Mike Chekal
  • Male
  • Brighton, MI
  • United States
Share on Facebook

Mike Chekal's Friends

  • Chuck Hughes
  • gary farnworth
  • Roland Ashby
  • Rebecca Riley
  • Michael Chesney
  • Peter Bowen
  • Patrick Borton
  • Ronald W. Gorsline
  • Steve Freeman
  • Donald Bonk
  • Mark Ertz
  • brad cohen
  • Earl C. Downs
  • Ted Taylor
  • David Gallagher

Mike Chekal's Discussions

SOLD! Jabiru 3300A Engine for sale

Started this discussion. Last reply by Mike Chekal Jun 10, 2023. 2 Replies

Gen2, S/N 1038. 454 TTSN. Includes: Bing Carb & Muffler. On flying airplane so time will increase. • Contact Michael…Continue

Tags: Engine, 3300, Jabiru

Things to try before removing a cylinder with low compression?

Started this discussion. Last reply by geo. keyes, jr. Nov 5, 2019. 2 Replies

Hello all,I have one cylinder with compression in the low 60's on a 3300A with 300 hours. When checking compression I can hear air escaping when I remove the dipstick. This tells me air is flowing…Continue

Bungee installation tool - $40 (plus shipping)

Started this discussion. Last reply by Mike Chekal Jan 25, 2019. 1 Reply

This bungee installation tool allows you to install or replace nose gear bungee easily and safely in minutes.  No need to remove the engine, you can install the bungee with the engine in place. …Continue

CH640?

Started this discussion. Last reply by Michael Heintz Jun 1, 2017. 2 Replies

Anyone on here built and flying a CH640?I have built a 601XL and am now considering a 640 as a group project for our EAA chapter. Now that BasicMed is active, I see people interested in 4 seat…Continue

 

Mike Chekal's Page

Latest Activity

Mike Chekal posted a discussion

Things to try before removing a cylinder with low compression?

Hello all,I have one cylinder with compression in the low 60's on a 3300A with 300 hours. When checking compression I can hear air escaping when I remove the dipstick. This tells me air is flowing past the rings.This is cylinder #2 which always runs cool (never over 300 degrees F). One thought is that the the rings are gummed up with lead (I have always burned 100LL). Hopefully it is not a broken ring.I am looking for suggestions before I tear the cylinder off. I do plan on borescoping the…See More
Nov 4, 2019
Mike Chekal posted a status
"Who says a low-wing cant participate in a flour drop contest..."
Jul 2, 2019
Mike Chekal posted a video

Flour drop test

Test of flour drop "rip-cord" contraption for low wing experimental aircraft.
Jul 2, 2019

Profile Information

Aircraft Model
ZODIAC XL
Project Status
Flying
Building From
Kit
Engine installed (or plan to install)
Jabiru
Building Experience
Have already built an airplane
Flying Experience
Private Pilot
Building and Flying Info / Your Profession / Other Background Info
Electrical/software engineer
Home Airport (ie. KMYJ)
KOZW

Mike Chekal's Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Mike Chekal's Videos

  • Add Videos
  • View All

Comment Wall (12 comments)

You need to be a member of Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers to add comments!

Join Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers

At 10:38am on June 20, 2015, Stephen R. Smith said…

Mike,

I have about 1,600 hours on my 601XLB now.  I am still using the intake system pictured above.  I purchased a Rotec TBI-40 but I never installed it so I am still using the Bing.

Before I got rid of the scat tube, my engine ran best with the throttle pulled back a bit from the firewall. That is no longer true.

A few years ago I added a HACman leaning system.  It works very well with the Bing.

Steve

At 7:24am on January 23, 2015, Ronald W. Gorsline said…

Mike, Thanks for getting back with me; let me know when you get back to working in the hanger I would be glad to help you with some final assembly if needed.

I've already joined EAA chapter 55 at Mason, I can use their large builders hanger for $110 a month plus gas heat expense, comes with club tool box (meant for short term projects).

 

Looking forward to meeting you and seeing your plane

At 11:22am on September 19, 2014, Peter Bowen said…
Thanks Mike, I will try to get over on Saturday.
You can show me how the parts work ;)
And we can schedule some flying, and a little hanger talk.
Thanks again, Peter
At 6:48pm on June 10, 2014, Peter Bowen said…
Mike,
Thank you for sharing your wisdom over the weekend.
Enjoyed the flight and hope we can do it again!
Peter
At 4:47am on May 9, 2014, Peter Bowen said…

Hi Mike,

My 601 is at OZW now. Let me know if you would like to go flying sometime.

Your plane looks great!

Peter Bowen

At 2:29pm on February 2, 2014, Peter Bowen said…
I talked with Mark the airport mgr and they have two sizes. One is 42 ft wide at 265/mo and one 44 ft wide at 320/mo. We should go out and look and figure if we both will fit. Peter
These are on north side by new terminal.
At 4:46am on February 2, 2014, Peter Bowen said…

Mike,

Would you be interested in sharing a large hanger at OZW this summer. I will be a May to October type in Michigan. Not sure if you plan to be on North or South side or runway?Peter Bowen

At 5:31pm on January 22, 2014, Peter Bowen said…
Hi Mike,
We will have to get together and compare notes. I am not a builder so I know I can learn much from you. Lets keep in touch and try to meet when good for both.
Peter Bowen
At 3:56pm on January 12, 2014, Peter Bowen said…
Mike,
Happy to hear another 601 will be in Livingston co.
I bot a 601 xlb in nov 13 and have it in deland, fl.
Plan to bring it to OZW in May 14. Maybe we can go fly together.
I would love to see your project.
Peter Bowen/N481DC
517-230-3172
At 10:14am on August 20, 2013, Jake Reyna said…

Mike, I haven't had a chance to install the TBI, but I have made progress improving the performance of the Bing. It's been another busy year, we just sold a house and purchased another, so the airplane hasn't been a priority. Here are the known knowns ;-)

I've developed a new Bing inlet, my version of the Jabiru Cobra head, and airbox, basically a cold air intake. This is a modification of a previous design that replaced the stock filter airbox (FAB) that addressed the EGT span issues. This new intake is a significant improvement, I was up to a 290 main jet to get the EGT's down, stock is 255, and had to reduce to 260, 255 would work, but I had drilled it out. Cruise EGT's were excellent, but I was still running rich above 2,850 rpm, not developing full power.

The next modification was to make the balance tube adjustable, creating mixture control. It's currently setup as ground adjustable, but I'll be adding an assembly that will allow for inflight mixture control. The balance tube is the fuel bowl vent, increasing suction leans the mixture, think HACman without the plumbing.

So, I've set the balance tube to lean the mixture above 2,850 rpm on high speed taxi tests and hope to do some flying in a week or so, then I'll add the ability to make it inflight adjustable. Through all this madness, I've come to believe that the Bing is more than adequate if it has an optimized intake system. I don't think that spending the money on a TBI is necessary, but I have one and after I get 20-30 hours on the Bing, I'll install the TBI, just for grins.

The key is a better intake regardless if you're running a Bing or TBI.

Jake

 
 
 

New from Zenith:

Zenith Planes For Sale 
 

Classified listing for buying or selling your Zenith building or flying related stuff...


Custom Instrument Panels
for your Zenith
:

Custom instrument panels are now available directly from Zenith Aircraft Company exclusively for Zenith builders and owners. Pre-cut panel, Dynon and Garmin avionics, and more.


Zenith Homecoming Tee:


Zenair Floats


Flying On Your Own Wings:
A Complete Guide to Understanding Light Airplane Design, by Chris Heintz


Builder & Pilot Supplies:

Aircraft Insurance:

 
 

West Coast USA:

 
Pro Builder Assistance:

 

Transition training:

Lavion Aero

K&S Aviation Services

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty for all your building and pilot supplies!

How to videos from HomebuiltHELP.com

Developed specifically for Zenith builders (by a builder) these videos on DVD are a great help in building your own kit plane by providing practical hands-on construction information. Visit HomebuiltHelp.com for the latest DVD titles.

© 2024   Created by Zenith.Aero.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service