Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
Online Community of Zenith Builders and Flyers
-
Phil Smith
- Male
- Buhl, ID
- United States
- Blog Posts (8)
- Discussions (167)
- Events
- Groups
- Photos (32)
- Photo Albums
- Videos (2)
Phil Smith's Discussions
Radiators
Started this discussion. Last reply by Phil Smith Jul 15, 2021. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Tiger Teeth
Started this discussion. Last reply by Jim and Amelia Isaacs Mar 22, 2021. 3 Replies 2 Likes
Exhaust pipe wrap
Started this discussion. Last reply by Neil Cooper Nov 19, 2021. 14 Replies 0 Likes
Welcome, Phil Smith!
Latest Activity
Radiators
Tiger Teeth
Exhaust pipe wrap
Five Year Rubber
CH 701 with 21 inch Desser tundra tires
Tundra Tires X 3
Profile Information
- Aircraft Model
- STOL CH 701
- Project Status
- Flying
- Building From
- Kit
- Engine installed (or plan to install)
- Rotax 912
- Building Experience
- Have worked on airplanes before
- Flying Experience
- Commercial / CFI
- Building and Flying Info / Your Profession / Other Background Info
- Retired USAF pilot after 28 years on active duty, USAF Reserve and Michigan ANG, then flew cargo world wide for nine years in L382 Hercules and 747-200F freighters, along the way rebuilt several airplanes and got my A&P. Decided the most fun I have ever had flying was low and slow in an old J3 Cub. Didn't like the cost of a J3 vs the performance so opted for the CH 701 which used to stare me in the face on the inside back cover of "Kit Planes" magazine. Even thought that it was the uglyest airplane I had ever seen...but fell in love anyway because it fits my six foot, 280 lb frame.Took three years, eight months and 20 days start to sign off on September 20, 2010. Ran out of parts and excuses on November 5, 2010 and flew first flight of fifteen minutes. Now have a little over three hours on bird - no squawks - and am waiting for Idaho weather to alow further adventures.
Now have ten hours and about 14 landings. All is well except for the tire questions that you might look up on the matronics web site under 701801 Still grinnin - but this Idaho wx sux when you're trying to fly.
Now over 100 hours (APR 2014) and still amazed that you can have this much fun for so little cost.
Now airframe and engine time is over 148 and still running great. Look below for some of the things that I have done to clean up problem areas.
Time now is 210.6 hrs....simple maintenance throw in some mogas and have a great time.
Time now over 260.0 hours with no real problems. Have done a few mods along the way.Two most satisfying are the "DELTAgs' that I added to the top and the 21 800X600 tires. Both these and others covered in my blogs messages and site.
Still Grinnin!!!
- Home Airport (ie. KMYJ)
- U03
Just went over 15 hours on last Sunday. Still no major problems. One word of caution: if you have the "old style Black Rubber" gear mounting spacers take a good look at how yours are doing. At thirteen hours I noticed that mine were cracking and changed them out for spacers provided by Zenith. See my three blogs with pictures in Matronics under Zenith 801701-lists. If you have any questions drop me a note on line. In fact if you have the old black spacers I suggest rather strongly you get down under the plane and look at them. Take a look at what I saw at the angle bracket line and what they looked like when I pulled them out.
Still grinnin
Phil Smith's Photos
Phil Smith's Videos
-
20171117_174955
Added by Phil Smith 0 Comments 1 Like
-
-
Phil Smith's Blog
New Profile Picture
Posted on June 20, 2017 at 6:35pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Scene from the film…
ContinueWatch where you pull!!!
Posted on June 8, 2017 at 12:48pm 1 Comment 0 Likes
WHOOP WHOOP WARNING.
I installed the strut on the pilots door pictured aboove and soon after tried to pull it down from the front edge about a foot outboard like I always did with the suction cup...crack...split. The door - original fiberglass and Plexiglas bubble door supplied by Zenith - broke at the fiberglass corner and radiated out down and aft in the Plexiglas. Quite a bit of bending torque is applied to the corner...my bad. Stop drilled the crack, sealed it with "special…
ContinueRecent trim work on 701
Posted on November 17, 2013 at 11:18am 1 Comment 2 Likes
Just to update all of you that are tweaking your CH 701 and possibly your 750. These mods probably don't add speed or short field capability - LOL - but were done to clean up the original construction. First of all go to "my Photos" so you can see what I am talking about,
I never liked the bubble door to front post fit that I created in the original build it was noisy and drafty especially in winter. So the first item was to build new trim strips for the front pillar to…
Continue701 Heater
Posted on February 14, 2013 at 6:00pm 5 Comments 0 Likes
Update on the Zenith supplied cabin heater for my 701. Installed it in December and it works as advertised...actually a little bit better than advertised as I only need about 1/3 heat on days at 30 f outside. A couple of things: I went down to my aircraft supply store...Coop Plumbing section...and found a 45 elbow in black plastic that fit over the heater firewall tube perfectly. I then cut a slot in the elbow OD…
ContinueNew from Zenith:
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:
Flying On Your Own Wings:
A Complete Guide to Understanding Light Airplane Design, by Chris Heintz
Builder & Pilot Supplies:
Pro Builder Assistance:
Transition training:
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
Comment Wall (4 comments)
You need to be a member of Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers to add comments!
Join Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
I am curious what you put on the inside of the cabin, looks like some kind of insulation.
By looking at your photo , you sure got off to a good start in the engine departement.. :o)
Robert Pelland
701 & 750 Scratch