We received some reports that pages 6 and 7 in the current issue of the newsletter (#188) were left blank by the printer!  These two pages are reproduced below:…

PLEASE tell me the spars are the hardest (physical) component of this plane to create.  After 286 solid AN5-6 rivets my left shoulder, neck and lower back are aching.  I know there's a few more to go... some longer ones on the spar root fittings, a few in the cockpit, not to mention those pesky little 3-3 suckers on the trailing edge... but I'm over it.  After this plane I never want to see a solid rivet again, let alone set one.  I'd have a ceremonial "chucking the bucking bar" in the dam,…

Decided to cut down the header tank. It just didn't fit well, and seemed too large/heavy for it's mounting location. New total length is just shy of 19 inches with 8 inches in diameter.

Volume of a cylinder = 2 x pi x R x length, so 2 x4 x pi x 18= 452.38 cubic inches/ 231 (cu in per gallon)= 1.96 gallons.

When my warning light comes on, I will have one…

My Favorite Passenger

After several weeks of cold weather and business trips, I resumed work on the rudder this weekend. Sprayed Zinc Oxide primer where needed on ribs and spar. Cleco'd everything back together and then got to use my pneumatic riveter and air compressor compressor for the first time. One bad rivet had to be drilled out and re-done, Next weekend, the skins.

1 3/4" spacers for the header tank. Made from all the bits and scraps of 6061 from building the aircraft. Poured round ingots in greensand and machined. Probably 6061-T0 , but acceptable as spacers.

Installation of low fuel warning indicator in header tank. I incorporated a baffle "box" around the sensor in the hopes of eliminating the low fuel light flicker seen here:…

1/8" steel brackets were supplied with my header tank. They weighed almost a pound each( 15.4 oz). Both brackets modified with stainless band clamps weigh in under a pound(13.6…

I have spent the last week at Quality Sport Planes in Cloverdale CA working on my 750.  It has been a great week with Doug giving me just the right amount of advice.  I will be here for another month working on the project before trailering it north to Fairbanks Alaska to put the engine on.  I am very happy working on the project here in Cloverdale.

I have 6 yrs.( 300 hrs.) on my original nose bungee. Is it time to replace? I have no sag or signs of deterioration. How often are other 601 xl owners doing a replacement?

Ted Haller 

AMD 601 XLB

On a side note!

Are aircraft to be christned when named?

If so, what is the tradition and cerimonial procedures?

Somethnig for fun,

Rich

About a month ago I was flying high with the first wing almost done and now I've not touched it for 3 weeks and feeling quite depressed about the whole endeavour. So many forum posts with people who clearly know what they are doing struggling with things - how to mate the fuse parts together, how to route a fuel line..... what chance do I have as a complete beginner and no one around me who knows more than I do?

I'm sure most everyone goes through the same, hopefully I can get…

Dynon remote magnetometer installed in upper skin directly behind aft baggage wall. Used all aluminum Huck rivets for installation to avoid errant fluxes.

Dome light from an old Plymouth Arrow pickup truck. Super light....

5/16" toilet seat bolt drilled thru. Ran a die nut and threaded shank to head. Turned down end for hose barb.cost = $2.37, and I have a spare bolt!

AeroCrafters of Alabama, LLC

209 Hangar Road

Gadsden, Alabama 35904

256-504-0184/256-490-8227

AeroCrafters of Alabama, LLC provides build assistance and repairs for your Zenith Aircraft. Our staff has over…