Scott Stewart
  • Windsor, CA
  • United States
Share on Facebook
  • Blog Posts
  • Discussions (7)
  • Events
  • Groups
  • Photos
  • Photo Albums
  • Videos

Scott Stewart's Friends

  • Geoffrey Alexander
 

Scott Stewart's Page

Profile Information

Aircraft Model
ZODIAC CH 640
Project Status
Flying
Building From
Plans-only
Engine installed (or plan to install)
Lycoming
Building Experience
Have already built an airplane
Flying Experience
Private Pilot
Building and Flying Info / Your Profession / Other Background Info
Electronic Engineer
Home Airport (ie. KMYJ)
KSTS

Comment Wall (7 comments)

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

Join Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers

At 7:59am on November 2, 2017, Michael T. said…

There might two different rudder manuals, mine reads

The rear skins are pre-drilled for the ribs. The holes will give you the exact location of the ribs. You may have to move the ribs with your hands so that the ribs line up with the pre-drilled skins.

Ive built an RV-7 tail and partial wings, but those go together so easy it feels like you're cheating

I`m big on procedures, thank you for taking the time to lay out your method its very helpful to flesh out the whole picture.

Ive looked at each photo on the CD, what seems to be missing is there is not much on the controls behind the instrument panel. or good pictures of those parts.

The Rudder manual does have a materials list so that's covered. Do you have a materials list for the rest of the plane by chance?

I got a copy from youtube of the parts nested on sheets and it looks legit but do you have a version of that. It looks relatively accurate just hard to read. 

At 12:20am on October 28, 2017, Michael T. said…
Hi Steve

I bought the homebuilders DVDs, scratch building zenith rudder and metal working 101. But the one thing they forgot to cover is drilling the rudder tail skin. I wrote to the video maker about it and he said to lay the rudder skeleton inside the skins and trace it, then remove that and drill pilot holes in the centre of the trace. I was wondering what method did you use to match drill the skins to the ribs?

When you where making your wing form blocks, did you make a right and left crush plate for your wing ribs? Or use one form block and just flute the ribs to get to your desired finish

Thanks

Michael
At 2:28pm on October 26, 2017, Michael T. said…
Hi Steve

My wife just asked what I was doing, I said I'm texting a fellow metal artisan...lol

Can't wait to get started, but more questions..lol


The wing shape for the 640 is a graph with points of refrence, I was playing around with it and have the lines draw out. but the leading edge shape has me concerned. I'm using a flexible ruler to make the leading edge shape, but there seems to be a lot of fudging that could be done as the curve is concerned. Should I put the flex ruler straight up and down on the nose then bend it back to the points.


I was thinking I might buy a nose rib and rear rib, and lift the shape off that. It just seems like such an important shape.

Michael
At 12:51pm on October 25, 2017, Michael T. said…

I`ve also been in contact with Dr Steve Adams(got his address from the CH-640 matronics list), he has been very helpful and answered many questions but he built his plane from a quick build kit so would not have the intimate knowledge that you and the other scratch builders do. But Steve and yourself are a great resource for when the plane is nearing completion and taking flight.

At 12:08pm on October 25, 2017, Michael T. said…

Very nice to meet you, I consider you part of the Golden Age of the CH-640. Ive read the complete Matronics old list and saw your errata. You were around when Jeff Paden and Mr Tremblay were active and building.

Ive looked at Jeff Padens site and Mr Tremblays on Archive.org but unfortunately the pictures are all missing.

I`m at the form block stage and I study the plans daily there is so much to learn. I have a few questions if you dont mind. I have a ton of them..but i`ll keep it short today...lol

I`m going over the Errata ....I have a question about this item

  • Drawing 640V1, Revision 4 - Item 1, Wing Spar Extension. The plans dimension "~405" to the first lightening hole. Change this to 350 mm.
640V2 wing spar extension assembly shows the lightening hole half-way between the two (L) pieces.
Adding the dimensions: 25 mm for spar cap overlap + 225 mm from overlap bend to first (L) + 100 mm from first (L) to center of lightening hole = 350 mm

640-v-1-1.jpeg

On my plans the dimensions to the 1st hole(i` m assuming inboard toward out board) is 305mm. Did they revise the plans but not change the revision?..my numbers dont seem to match yours

I was also wondering how did you put that tight z bend in that part?

Like I said I have a ton of questions but I dont want to overload you so Ill keep it short today...lol

At 5:06am on October 21, 2017, Michael T. said…

I `m just getting started plans building a ch640, are you still active on the forum? any hanged you might have done on your build looking back?

At 11:00pm on April 11, 2016, Timothy Aanerud said…

It's not every day you see a Zenith CH-640 parked at an airport.

 
 
 

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.