Barry Sweeney

Perth Western Australia

Australia

Profile Information:

Aircraft Model
ZODIAC CH 650
Project Status
Other
Building From
Kit
Building Experience
Have worked on airplanes before
Flying Experience
Sport Pilot (or Ultralight)
Building and Flying Info / Your Profession / Other Background Info
Professional senior citizen, retired rigger/crane driver, Army 20 yrs, Vietnam Vet

Comment Wall:

  • Chris Sinfield

    Welcome Barry

    how far though the kit are you?

    I am over in Sydney building an XL almost ready for engine..

    Have you made contact with any other WA 650 Builders?

    Chris..

  • Chris Hoare

    Hi Barry

    I think my plane tail section kit coming with yours .

    Allan is going to give me your contact details but still waiting.

    I spoke with Allan and date of arrival at the port is the 13th subject to change.

    Then one week to clear customs.

    I live in Denmark down south .

    Would like to give you a call if posible.

    Thanks Chris Hoare

    0447482244

  • Dave Gardea

    HI Barry,

    Here are the parts I ordered from McMaster Carr:
    2 ea. bearings 57155K16 - 3/16 ID, 5/16 OD
    4  ea. bushings 6391K124

    see Mark Hubel's pics at the bottom of this page:
    http://hubbles.dyndns.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=3348

    Mark is another Zenith builder. I got the idea from Mark after he mentioned it on Matronics back in October. His pics show where he opened the rudder bearing points to
    5/16. I used the same approach. I first opened the holes for the
    bearings to slightly under 5/16 and then used a 5/16 reamer. (Note:
    Mark chose to use a slightly smaller reamer to make a press fit. I
    only had a 5/16 reamer on hand) I then installed the bearings, with
    grease holding them in place, one at the top mount of the fuse and the
    other at the bottom pivot point on the rudder. For each bearing, you
    install one bushing above and one below. This requires you also open
    up those holes to 1/4 inch .. see Mark's pic of this using the angle
    drill. The above bushings from McMaster Carr are probably slightly
    longer than needed, but you can adjust the vertical positioning of the
    bushings and bearings by using an appropriate number of AN3 and AN4
    washers placed to keep the bearings from sliding out of their reamed
    holes. Plan on having on hand a few longer AN3 drilled bolts in
    varying lengths as the total assembly at each bearing point is
    slightly longer than the original Zenith bolt/bushing approach. Also
    the above bushings and bearings are exactly 3/16 id and will require
    you remove most of the cadmium plating from the AN3 bolts in order to
    fit them over the bolts. I chucked the bolts in my drill press and at
    low speed held up some scotchbrite to remove the finish.

    I have yet to get a pic of the finished assembly, but
    the above and Mark's pics may help you get started.

    Here are Mark's comments in a recent email to me: "Dave,  I now have
    about 20 hours on it since the update and the rudder is very solid,
    this will probably far outlast the aircraft and all of us.
      I did use a reamer to make the hose in the brackets a press in fit.
    There are now more pictures at the bottom of photo.hubbles.com I have
    not put in comments, that will be coming."

    Regards,

    Dave