July 10, 2024

My kit has small breaks fittings undrilled. Drilled them.…

July 05, 2024

Riveted fuselage sides

July 04, 2024

Riveted fuselage sides.

July 01, 2024

Removed the right fuselage side.
Put the trim tab cable into a split loom 3/8 in. Put the loom in the longeron.
Reinstalled the right fuselage side.

June 19, 2024

Clekoed the baggage area.
Started working on the jump seat channels.

June 12, 2024

Deburring the left fuselage skin.
Riveted an L angle to the Side Channel LS75F4-1

June 11, 2024

Riveted the rear wing bar.
Disassembled the left fuselage skin. Started deburring.

June 07, 2024

Used reamer 3/16 to drill to the correct size holes for the fin top bracket.

Drilled holes throught the top skin into the baggage L angle.…

June 05, 2024

Zenith made the holes in LS75F4-1 for A5 rivets. The plans say to use A6 rivets.
I used a drill press and a 3/16 reamer to enlarge the holes to accept A6 rivets.

May 13, 2024

Clecoed the top skin. Have several questions about the L angles.

All predrilled holes are good. Everything clecoed as expected. It means I identifued the parts correctly.

The angle C75F20-1 seems too long. Its corners touch the top longeron. Because of this the fit between the L angle and the longeron is not tight. Should I trim 1-2 mm from each end of the L angle C75F20-1?

The angle C75F20-2 has a notch. What is this notch for? The L angle seems too…

May 08, 2024

Clecoed the rear fuselage. Attached the side skins to the bottom skin. A hint for the future - do not set clecoes on the inside. Set them all on the outside of the fuselage.

Have some problems with predrilled holes. Asking Zenith.

C75F18-1 Vertical L Angle overlaps a hole for C75F6-7 Baggage Back Side Angle. See the pictures. Should I make a small notch on C75F18-1 to clear the hole?

Zenith: make a notch

SD75F4-4 Rear Wing Attachment has holes…

I am doing the annual inspections on my 601XLB and 701. While updating my log books I noted that i have flown my 601 for 2,655.7 hours and my 701 for 266.1 hours. Here is a map that shows all the flights in the two airplanes.

The 601 has proven to be a comfortable and capable cross-country traveler. I use the 701 mainly as a local flyer for…

May 07, 2024

The part C75F6-6 Side Channel Doubler comes undrilled. Will ask Zenith is it an error or I am supposed to drill it. How to?

Zenith answered - drill the holes accurately, try not to enlarge the predrilled holes.

Drilled Side Channel Doublers on a drill press.

Clecoed the rear fuselage sides.…

May 03, 2024

Clecoed the rear fuselage bottom.

April 30, 2024

Filled the left tank with gas. Checked for leakages. None detected.

Added fuel sender wiring.…

April 17, 2024

Set flexible grommets to the large holes to protect wires and tubes from sharp edges.

I used a slotted flexible grommet.

Pitot tubes will not lie on the grommet. They will be pushed up when the pitot tube is actually installed.…

April 16, 2024

Wired the fuel tank.

Added holders for the return fuel line and pitot tubes.…

April 10, 2024

Set all left tank fittings. Used Locktite 567 sealant. Very scary. On one hand I do not want to destroy the threads on another do not want a loose fitting.

Now it is difficult to remove the fuel tank.

Cut the fuel line in size.…

April 09, 2024

Added more cork. Dry fit the tank with sump and finger filter installed. Everything looks good, I can start screwing all the fittings.
Crimped fuel sender wires.

March 08, 2024

Drilled the rear tank support angle. Used a strap duplicator to match the existing holes. Added some cork.

Continued adding cork to the tank. Now it sits reasonably tight. Cork strips marked with X probably will never touch the skin.

Drilled a hole in a rib for a return fuel line.…