After some tweaking and twitching we have finished the strut fairings and the covers around the atachment points. Came out looking pretty good considering we didn't have a clue when we started. It did appear as though the factory bend on one of the fairings was slightly off and we needed to tweak it into place. Now if only I can get the cowling guy to get in gear and finish it!
We have had some great weather lately and I am missing it!
Added by Phillip Owens on November 28, 2009 at 9:27pm —
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As suggested by factory personel I added the vg's to the tail today, easy job just time consuming. Since I have the short tail it seemed like a good idea.
Added by Phillip Owens on September 21, 2009 at 5:07pm —
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Enjoyed my time at the Zenith hangar days 2009, fist time back since I picked up my kit in 2000. Appreciated all of the events that the factory folks provided, obtained lots of information from various folks and vendors and met a lot of really nice people. Thanks to Nick for giving me the 801 instructional ride prior to my first flight, I have a lot better idea of what to expect and am sure the first flight will be exciting. I had just completed my bi-annual flight review in a cessna 172 prior…
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Added by Phillip Owens on September 20, 2009 at 7:48pm —
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Washed the airplane on friday and lost the communications with the tower. After returning to the hangar removed the antenna and found small amountof water under the rubber gasket. Dried outall of the water and let the antenna dry out until monday. Checked with the tower and had a good signal. Made a new rubber gasket thicker than the original, put RTV Silicone on the gasket materiel as well as the base of the antenna, also sealed the top and connection point of the antenna whip and base with…
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Added by Phillip Owens on September 14, 2009 at 4:48pm —
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Whooopeeee! passed the medical exam with flying colors, now to get back into the air and get the bi-annual review under the belt, then on to mexico,Mo for additional flight instruction with the factory team prior to first flight. Hot dog, now if I can get the guy making the cowl to get off dead center and get it done we can fly!
Added by Phillip Owens on August 22, 2009 at 4:48pm —
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Since we are still waiting for the cowl we decided to take advantage of the time and have completed the flaperon trim, now we are installing the strut fairings. This is turning out to be an interesting addition, figuring out how to set the correct angles and lock the fairings in place, so far so good made good progress today on the front one of the left wing. Friday will be another day, weather is supposed to be nice after all the rain.
Added by Phillip Owens on August 10, 2009 at 7:53pm —
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Well here we are again and this time it is all about an upgrade to the 801. After talking to Larry Landucci and Bill Rewey during the air show I decided to add the flaperon/aileron trim tab. So here we are hard at work making more parts and cutting, fitting, pulling wires etc.etc.etc. you know how it goes. So far all is going according to plan and no hiccups encountered yet. Should have it finished by next monday since we only are working on monday and fridays now. Still waiting for the cowling…
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Added by Phillip Owens on July 6, 2009 at 7:43pm —
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The day has finally arrived June 6th 2009 the FAA has granted an Airworthiness Certificate to N84349!!!
After 9 long years we are about to fly, just a few minor touch ups are needed and last minute completion of a new cowl and we can be airborne!!!!
For those of you who are still building don't give up keep a it and the day will arrive!
I want to say thenk you to all who have helped make this a reality, Zenith for designing a grreat airplane and providing…
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Added by Phillip Owens on June 5, 2009 at 10:02pm —
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History has been made I believe, we had three CH-801's all in the same place at the same time on display for the folks to see. This year Larry landucci, Bill Rewey, and Phil Owens all had 801's on display at the show. It was an amazing weekend with about 60,000 people in attendance to see the Navy Blue Angels, F-18 Hornets, F-16's,P-51' Fat Albert (C-130), Patty Wagstaff, Navy Leap Frogs, Army Golden Knights, Shockley's Jet Truck, Pitts specials, Stearman Bi-plane and the list goes on. It was…
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Added by Phillip Owens on June 5, 2009 at 9:50pm —
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Well the day has finnalt arrived, the paperwork has been sent in for inspection, now we just await the call and set the date. It has been a ong time in coming. This week end there is the annual SWAirFest airshow at the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport and the NAVY BLUE ANGELS ARE THE FEATURED ATTRACTION. However there will also be three CH-801's on display for the folks to see, Larry Landuchi and Bill Rewey are going to fly in and display their aircraft with mine so it will be a great…
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Added by Phillip Owens on May 28, 2009 at 3:05pm —
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Hello all, Well things have been going pretty well, slight delay however as our EAA chapter has been asked by the Wisconsin Aviation hall of Fame to build a 1/4 scale model of the 1909 Curtis Gold Bug, this airplane was the first private aircraft owned in the US and was purchased and flown in November of 1909 in Beloit, WI by Arthur P. Warner. Mr. Warner purchased…
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Added by Phillip Owens on April 27, 2009 at 4:31pm —
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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…
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Added by Phillip Owens on April 14, 2009 at 12:10pm —
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Hello to all and welcome to my 801. This has been a long and interesting journey and is nearing the end of phase one Construction. I did not intend to take this long in the construction of this airplane but as builders know stuff happens. Also I did not take into account the fact that I would not be able to work on the airplane six months out of the year, winters here are just too cold and I did not have access to heated hangar in which to work, so winters were time away from building. I have…
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Added by Phillip Owens on January 13, 2009 at 2:18pm —
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