All Blog Posts (2,410)

CH 701 start date 5-13-13 (Sheet metal brake)

Well, it's as good a time as any to start. The plans are still a blur but I should be able to get through the rudder. I'm scratch building but I can see where buying parts is a real advantage so I'm sure I'll be buying parts. Zenith prices are pretty cheap, all things considered. 

Building the sheet metal brake

Anyhow, I need to build a brake. I'm a self employed plumber so I made some time today…

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Added by Mike Johnson on May 13, 2013 at 2:50pm — 3 Comments

Fired up panel!

I completed most of the wiring in the panel before firing up the Dynon. All went well, recognized all systems. This was the first time I rolled it out into the backyard since I started the build 3 1/2 years ago.

Added by Blaine Schwartz on May 9, 2013 at 4:38pm — No Comments

Zenith 601 XL canopy opened during the flight

Has anyone had the canopy of 601 XL open during the flight ??

My canopy opened in flight at 1500' at 100 kts early this month (May 2013). The aircraft dived towards the land and was hard to control. The canopy stayed up in the air and I could not pull it down. I slowed down to 60 kts and droped down to 500' just in case I had to land on the beach. All the items got sucked out from the back including my head phones. I turned back to the airport, about 2 miles. I  could not communicate…

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Added by Shafid Khan on May 8, 2013 at 3:33am — 13 Comments

Aircraft Builder Build Log IPad free for the next 4 days

In exchange for your feedback, I have made the application free until to 12 May 2013.



The new version releases soon, so grab a copy while you can.

A bit about the application

Aircraft Builder helps you capture your progress using your iPad, and generate a build log when you are done.

-The dashboard gives you a quick overview of the project and instant access to the tasks that are in progress.

-The application allows you to capture…

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Added by Basil Buwalda on May 8, 2013 at 3:30am — 4 Comments

STOL CH 750 builder Guy Savoie

2018 UPDATE: See the follow up photos and videos in the comments below this original story.

Zenith builders and pilots are made up of a very interesting group of individuals, and continue to be a source of inspiration.  Here's a brief story of one of them that was recently featured in the news:…

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Added by Sebastien Heintz on May 7, 2013 at 2:30pm — 7 Comments

Tracing Blocks

Friday I felt like I needed to do something that could be construed as actual work toward creating the plane. To preface this I will try to explain my parts fabrication ideas. Sorry about the long-windedness.

I have seen here and other places that while builders are making parts they have damaged them in some way or have had to remake the part for some reason. In thinking about this I decided that I need some way to be able to remake the part without having to spend any more time than…

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Added by Earnest Fontenot on May 6, 2013 at 2:57pm — 3 Comments

Charging Issue

More questions from the rookie.

 

Still playing with heat issues, but a new opportunity has surfaced. While taxiing to the active, my battery charge indication shoed low voltage, fluctuating into yellow. On run-up, the bar still showed slightly more than 12 volts. It usually reads 13.2 or so. I went back to tie down, and quit for day. Later, the battery would not turn engine. On charger all night.

 

Does the Jabiru have a voltage regulator that may be bad? If so,…

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Added by Don Forwood on May 5, 2013 at 8:52am — 6 Comments

New 701 Takes Flight

Hi All,

I have just completed a 701 and have 5hours air time everything is awesome with the exception that the plane wants to roll to the left.  What is the recommended roll trim fix?

Claude

Added by Claude Melbourne on May 3, 2013 at 6:44am — 6 Comments

For Sale: CH-750/CH-601/CH-650 Jabiru cowl and engine mount

I acquired a 750 project from another builder.  I am going to be hanging an O-235 on it, so I have no need for the Jabiru 3300 cowl and mount.

$795 plus shipping for both.  That's 50% of the cost of purchasing new. 

Added by James Cameron on May 2, 2013 at 7:32pm — 2 Comments

Corvair Short Block

 

fast weekend trip- BWI to JAX - rental car to WW for my 2850cc and

Dan's new crank w/5th bearing - nice visit w/WW but too short- fast drive home

Fred Schutt

Added by Frederick Schutt on May 1, 2013 at 9:29pm — No Comments

CH-750: 2 x 12 Gallon Fuel tanks; Wanted or For Sale

I took over a CH-750 project that was started by another builder.  I am installing a Lycoming O-235, and the standard 12 gallons tanks just aren't enough.  I have TWO standard 12 gallon tanks with sending units installed in perfect condition that I will sell for $500 (total for both) so that I can apply that money towards the 15 Gallon tanks, or I will give you $500 for your standard tanks (so that you can upgrade) and I'll just install Four 12 gallon tanks.

Any takers?

Added by James Cameron on April 29, 2013 at 8:53pm — 3 Comments

CH 750 Stabilizer Finished!

Having recently finished the CH 750 elevator, I resumed work on the stabilizer. You may recall that I damaged the skin on the stabilizer when I laid the upper skin side on the bottom of the skeleton and riveted the entire side before I realized what I had done. In removing the rivets, I damaged the skin enough that I had to buy a new one during my visit to the factory during the September fly-in and open house. Today, I finished the major assembly of the stabilizer and now have to attach the…

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Added by David A. Judkins on April 28, 2013 at 9:48pm — 1 Comment

Zenith Zodiac 601XL-B Value (What is It's Market Value ???)

 

(690 Hours total time.)

(The following is my opinion) ...

I bought it, I built it, I maintain it and I…

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Added by Mark Ertz on April 24, 2013 at 11:57am — 3 Comments

Corvair engine and Aluminum sheet



Last week I came across a gentleman that was selling sheets of 6061-T6 (12 - 0.016, 4 - 0.025, 1 - 0.032 and 1 - 0.040 all sheets are 12'x4') and a Corvair engine. As luck would have it he lives only 20 miles from me! My son and I went last Saturday to…

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Added by Earnest Fontenot on April 24, 2013 at 8:05am — 4 Comments

Needed: half a 650 canopy

So I trimmed too much off my canopy. I cut off too much of the back then realized what was left was too wide to fit the aft fuselage skin. The front half would work but I don't have a usable back half. Anyone been in my situation but needed only a front half? I was hoping someone would sell their aft portion rather than paying for a whole new plexiglass.

Added by Christopher Nail on April 23, 2013 at 7:19pm — 1 Comment

Drafting desk... kind of

So here is my idea for a make-shift drafting desk. I ordered 2 aluminum squares from Amazon (I have the Prime, so get free shipping on most items). I screwed one to the table top and the other can slide for the straight edge. I wish I could…

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Added by Adam Hess on April 23, 2013 at 1:23pm — No Comments

Sealants for fuel fittings, fuel cap neck & sender

I am finally working on the rt. tank and fuel system prior to closing the right wing. I did some research on sealants for the stock welded fuel tanks - so I should never have any leakage problems!!

Tapered pipe thread fittings -

I have long experience using either Loctite # 592 - Pipe sealant with Teflon (PST) or Permatex pipe thread sealant on fuels, oils and high pressure gases. Both sealants cure when air is excluded and have teflon in them to prevent galling of metal pipe…

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Added by Larry Zepp on April 22, 2013 at 4:09pm — 4 Comments

Jabiru 3300 Top Overhaul (continued)

Just completed test flights after top overhaul.  High flow valve lifters with improved upper oiling system was a easy but expensive change to our a/c.  New piston were added as well. 

 

Reinstalling connecting rods went very smooth and neat.  Cylinders were reused and new through bolts were installed, too.  Cylinders and pistons mounted together like…

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Added by Mark Ertz on April 20, 2013 at 10:29pm — 1 Comment

Getting started on plans built CH-750

So, I've wanted to build a plane since my dad got an RV4 when I was about 16. I flew a C150/150 at the time, and liked the high wings, plus always liked to explore off the beaten path. So about 2 years ago, while deployed in Afghanistan, I thought to myself that I'd have a plane if only I'd started building about 4 years ago.

I started researching what to build and ran across the CH-750. Other planes I considered were the CH-801 and the bearhawk. I love the bearhawk, but could…

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Added by Adam Hess on April 19, 2013 at 12:26pm — 3 Comments

Oil Baffles

I received 2 oil baffles from factory. There was not an illustration, drawing or picture on installation. Does anyone out there have details on proper means to attach the baffles to my Jabariu 3300 on my 601-XL-B? (Part numbers 33-B, and 33-B1)

I did find it ironic that the decals for 601 wing Mod that were included had 2 pages of installion details, yet nothing on baffles. Contacted Jabariu, and they were not helpful, as they said parts were not theirs.

Added by Don Forwood on April 18, 2013 at 1:07pm — No Comments

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