thought i wold post a couple of photos of my previous ride zk-MAD, and the trip in to lake heron in the ashbuton lakes area between the headwaters of the rangitata and rakaia rivers. was a perfect day for a flight into the mountains to pick up my ch 701, zk-JRT ... fun

I would be interested in any info on putting vortex generators on a 601 HDS  thanks for your time

Hope you enjoy Xmas this year...really sad you couldn't be bothered returning our $10,000.00 deposit for your 701...Enjoy!!

Lynda

The December 2012 issue of EAA Experimenter has a detailed article on calibrating your airspeed indicator, the latest article is a series on flight testing your homebuilt aircraft by Ed Kolano, a very experienced and knowledable flight test pilot.  In the past we have stressed the importance of proper airspeed calibration for your light aircraft.

I encourage all builders, owners and pilots to…

Following is a short article I wrote for Kitplanes magazine on the evolution of aircraft blueprints (plans) over the years:

Aircraft plans (also called drawings or blueprints) are the single…

After several attempts of measuring and forming rib molds, and then nose ribs themselves, I finally formed one that I can use to replace the factory rib I damaged some time back. With it on, I have replaced the nose skins and have drilled them out to final size. Should be able to finish pretty soon (which is a relative term since I've been working on the tail since April!). More pictures to follow. 

Attached is my weight and balance sheet. Final all up weight with no fuel 695 lbs.

WEIGHTBALANCE.xls

So far I have accumulated 4 hrs. flight time, two of those hours were today.

Alternator failed after 2 hours. Found out the "upgrade" NipponDenso alternator comes standard on Toyota forklifts. Found one in Goldsboro for $90. Had to disassemble and reclock…

Building Zenith aircraft is a pleasure we all enjoy.  Being a little more than 'naive' my team got to build the aircraft, the hangars and the airfield - as well as work on the regulations and approvals process for Ghana!  Today, we administer the training and assessment, as well as licence issue for the National Licence (LSA equivalent) on behalf of the Authorities.  It has been a long journey, and we have further to go.…

http://youtu.be/ApwXBLocMJ8

Aircraft passed airworthiness inspection. Had three small gripes, was able to fix on the spot. Fuel valve handle needed to be painted red, needed another "Experimental" sticker in the cockpit, and had to adjust cable retainer strap closer to the pulley at the aft baggage floor.

Aircraft flies great! Controls are responsive. Left wing is a touch heavy, Need a trim tab on the flaperon.

As…

Well, I received my CH-750 last week. I felt like an eight year old on Chistmas day. I started with the horizontal stabelizer. After I clecoed the skeleton together with the copper clecos, I realized after clecoing the skin to the top side more was needed in order to finish the botton side of the skin. I didn't realize there wouldn't be enough supplied in the kit.

So I ordered 125 more and a few other tools I thought might be needed in the future. I should receive them next monday and…

Last week, I took a few days off from work and went on my first X/C trip of any substance in N75ZX. I left Angleton TX on Thursday morning and landed in Corsicana TX to meet up with Ed Poteet, another 750 builder. Ed took me to get a hamburger and we returned to (CRS) in time to take him up around the pattern in my 750. I think he enjoyed it, and he mentioned that's what he needed to get moving on his project again.…

Time for airworthiness inspection!

I did get the nosewheel off the ground…

This weekend we officially moved into the hangar with the transport of the wings and tail out of the garage. I am fortunate to have brother-in-laws with access to trailers and trucks; I don't think I would have gotten very far with just my MINI Cooper. 

The original plan had been to move the wings out of the wing stand as I didn't trust it to stay together from the road vibrations but my brother in law told me to have a little faith in my work and so they were loaded in the…

Wings back on for weight/balance and wet…

Had to take steps to eliminate cable chafing at the aft baggage and the tail…

After several weeks away from the project, I resumed working on form molds for a nose rib that I need to replace. After several attempts, I got the measurements correct and made several attempts at constructing before I had something I believe is correct. Pictures will be posted. While I have been trying to build a kit, I may try to build future ribs and spars from scratch! Building from plans is actually quite fun!

This year was my 4th trip to Copperstate, the annual fly-in held at the Casa Grande Arizona airport (KCGZ).  The fly-in is fine, but for me the trip is the main event.

The flight this year was a total of 1,926 miles.  We spent two days flying each way.  I say we.  On the trip down I flew my Zodiac, keeping Doug Dugger of …