This was my second year to participate in our local county's DART exercise.  I flew three missions during our mock exercise last weekend. We deliver food to food banks in the area using donated food as our load for practice.  All loads were weighed and loaded in general aviation aircraft at the pilots direction. I flew 100 lbs on one trip and 75 lbs the second. Took pics of all the bridges on my recon flight. The STOL CH 701 is perfect for this. This really is a good program  and it enhances…

Continued to get the rear fuselage doneIMG_20190924_0739130.jpgIMG_20190924_0739190.jpg!

I have spent a little time experimenting with rudder trim, and I think it would be worthwhile to share my experiences with the group.  I know that most of you are probably saying "Why?" to the concept of rudder trim for our STOL aircraft.  In most cases, it is probably not necessary.  However, I found it useful.  I'll explain.....

The Aerosport IO-375 makes 195 hp, and lots of P-factor.  With that power plant, one can point the nose up and go.  In the 801, I can also haul a…

I recently purchased a Bosch GSC 12V-13 Cordless Sheet Metal Shear. After having a chance to use it a little bit, I decided to post a demonstration of its use online.

My short assessment is that the shear will have its uses, but because of the stretching caused by the shearing action it would not be suitable for cutting parts that need to remain as flat as possible.…

Dear collegues, I am in the final building process and cannot locate instructions-guide on how to measure-cut - place - secure top window.

Would apprecciate any input on where this info is??

Thank you all

Jonathan

An issue with the center wing spar rib stations presented when fitting the rear ribs. The spar rivet holes are pre-drilled and the flange on the rear rib is not. I noticed that the top and bottom spar web rivet positions were very close to the ends of the rear rib flange, violating the 3 diameter minimum 2 diameter rule for rivets. I spoke with Roger at the factory. and the top and bottom rivets are useless. As a solution, another rivet hole is added at the top and bottom of the rib station…

Earl Downs is a Zenith builder who is known to many others builders because he furnishes pre-test flight preparation training in his 601 XL-B. Because he holds an FAA Letter of Deviation Authorization (LODA), Earl is allowed to provide this and transition training for both the 601 and the 650. You may also have met Earl as a forum presenter at a previous Zenith Aircraft open house events.…

Scratch construction of the ailerons and flaps has been started. I decided to try to document as much of the construction of these as possible as this should be my last major set of parts to bend. There will be two or three parts to this. In the first part, I document the construction of test sections to verify my CAD drawings are correct.…

Detail work on the rear ribs is done.