All Blog Posts (2,408)

Search Blog Posts

FAA BLESSING

I have already posted to the Zenith forum, but I'll add this here also. Yesterday, 05/23/2009 I had my plane inspected by a DAR and it passed. I had some bolts on the warp drive that needed to have thin washers as not enough threads were showing (I used the supplied washers) and safety waires on the prop bolts not tight enough. He also noted that I had cotter pins that we too long on the landing gear attach bolts. All minor and fixable on the spot.



He did go over the cable tensions… Continue

Added by Glenn Johnson on May 24, 2009 at 9:30pm — No Comments

Mount for Dynon Pitot Tube

Anyone thinking about using the Dynon Pitot Tube, should go to www.safeair1.com and take a look at their pitot mast. The reason will be evident - when compared to the cost of others ! One wonders ... too good to be true ? Ordered mine today. Guess I'll find out.

Added by Bennett Scheuer on May 23, 2009 at 11:51am — 1 Comment

It is inspected and ready to fly

After two years and one month N6ZK, my 601XL is ready to fly.
The FAA inspected it this morning and we both left happy.
It has been a good two years. The kit was really straightforward to build.
I'll send pictures the day that I fly it.
It looks like next week. It has a Lycoming 0235 with an electronic ignition, and an Ellison throttle body.
It has not been painted yet, and will not be until I have had a chance to fly it during the warm weather.
Bill Campbell

Added by William Campbell on May 22, 2009 at 2:48pm — 6 Comments

Delay

When building a plane delays can happen, this is a simple fact of life that sometimes cannot be avoided. With thedelay in the 750 at the paint shop, I need to get moving on the 801 for another customer. With the overlap of two projects the750 will be drasticlly slowed in the process.…

Continue

Added by Mark Townsend on May 22, 2009 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Re-Paint

Here is the fuselage, stripped and base coated again.…



Continue

Added by Mark Townsend on May 21, 2009 at 11:30pm — No Comments

CH750 Builder Videos are now ready to ship!

At last! The first two volumes in the series "Building your CH750" are now shipping. Fuselage Part 1 and Fuselage Part 2 are now completed and their details are illustrated at the HomebuiltHELP website. Soon, Horizontal Tail and Wings,Slats & Flaps will be ready soon (about a week for each). As these titles become available, the website will be immediately updated.



Look forward to any any feedback or questions you have on the content of these videos.… Continue

Added by Jon Croke on May 21, 2009 at 9:30am — 11 Comments

jabiru cylinder head temp

Hi, What are you 601 pilots seeing for cylinder head temps in your plane with the 3300 jabiru . My rear cylinders are running 340 and 325 and no matter what I try I can,t get them down any farther. Thats what I saw today with a temp of 70 f and a nice 300 miles around the Blackhills of South Dakota. I am afraid as the summer warms up I am going to have heating problems??

Added by Bil Gillam on May 17, 2009 at 4:09pm — 7 Comments

Didn't have to surrender my pilot certificate yesterday...

...because a Sport Pilot CFI ticket is a separate certificate.



One result of the fiasco surrounding the NTSB's recommendation that the Zodiac fleet be grounded was that my original pilot examiner backed out on me. I'd located one near Janesville, WI, and today the weather cooperated enough that I could go take the checkride.



Big Foot Airport, 7V3, near Janesville is 261 nautical miles from Fairmont. I'd set my alarm for 5 AM, hoping to be in the air by 6:30. I woke up at… Continue

Added by Jay Maynard on May 15, 2009 at 8:00am — 5 Comments

NTSB wants to ground all zodiac's

Is it time to quit working on it and recycle the metal???? At least I found out before I ordered any more parts!! I just read about it in Pacific Flyer May Issue. Interesting no notification from Zenith Air.

Added by William G Chisholm, Jr on May 13, 2009 at 12:32pm — 3 Comments

Simple Control Locks

For those of us who tie down our aircraft outdoors and in the wind (whether continuously or just during an occasional cross country trip), it's important to lock the control surfaces so they don't "flap" unnecessarily in the wind. At the Sebring Expo earlier this year, Juan's Zodiac was fitted with these effective control stops:

Above, two tennis balls are joined by a bungee rope, and keep the ailerons from flapping.



Since this was a… Continue

Added by Sebastien Heintz on May 12, 2009 at 8:30pm — 7 Comments

Now the Bad News

When I picked the paint for this paint job I had the paint company and the paint shop both come to the hanger before I went to Sun-N-Fun to ensure the type of paint and design I wanted for the plane. Unfortunately the paint company changed what I had asked for due to the airbrush Artists request.As you can see in the picture below the clear coat ran,pulling part of the artwork down with it. Even the paint companies own professional painter was unable to paint with the new clear without… Continue

Added by Mark Townsend on May 5, 2009 at 11:30pm — No Comments

From California to Sun-N-Fun 2009 and a few other places along the way



On April 18th my brother David and I left Santa Rosa California heading east over the snow covered Sierra Nevada mountains on an adventure of a lifetime. We left with great confidence in my sturdy Zodiac XL. After all, last year it had safely taken me and my brother Alan to Oshkosh, why would it behave differently on this trip?



In thirteen days we flew 8,490 miles in 75 hours. Average speed was 113 MPH. Along the way we took over… Continue

Added by Stephen R. Smith on May 5, 2009 at 10:00am — 7 Comments

Flyin on a business trip and Lovin it!

Well that time came again and I need to be in Miami in the Morning . The questions was did I drive 4 to 5 hours or take the 601 xl and fly 1.4 hours? Well quick decision. I looked at the TFR over the everglades and the fact that the HWY is closed down, and decided to fly. The plan was to leave early in the morning, fly in to Opa Locka, get to my 9am meeting at the factory, then fly back by 1pm. I took off from SPG at 7 am, leveling the plane at 9500 feet. Can you say Awesome View! the… Continue

Added by Juan Vega on May 4, 2009 at 5:00pm — 2 Comments

Pick up from Paint shop, another show

Well I just got back from Sun-N-Fun and picked up the 750 fuselage just in time to show it a the Canadian Aviation Expo.

Who could resist a chance for a picture like this!!

Added by Mark Townsend on May 3, 2009 at 9:30pm — No Comments

Grove main gear - forward or aft?

I have my Grove main gear and Zenair gear attachment hardware (with spacer blocks) for my 601XL (now CH 650). Currently I'm trying to determine if I should push the gear toward the front of the gear channel or the rear. Also, If I want the flat side of the gear leg to face fore or aft. I know each decision has bearing on W/B and landing characteristics.



The Matronics list archive is light on this info. Anyone with actual installation experience can really help me out here. BTW, I'm… Continue

Added by Larry Winger on May 3, 2009 at 7:41pm — 7 Comments

Flying under the Anvil of a Tropical Cb....

On Saturday (2 May 2009) evening Bill from Techiman, a school headmaster, and I flew down to look at the Dare to Dream football stadium and the Volta Prairie rice plantation and their new runways between Aveyime and Battor along the river Volta in Ghana, West Africa. We took enough fuel for a diversion to Accra International Airport - because the weather looked a little unpredictable - however...after taking the shots we wanted we turned the plane and saw this....…



Continue

Added by Jonathan Porter on May 3, 2009 at 2:00pm — No Comments

Simple Canopy Safety Tether for 601XL

Although I have not yet made the first flight, I believe that having the canopy open inflight might mess up my hair.... and my underwear. I therefore set about scheming on how I could tether the canopy so that it either could not move at all or at least not lift very far if it unlatched. Noise I can handle, but turning the cabin into a wind tunnel test is not my idea of a good time.



I wanted the following features:



(1) Easy to find parts.

(2) Cheap as… Continue

Added by Dr. Edward M. Moody II on May 1, 2009 at 2:02pm — 5 Comments

Breaking NEWS.. 1st 750 builder receives airworthy certificate!

Zenair News has just received confirmation that a CH750 builder has completed their inspection and received their special airworthy certificate (experimental).



No further information will be released at this time to allow this individual to make their own announcement when they see fit. It is not our intention to steal their thunder...!!



This is important news as some builders were concerned about the 51% rule and the "approved" kit list from the FAA that was frozen some… Continue

Added by Zenair News on April 28, 2009 at 3:33pm — 1 Comment

Working on a speedy release to CH750 builder video DVDs

I am looking forward to releasing the first of the CH750 HomebuiltHELP builder DVDs during the month of May. This is my top priority now that I have returned from the Sun n Fun show in Lakeland.



It has been a wonderful to work on this aircraft. The design of the CH750 has set a new standard in providing a fast, enjoyable experience in building your own aircraft. It was an honor to be among the first builders and I look forward to sharing this via these build videos.



I will… Continue

Added by Jon Croke on April 27, 2009 at 10:38pm — 7 Comments

Return from Sun n Fun 09

The Zenair Newsletter team has just returned from an exciting show at Lakeland, Florida, equipped with a video camera now loaded with plenty of footage. The next newsletter, issue #172 will feature some unforgettable moments captured in photos, stories and videos from the show.

Above: A 650XL with the new UL260i engine on display.

Below: A hands-on workshop building a 701 wing





A… Continue

Added by Zenair News on April 27, 2009 at 9:30pm — No Comments

Featured Blog Posts

View All

Latest Blog Posts

Most Popular Blog Posts

Monthly Archives

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

1999

New from Zenith:

Zenith Planes For Sale 
  

Classified listing for buying or selling your Zenith building or flying related stuff...

Custom Instrument Panels
for your Zenith:

Custom instrument panels are now available directly from Zenith Aircraft Company exclusively for Zenith builders and owners. Pre-cut panel, Dynon and Garmin avionics, and more.

Zenith Homecoming Tee:

Zenair Floats

Flying On Your Own Wings:
 A Complete Guide to Understanding Light Airplane Design, by Chris Heintz

Builder & Pilot Supplies:

Aircraft Insurance:

 
 

West Coast USA:

 
Pro Builder Assistance:

 

Transition training:

Lavion Aero

K&S Aviation Services

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty for all your building and pilot supplies!

How to videos from HomebuiltHELP.com

Developed specifically for Zenith builders (by a builder) these videos on DVD are a great help in building your own kit plane by providing practical hands-on construction information. Visit HomebuiltHelp.com for the latest DVD titles.