Hi Phill,

Good thanks.

Yep, I still want them, but without going on about it, suffice to say we just finalised a house purchase last week, so we're skint.

But if you give me a figure, I can budget for it some time over the next month.

so you like my stripes i better try getting the rest of my photos up

Hi, Phil---

I remember your post on the bellcrank solution to taildragger rudder cable tension/pedal stability. That is why I mentioned bellcranks as a possible solution in my recent posted question. Unless somebody gives me reason to really want tension on my rudder cables, I think I will just go with some springs (as almost all production taildraggers do) and keep it simple. Your bellcrank idea is elegant, I saved a copy of it when you first posted it because I like it. I wonder if any factory planes out there use a bellcrank for the solution? Yours is the first time I have seen the idea presented, and I have been in aviation for almost half a century now. You are a clever guy.

Bob

Hello Phill,

Upgrading two planes in less than two weeks was hard work. Each day we started at 8:00am and finished at 6:00pm with a short lunch break. We had up to 6 people working at the same time – most very experience builders. The project went well with a few glitches.

I have most of the pictures that were taken but not all – still collecting them. I may post a blog or a photo album in the next day or so. I need to get caught in other parts of my life.

My upgraded plane has been weighed on extremely accurate scales now and comes in at 810 pounds. Sadly I can’t post the increase in weight because my before weights are known to be inaccurate. My guess, for what is worth, is that 25 to 30 pounds have been added. I am very sure the planes carrying capacity has increase by far more than that however here in the USA we have an artificial limit of 1,320 pounds.

Steve

Hi Phill

'Got your note on my wall. Thank you for your interest in the gear. I'd prefer to discuss this offline. My email is ttp44(at)rkymtn.net. If you could send me your email address, I'll communicate that way in the future. Thanks.

Terry

hey phill, ready to bolt the wings on tomorrowit looks like I fly away into the wild blue younder thursday

Thanks Phill for the web waatching.. I missed the new checklist.. I am with you
I do whish they would put a one liner out on this website, telling us to look at the updates..
They do want this site to be a one stop shop don't they???
Chris.

G'day phill,
Iv just bought a share of Barry Venamores zodiac which is why i have appeared out of no where. Our zodiac will have its wings back on it within a few days, after putting the new mods through it. will get some photos up when i can. cheers mate
Meade Mckenzie

Phill, ZAC added some detail to the Drawings. Like the .063 Rear Attachment Upright and some rivet pitch information on other parts. I had this discussion with Caleb last week or so.I also noticed some other minor stuff, mostly doing a better job of identifying parts.

Weight loss idea. All I can think of is the canopy frame after viewing the new PiperSport XL ;-) Not sure it's worth the effort and I don't have the latest 650 version. I am going to add additional false bottom ribs to the wings, the 2 outer bays already have them installed. While I was inside the fuselage working on the Rear Attach plates, I noticed that the bottom oil cans badly, so, a few more stiffeners. The only weak link in my airplane will be the nut holding the stick :-)

thanks phill, I thought 2 stripes one a silver theother adark grey almost black metalic,down each side and each wing not sure about width 1/2 3/4 or1"any suggestions.

g,day Phill , could you make me up some stripes

hey, Phill did you hear the joke about the plane up grade builder he died of old age waiting for parts

Phill, did you get the rest of the Upgrade?

It is the Grove gear, gun-drilled. Taildragger gear is 15# lighter than the stock gear and much easier to land on!

Phill, we have to stick together ;-)

I do something similar with fiberglass. I use 5 minute epoxy to tack a part and then do an epoxy fillet.

Happy New Year!

Phill, I was going to do analog, but was talked into the EIS, it was a good choice, bang for the buck. It lacks personality, but makes it up in performance and delivery of information.

I like to think it is a simple panel, but will add a Falcon Electric Attitude under the Airspeed, just in case I get into poor visibility.

Phill, that was my first upgrade when I bought the kit, Grove Aircraft landing gear, I deleted the ZAC gear from my original order. I think it is now standard on the 650, but I don't think they are made by Grove. AMD lists the weight of the gear as +30 pounds and the Grove gear weighs 32 pounds, width is 115mm. Check with ZAC. Here is a link to Grove Aircraft.

I also used their lightweight wheels and brakes, total weight savings was 13 pounds, and they are gundrilled. We've all heard that airplanes gain weight, that was my motivation to keep it light.

You mentioned that you are well skilled at composites. I'm going to make a new set of wheelpants using carbon fiber, that will save a few more pounds and you can save a few more by replacing the other stock fiberglass parts, carbon fiber isn't really necessary, just a nice clean layup, but if you're going to the effort ...

I'm going to cheat on the wheelpants and use the stock as a plug, cover it with a nice smooth layer of packing tape, layup some glass and then cut a seam at just the right time over the top, let it cure and then pop it off and tape the seam

Phill
send me your email address so that I can send pics of the push pull tubes
Ken

Thanks!

THese are a big help. I see you fed the fuel through the fire wall on the LH side opposed to the suggested RH side.

I may follow suit! I dont like the fuel coming in by the cabin heat box.

Thanks again,

Rich Simmons