Doug Eaton

Male

Redding, CA

United States

Profile Information:

Aircraft Model
ZODIAC CH 601
Project Status
Flying
Building From
Purchased finished aircraft
Engine installed (or plan to install)
Jabiru
Building Experience
No Experience
Flying Experience
Private Pilot
Building and Flying Info / Your Profession / Other Background Info
Retired Banker. Flying since I was 16 years old. About 3,000 hours in several types. Looked in to Experimental Aircraft about two years ago. Have tried to learn as much as possible since then. Just completed rudder school at QSP. Ready to order either CH650 or 750 Cruzer. Using Corvair Engine as designed by William Wynn and his associates. Just located a core engine in Medford,Oregon. Picking it up this weekend. Would like to talk to some of the builders who have completed and flown the 650 or the Cruzer with a Corvair Engine.

Well, instead of turning that rudder into an airplane, I have found a very low hour 601XLB with a late model Jabiru 3300. I felt that flying was more important to me than building at this time. My wife and I love the plane! We purchased it in Tucson and it is being "ferried" to us in Redding, Ca on May 28th. We are getting our hangar ready for her now.

Thank you to all of those who responded to my questions on the Corvair engine and the performance of your aircraft. I could feel the pride you have when you spoke about all the effort you have invested.
Home Airport (ie. KMYJ)
O85 Benton Airpark, Redding,Ca

Comment Wall:

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  • Steve Sims

    Doug, I only have about 11 hours on my 601HDS so I'm not the right person to give you numbers yet.  I can tell you mine stalls about 45 kts.  It does fly nice but it is not a fast plane. 

    I can tell you from experience to be very careful if you buy a kit that someone else started.  I did and regret it; he only put about 100 hours into it but he worked a little on a lot areas.  I had to literally undo everything he did and make and/or buy new parts.  In the end, I doubt I saved any money but added several years to the build. However, in the end I have a plane and engine that I know every inch of.  It may not be the fastest or the prettiest but I know that it was built to my standards. 

    As I was flying over the beautiful Gulf Coast last week (still in my FAA designated test area) in a plane that I built myself, in my garage... all the additional work didn't really seem all that important anymore : ) 

    Mar 3, 2014

  • Steve Sims

    Doug, my 601HDS built to the latest drawings, Corvair engine, primed inside and out, leading edge tanks, full interior, and VFR equipped using MGL iEFIS, MGL V6 Comm, and Sandia remote transponder weighed in at a healthy 740lbs using calibrated, digital scales. 

    Mar 4, 2014

  • Van Anthony

    Doug,

    The "Adventure" Flying group sounds interesting. Give me a call at 530-913-6087 so we can talk about it.

    Also, let me know if you ever plan on visiting GOO (Nevada County Airport). I would love to see your plane and show you what is going on with mine.

    Van............

    May 23, 2014