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video of first engine start

Movie.wmv
Just a video of the first start of my Corvair powered 601xl. Dam that thing sounds good!!!!

Added by Louis Kantor on April 16, 2009 at 9:00am — 1 Comment

Corvair powered XL is finally ready to fly





I just wanted to post that our corvair powered 601 xl is ready to fly. We are currently conducting taxi tests and waiting for our DAR inspection on monday. The airplane is equipped with a dynon efis d-100 and engine monitor d-120, gps 496, etc. (see pics) It has a standard William Wynne 2700 corvair engine with a Weseman 5th bearing and an MA3-spa carb. We are running a 60 amp rear alternator to… Continue

Added by Louis Kantor on April 15, 2009 at 11:32pm — 5 Comments

First real result of the NTSB report

I was scheduled for a CFI-SP checkride tomorrow. I'm all ready for it. I've been boning up on all the stuff for the oral exam, which is reported to be a bear.



The DPE who I'd scheduled the ride with told me she wasn't comfortable flying in a Zodiac, and postponed the ride until the issue is better understood at minimum, and ideally resolved.



I understand and respect her decision.



I'm still annoyed, not at her, but at the whole situation. I've spent 6 months… Continue

Added by Jay Maynard on April 15, 2009 at 6:30pm — 4 Comments

AUTOPILOT

HAS ANYONE PUT A TWO AXIS AUTOPILOT IN THERE 701

Added by dennis gemmell on April 14, 2009 at 6:53pm — 1 Comment

NTSB recommends grounding US 601XLs

According to an NTSB press release:



Washington, DC - The National Transportation Safety Board today issued an urgent safety recommendation to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in which it asked the agency to prohibit further flight of a type of a small airplane that has been involved in six in-flight structural breakups since 2006. The recommendations apply to the Zodiac CH-601XL, a low-wing, fixed-gear,…
Continue

Added by Jay Maynard on April 14, 2009 at 5:42pm — 12 Comments

End of Winter

Finally the winter is giving up and spring is on the way, looks like we can get back to work and finish the 801. We will be doing the weight and balance on thursday the 16th of April and then it will be on to organizing for the FAA inspection. Need to make sure all of the paperwork is in order and ready before asking the inspector to come. This has been a long time coming and I am looking forward to finishing the project. We have our annual ABC Supply SW Airfest coming up next month and it… Continue

Added by Phillip Owens on April 14, 2009 at 12:10pm — No Comments

Elevator Tip & Nose Rib Fluting/Crimp Dimensions

Re: Parts # 75-T-3-1 & 75-T-3-2. Caleb emailed me a .pdf file showing the crimp locations this morning. I'm impressed with how fast they got back to me. Thanks Caleb! I'm not sure if or when the updated drawings will be available on the Zenair site but Caleb has them if any other scratch builders need them.

June 23rd update: The new updates to the plans have the dimensions on them.

Added by Travis Corbin on April 14, 2009 at 9:30am — No Comments

CH750 is nearly in the air

A big day on April 13th as we pulled the CH750 out of the hangar and started the engine. The 0200 roared to life and sounded like a million bucks. We ran the engine for about 15 minutes, then shut down and back in the hangar. The last remaining items are so simple (and small). I have three bugnuts coming from Spruce to attach mixture, carb heat and cabin heat. I safety wired everything last night. Once the bugnuts are installed it's time to weigh, complete weight and balance exhibits and submit… Continue

Added by Jim Smith on April 14, 2009 at 6:41am — 4 Comments

Finally got to taxi it

After nearly two years of building, I got the engine running, and taxied it around the airport. Pretty exciting. I am about ready to have the FAA bless it.

Added by William Campbell on April 13, 2009 at 9:30am — 1 Comment

STOL 750 Rotax Weight & Balance

Well we have Good news and Bad news. The Good news first. THE total weight with most everything installed or in place is 695 lbs I expect this to change by about 50 lbs as paint and seats are installed. But that will be discovered on the final Weight and Balance.

Now the Bad news, the motor must move, this was… Continue

Added by Mark Townsend on April 13, 2009 at 6:30am — 2 Comments

750 Wings are attached

Well here it is the wings are on the fuselage

p style="text-align: left;">



Here are the wings attached with clamps.



With doing the First Rotax installation it is important to do a Weight and Balance before finalizign everything and heading for the paint shop.



Here it si… Continue

Added by Mark Townsend on April 12, 2009 at 6:30am — No Comments

750 Wings are attached

Well here it is the wings are on the fuselage

p style="text-align: left;">



Here are the wings attached with clamps.



With doing the First Rotax installation it is important to do a Weight and Balance before finalizign everything and heading for the paint shop.



Here it si… Continue

Added by Mark Townsend on April 12, 2009 at 6:30am — No Comments

750 Wings are attached

Well here it is the wings are on the fuselage

p style="text-align: left;">



Here are the wings attached with clamps.



With doing the First Rotax installation it is important to do a Weight and Balance before finalizign everything and heading for the paint shop.



Here it si… Continue

Added by Mark Townsend on April 12, 2009 at 6:30am — No Comments

750 Wings are attached

Well here it is the wings are on the fuselage

p style="text-align: left;">



Here are the wings attached with clamps.



With doing the First Rotax installation it is important to do a Weight and Balance before finalizign everything and heading for the paint shop.



Here it si… Continue

Added by Mark Townsend on April 12, 2009 at 6:30am — No Comments

STOL 750 Flapperons

ALignment of the Flapperons took a bit of time and required more then one hand. I used a 20 mm spacing from the trailing edge of the wing to the leading top edge of the flapperon while in a semi neautral position. you can double check by rotating the flapperon and the 20mm gap does not change through rotation.

Here is a pictrue of the slats attached, the bent edge makes for a very clean line.…

Continue

Added by Mark Townsend on April 11, 2009 at 6:00am — No Comments

STOL 750 final wing assembly

The Slats attach with simple clecos alignment was all set through the pre-drilled holes.



The fiberglass parts aligned well and installation was simple fare.



THE Rudder is installed as is the stabilizer. Stops and alignment is done the same as the… Continue

Added by Mark Townsend on April 10, 2009 at 6:00am — No Comments

601 Flying Carpet

Getting more time in on my 601 XL / Corvair. Cruised about 100 miles Sunday, 3000 RPM, about 110 MPH TAS at 5000 MSL. The air was smooth as glass and the Corvair never missed a beat. I've been tweaking the cowling to improve cooling, and this flight saw about 230 deg. oil and 350 - 370 cht's. I'm running the Ellison carb, and pull the mixture back just enough to bring the EGT's up to 1300 - 1350 deg., using a Cyberdyne mixture meter for guidance. This Zenith flies like a dream, and turns a lot… Continue

Added by Lynn Dingfelder on April 7, 2009 at 8:17pm — 2 Comments

Sun 'n Fun UL260i Forum Schedule

I will be giving three forums on the UL260i during Sun 'n Fun:
Tuesday the 21st at 10am
Thursday the 23rd at 11am
Saturday the 25th at 11am
All held at the Contact! Engine Forum tent near the main entrance.

Added by Gus Warren on April 7, 2009 at 2:12pm — No Comments

A quick trip to Washington and back (Another 1,330 miles for the log book)

On Friday I flew 664 statute miles from Santa Rosa, CA to Shelton, WA to visit my brother Alan and his wife Nathalie who have a Zodiac XL which is a twin of mine. The flight north was one of the more challenging I have experienced. In Northern California I got to choose… Continue

Added by Stephen R. Smith on April 6, 2009 at 11:25am — 3 Comments

Sky Hummer 750 with Rotax Cowl

I told my Son that the 701 is called the Sky Jeep, he turned to me and stated that if the 701 is the Sky Jeep then surely the 750 is the Sky Hummer. I laughed and told him not to call me Shirley, but Sky Hummer is going to stick for the 750 in the Hanger.

I couldn't wait so I installed the cowl just to see how she is going to look. I like what I see! Alot !…

Continue

Added by Mark Townsend on April 3, 2009 at 10:30pm — 2 Comments

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