Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
Online Community of Zenith Builders and Flyers
My New Project
This will be fun. I picked up a 601XL built from 2005 to 2009. It was flown a little over 40 hours and signed off as airworthy. But rather than going into service, it was parked, awaiting "B upgrade kit." A qualified mechanic pulled the wings to start the upgrade and was stunned at what he found. The mounting holes in both the wing spars and center spar were terribly buggered and elongated. Upon further examination, it was found that both wing spars were installed upside down, requiring a complete dismantling and rebuild of the wings and center spar. Further work revealed more problems until, finally, nothing was left but the fuselage floor and dismantled parts. Loving a good challenge, I picked it all up and gave it a new home. It will either become a "new" aircraft or... not.
It has a corvair engine and all the necessary "steam gage" instruments and comm gear. But I'll tear the engine down to add a 5th bearing at a minimum. Most of the steam gage instruments will be replaced with more modern glass and any painted parts that are left will be stripped for a whole new paint job. It's going to be an adventure. That's for sure.
Comment
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Comment by Dan Keys on August 3, 2018 at 10:44pm
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Both wings have now been completely dismantled. They're not at all salvageable. Installing spars on the wrong side, upside down throws off every part and piece except the controls, lights and fuel cells. Sad. Now to find some aluminum so I can start scratch building a pair of new wings. Gotta love it. Any suggestions on best source for the skins?
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Hi Joseph. You can contact me at dan@keystec.com or message me on this forum. I'm located on Amelia Island here in Florida, NE of Jacksonville.
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Comment by joseph aloof on July 22, 2018 at 11:05pm
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hi dan if you can give me a shout would like to talk..about your projectwhere are you located.
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Thanks for the encouragement, Dan. I'm in a particularly good position to get this done and will do it.
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Comment by dan glaze on July 9, 2018 at 6:04pm
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hang in there Dan, I started my 750 6 years ago and just got my air worthiness 3 weeks ago today, I built a corvair engine using all William Wynne components and a Dan 5th bearing, engine runs like a swiss watch, going to do first flight in the next week or so. its a good feeling to be done! you'll be flying before you know it. good luck, Dan Glaze N750DG
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Comment by Damon Brantley on July 8, 2018 at 12:44pm
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I missed the picture you had already posted. I just drilled out the spar holes for my scratchbuilt and spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to not end up with something that looks like that.
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I have pictures up, but am still learning how to use the forum properly. Try this: http://www.zenith.aero/profile/DanKeys?xg_source=activity
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Would love to see pictures of badly done spar mounting holes and spars installed upside down. At the very least as a example to other builders of what your wing should not look like.
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Comment by Gary Reed on July 7, 2018 at 9:46pm
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"Loving a Challenge"? More like Glutton for Punishment. LOL. Good Luck on your adventure.
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