It's been a few years so I do not recall the exact geometry I used. I believe it is different than the VDO sender bends. I ended up making a cardboard mock up of the fuel tanks shape and adjusting the geometry accordingly.
Bill. I mounted the SW senders in the sides of my fuel tanks. I had to come up with the geometry through some trial and error but generally they work fine.
Yes, I did a test on the bench with all my components with everything it relative height positions and again with everything installed in the fuselage. I was concerned about how well the fuel would flow through the electric Facet fuel pump with it not powered, but it was just fine.
Bill, I have an electric fuel pump installed on my Continental O-200A equipped CH750 STOL. I only use it when flying at high angles of attack (during stall maneuvers). Don’t really use it for any other normal flight conditions.
Joe Reheiser here. I now recall where we were stationed together. You were my first squadron commander, of the 345 TAS at Yokota AB, Japan. Those were great years! I had the good fortune to return to Yokota much later in my career as the 5AF/CV and flew the Herk. They were H models at that time, and they are now converting or have already converted to the J model.
Bill
My name is keith. I am building a 750 cruzer in kenai. I am seeing how many Alaskens would be interested in having a zenith builder/flyers get together. If your are interested I would like to get your input on time and location.
Thanks for your time.
Keith
Kenai AK
Keith@simerson.net
(907)984-2388
Bill I am here in Wasilla as well. I just purchased the Tail kit and plan to start building next month (assuming the tail kit finally gets here). would like to be able to contact you with questions while building the kit if you don't mind.
Thanks Bill, still have a long way to go just finished tail section hope to get fuselage next month. I didn't even realize I had a comment until now didn't mean to ignore you, hope your project is going well!!
I had an email returned to me as undeliverable. I would love to talk to you about your project. I expect to start flying in May. I flew a C-90 powered 750 in Houston TX last sunday. It really performed well.
It's a "work in progress" but am comfortable with the progress. Please send me an email to patrickmartin@loretel.net and I can send you some more info. I will be a bit tied up with company until Monday, but SHOULD be able to visit with you then.
The flaring tool I have is the model 458 with a 37 degree flaring cone, the pipe bender is the model 456 tri-bender 1/4", 5/16" and 3/8".
I tried to keep the number of bulkheads to a minimum. At wing root, under seat, at control column and firewall. Fuel selector, fuel flow, fuel pump and fuel filter also add a bunch of joints. I had the same concern re possible leak points but my EAA advisor pointed out that if its good enough for a jet engine .... The AN fittings add to the build cost but the anodized blue colour looks really cool.
I can also happily advise that I have undertaken extensive destructive testing (some uninformed folks would mistakenly call it mistakes) on the tubing and joints and am pretty impressed with the strength and fatigue tolerance of the system.
Agree with adding inspection ports .... installed a bunch of them all over the airframe and was inspection access was a major consideration in routing the fuel lines. Tried to make sure that there was visible access to all joints and fuel lines.
Another favourite supplier is Pan American tools. If you don't have them, the double margin piloted 40 - 20 and 40 -30 drill bitts are awesome and the air tools are the best (and most quiet) I have come across.
Skagway and Haines are my favourite "fish n' beer" spots and Alyeska ranks as one of the best "ski n beer" spots Ive had the pleasure of visiting. Wasilla looks awesome and I hope that I can invade with my newly minted 750 next summer. Do you think that Sarah will let me tie up at her dock? :)
Hi Bill. Didn't realize you were a next door neighbour. Excellent.
Ill try to find the model number when Im back at the shop ... all I remember was that it said Rigid on the box and the price confirmed it wasn't made in China. I think it does from 1/4" to 1/2" tubing.
The flaring tool is the most important and I can confirm that the rigid aircraft flaring tool is great.
Ready to do engine run ups and hang the wings but have had a heck of a time finding hanger space in Whitehorse. Realistically expect to be doing flight tests by the end of the year. If not, Im moving the whole works to Fiji.
Hi Bill. In the end I found the Rigid Tools bender to be the best. Tried a few other cheaper varieties but this was the best (AS was junk). Found at my local industrial supply store for about $150.
Bill had a hard time finding you I have been out of town & I see you sent me a enail about the engine mount ? Call me at 513 625 0512 Rick. MY EMAIL rick177a@yahoo.com
At 10:32pm on September 4, 2011, Paul Bonasera said…
Hi Bill, The plate I installet on the back of the firewall is 1/4"X4" 6061 T6. My firewall is .018" stainless it si riveted on with 1/8" solid rivits to the firewall and brackets (dobblers) to the side skin. the floats I'm using will be the 4 wheel not the 3 wheel that most people use on the 701'S. I modeled this after other float mounts I've seen used.
I only removed the fork and wheel. Since my floats are old style amphibious, the fork and wheel are used at the bottom of the front gear extension. It is the same wheel and fork that are being retracted back when taking off from water. Look at the pictures in my website ...You'll see.
hi bill which pic are you refering to the isolator is that the one with the red knob if so that is a batt cut off used in boats etc instead of the master relays this cuts all power to the panel switch to batt and now power easy clean cheap alot less things to go wrong someone told me basic is safer less to go bad hope this helps joe in fla
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It's been a few years so I do not recall the exact geometry I used. I believe it is different than the VDO sender bends. I ended up making a cardboard mock up of the fuel tanks shape and adjusting the geometry accordingly.
Bill. I mounted the SW senders in the sides of my fuel tanks. I had to come up with the geometry through some trial and error but generally they work fine.
Yes, I did a test on the bench with all my components with everything it relative height positions and again with everything installed in the fuselage. I was concerned about how well the fuel would flow through the electric Facet fuel pump with it not powered, but it was just fine.
Bill, I have an electric fuel pump installed on my Continental O-200A equipped CH750 STOL. I only use it when flying at high angles of attack (during stall maneuvers). Don’t really use it for any other normal flight conditions.
Bill,
I have an O-200 powered 750 with an engine driven fuel pump. Lack of an electric fuel pump has not been an issue.
JJ
Bill,
My engine has an engine driven fuel pump and I have an electric back up. I have never neede the electric pump.
Hi Bill -
Joe Reheiser here. I now recall where we were stationed together. You were my first squadron commander, of the 345 TAS at Yokota AB, Japan. Those were great years! I had the good fortune to return to Yokota much later in my career as the 5AF/CV and flew the Herk. They were H models at that time, and they are now converting or have already converted to the J model.
All the best,
Joe
Hi Bill -
Yes, I was in the USAF (31 years) and was a Herk driver. Where were we stationed together?
All the best,
Joe
My name is keith. I am building a 750 cruzer in kenai. I am seeing how many Alaskens would be interested in having a zenith builder/flyers get together. If your are interested I would like to get your input on time and location.
Thanks for your time.
Keith
Kenai AK
Keith@simerson.net
(907)984-2388
Bill I am here in Wasilla as well. I just purchased the Tail kit and plan to start building next month (assuming the tail kit finally gets here). would like to be able to contact you with questions while building the kit if you don't mind.
Bill,
I had an email returned to me as undeliverable. I would love to talk to you about your project. I expect to start flying in May. I flew a C-90 powered 750 in Houston TX last sunday. It really performed well.
Jack
Bill,
It's a "work in progress" but am comfortable with the progress. Please send me an email to patrickmartin@loretel.net and I can send you some more info. I will be a bit tied up with company until Monday, but SHOULD be able to visit with you then.
Glad you're interested in the tail draggers!
The flaring tool I have is the model 458 with a 37 degree flaring cone, the pipe bender is the model 456 tri-bender 1/4", 5/16" and 3/8".
I tried to keep the number of bulkheads to a minimum. At wing root, under seat, at control column and firewall. Fuel selector, fuel flow, fuel pump and fuel filter also add a bunch of joints. I had the same concern re possible leak points but my EAA advisor pointed out that if its good enough for a jet engine .... The AN fittings add to the build cost but the anodized blue colour looks really cool.
I can also happily advise that I have undertaken extensive destructive testing (some uninformed folks would mistakenly call it mistakes) on the tubing and joints and am pretty impressed with the strength and fatigue tolerance of the system.
Agree with adding inspection ports .... installed a bunch of them all over the airframe and was inspection access was a major consideration in routing the fuel lines. Tried to make sure that there was visible access to all joints and fuel lines.
Another favourite supplier is Pan American tools. If you don't have them, the double margin piloted 40 - 20 and 40 -30 drill bitts are awesome and the air tools are the best (and most quiet) I have come across.
Skagway and Haines are my favourite "fish n' beer" spots and Alyeska ranks as one of the best "ski n beer" spots Ive had the pleasure of visiting. Wasilla looks awesome and I hope that I can invade with my newly minted 750 next summer. Do you think that Sarah will let me tie up at her dock? :)
Cheers
Hi Bill. Didn't realize you were a next door neighbour. Excellent.
Ill try to find the model number when Im back at the shop ... all I remember was that it said Rigid on the box and the price confirmed it wasn't made in China. I think it does from 1/4" to 1/2" tubing.
The flaring tool is the most important and I can confirm that the rigid aircraft flaring tool is great.
Ready to do engine run ups and hang the wings but have had a heck of a time finding hanger space in Whitehorse. Realistically expect to be doing flight tests by the end of the year. If not, Im moving the whole works to Fiji.
Cheers
Hi Bill, The plate I installet on the back of the firewall is 1/4"X4" 6061 T6. My firewall is .018" stainless it si riveted on with 1/8" solid rivits to the firewall and brackets (dobblers) to the side skin. the floats I'm using will be the 4 wheel not the 3 wheel that most people use on the 701'S. I modeled this after other float mounts I've seen used.
Paul
Hi Bill,
I only removed the fork and wheel. Since my floats are old style amphibious, the fork and wheel are used at the bottom of the front gear extension. It is the same wheel and fork that are being retracted back when taking off from water. Look at the pictures in my website ...You'll see.
Regards,
Norm
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