Daniel Niendorff
  • Male
  • Knoxville, TN
  • United States
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Daniel Niendorff's Discussions

2500 Amphib floats for sale

Started Aug 30, 2022 0 Replies

I have decided to sell my 2500 Amphib floats.  Lots of upgrades….  High quality hydraulic lines throughout, access panels/pump out cups for all compartments.  Spring loaded stoppers.  Storage…Continue

801 Alaska Bush Wheels

Started this discussion. Last reply by Daniel Niendorff May 7, 2023. 29 Replies

I’ve been doing a little work on my 801, and I figured it was time to write up what I have done.  …Continue

Wing strut fairings

Started this discussion. Last reply by David J. Beaulieu May 5, 2021. 7 Replies

I am experimenting with fairings for my wing strut attach points.My method is to design the fairing in solidworks, and then print male and female mold with a small offset.  The offset is designed to…Continue

Oil Cooler Plenum

Started this discussion. Last reply by Daniel Niendorff Aug 23, 2020. 2 Replies

I made this plenum for my firewall mounted oil cooler.  Measures angles…Continue

 

Daniel Niendorff's Page

Latest Activity

Daniel Niendorff posted a video
Feb 7
Daniel Niendorff posted a blog post

IO-375 cooling - solved.

Cooling the IO-375 -I’ve got a little over 350 hrs on my 801 with IO-375 now.  I really like the engine - lots of power….. and heat. Piston oil squirters shift some of that heat into the oil, and it can be a trick to manage.  I found myself needing  to make a couple of adjustments along the way to get control of oil and cylinder head temps. It has been a fairly long journey to get it where I want it. Now that I am there, I figured it was time for a write up.  This is how one guy did it…..  I’m…See More
Sep 7, 2023
Daniel Niendorff posted a video

Zenith 801 - Cruise flight

Flying home from Oshkosh 2023.
Jul 30, 2023
Daniel Niendorff posted a blog post

Alaska Bush Wheels V 2.0

Big tires are fun.  You can go almost as many places as float flying.  Flashback to my original post about going from floats to Alaska Bush Wheels ( https://zenith.aero/forum/topics/801-alaska-bush-wheels?xg_source=activity ).  I did a fair bit of work to make the swap.  Most of…See More
May 7, 2023
Daniel Niendorff posted a video

Zenith 801 - cool weather/light winds performance

Single pilot, 35-40F, light winds take off and landing performance example in a Zenith 801. Airplane with IO-375 and CS prop.
Dec 6, 2022
A photo by Daniel Niendorff was featured
Jul 31, 2022
Daniel Niendorff posted photos
Jul 23, 2022
Daniel Niendorff posted a video
Jul 12, 2022
Daniel Niendorff posted a discussion

801 Alaska Bush Wheels

I’ve been doing a little work on my 801, and I figured it was time to write up what I have done.  As some of you know, I put my 801 on 2500A amphibs last year, and have been having a fun time flying it around on the water.  I flew it from…See More
Mar 17, 2022
Daniel Niendorff posted a status
"Those of you who have done big tires…. What did you put on the nose gear?"
Aug 27, 2021
Daniel Niendorff posted a photo

Flying home from Oshkosh: Chicago shoreline VFR flyway

Coming back from Oshkosh 2021 we flew the Chicago shoreline VFR flyway southbound.
Aug 2, 2021
Daniel Niendorff posted a video

Zenith 801 Amphib Water Landing

Landing on Douglas Lake in East TN. Zenith 801 on amphibious floats.
Jul 3, 2021
Matt Hoecker left a comment for Daniel Niendorff
"Thank you Daniel!  The original builder did a great job on it."
Jun 7, 2021
A photo by Daniel Niendorff was featured

N801PZ - on Amphibs

I got my 801 flying today with Zenair 2500A amphibs, and a Hartzell C/S prop.
May 17, 2021
Daniel Niendorff posted a video

Zenith 801 with Zenair 2500 amphib floats Hartzell C/S prop

This is a video of my first day of flying the 801 with the upgrades (amphibs/CS prop).
May 16, 2021
Daniel Niendorff posted a video

Smoke leak test for zenith 2500A amphib floats

I used a smoke test for initial leak testing on my float build. It seemed to do a good job of detecting small leaks.
Apr 23, 2021

Profile Information

Aircraft Model
STOL CH 801
Project Status
Flying
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
Built a STOL CH-801 from a kit. I purchased the partially completed kit from another builder in 2013. It flew in 2017. Amphibious floats and Bush Wheels.
Home Airport (ie. KMYJ)
TN98

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Daniel Niendorff's Blog

IO-375 cooling - solved.

Posted on September 7, 2023 at 8:33pm 2 Comments

Cooling the IO-375 -

I’ve got a little over 350 hrs on my 801 with IO-375 now.  I really like the engine - lots of power….. and heat. Piston oil squirters shift some of that heat into the oil, and it can be a trick to manage.  I found myself needing  to make a couple of adjustments along the way to get control of oil and cylinder head…

Continue

Alaska Bush Wheels V 2.0

Posted on May 7, 2023 at 8:30am 2 Comments

Big tires are fun.  You can go almost as many places as float flying.  Flashback to my original post about going from floats to Alaska Bush Wheels (…

Continue

3d Magic

Posted on July 24, 2020 at 8:30pm 5 Comments

I think it is worthwhile to share some of my experiences here on the forum about a recent project that I did.  So here goes....

The idea for this project began several years ago.  It started when I first got my 801 up and running.  Zenith/Zenair had changed the cowl at some point, and when I ordered my FWF kit, I got the new cowl.  The cowl fit well, and most importantly cooled well in flight.  But it was quite difficult to fit the air intake.  Basically, I did not fit.  The…

Continue

Rudder Trim

Posted on September 23, 2019 at 7:51pm 2 Comments

I have spent a little time experimenting with rudder trim, and I think it would be worthwhile to share my experiences with the group.  I know that most of you are probably saying "Why?" to the concept of rudder trim for our STOL aircraft.  In most cases, it is probably not necessary.  However, I found it useful.  I'll explain.....

The Aerosport IO-375 makes 195 hp, and lots of P-factor.  With that power plant, one can point the nose up and go.  In the 801, I can also haul a…

Continue

Comment Wall (10 comments)

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At 12:43pm on June 7, 2021, Matt Hoecker said…

Thank you Daniel!  The original builder did a great job on it.

At 4:15pm on February 28, 2020, Brian Walker said…

Thanks Dan - I have a CH640 which has the same design in that area as the CH801.   I have a IO-360 and had to move the engine forward 5" (to make room for the prop governor) so I'm guessing I'll need 13-15 pucks.  I ordered 18 so I have enough to experiment with.  My pucks and sleeves will be here on 3/2/20.  I'll let you know what I come up with.  Thanks !  

At 12:48am on May 1, 2019, William D. Phillips said…

Dan, a couple questions please. Did you build the  flaporon attachment bearing bellcrank that you show in your photos? I want to make similar for mine. Do you have drawings, etc? Also, I am installing seat adjustment rails for the 750 in my 801. If you are interested I can send you photos and data. Best regards, Bill Phillips 

At 12:55am on April 25, 2019, William D. Phillips said…

Hi Dan, I’m not on the pad very often so I missed you in March. I live in middle Georgia and building a 801. I built a 601 XLB and a RV 8-a that I fly out of Kopn. You would be welcome to see my 801 build most anytime. Bill Phillips 

At 1:48pm on January 20, 2018, Jerry said…

Hi Daniel  how much experience do u have with floats or know of someone who does 

just sold a cub on floats want to put maybe 2000s on my 801 in process

of putting 31s on main  and 29 on nose now  phone nu is 2509440038 if u want to call me

At 12:08pm on December 17, 2017, Erturk Kocalar said…

Hi Dan,

Congrats on your 801.  The flight with the passengers is priceless.

I'm sure I'll bug you for build questions :)

Take care and enjoy your 801.

Erturk

At 7:37am on February 3, 2017, Normand Lambert said…

Hi Daniel,

Thanks for your comment... I keep updating my status but sometimes Wonder if it matters much ... Anyway, lots of fun working on these planes. Good thing I got my CH701 flying while building the other ones... Keep at it, it will FLY !

Regards,

Norm 

At 6:50am on June 24, 2013, Daniel Niendorff said…
Hi Keith,
Yes I indeed, looks like we both missed our chance on the FWF recently posted. Best of luck to the Canadian who got it, but I would have loved to add it to my plane. I guess I'll have to keep looking. Glad to hear you connected to a good group. Our local eaa chapter here is similar. I just came back from the fly-in at the zenith factory in Mexico Missouri. No 801s showed up........ But was still a great trip. I'm making slow progress. Just about ready for riveting the fuselage sections together.
At 7:47pm on June 22, 2013, keith mcewan said…

Daniel, I see that you where after the firewall forward gear being sold in Utah, as I was !!. Would have been a great way to get a head start on the build but it's going to Canada I believe, I have joined the Sport Aircraft association of Australia which will help with licensing and testing etc on the 801. Also joining the Sport aircraft Builders club of Western Australia , small bitumen airstrip an hour away. No build progress as we have been 4WDriving up north for 2 weeks and still researching.  Keith McEwan

At 8:29pm on April 21, 2013, keith mcewan said…

Daniel, Thanks for the contact, I'm glad there are others on the same journey. I've never had two wings sitting in the lounge room before but they look good.  My intention is a relaxed build over a couple of years to allow time to learn the new skills needed and do as good a job as I can, being a first timer.Mine is complete except for the fwf and avionics, cabin trim etc, it has been assembled at one time. Look forward to keeping in touch. Keith Mcewan

 
 
 

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