Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
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Testing the waters
I'v been thinking of building a plane for years and just bought the plans for a 701 and have spent more time printing every thing out ,and trying to decide what to build and what to buy ? well the rudder kit sayes it takes about 12 hours and testing the waters with junk I had laying around from scratch I built a 100%mockup of the rudder in less time then the 12 hr for the kit and this included cuting the forming blocks and fabercating the part's assembly was the shortist time (note) this is not a flying part and was never ment to be ! But a duplicate made from the same forming block just out of the proper allow and not out of the sheet meatle I used in the mockup it is a working rudder! So now I'm working on a tackoff of the meterals and trying to decide if the time to buying a kit or fabracate the hole 701 from scatch ,I should add to this I'm not doing this in a home envirmont but in my shop which is my privet toy and is child's play to my real job .And thats what it's about having fun? But I did make a big mistake I should have taken photos of the construction (but didnt) and I will with the real rudder and start a builers log !! Now I'd like some feedback on powerplants I'm leaning to a 2300cc V/W but would like some feedback on diffrent powerplants (not on rotex connty's or lycoming) Capt Doug Broughton
Comment
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Comment by Bob McDonald on March 5, 2011 at 7:51pm
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I know you have started off as a plans CH701 builder. I have the greatest admiration for any plans builder, even a CH701 kit builder will have 1400+ hours in the project. Consider the CH750 kit. I built mine in 8 weeks. It is "kit assembly" with most of the rivet holes all pre-drilled to A3 silver cleco so you start assembly straight out of the box. It depends if your a builder or a pilot who has chosen to build because its the only way he can get the aircraft with the abilities the CH701 / 750 / 801 series have. The new CNC cut and pre-drilled CH750 kit is totally awesome to build....like a big MECCANO set. :>)
Bob
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Comment by Robert Crawford on March 1, 2011 at 9:01pm
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Hi Douglas, I'm plans building the 701 and I did the same as you. I used aluminum flashing instead of the real deal, 6061-T6. But after building the moch up, I sprung for some 4X12 sheets of 6061-T6 and started building for real. I'm almost 2 years into it and have the rudder, elevator, stabilizer, both wing skeletons and putting the skin on the left wing now. If I had gotten the kit I would be way far ahead of where I am now but I'm really enjoying the building process. As far as engines go, and I'm way off from that, I have been checking out the Raven Redrives site. They convert the Geo engine and there is a yahoo group also. Good luck with which ever way you decide to go. I don't think you will regret it either way.
Bob
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