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Test Pilot or Moron, there is a fine line.

Living on a lake has it advantages. I have cut a ramp on my front lawn down to the lake so that I can get my 701 amphib up and down since my hanger is up on the flats off my driveway. The grade of the ramp is about 7% and it is about 80 feet long. As you can see in the picture, to overcome this grade I have set up a winch in the back of my hangar and using a remote control I can activate the winch all the way down to the shoreline.…



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Added by John Ellis on September 22, 2010 at 1:31pm — 9 Comments

Zenith's 19th annual Open Hangar Day - Follow Up Report

I've already had many of you ask how our Open Hangar Day activities went, so here's my "official summary report" along with some photos. Above is Ulis Temos with his STOL CH 701 which he flew in from Pennsylvannia, with Rotax expert Dean Vogal (squatting).



We started the activities on Friday afternoon following our monthly hands-on "rudder assembly workshop" class and a hotdog & soda lunch… Continue

Added by Sebastien Heintz on September 21, 2010 at 3:15pm — 1 Comment

band saw?

I am having trouble cutting brackets for my tail section using my horizontal band saw. Pieces are too short for saw and angles too great for rotating table. What have you used that gave precise angled cuts?

Added by David Abbott on September 20, 2010 at 12:36pm — 2 Comments

Being 'On Top' in a 701

Flying VFR is wonderful, we get to see the real world, and we get to enjoy sights that make us smile. When I get asked why I never pursued a career as an airline pilot I have a simple response 'why be a bus driver when you can be a racing car driver!'


I know that the speeds of our aircraft are often around 20% of that of the big birds, but our pleasure and grin factors are much greater thanks to the environment in which we fly - and we do fly - hands on, looking out the…
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Added by Jonathan Porter on September 19, 2010 at 6:00am — 2 Comments

CH701 Cable tensions

I understand from Matronics list that the rudder and elevator cable tensions are: 305 and 205 respectively. Can anyone please tell me in what units these are measured?

Added by Michael Rand on September 16, 2010 at 5:54am — 2 Comments

Finished wings

I finished my other wing and am wondering if I am about on track in the building process. I have completed both wings, rudder, elev. & stab, I have about 250 hrs. const. time so far. Am I ahead, behind, or about average?

Added by Mason Bullard on September 14, 2010 at 8:55pm — 2 Comments

Zenith Open Hangar Day / Builder Fly-In Event - Latest Schedule Update

Here's the latest information on our upcoming Open Hangar Day / Builder Fly-In Gathering: We've added Wayne Lanza of Composite Design to the list of participants. Composite Design manufactures the power panel…
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Added by Sebastien Heintz on September 13, 2010 at 2:23pm — No Comments

Showing the flag at Farmerville, LA Fly-in

This morning I found that my dad and I were internet stars in a video montage from this weekend's EAA fly-in at Farmerville, LA (Union Parish Airport / F87). Trying to evade as much of the heat as possible, we flew up there early and were the first arrival so the Papa Goose got video coverage at the fuel pump right at the beginning of the video.

We had to bug out before the P-51 arrived but we did get to see the low pass by the Air Tractor crop duster, complete with airshow…

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Added by Dr. Edward M. Moody II on September 13, 2010 at 10:29am — 3 Comments

Successful First Flight N8701W CH701

Yesterday morning weather was good so made the first flight with my 701. I had never flown a 701 before or a plane with a joystick. The angle of attack at take off surprised me a little so the take off was a little sloppy. Flew for 45 minutes remaining over the Rushville IL airport. All temps stayed in the green and everything was looking good. I had to make some adjustments on the flaperons, when I landed, because I had to hold the stick pretty hard to the right to maintain a level flight… Continue

Added by Mike Webster on September 13, 2010 at 7:57am — 12 Comments

BLOIS CELEBRATES ITS 30th YEAR - Zenair owners fly in... (40+!!!)

ULM EVENT (France) - September 4-5, 2010



This event is the largest annual ultralight gathering of the year in France. With well over 100 exhibitors and close to one thousand ultralights in attendance, it is one of Europe's finest. Great weather helped make this year's show another great success; Zenairs were flown in from as far away as the UK, Austria and Italy.…

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Added by Michael Heintz on September 11, 2010 at 1:30pm — 3 Comments

N 413 GM Zenith 601 XL makes first flight

On august 14th 2010 I made my first flight with my Zenith 601 xl-b. The flight lasted 45 minutes, remaining over the Winsted, Mn airport the entire time. After verifing the temps I continued a slow climb to 4300 feet, where I tested the slow flight abilities of the plane, (I found out the 601 xl can fly much slower than my chase planes). I was indicating 42 mph on the Enigma EFIS with no stall buffet being felt. the flight speeds were kept under 90 mph the entire time. The controls felt…

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Added by Garlen Mikolichek on September 9, 2010 at 10:53pm — 7 Comments

FAA Final Inspection

DAR inspected plane this morning. All A-OK. First flight this Sunday morning, weather permitting.

Added by Mike Webster on September 9, 2010 at 7:17pm — 3 Comments

750 with Jabiru 3300A

I am ready to fit my cowling to the airframe. The engine is offset 3 as is. The installation manual call for 1-2 degrees. How many folks shimed the mount to correct this before fitting the cowl> Should I leave well enough alone?

Bob Allen

Added by Robert Allen on September 6, 2010 at 10:17am — 1 Comment

601XL Stabilizer

I have an existing 601XL stabilizer skeleton however I am starting a 650 project and just finished the rudder. I also have an existing 601 XL completed elevator. First question is can I use the new 650 skin for the existing 601XL stabilizer skeleton? Or can I complete the 601XL stabilizer skeleton with a new 601XL skin and use both the 601XL elevator and stabilizer along with the new 650 rudder for my new 650 project? Thanks.

Added by Larry Ward on September 5, 2010 at 6:00pm — 1 Comment

Aluminum Sheet

Where is the best place to buy Aluminum Sheet? Thanks

Casey

Added by Casey Zechmann on September 3, 2010 at 10:09pm — 6 Comments

Zenith Zip Fly-in Schedule

Zenith Zip 2010 Brampton Airport Ontario

Schedule…

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Added by Mark Townsend on September 2, 2010 at 7:12pm — No Comments

Just Started 650

Just finished rudder. Starting on rest of tail kit. Looking forward to building process and many tips and assistance from experienced builders on this site. Don't be fooled by picture. I am now retired from USAFR and working as electrical engineer. Finally have time to get project underway.

Added by Larry Ward on September 2, 2010 at 6:50pm — 2 Comments

Avatar in a CH701

After my recent mention of Angelina Joli, now I can tell you about my other life, being a pilot in a real life Avatar movie... Zoe Saldana is not, however, present in our part of the planet 'Pandora' - but the Home Trees certainly are.


Today I flew into the newest aerodrome in Ghana, at Mim. It is nestled in a Cashew Plantation between belts of rain forest. The area is very beautiful, surrounded by endless Cashew trees with their unique hues. Flying in to 'officially' be…
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Added by Jonathan Porter on September 2, 2010 at 4:30pm — 6 Comments

The Culmination of an Amazing Journey

The following article by builder Bob McDonald is published in the current is of COPA Flight, the magazine of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association. Bob, thanks for sharing your story!…



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Added by Zenith.Aero on September 2, 2010 at 10:30am — 1 Comment

EAA president Rod Hightower in Mexico, MO

The Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) new president, Rod Hightower, was in Mexico, Missouri, this past weekend for the "Mexico AirFest Salute to Veterans Air Show." Rod flew in for the weekend (with his daughter Hillary) in his Stearman, pictured below.…

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Added by Sebastien Heintz on August 30, 2010 at 2:15pm — No Comments

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