Jerold Ebke
  • Fairbury, NE
  • United States
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Jerold Ebke's Discussions

Zenith Doughnut Front Gear Question

Started this discussion. Last reply by John Burns Apr 26, 2020. 5 Replies

Rudder tail strobe fairing

Started this discussion. Last reply by John Clark Jul 8, 2012. 1 Reply

Computer issues

Started this discussion. Last reply by Jerold Ebke May 5, 2012. 6 Replies

 

Jerold Ebke's Page

Latest Activity

Jerold Ebke posted a discussion

Zenith Doughnut Front Gear Question

I have seen this question asked here before, but could not locate through search.I am replacing my 650's bungee on the front gear with the new Zenith rubber cushion system.As I am installing the spacers and rubber cushions, the uppermost  round aluminum spacer is hitting the rear 2 center  A-6 rivet tails on the back edge of the underside of the  new upper stop.How are you early builders solving this?Trim spacer to a smaller outer diameter.Pull the above mentioned rear center two  A-6 rivet…See More
Apr 25, 2020

Profile Information

Aircraft Model
Zenith CH 650
Project Status
Flying
Building From
Kit
Engine installed (or plan to install)
UL Power
Building Experience
No Experience
Flying Experience
Sport Pilot (or Ultralight)
Building and Flying Info / Your Profession / Other Background Info
Dentist by day.
Husband, father and grandfather the rest of the time.
As of 6/6/2018, my 650 registration 650SJ has 280 hours of flying adventure.
Home Airport (ie. KMYJ)
KFBY

Jerold Ebke's Blog

Airfoil streamline for front landing gear

Posted on June 9, 2013 at 1:45pm 8 Comments

Does anyone have a source for an aluminum airfoil shaped fairing that one could placed around front gear tube?

Preferably open at back so could be slipped around gear tube and then riveted shut and riveted to gear tube for stability.

Comment Wall (19 comments)

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At 7:11am on March 22, 2019, Robert Riat said…

Landed at your airport yesterday - nice airport with great taxiway!  Really good to be back in the plane after a nasty Winter...

At 7:44pm on December 29, 2018, Robert Riat said…

Thanks for the reply Jerry.  I have started on the 650 and plan to use the 350i.  I picked

up the kit last week and Roger also indicated that he felt the 350i was enough engine.

I am mostly retired and am building another plane for the enjoyment of building and will

probably sell it - not wanting fuel to be an issue.

Thanks again,

Robert

At 12:21am on December 14, 2018, Jerold Ebke said…
Robert
I am satisfied with the horsepower of the 350i in my 650.
Both my wife and I are not large people so we can put 30 gallons of fuel along with 50 or so pounds of luggage and have good performance.
Living in the flat Midwest helps.
I chose the 350i for the reason you express. No access to 93 octane, but if I new I could have been OK with 91 in the 350iS, I would have certainly opted for more HP for only a few dollars more.
It’s hard to ever have enough HP .
Back to answer your question. Again, I feel 350i is more than adequate for the 650 if flown within its weight limits and not crossing mountain passes at summer temps, though I do hope to try going west in the future.
Jerry
At 4:40pm on December 13, 2018, Robert Riat said…

Hi Jerold,

  Would just like to get your opinion?  I live at Wamego, KS which is near Manhattan,

and talked to you at the Zenith fly-in in September.  You really did a great job on your

plane and I’m just curious if you are satisfied with the power of the 350i? I built a stol

750 last year and installed the 350is engine and, with 75 hours on it, I love the power,

but am running 91 octane fuel because I can’t get 93 octane around here.  Anyway,

I am picking up a 650 kit next week which I plan to take a couple years to build and

hope to make it look as good as yours, fly the 40 hours off, sell it and maybe recoup

me investment.  The fuel issue is why I am considering the 350i and assuming it still

has good power for that plane.  Would really appreciate your opinion.

Robert

At 5:43pm on March 30, 2012, Jim Snyder said…

Jerry,

 

Did you get your flap bearings installed?  I am ready to do mine.  Could you send some pics of the alignment and install?  And, any measurements?

 

Thanks,

 

Jim Snyder

At 5:36pm on October 24, 2010, Stephen R. Smith said…
Hello Jerry,

All parts came from Aircraft Spruce.

Here are some pictures.

Steve

At 5:19am on October 24, 2010, Gary Ray said…
Jerry
The gear in the most forward position moved the final distance from the datum (leading edge at the 4th rib) 5.75 inches more forward which took 100 lbs off the nose gear to the mains.(will vary w engine choice) This really helps when you rotate. Prior to reversal you still had to pull the nose off the ground and when landing you could not keep the nose wheel up without adding power. Much better especially on grass strips. Tail of aircraft sits approx 6 inches lower while on the ground which is below level.
At 5:13am on October 14, 2010, Gary Ray said…
Canopy Bow//
Jerry, I have a 601XL-B. During construction I had to make a canopy adjusement due to minimal edge clearance for the 5/16 inch drilled mounting holes. I used 1/2 inch rolled copper plumbing tubing to make the initial curves that were necessary to get the fit then bent the aluminium bow to match that in the shop.

Gary Ray
At 3:21pm on July 16, 2010, Ken Seymour said…
I have not started the wings yet. I am saving my pennies right now for the sheet metal. Should be about $1000 for the ribs and skins. Ken
At 7:08pm on July 14, 2010, Ken Seymour said…
Hi Jerry. I started with plans. I have only bought parts that are too big for my brake to handle or too complex. I have done all my own welding on everything but the top engine mount. I have half on the center spar fixed. I need a new back web as the first one came out too tall. I have found a bunch of mistakes in the plans. Not having a kit I don't know how much it is affected by them. Did you find many problems with fit and measurements?

Ken
 
 
 

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