All Blog Posts (2,409)

Search Blog Posts

Building and flying adventures from around the world...

The internet never ceases to amaze me in how it allows us to better communicate and share information. Aside from the obvious convenience (of e-mail and websites), it's a great tool to share photos and video clips. Fast internet (something we still cannot obtain at our factory in Mexico, Missouri) and services such as YouTube makes sharing high quality video clips easy for novices. Of course, there's a whole lot of garbage out there (the vast majority is) but there is still some great content… Continue

Added by Sebastien Heintz on November 14, 2010 at 9:30am — No Comments

801 building website

I have a temporary server for my site. http://blueskyexp.hobby-site.org Server is up & down depending on whether I want to leave it on or not. If you want me to turn it on for a while, let me know.

It hasn't been updated in a few years. It will be as time allows. Note. I used an O-360, not the Subaru EG33, so the EG33 is for sale.Still on the engine stand. The pic of the entire right side of the airplane shows the top cowl loose, (it does… Continue

Added by Rich Bauer on November 11, 2010 at 9:30pm — 1 Comment

Zenith STOL CH 701, Made in China

I recently came across an email titled "Zenith STOL CH 701, Made in China, $68.00" only to discover it was for a wooden hand made desk top model of the airplane... and not a full-size version like the one pictured below (also a STOL CH 701, made in China):

This photo…

Continue

Added by Sebastien Heintz on November 10, 2010 at 9:30pm — 3 Comments

Building time and tweaks

Now that we have the cylinder head temps within acceptable range I note the oil temp is higer than I would like, so will try opening up the air intake on the oil cooler, since it is baffeled the additional air should go thru the cooler and lower the temp. Will know after the change. Still running on Mineral Oil but temps seem to be stabalizing as we go along. Lets hope the weather cooperates.

Added by Phillip Owens on November 9, 2010 at 2:51pm — 3 Comments

Instructions to fly my 701

I think the most difficult part about building my 701 is to find somebody to give me some instructions on how to fly it.I read a lot about it on the Internet but I need practical experience.Can anybody help?

Heinz Genrich

Added by Heinz Genrich on November 8, 2010 at 7:14pm — 8 Comments

Keeping fuel costs down





I love to fly and have logged 892 hours in 3 and a half years. That’s a lot of fuel.



I have never liked the lead in aviation fuel. It trashes the spark plugs and the engine oil and of course it’s bad for the environment. My 601’s Jabiru 3300 engine does not need the lead.



A few months ago I started burning premium automotive fuel. I bought two plastic 14 gallon fuel tanks from Costco for about $80…

Continue

Added by Stephen R. Smith on November 7, 2010 at 10:42pm — 8 Comments

Engine mount bolts?

4 An - 4 bolts holding a jabiru on? Say it aint so....

Added by Neil Corella on November 4, 2010 at 7:24am — 13 Comments

first flight

Today N5909C flew for the first time. aside from a slight trim issue, she flew beautifully!. For those of you still building, stay at it. it is worth every second of the time you are putting in to it!

Added by Thomas Richardson on November 1, 2010 at 11:25am — 8 Comments

Jabiru dual exhaust

Thought I would post a blog for those of you interested in using dual exhaust on the Jabiru powered XL, 650 and 750. I believe if you're using the stock Jabiru cowl there will be no modifications, the pipes should have enough clearance. I went down a different path with a custom cowl.



I used a Hooker Reducer as the collector, 2.5" to 2" and then had the muffler shop make the pipes. The pipes are identical and I rotate to get the position I like. The Hooker Reducer needs to be shaped to… Continue

Added by Jake Reyna on October 29, 2010 at 2:33pm — No Comments

goodby 601cx..

Sorry to say ,601cx engine quit on take off on july 24. the plane was destroyed and the pilot,me,was severly

injured. After 3 mos.in the hospital and rehab,I am home aagain.

paul baker

mooresville nc

Added by paul baker on October 29, 2010 at 8:41am — 10 Comments

Just Info

As you can tell I have been updating my photos, with an index. Next, I will start showing more assemblies. I have been finishing the last of the parts, getting ready for the components. I forgot to order a sheet of .04 alum so I will be getting that in two days. Then can finish all the parts that I am going to manufacture. Should be with-in about two weeks. I really like the challange of plans building.

Added by Paul on October 27, 2010 at 9:43pm — No Comments

Alabama Zenith Aircraft

Would like to know if anyone around Birmingham, AL ( Pell City ) has a 750 or 801

they could let me contact them on.

Added by Terry Capps on October 26, 2010 at 9:34am — No Comments

Ready for flight!

3 1/2 years of building has come to a successful end as CH701 'N5909C" received her airworthiness certificate today. I can say that I have joined all of those that went before me in celebrating this fantastic feeling that I am sure will only be surpassed by flying her for the first time.

Added by Thomas Richardson on October 25, 2010 at 5:55pm — 2 Comments

Aerial Drops from the Drop Hatch in CH701

As we progress with our supply drop preparedness in Ghana, we carried out a series of drops this weekend, witnessed by our Civil Aviation Authority.


The dropzone was identified using 6 tyres on a roughly 12m x 12m target. The approach to the drop zone was over the hangar at Kpong airfield, and the target around 40m away from the hangar, simulating a drop to a school playing field or park. 9 cannisters were dropped. 4 x 1kg sand non chuted, 4 x 1kg sand chuted…
Continue

Added by Jonathan Porter on October 25, 2010 at 4:30am — No Comments

Best Way to Seal the Nose Wheel Control Linkages Through the Firewall?

I am interested in the options / best way to seal the firewall around the nose wheel control linkages to keep out any potential fumes etc. while providing for the movement.

I would appreciate any suggestions.

Added by Jock Struthers on October 24, 2010 at 6:27pm — 11 Comments

Zenair Float Kit Construction DVD now available

We have completed the construction video DVD for building the Zenair Amphibious Float kit! ( HomebuiltHELP )




It was surprisingly straightforward to build these from the supplied kit parts -- esp if you have experience building a metal aircraft in your recent history! It is nice to know that floats are now affordable if you are willing to do the…
Continue

Added by Jon Croke on October 23, 2010 at 11:31am — 1 Comment

Temps within limits Hooray!

Today after adding an additional 1 1/2" to the lip of the left intake and the air temps at about 55F I had two take offs and landings and about 30 minutes of flight. Although the temps hovered around 340 -355 they were still below max allowable for the 1st time.

Noted that static RPM was over 2500 RPM and takeoffs were quite short, climb out at 80mph and going up FAST! Now that we can operate within temperature tolerances we can start to build some time.

In…

Continue

Added by Phillip Owens on October 22, 2010 at 3:30pm — No Comments

PegaStol Wings

Does anyone have info on the after market wings for the 701.750 0r 801?

Added by Joe Salomone on October 20, 2010 at 6:09pm — 2 Comments

601XL wing fairings

Earlier in the summer, I began the task of making top and bottom wing fairings for my not yet completed 601XL taildragger. I'm finished with the fairings now. I leaned a few things along the way. Some aspects of the job went ok and some not so good. I thought I'd pass along what I did and observations I made to help others avoid some of the pitfalls.



I have worked with composites for decades so none of this was particularly new, but I found a few new problems. I wanted to use carbon… Continue

Added by Louis W. Ott on October 20, 2010 at 3:13pm — 6 Comments

701 flight training

can anyone direct me to flight training in a 701 near New Mexico

Added by Jerry Griego on October 20, 2010 at 12:14am — 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.