model gives to much drag for his engine. Maybe if I had installed a reduction drive it would have workt better.

    I am considering o build me the HDS wings in the future to lower the drag.
    I have had grate problems with my engine temperatures but now I have solved them. It took me a hole year to solve them, I had nobody to ask and neither sonex or zenith air could help.

    What is the performance of your engine with reduction drive? What is the weight of the a/c, cruise speed and climb?
    Did you bought the reduction drive separate or together with the engine?

    If you have more question, just ask.

    Fly safe, Razvan

    Mar 25, 2010

  • Razvan Chiriac

    hi

    I have also bought the vw because of the price and if I didn’t I would also wondered how it would have been. I have also builded my zodiac from plans only.

    Sonex, when I called them first time I told them about what I had in mind they said, no problem it will work and when the problems appeared they said that they did not have any experience of the HD and Aeroveee combination.

    Since I have a low rpm I have around 16-18L/h consumption so it is nice.

    After a hole year of working with the temp problem I had damaged the heads and valves because of the heat so at the end as you I have bought new cylinder with new pistons and high compression ring. Had also ground the valve seats and the valves.

    Builded me new baffles which are very effective, everything is like new now and work very nice.

    Before the modification the temperature on rear cylinders could reach 235-242o C before I could reach 500´-600´. Now I can climb at WOT and nothing happens. The hottest cylinder is around 160o during climb and during cruise it stays on 153oC and the coldest on are between 93-96oC.

    Fly safe, razvan

    Mar 25, 2010

  • Razvan Chiriac

    I also bought the NEW and IMPROVED baffling but it did not work for me i had to modify it and come up with my own solution. Do yo think you can mail me so detaild photos of the reduction drive you have, I am realy curious on how it looks. I would prefer to try and build me one my self and save some money :-)

    Mar 25, 2010

  • Lucas Suthers

    Thanks a bunch. I'd love a little tig welder for my garage shop (they've really come down), but I've been laid of from the blacksmith shop for a year and can't spare the cash. There is an AC tig machine at the blacksmith shop but it's set up for steel and I would rather not tie it up if I don't have to. I HATE the aluminum mig setup at our shop, and don't want to risk my heads. I'm going to research that rod and check out the the fat head thread. Thanks Again

    Mar 27, 2010

  • Terry Sadler

    Hi Wayne My name is Terry Sadler I have a 701 that is waiting inspection.. We have the same engine and redrive from valley.. was wondering if you could give me some numbers on the stall and approch speeds ect.. with this set up...also amthinking of installing a secound fuel pump..are you running one or do you have a 2nd.... Terry

    Apr 3, 2010

  • Terry Sadler

    Yes I have a top mounted carb.. they said the engine would run without the pump... but in taxi test the plane would die if I would call for an increase in throttle..this is why I was wondering about addind a secound for safety.. Allso the plane weighs in at 633lbs the cg is12.78 most fordward is 15.2 most rearward is18.2 Thease are with pilot and fuel...emty cg is 11.0to 20.0 I gave you thease figures as you were telling me that the plane is sensitive to weight when flying.. this looks as if I would be well within th cg...Terry

    Apr 4, 2010

  • Sergio Fink

    Wayne, I read your article about the VW with additional cooling ribs on cylinder head and I found it's a good solution. Is the impressive enhancement on power due only to this extra cooling? Enjoy your "new" power plant! Sergio

    Apr 19, 2010

  • Sergio Fink

    Hello Wayne, now it's fully clear for me. Increasing compression leads normally to increased power and to higher temperature (gas laws). But it means also higher stress on the crankshaft, so finding the ideal point is, as always, a question of finding the best compromise. A more powerful engine has doubtless the advantage of reserve power and more relaxed average use. I was also looking to Hirth's new F30, a four-cylinder air-cooled 2-stroke engine (light-weight with about 100 HP), but after my revamping I have to constrain spences... Sergio

    Apr 20, 2010

  • Terry Sadler

    Hi Wayne Was looking at some of your enginr pictures and saw that you have the sencer for cylinder head under the head bolt.. mine is under #3 spark plug... the company told me that the more acc place is the head bolt... Could you tell me where you purchased your's????? Terry PS I am working on directing more air under the cylinder heads as on inticial climbout the temp was high .. after I leveled off and decreased rpms to 3100 the temps went down.......

    May 1, 2010

  • Terry Sadler

    Morning Wayne thanks for the info on the sensor and on the elevator I am going to the hanger and tweek the edge as sonn as I get off the computer...The seal issue ...Sent pulley and old seal and new seal to valley called me back to say that it looked as though the last batch of pulleys were 6 thous.to big they put mine on the lathe and said that it should be OK.... also told me that if the seal went into the block to easy that I should use a little JB weld this would hold seal but would not bother if in the future I have to split case...... Should have parts back Monday.. They have been very good to deal with so far,iin fact they put a new set of belts in box just to be on the safe side...It is realy great to have someone with the same setup to ask questions oof THANKS Terry

    May 2, 2010

  • John Rizzo

    Wayne,

    I am also plans building a 701 and have a GPAS VW engine for it. I am still trying to figure out the best way to cowl, cool, exhaust, and carb heat the engine. Do you have any suggestions?

    John Rizzo

    May 4, 2010

  • John Rizzo

    Wayne,

    Thanks for the reply. I will be checking out the Yahoo boards and I have bee reading all of the Zenith newsletters. I know this will be a tough row to hoe as air cooling and slow air speeds are generally incompatible.

    I am in the process of assembling my fuesalage and hope to have the engine mounted by October.

    John Rizzo

    May 5, 2010

  • Terry Sadler

    Hi Wayne.. Engine is running great..Cylinder head temp is between 425-450..Oil temp running 180-185 3100on tach is around 75-80 mphburning 2 1/2 gal per hr if I run up to 3450 I can cruse 80-85 but I burn 31/2 gal per hr..still havent used the flaps have my approch dow in the 60 mph range when the runwat is made I blead speed to low 50's I have been making some good landings with this method.. Clime out on the GPS is 1000-1100ft ..it is really strong on takeoff ... My left wing is a little heavy, have to rest stick againts leg to fly hands off... Using the 2x4 to tweek the elevator worked on the trim.. All in all I still have a grin on my face when I fly........ Maby you would have some words of wisdom on the flaps... Terry

    May 23, 2010

  • Lucas Suthers

    Did something go wrong with the originals?

    Jun 11, 2010

  • Lucas Suthers

    Thanks for the update. My project is shelved until summer semester is over, but I still like to check on your progress with the fat fin experiment. I've even acquired an AC tig welder that I'm learning to use, and plan to use on the fins. I hope to have more time this fall to get back at it. Anyhow, thanks for the information. I like knowing the good, the bad and the ugly.

    Jun 12, 2010

  • Terry Sadler

    Hi Wayne.. Will try the rudder trim for my heavy wing if I ever get to fly..... Put new cap on yesterday got plane running.. put cowls on and got ready to test fly this am.. after the fog lifted went out to start plane..when it started it broke bouth belts and spit them out on the ground..have to figure out why and replace.....enough to make you through up your arms and walk away... mnjot a good morning. Terry

    Jun 13, 2010

  • Terry Sadler

    Hi Wayne I am running a wood prop by culiver.. TRhe belts bother me also.. I am wondering if I have made the right choise with this setup???? Please keep me imformed as the direction you are going.. I will be puting in a call to Larry tomorrow about the belts.will let you know how it turns out Terry

    Jun 13, 2010

  • Terry Sadler

    Hi Wayne.. Talked to valley today larrys father got on the phone after they had disscussed my proublem..Said it lookd as thpough my engine had been sent to me with a lighter flywheel.. of course the only way to see is to pull the engine so about 730 I went down to hanger ,pulled the prop,cowls, wireing fuel,ect..engine is now hanging from my engine hoist..and yes I do have the light flywheel, they say this is also why I have so much dust from belts also. will call in am they said they would overnight me the heavyer one..hpe this is the cure....Terry

    Jun 14, 2010

  • Ron D Leclerc

    Hey wayne...
    It's been a while since I talked to you... so I thought that I would get in touch. I feel that the work that you are doing is very important for builders who want to use the VW engine in their projects... is very informative! I'm a huge fan of VW engines... having owned a few bugs over the years, great little cars! The only thing left after I was finished with them... were the engines, like a Timex.

    How's that engine coming along... are you making any progress at all? Are you satisfied with the work you did with the heads[fat fin] to solve your cooling problems? I have been watching some of your comments and find the comments made by others very interesting. They obvious do not know much about VW engines...
    Regards
    Ron

    Jul 7, 2010

  • Lucas Suthers

    Your test results sound great. Did you do anything different on this set of heads?

    Jul 7, 2010

  • Ian Walsh

    Hi Wayne,
    Thanks for your reply.On my short strip I will need to fly over a clump of 80' trees about 120 yards from the threshhold or do a decending dog leg around them. The strip is slightly up hill.so the landing run should be OK. So far all of the Zenair flying has been on large commercial airfields which require me to keep the speed up and land long. Most of the airfields available to me are at least a one hour drive from my home.My proposed STOL strip is right next to my house,so you can see how much I want to make it work!
    Regards,
    Ian.

    Jul 14, 2010

  • Chris Aysen

    Wayne - Thanks for the info. I chose the green because its different. The contour outline I knew I was going to have to break the square look...... I need something for my doors. Its getting to be a pain without something to hold them up. They are of my own design so the normal mechanisms to hold them up suggested by Zenith won't work...... Read about your challenges with the engine; I don't know if I could have went the distance. GOOD JOB! Chris

    Aug 10, 2010

  • Glenn Woolston

    Bad landing!!! Stalled out on take off and went into some high growth--wrecked my wings bad----oh well, will fix up this winter--thought maybe some one out there would have some parts to sell--thanks for inquiring--Glenn

    Aug 14, 2010

  • Glenn Woolston

    Upset for a while---glad didn't get hurt bad--just a cut on my head--give me something to do this winter---had my CH701 about 7 yrs and like it very much---took about a year and half to put it together-- fun plane--Glenn

    Aug 14, 2010

  • Ron D Leclerc

    Hey Wayne...

    Have you heard of the bad news about ... Bob! Hard to believe, kind of leaves you with a very empty feeling, I kind of took it for granted that everything was ok... but I guess things were a lot worse then he let on!

    Regards
    Ron

    Aug 15, 2010

  • Bob McDonald

    Wayne
    Thanks for the info and I will look up your Utube video.
    I just read your reply, I changed my e-mail address and things bogged down.
    Thanks. Bob

    Aug 17, 2010

  • Craig Smith

    probably a day by car or bike. We're halfway between Lansing and Detroit.
    I recent;y cleared up my time for airpane construction and things seem to progress at a satisfactory pace now.
    I'm getting better at translating the IPLs and drawings into solid structures.

    Sep 12, 2010

  • Craig Smith

    My hangar is at KOZW, Livingston County airport. Not much to see with the airplane as of yet. Only the tail surfaces finished, will be starting the wings probably next month. But you are welcome to stop by, of course. Shoot me a note through here a few days ahead, and I'll send you my phone no.

    Sep 13, 2010

  • dan glaze

    hi wayne, great video in news letter, im building a 750 so a beetle engine wont be big enough so i went with a corvair engine, about 90% complete with the engine, have only built rudder so far but getting ready to order the rest of the kit. went to the zenith open house last week and brought the plans home with me. good to know im not the only HVAC guy that likes the zenith. im also self employed in the field, im in eaa 402 at newark heath ohio, how far are you from hales landing in WV. ? i would like to pick your brain sometime about your 701 and VW. im a old beetle guy and just now finishing up a fresh rebuild on a "69" thanks again for the video, Dan Glaze

    Sep 26, 2010

  • dan glaze

    wow it sure is a small world, one of our guys in 402 has a hanger at hales landing, his name is Dale, his cherokee blew a tire on landing there a few weeks back and he clipped a hanger, had to pull his wing off and send it out for repairs,no one hurt thank God. I am a joint owner in a piper archer II but am trying to sell to help fund my 750. I got to fly the factory 750 last year at the open house and I cant wait to build mine. Im not even started on the airframe yet and im already wondering if i have it in me to take that first flight, how did you manage that first flight? it worries me to even think about it , Dan

    Sep 26, 2010

  • Terry Sadler

    Hi Wayne..Havent heard from you in a while..hope everything is alright..I am finlally flying again  Terry

    Feb 21, 2011

  • Sebastien Heintz

    Hi Wayne: I just received the April 2011 issue of Kitplanes magazine: Great seven-page feature story on you and your STOL CH 701 - Congratulations!
    Thanks for helping promote affordable recreational aviation!
    Sebastien Heintz

    Feb 23, 2011

  • Terry Sadler

    Good morning Wayne.. Things are going preety well.. The plane has 48 hrs..And things are doing great..learning to fly the plane ,landing over the wires at my strip.. My strip is east and weast sun bothers in the evening as it was a one way strip.. with this plane I can come over wires and get in short enough to land....put in a new flap handle so it is easier to use not preety but works well..also added a bigger trim tab, now I can set up the landing at airport and do approch with just trim..How about you are you flying? Terry

    Jun 12, 2011

  • Terry Sadler

    Hi Wayne...Wondering how things were with you and the 701??? Also would like to know the numbers for the belts that you put on the redrive..You went to two if I rember right.I am running the set up of 4 belts--- 27 hrs on them and I took off the cowls this am and there is belt dust all over my carb and there is ware showing on two belts...was wondering if you were getting any more time then tis on the two belt setup?   hope things are going well.. The plane is going great other than the belt issue..Terry

    Jul 15, 2011

  • Terry Sadler

    Hi Wayne...wondering what you were doing on the plane? last time we talked you were preety discouraged,have you done anything about the engine issue? Mine is flying good at the moment,and I redid the redrive with some new shims (spent two days) and have flown alost 9 hrs with no belt dust or wear showing..crossing my fingers..Terry

    Sep 4, 2011

  • Terry Sadler

    Hi Wayne..Saw a 912uls  on barnstormers for sale in the 1600.00 range i think it said 260 hrs on it it is under the expertimals.. Terry

    Sep 28, 2011

  • dan glaze

    hi wayne hows things going, i sold my share of the piper archer this week and promptly ordered my wings for the 750, corvair engine done and running strong,cant wait to get the airframe done,still going to pick your brain sometime when i get close to being done building i hope all is well with you, i still watch your clips and cant get over the beauty of the area, the fog and cloud shots are awsome,  Dan

    Oct 8, 2011

  • Razvan Chiriac

    Hi!

    Sorry for the very late response. I totaly agreee with you about sonex. No realy help from them when you need it. 

    I have now builded me new engine cowlings and changed the old heads, Have not had the time yet to test it but I hope it will work fine.

    the new cowling shoold give me better cooling and less drag. 

    Now I just have to repaint the eyes and teeth then I am done :-)

    May 6, 2013

  • Jeff badgero

    wayne I have a 701 with a vw Im looking to buy a 912 80hp, were abel to use any parts from the vw?

    motor mount, cowl, oil cooler?  Thanks Jeff in Michigan 231 342 1853

    jbadgero@mhc.net

    Sep 20, 2013

  • ulis temos

    Did you change your email address?

    Aug 30, 2015

  • Doug Horner

    Wayne. Let me know when you are coming to zenith. I may be able to drive up and visit.so your airplane is at Mallory field?

    Jan 13, 2017

  • Doug Horner

    That's great! I would love to have my own airport!

    Jan 13, 2017

  • charlie rosenzweig

    Wayne,

    I appreciate the offer.  I am a bit curious what it took to get your own strip with a federal airport identifier....was that an easy/difficult process?   What seemed important to the FAA to allow your field to be listed?   

    Feb 14, 2017

  • charlie rosenzweig

    Wayne, Thank you, that is good to know. I don't have any airports near me, but my proposed strip would be near a state highway and I do worry someone may want to complain about that and who knows what the Feds would say.   I do wonder too about local officials who do not like airplanes what they would do, as well....  Who knows, may be just fine....I hope I get a chance to find out...take care  charlie

    Feb 16, 2017

  • Ron Crook

    Hi Wayne 

    You have the best videos hands down. Im on my second 701 sold the last with 80hp and picked another and just waiting for my special Cof A didn tknow there was a small airport in summerville till I seen your video ..Where is your strip and is it registered? Im in Toronto Canada almost 500hrs flying the 701 and still a  blast.

    Dec 12, 2017

  • Ron Crook

    Hello Wayne after months of hassles with my inspector I flew yesterday and the only real prob is the carb springs are pulling the throttle wide open and even when locked off it still creeps...need softer springs. I understand the need for the springs but not sure if they need to open full throttle should the cable break...any thoughts ? Drop me a line on my email ronflys701@hotmail.com

    Jun 14, 2018

  • Lynn S. Beckhorn

    Hi Wayne,  I put a UL-260i in mine, I think that was a first.  Got about 230 hrs. on it now and like it alot, sounds like a real engine.  Cheers,,,,,,,,,  Lynn

    Jun 25, 2018