Since the
FAA's Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) and
AMD's Safety Alert / Directive were issued on Saturday, November 7, 2009, we've begun the job of updating our Zodiac XL demonstrator per Zenair Upgrade drawings. As the kit factory, we want to have this done as soon as possible while also…
Continue
Added by Sebastien Heintz on November 11, 2009 at 10:30am —
15 Comments
Unlike many of you, I didn't build my Zodiac. It was built in a factory in the Czech Republic and I wouldn't have it any other way. I have the bent bicycle wheel that I attempted to straighten and the cable tv box I blew up with a little handy homeowner outlet I installed. No one wants me building or fixing an airplane. So I read the letter and learn there is going to be a tidy little "kit" to install and exorcise the demon in the machine. A kit sure sounds pretty easy. I then turn to the…
Continue
Added by JG Ginther on November 9, 2009 at 10:43am —
7 Comments
I flew my Zodiac three hours Saturday enjoying a breezy fall morning following the ridge line of the Shenendoah. The plain flew beautifully, hands-off for the most part, and passed its four hundredth hour of flight (70 with me at the helm). Little did I know that it might be my last flight for a while. As I was dancing in the clouds, others were buy putting the finishing touches on their effort to ensure my "safety." The NTSB, FAA, Zenith, The Associations and several foreign bodies had…
Continue
Added by JG Ginther on November 9, 2009 at 10:04am —
8 Comments
Hi, I am mocking up a design for a landing gear indicator for my amphib floats which I plan to switch over from pneumatic to electric linear actuators. The indicator will incorporate 3 led bar graphs that will show the current gear position using the feedback resistors incorporated into the linear actuators. This unit will fit into a standard 2.25 inch hole.
I would be interested in feedback and ideas since I am in the early design stage.
Here is a concept diagram of the…
Continue
Added by John Ellis on November 4, 2009 at 5:02pm —
7 Comments
Just wanted to add a note about what's happening with my airplane. On my last flight I decided to ground my airplane because of the engine using too much oil and fouling the # 4 cylinder. I pulled the engine off and brought it home to work on.
This past week I was able to finally get time to get it apart. The # 4 oil ring was missing about 1/3 of it, other wise engine is in good but worn out shape. As far repairs, looks like I can get all new bearing, rings and gaskets and be good…
Continue
Added by Glenn Johnson on November 1, 2009 at 6:47am —
4 Comments
I heard a rumour that Zenair was going to release plans / kits for wheel skis to fit the CH701 & CH750 model aircraft. I thought it would be a wonderful early Christmas present (project) for the model owners from Zenith (Chris Hientz).
O.K. I will admit to starting the rumour ! I saw a wonderful looking set on a CH701 owned by Rob Nelson on the completions section of the Zenair web site. Winter comes early here in Canada and wheel skis would be a ray of sunshine in my part of the…
Continue
Added by Bob McDonald on October 30, 2009 at 1:20pm —
9 Comments
I saw there was a link posted for a annual condition inspection for the 601. Does anyone know if there is one available for the 701. I tried to find one on the Zenith site with no luck, just thought someone might be able to help.
Wayne
Added by Wayne Clagg on October 29, 2009 at 4:20pm —
2 Comments
Myself and 2 friends (all A&P's) started scratch building our 701's (3ea.)in october 08. After finishing the rudders we went after the horizontals and elevators witch are currently done. I wish now i would have kept track of the times and dates but all I can say for sure they all went togther smothly. Since were building from scratch and doing 3 the roughter table is one of the top used tools we have for building identical blanks like ribs…
Continue
Added by david shrader on October 29, 2009 at 3:00am —
4 Comments
It looks like my CH701 will be written off so I am wondering if there is a market for serviceable parts. The response to this blog will have a bearing on whether I make an offer for the wreck. The empenage and starboard wing are un-touched and many other parts. Aftar running into a ditch, the front undercarriage, cowling prop & fuselage are beyond economic repair. Don Bowtell 01920464585.
Added by Donald Bowtell on October 27, 2009 at 4:10pm —
4 Comments
I was offered a chance to be part of a 3 man (sometimes 4) team conducting a CAN-ZAC Power Build program. The kit owner Angus Watt from Ottawa started with Mark Townsend building from a 6ft X 6ft X 12ft crate Friday, and I joined them on Monday afternoon. Neither Angus or myself had any previous kit building experience... but we were closely supervised by Mark Townsend of Can-Zac in his Kitchener hangar. The working day starts at 8AM (or earlier if you can't sleep) and generally goes hard until…
Continue
Added by Bob McDonald on October 27, 2009 at 8:19am —
5 Comments
If you fly floats getting Egress Training is a must!
Earlier this year a local flight school arranged for Bryan Webster from British Columbia, Canada to provide a one day course on submerged emergency egress. Bryan runs his own training company and is also a long-time commercial bush pilot. I found the course well worth the cost. We spent several hours being tossed around in mock cockpit in the pool. Getting wet taught me some very valuable leassons that I though might be…
Continue
Added by John Ellis on October 26, 2009 at 1:00pm —
1 Comment
This blog is for all helpful information regarding install, operation, preventative and general maintaining, upgrades and any information to assist our engines to be the best that they can be.
Please ask any questions directly to the person who posted the info but please post any new info arrising from your discussions. This request is designed purely to make it easier to browse information without having to wade through general…
Continue
Added by Phill Barnes on October 16, 2009 at 5:46pm —
11 Comments
Empennage is done. Flaperon skeletons are done. Working on wing ribs & ordering materials to complete the wings and fuel system.
Added by Travis Corbin on October 13, 2009 at 8:12pm —
No Comments
All
I am working on a graduate capstone project for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I need to collect some survey responses from current or future airplane owners. THAT IS YOU!
This directly relates to General Aviation and the Next Generation of Airspace in the United States. Please help my research out. Any builder in any phase of building or ownership can participate:
Click Here… Continue
Added by Christopher Nail on October 6, 2009 at 8:38pm —
4 Comments
The September/October #174 issue of the Zenair News is being mailed today. Enclosed is the companion DVD with exclusive interviews from the recent Airventure show at Oshkosh.
B
elow is a summary of the contents from the Newsletter:
After reviewing this issue, please deposit your comments right… Continue
Added by Zenair News on October 5, 2009 at 8:00pm —
1 Comment
Jumped out of an perfectly good airplane today. Ironically, as we climbed to altitude I became gradually less nervous. When it finally came time to jump I was OK. My instructor said I did very well. I went through all my maneuvers in time to pull the cord right at 5500'. It was actually a lot of fun.
Added by Russ Bens on September 30, 2009 at 12:30am —
6 Comments
PilotMag, a new glossy aviation magazine that bills itself as "The Magazine for Adventure Flying" has a nice story on Zenith builders in its current issue (September/October 2009). The article, by aviation writer Jim Cavanagh, features some well-known Zenith flyers, including
Steve Smith of Santa Rosa, California,…
Continue
Added by Sebastien Heintz on September 24, 2009 at 8:00pm —
2 Comments
and the luggage compartments - at least two of the three are finished:…
Continue
Added by Walter.Koeppel on September 23, 2009 at 1:35pm —
No Comments
I am attaching the slats to the wings on my 801. The instructions seem to have no measurement for the bottom of the slat to the wing - say from the bottom corner to the wing spar rivet line. I've asked that question to Zenith by email but no respons. All I need is a for someone to take their tape measure and check their own and tell me what they found. my email is fournier@kibidula.org Thanks. Jason
Added by Jason Fournier on September 23, 2009 at 9:48am —
1 Comment
As suggested by factory personel I added the vg's to the tail today, easy job just time consuming. Since I have the short tail it seemed like a good idea.
Added by Phillip Owens on September 21, 2009 at 5:07pm —
2 Comments