All Blog Posts (2,408)

Getting there slowly..........

After some months I now have my Zodiac failry close to the state it was in when I bought it but now with the defects resolved. That means I've:



Removed Subaru E81 engine

removed all undercarriage

removed rudder pedals and steering rods

removed engine mounting frame

bead blasted, undercoated and two pack painted engine mounting frame

refitted engine mounting frame

refitted engine

replaced all crimp links in wires with solder joints (yeah, I know some… Continue

Added by Greg Wilson on June 10, 2009 at 7:07am — No Comments

Around the patch. Cessnock to Gennedah for the perverbial $100 hamburger!!!

Here in Australia we celebrated the Queen’s birthday (we're still part of the colony) with a long weekend (6, 7, 8 June), and after experiencing 4 weeks of terrible weather, it was too good an opportunity to not go flying.



First order of the day, the trek to the airport, we are not as lucky as some, as our local airport is 1.5 hours drive from where we live, but the lure of flying is great enough to overcome that hurdle, so on most weekends my wife and I drive up to one of the most… Continue

Added by Eddie Seve on June 9, 2009 at 11:30pm — 3 Comments

side windows for CH701

I am considering installing side windows on my CH701 (project in progress). Has anyone out there done this? What shape/size looks and works the best? A former 701 builder friend stated he wished he had done that on his aircraft and offered some suggestions. The windows will be located above the rear baggage floor.

Added by Don Herbel on June 7, 2009 at 11:25am — 2 Comments

Vortex generators

Am considering vortex generators for my 701 in lieu of slats. Am about to close the wings. Anybody know anything about the pros & cons and technical requirements of this?

Added by Ian Pritchard on June 6, 2009 at 10:37pm — 3 Comments

Bubble Doors

The doors are added and trimmed to fit.



Next is the upper window and final fit of windsheild.…

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Added by Mark Townsend on June 6, 2009 at 10:30pm — No Comments

Little by Little

Whenever we have a spare moment from the 801 we working on the 750, as yo can see we are doing Assembly the stab and elevator. Wings are still in the paint shop.…



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Added by Mark Townsend on June 5, 2009 at 10:30pm — No Comments

We Can FLY!!!!

The day has finally arrived June 6th 2009 the FAA has granted an Airworthiness Certificate to N84349!!!



After 9 long years we are about to fly, just a few minor touch ups are needed and last minute completion of a new cowl and we can be airborne!!!!



For those of you who are still building don't give up keep a it and the day will arrive!



I want to say thenk you to all who have helped make this a reality, Zenith for designing a grreat airplane and providing… Continue

Added by Phillip Owens on June 5, 2009 at 10:02pm — No Comments

2009 Southern Wisconsin AirFest

History has been made I believe, we had three CH-801's all in the same place at the same time on display for the folks to see. This year Larry landucci, Bill Rewey, and Phil Owens all had 801's on display at the show. It was an amazing weekend with about 60,000 people in attendance to see the Navy Blue Angels, F-18 Hornets, F-16's,P-51' Fat Albert (C-130), Patty Wagstaff, Navy Leap Frogs, Army Golden Knights, Shockley's Jet Truck, Pitts specials, Stearman Bi-plane and the list goes on. It was… Continue

Added by Phillip Owens on June 5, 2009 at 9:50pm — No Comments

Paint for steel components

What kind and make of paint should I use on the steel parts on my 750? Also what paint should I use on my 750 interior and how should I apply the paints? Should I prime all parts and what preperation should I do prior to painting? I had a meeting a number of years ago at a company that probably has the best known name of a paint that everyone would recognize. I asked their chief chemist and he told me that their paint was not any better than most of their compeditors. I would like to use a… Continue

Added by joseph hanz on June 3, 2009 at 9:09pm — 3 Comments

Back to the hanger

Well the fuselage is finished at the painters,we are still waiting on the wings. It will be a major push to now get the 801 in the paint shop so we can return to finish the 750.

Added by Mark Townsend on June 1, 2009 at 10:00pm — No Comments

Issue #172 May-June Newsletter & DVD now shipping!

We have hit the post office today with the new batch of Newsletters and DVDs. Be sure to watch this month's DVD as you will experience the Zenith builders BBQ at Sun n Fun with interviews from your fellow builders. Read some wonderful first person account stories of finishing aircraft projects and first flights. Above is a picture of a homebuilt hangar from Wayne Clagg, who continues his story of constructing a scratch built 701 with custom VW… Continue

Added by Zenair News on June 1, 2009 at 5:00pm — No Comments

South Carolina

I would like to know if there are any builders/fliers in the North Carolina/South Carolina area. Someone that could not only answer a question or two but if not too far away, I could have a look first hand at what they have done.
Thanks.
Bob

Added by Robert Crawford on June 1, 2009 at 10:48am — 4 Comments

Air worthiness inspection

N408WL built by Harry P. Land Jr. and Leland K. Wolfe was awarded its Airworthiness certificate on May 30, 2009 at 12 ;30 p. m. with no deffects.

Added by Harry P. Land Jr. on May 30, 2009 at 1:00pm — 1 Comment

Rivet gun

Thanks to all for the replies about the Riveter. I have purchased one from H/F and will try to hone out the tips.
Bob

Added by Robert Crawford on May 30, 2009 at 10:19am — 1 Comment

NEW GVT Update

More information has recently been posted about the recent Zodiac GVT results on the Zenair Europe Website. For more details, visit: http://www.zenairulm.com/News/index_files/Page362.htm

Added by Nicholas Heintz on May 29, 2009 at 1:46pm — 8 Comments

You can smell it from 500 feet at 90kts

There is the Garmin, pilotage, dead reckoning and now the nose. My flight was to the eastern shore of Maryland's Chesapeake Bay and a little town called Crisfield. I had read about Crisfield and thought it would be a perfect place to locate my boat for the season and fly there for mini vacations. All of the descriptions I read about Crisfield commented on the charm of a "salty" fishing village. At 500 ft a different tale was told - something missing from the descriptions. Crisfield smells. As I… Continue

Added by JG Ginther on May 29, 2009 at 9:36am — No Comments

Awaiting inspetion

Well the day has finnalt arrived, the paperwork has been sent in for inspection, now we just await the call and set the date. It has been a ong time in coming. This week end there is the annual SWAirFest airshow at the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport and the NAVY BLUE ANGELS ARE THE FEATURED ATTRACTION. However there will also be three CH-801's on display for the folks to see, Larry Landuchi and Bill Rewey are going to fly in and display their aircraft with mine so it will be a great… Continue

Added by Phillip Owens on May 28, 2009 at 3:05pm — No Comments

Rivet gun

A couple of weeks ago there was a discussion about the pneumatic rivet gun supplied by Zenith as compared to one from Harbor Freight. I would like to know how you “cupped” the riveter heads in order to get the dome effect as called for in the plans. And once again, do you think the cheaper gun is worth while? Sorry to ask this but I’m new and don’t know how to access the archives.
Thanks,
Bob

Added by Robert Crawford on May 26, 2009 at 8:21am — 5 Comments

Rotax training

Well have not been doing much plane building of late. I have been attending Rotax Service Course for 912 & 914 Series engines and the Rotax Maintenance Course for 912 & 914 series engines. These courses are Rotax authorized and put on by Rotech Flight Safety Inc. here in Vernon B.C., Canada. I am now authorized to carry the title iRMT (independent Rotax Maintenance Technician). In our class we had students from the Yukon, British Columbia,… Continue

Added by Debra and Patrick Nesbitt on May 25, 2009 at 7:53pm — No Comments

Still at the paint shop

Well is is going quicker then expected, the plane is almost finished it's time at the painters. I am much happier now.…

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Added by Mark Townsend on May 25, 2009 at 10:30am — No Comments

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