After drilling the horizontal stabilizer to A4 size, I disassembled to begin deburring and corrosion control. When I removed the skins and starting breaking down the skeleton, I saw where I had damaged 3 of the 4 rear ribs during the drilling. I don't think these ribs would pass inspection (certainly not mine!) and I'm ordering replacement ribs this week before proceeding on this assembly. Wondering if anyone else has had this issue?

I paid in full back in July 2011 for a viking engine FWF for CH701.

I was promised delivery in Oct 2011.

Oct 2011 came and went. Communications with Viking promised Dec 2011 delivery.

Dec 2011 came and went. More communications with Viking.Finally received engine in Feb 2012. Engine was incomplete. Missing items include: ECU computer, reduction gbox, oil…

the control mixer bearing comes pre drilled and the attachment holes are offset from the Mixer tube hole. One set of holes is far enough away from the tab on the control mixer that the tab will not "stop" on the bolt heads. Installed on the other side of the fuselage the bolt heads will stop or limit the control mixer travel. The updated photo assembly guide clearly shows the tab between stops. The plans show the tab not between the bolts that would limit travel. Anyone asked the factory…

NAFCO no longer underwrites loans for Zodiacs. They will not underwrite a loan to refinance an existing loan  they previously underwrote if the a/c is a Zodiac. They call this a policy change.

Hello Zenairers,

I have an older Zodiak and want to install a low profile windshield on it. They call it the Speedster.

I would love to convers with someone who has flowen the speedster and find out about it's pro's and con's.

I was thinking that i would profere a lower profile than the ones that you see in the pictures on the internet. I understand the cubby hole in the back has to be covered.

I was wondering about the drag and wind noise and the aircraft…

The show last month was a great success as we celebrated a new beginning for Zenair in Europe. On display was the first new and much-anticipated factory-assembled and Italian-built light-weight CH 650Ei (European ultralight category)!

Designer Chris Heintz was present as well as production personnel from ICP - and regional distributors from nine different European countries!…

Not much accomplished this weekend other than drilling and mounting the center hinge bracket on the horizontal stabilizer. Drilled out most of the stabilizer to A4 but am short on clecos and reluctant to complete drilling until I receive the clecos I ordered earlier in the week. Should be able to finish drilling next weekend. Will then disassemble, debur and prime for final assembly and riveting.

Hey gang,



Today the wings were bolted (3 bolts and 2 pins) for the first time. And I took it on its first official airport taxi. No rudder, ailerons, flaps, but the stabilizer and elevator were there just not controllable.



Burned the brakes in and had a very enjoyable time. The temps were all good. I really like the way this Corvair sounds and pulls.



The warp drive prop is in the works and should be here shortly.



Meanwhile, I will keep…

Incredible as it may sound, that is the fact of today.

At the request of a teacher in a rural African community we were asked to extend our drop run to fly around a remote school so that the teachers could tell the girls 'that is a plane built by Ghanaian girls and flown by them' - and then to use that towards an 'anti-teen-pregnancy' talk.…

I drove for 7 days straight to get home to North Pole Alaska.  There were many bumps and potholes on the way so I was very eager to unpack the trailer to check for damage.  Doug did his usual wonderful job and the load that he masterminded for the 3,100 mile trip back home arrived without any damage.  His abilities are fantastic, thank you Doug for all that you did for me with the project.  I cleaned up the engine mount and primed and painted it today and will start putting it on the plane…

Little time to work this weekend but was able to drill out stabilizer to size A4 and cleco. Had to get additional ratchet straps to cinch the skin to the skeleton properly. Instructions say 4 straps minimum... word to the wise; I would up that to 6. It really makes a difference. Try not to cover any rib holes in the process. I still have a little more drilling to do, but need to order more clecos, so I will do that this week. Having a blast!

One week to go for the west coast open hanger day at Quality Sport Planes in Cloverdale CA (O60) we have had good responce so should be a good day.  Weather looks great so come join us at QSP as usuall there will be a bbq by the Lions Club plenty of Zenith planes and pilots along with Sebastien & Roger. Fly in or drive in either way we would like to see all of you Zenith builders and fllyers here.…

Did an oil change last weekend, when I started the engine to warm the oil I heard the familiar sound of a brocken engine bracket (912ULS 451 on the hobbs). Pulled the cowling off and sure enough the right engine bracket had cracked completely off AGAIN! by the front engine bolt (3rd time). Changed my oil/filter and pulled the bracket off. I fabricated a new bracket out of 4130 and made a doubler for the frount 2 inches and tig welded it in place, I also fully gusseted the front of the…

The May 2012 issue of Pilot magazine features the sleek Zenith CH…

Spent time this weekend drilling and cleco'ing front and rear stabilizer spars, attached ribs and assembled stabilizer skeleton. Began to lay skin before darkness hit. Another couple of hours and I should have the stabilizer finished and can begin work on the elevator.

Following is an update article on the work of Medicine on the Move with the Zenith STOL in western Africa.  We've been proud to support Jonathan Porter and his amazing team in Africa, and I hope some of you take an interest in this innovative organization that's "changing lives one flight at the time."

Their educational "…

Just bought a 601HD taildragger with my friend and we love it! However we have a bad yaw to the right in all flight attitude! I am constantly on the left rudder pedal to keep things straight. Has anybody ever experienced something like this? Be great if I could get some help. I checked the rigging and it looks good even though the cables seem a little slack to me. Could it be the tail wheel? I noticed it is not truly centred when neutral.

Thanks in advance.

Steve.

I'm looking into selecting an airport to keep my plane at once I've finished building it.  My question is, how much will it be worth?  The reason for the question is that one consideration I'm using for selecting an airport is the personal property tax rate.  These vary wildly from county to county here in Virginia. 

How have others of you set a value for their plans built planes?  I would think that for insurance I'd want a high value, as to be able to replace it, but for taxes it…

Picked up the tail kit at one of the local truck terminals this morning. Got some interesting looks from people staring at that 9 foot long box in the back of my pick-up! After getting it home, I did a complete inventory and began working on the rear horizontal stabilizer spar. Realized then I don't have nearly enough silver clecos, so I just ordered a bunch from Zenith.

Hi Everyone,  Here is a reasonably comprehensive POH for 601's.  Many thanks to Thilo Kind for generating the original.  I've added to and refined what he originally sent to me but much of his content remains.  There are charts added for load factors, cruise performance, fuel calibration, etc. that might be of interest to some.  If the group likes the format and information provided, it could be converted to reflect the XL model without too much difficulty.

Clear…