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Strut Fairings and covers

After some tweaking and twitching we have finished the strut fairings and the covers around the atachment points. Came out looking pretty good considering we didn't have a clue when we started. It did appear as though the factory bend on one of the fairings was slightly off and we needed to tweak it into place. Now if only I can get the cowling guy to get in gear and finish it!

We have had some great weather lately and I am missing it!

Added by Phillip Owens on November 28, 2009 at 9:27pm — 2 Comments

early kits with dual tanks each wing

so far i have stripped wing with ease the only problem was removing dual tanks due to plumbing. when installing, is there a specific order of assembly? to prevent additional do-overs your blogs and videos are EXCELLANT i would have more trepidation without them 4 1/2 hours to strip all but solid rivets

Added by Larry Webber on November 28, 2009 at 12:03pm — No Comments

Installing the "Upgrade Package" to our Zodiac CH 601 XL: Using an Angle Drill Attachment

As we've installed the "Upgrade Package" to our Zodiac CH 601 XL we've been using the same sheet-metal hand tools that are used in building and assembling an aircraft from a standard kit. One needed new tool is a right angle drill or drill attachment. We have used this extensively with the upgrade package to drill out rivets and to drill in the new parts.

While a… Continue

Added by Sebastien Heintz on November 27, 2009 at 3:58pm — 8 Comments

XL-Short field take off

What are you getting for short field take off and sod short field take off length of run?

Added by Frederick on November 27, 2009 at 8:13am — 2 Comments

6-ZU-3 doubling rivets

Looking at 6-ZU-3, I am a bit uncertain how far out to double rivets on the front and rear spars. Additionally, would it be a good idea to drill those new rivet holes prior to removing the skin so there would be better positioning and better clean up. Any thoughts?

Added by Karl Polifka on November 26, 2009 at 11:26am — No Comments

Zodiac CH 601 XL "Upgrade Workshop" in Edgewater, Florida

Gus Warren of FlyWithGus.net has announced that he will be hosting a Zodiac CH 601 XL "Upgrade Workshop" at his facility in Edgewater, Florida the second weekend in December. This is an excellent opportunity for East Coast Zodiac XL builders, owners, and pilots to learn about the new upgrades, and how to… Continue

Added by Zenith.Aero on November 25, 2009 at 5:30pm — 1 Comment

Part 15: Installing the "Upgrade Package" to our Zodiac CH 601 XL: Installing the Spar Wing Root Doubler (take two)

As shown previously (in Part 8), we had already installed a Wing Root Doubler (6-ZU-1-2) to the front side of the spar root, but as mentioned earlier (see my Part 13), a new Wing Root Doubler (6-ZU-1) replaces the previous doubler. This new doubler is cut… Continue

Added by Sebastien Heintz on November 25, 2009 at 5:30pm — 1 Comment

Part 14: Disassembling the Center Wing Spar Assembly and more...

As most of you know, we're now accepting orders for the Upgrade Package kit. We're not ready to ship the kits just yet, but we're getting everything organized so that we can ship as soon as the kit installation has been verified and documented, and that all the needed parts are in stock. We're prioritizing availability to first ship to those builders who are ready to install the Upgrade Package kit parts. We ask that those of you who are not ready yet to install the upgrade package to let us… Continue

Added by Sebastien Heintz on November 24, 2009 at 4:39pm — 4 Comments

Part 13: Removing the Wing Center Spar Section

Again, I want to thank Doug and Lori from Quality Sport Planes for organizing and hosting the free "Upgrade Workshop" this past weekend at their facility in Cloverdale, California (shown above). This was an excellent opportunity for Zodiac XL builders, owners, and pilots to learn about new upgrades, and how to install them. For more information, contact Quality Sport Planes at… Continue

Added by Sebastien Heintz on November 23, 2009 at 5:36pm — 3 Comments

Slider Canopy

Does anyone have knowledge of a slider canopy, with roll bar. used on a 601XL ??

Added by david a mcphee on November 21, 2009 at 9:20pm — 1 Comment

Slider Canopy

Does anyone have knowledge of a slider canopy, with roll bar. used on a 601XL ??

Added by david a mcphee on November 21, 2009 at 9:20pm — No Comments

Part 12: Installing the L-angle stiffeners to the rear bottom wing skins

Now we install L-angle stiffeners to the rear bottom wing skins:

This is an easy job with the top rear skin removed. We trim the L-angle piece to length, pre-drill it, and then drill and cleco it into the bottom rear skin:

We'll share the position measurements and exact details with the final drawings. The Upgrade drawings are nearly finalized (which will allow us to then release and… Continue

Added by Sebastien Heintz on November 20, 2009 at 4:30pm — 10 Comments

O235 experiences

I have an O235L2C in my 601XL.

It has E-Mag ignitions, an Ellison throttle body, a Warp drive three bladed prop, and a remote oil filter. There nis one electric fuel pump, and one mechanical.

I would like to hear from anyone else that has a similar set up.

I have flown the airplane, but not often. I had it inspected by the FAA for certification about the time that the NTSB sent the letter squaking about the airplane being unsafe. I flew it anyway, but was not comfortable with it.… Continue

Added by William Campbell on November 20, 2009 at 12:52pm — No Comments

O235 experiences

I have an O235L2C in my 601XL.

It has E-Mag ignitions, an Ellison throttle body, a Warp drive three bladed prop, and a remote oil filter. There nis one electric fuel pump, and one mechanical.

I would like to hear from anyone else that has a similar set up.

I have flown the airplane, but not often. I had it inspected by the FAA for certification about the time that the NTSB sent the letter squaking about the airplane being unsafe. I flew it anyway, but was not comfortable with it.… Continue

Added by William Campbell on November 20, 2009 at 12:52pm — 1 Comment

Engine Specs.

Type Engine Installed Lycoming 0235 C1B
E Mag Electonic Ignition, Warp Drive 3 Blade Ground Adjustable Prop.
2 Batteries, 2 Electric Fuel Pumps, Remote Oil Filter

Added by Roger L Vavra on November 20, 2009 at 10:06am — No Comments

Part 11: Installing 3-position LED lights (and replacing the AeroFlash / Whelan strobes)

Since we have full access to the insides of our wings we decided that this was the perfect time to upgrade to new LED (light emiting diodes) lights. Note that this is not part of the Upgrade Package prescribed in AMD's Safety Alert and the FAA's SAIB - this is just an opportune time to install them (and also allows us to save a few pounds in the process).



This is the original Aeroflash-Signal anti-collision/position light assembly (nav/strobe light) on the left wingtip:…

Continue

Added by Sebastien Heintz on November 19, 2009 at 4:30pm — 4 Comments

new canopy latch

Where can I find the plans for the new stile canopy latching system? The one that has a handle on the seat back.

Added by Robert Reinero on November 18, 2009 at 6:46pm — 3 Comments

Part 10: Installing the "Upgrade Package" to our Zodiac CH 601 XL: Replacing the Fuselage Rear Wing Attach Plates

Here we move over to the aircraft fuselage and center spar section. Roger reviews the draft drawing 6-ZU-3.

Again, remember that the posted drawings are in DRAFT form and we are currently finalizing them...

We'll be replacing the original rear wing attach plate (6B5-4) with a heavy-duty 1/8-inch 6-ZU-3-5 Attach Plate. This is the plate that sticks out the sides of the center fuselage and that bolts to the wing's rear channel. Note that the… Continue

Added by Sebastien Heintz on November 18, 2009 at 4:59pm — 6 Comments

Part 9: Installing the "Upgrade Package" to our Zodiac CH 601 XL

Picking up where we left off in our last post, here we drill and bolt the cap spacer 6-ZU-1-6 centered between the original spar web 6W3-1 and the new wing root doubler 6-ZU-1-2:

Then we start deburring and riveting some of our Upgrade Package additions permanently into place, starting with the back of the wing, riveting the Top Rear Spar Angles and… Continue

Added by Sebastien Heintz on November 17, 2009 at 5:30pm — 1 Comment

Another Day At Can-Zac

Remember the CH750 kit owned by Angus Watt from Ottawa, the one I spent 8 days working on last month? Well, at the end of 4 weeks it looks like this... by the end of this day the wings and all flying surfaces are final fitted and it is once again dis-assembled and shipped to the paint shop today.
The CH801 (Yellow/Blue?White paint)in the back ground is a 4 seat model built for an outpost camp in Alberta.

Added by Bob McDonald on November 17, 2009 at 6:59am — 2 Comments

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