All Blog Posts (2,410)

Do I have the right part numbers?

Could someone check these part numbers with aircraft spruce?  They are for a4 and a5 rivits.  I just want to make sure that Im ordering the right rivets.  A4 part #1604-0412  @7000 pcs.  A5 part # 1604-0514 @3000 pcs.

I just want to make sure before I order 400.00 worth of rivets.  Thanks for your time.

Added by Jesse Hartman on September 26, 2011 at 6:12pm — 2 Comments

TRANSITION TIME COMPLETED

Bob McDonald in Northern Ontario was generous to give up a day of his time and transition me to the 701-750 from Cessna's that I fly. Bob is a great host, teacher, and technical advisor. He is busy with Zenith floats at the present time. Thanks Bob and thanks to others ( like Ron) who volunteered to help with this important safety issue.

Added by Thomas Jackson on September 23, 2011 at 2:22pm — 3 Comments

STOL Banner Towing

Here's a nice series of photos showing a unique banner towing arrangement from this STOL CH 701 light sport utility plane in Guadeloupe in the Caribbean:

#1:  Take-off from water:

#2: The folded banner is on the floating platform, with the towline hanging between the pick up gates on the platform, and a grapple hook trailing behind the airplane:…

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Added by Sebastien Heintz on September 23, 2011 at 11:30am — 1 Comment

Quality Sport Planes Oct 8th flyin

Lori and I would like to let you know that Sebastien and Roger will be attending our Oct 8th flyin this year so if you were not able to attend the 20th hanger day at the factory this year you can still meet with them in Cloverdale CA. Will look forward to seeing you there. Check our web site at Qualitysportplanes.com for more info.

Added by Doug Dugger on September 21, 2011 at 7:30pm — No Comments

Flight Crafters took delivery of two more Zenith Kits.

One is a CH750 that will be complete using Flight Crafters

Builder Assistance Center.

 

The other a CH650 (as shown above) was delivered to Tom and Jo Neal.

They will assemble their airplane in their garage in Hernando Beach,…

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Added by Russell Lepre' on September 21, 2011 at 2:19pm — No Comments

Follow up report: 20th annual Zenith Aircraft OPEN HANGAR DAY (September 17, 2011)

Here's my follow-up report from our 20th annual Open Hangar Day and Builder Fly-In Gathering from this past weekend.  Despite some rain and cool weather that kept some visitors away we had a fantastic time and a great turnout, proving once again that it's about the people and the planes, and not the weather!…

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Added by Sebastien Heintz on September 19, 2011 at 1:00pm — 13 Comments

Elevator VGs

I just installed elevator VGs on my 750 IAW Zenith instructions with good results.

Added by Peter Bennett on September 7, 2011 at 12:40pm — 1 Comment

Started wings

With the tail feathers completed it's time to crack on with the next item (in order of increasing difficulty) - the wings.

Started by cutting out the rear rib blanks.  I tried the router method described in the Homebuilt Help dvd - unfortunately only got half way around when the bit stopped cutting and jammed.  Not a total loss though, the plywood templates are still useful - now I drill and screw the template through the aluminium onto the workbench, and cut around it with an Olfa…

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Added by Marty de la Motte on September 3, 2011 at 6:43am — No Comments

Some parts for training in Ghana...

Hi fellow builders... would you like to have a part in helping to train girls to build Zenith aircraft in West Africa?…



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Added by Jonathan Porter on September 1, 2011 at 11:51am — 3 Comments

Missouri governor visits Zenith Aircraft Company

The following is reprinted from General Aviation News (8/31/2011):

Job creation is closely tied to export growth,…

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Added by Sebastien Heintz on September 1, 2011 at 8:45am — 5 Comments

Rudder Build

Got the rudder kit from Allan at Zenair australia 2 weeks ago. Just finished drilling the skins. The instruction manual is spot on.

I've just ordered the plans set, so will be into major build mode soon.

Added by jon parnaby on August 27, 2011 at 10:47pm — No Comments

Jabiru 3300A Controls

I am in the process of odering a plug n play instrument panel.  I cannot decide whether to put engine controls in a quadrant attached to fuselage or the more standard push-pull controls in the panel.  I don't even know right now how many controls are needed.  Throttle for sure but I would assume no mixture since it has an altitude compensated carb.  How about choke?  Is carb heat needed on the Jabiru 3300A?  Any suggestions or lessons learned sure will be appreciated. I hope to have two of each… Continue

Added by Joe Hopwood on August 26, 2011 at 9:29am — 8 Comments

Elevators... finished!

Well, as much as anything is finished before final assembly.  

I drilled the 5/64" holes in the outer hinge pins, assembled the centre hinge point (bloody hard to cut a 2.5mm length of 1/4" tube for the bushing!) - got it all together and swinging freely.  

Only thing really left to do is source some sheetmetal screws and put an inspection hatch over the hole in the bottom skin where the trim servo is.

I sat the whole assembly upside-down and wiped the lower surfaces…

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Added by Marty de la Motte on August 23, 2011 at 8:46am — No Comments

live Zenith Builders chat

Anyone interested in Zenith Builders live chat, here's the address:

http://www.mykitairplane.com/chat/

Added by Dan Dempsey on August 22, 2011 at 7:03pm — 2 Comments

Moving day. Mountain Home, ID (U76) to Prineville, OR (S39)

The day finally came to move the airplane. Flight testing was completed in November 2010, but I had been unable to find a hangar in Astoria, OR. We moved to Bend, OR in March and I finally found a hangar in Prineville, 45 minutes from the house. It's not easy working on an airplane when it is 6-10 hours away. I was averaging 120mph ground speed running the engine about 2,650 rpm. Total mileage was right at 300 miles at 6,500' to 8,000'. I'll get better numbers now that I have easy access to…

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Added by Jake Reyna on August 21, 2011 at 1:48pm — 4 Comments

First Flight

Hello All.

 

I am happy to report that VH-KMI flew for the first time yesterday. The flight was conducted from Goolwa South Australia and lasted 40 minutes. There are some minor issues that are to be expected but I was generally pleased with the handling of the aircraft.

Still hasn't sunk in yet.

Regards,

 

John

Added by John Partridge on August 20, 2011 at 8:04pm — 5 Comments

New hope for young people in Africa from Zenith

Thank you Zenith for making the growth of light aviation possible in Ghana, West Africa and for giving so many young people new hope. The ability to produce parts from scratch build, and to have kit parts coupled with excellent manuals and plans and outstanding support from the factory and Zenith community is what has made it possible for WAASPS, Medicine on the Move and the AvTech Academy to succeed in changing lives, one flight at a time.  

 

The changes to these girls lives…

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Added by Jonathan Porter on August 20, 2011 at 3:16am — No Comments

How to Transport a "Broken" Z 601XL-B??

I am considering buying a "broken" Z 601 XL-B (prop and engine damaged in hangar accident by elder owner), and since I am not a "builder", I'm wondering how to remove the wings for trailer transport of the plane from Ohio to Virginia.  This may be "mission impossible" or "foolish mission" (new show?), but I'd like ideas and advice about HOW and IF this can be done safely.  Obviously I want to avoid or minimize any damage to the wings, electrical and fuel lines, control cables, etc.  I don't… Continue

Added by Michael McConnell on August 18, 2011 at 7:09pm — 5 Comments

Interested Zodiac 601 XL buyer; not yet a BUILDER

I very interested in buying a built 2006 Z 601 XL which is registered E-AB and have many questions.  Does the E-AB registration transfer to the new owner upon sale?  The real questions is; does the new owner have the same inspection and maintenance privileges as the original owner?  There is no POH for the aircraft of interest; can I get one from Zenith Airraft?  This aircraft has a Corvair O-164 engine built by the aircraft builder per Wm Wynne's conversion manual.  Can I get a maintenance… Continue

Added by Michael McConnell on August 15, 2011 at 6:42pm — 5 Comments

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