Jonathan, your story is published in August Air & Space. Way to go it's not easy to get them to publish stories unless you go to the moon. Keep up the good work. I do not write much but do follow your stories. Thanks and keep them coming.
The CNN story of Patricia with you in it is magnificent! Congratulations to you two! Please pass my admiration to Patricia! Keep some for yourself, too! Well done!
Sorry it took so long to answer your comment about the Anti-skid tape found at Rona (construction store)! Went on EASY ! Very nice result and very cost effective. I don't think you could tell the difference between this stuff and what is sold by aircraft shops. Look at the pictures... Easy to cut and very STICKY! Can't pull it off afterwards.
I've been looking at your pics. Interesting stuff...I was especially interested in your camera mounts as I am currently working on a vid mount for the baggage. shelf. I've been thru a couple and about have one done that I'm satisfied with...thx for the pics.
The wheels and tires are the same ones Zenith was testing on the CH750 last summer. It's a good upgrade if you do off airport stuff. Not as good as the Alaska Bushwheels, but not as expensive either. The Alaska Bushwheel tires run about $2000 USD. The total upgrade to what I'm using was about $1100 with shipping. Most of the cost is for the new 8" wheels, axles and brakes. The tires are only about $30 each. The stock Zenith stuff is great on beaches, grass and dirt. The bigger tires are needed for rocks and uneven ground. Some of the gravel bars I land on will really rattle your teeth with the stock equipment. When I put on tthe bigger tires (21 X 12 X 8) and drop them down to 6-7 psi (less if I'm very light), it's like landing on marshmellos. See the Zenith test video at (http://www.zenith.aero/profiles/blogs/testing-larger-bushwheel-tires) I'll get you the details if your're interested.
Hi Jonathan
Sorry to hear about the malaria hope it does not slow you down too mutch. I have been enjoying your blogs. My 750 will hopefully be flying in January 2011. Mybe I should fly up and visit you.
Regards
Andrew Conroy
At 2:45am on November 23, 2010, Hank Optland said…
Jonathan,
I hope and pray that you will soon make a recovery from malaria. I have enjoyed reading how you put those STOL Zeniths to good use!
Hank
I enjoy your comments and suggestions in the chat group and respect what you are doing in your work there in Africa. I am honored to be "friended" by you.
G'Day Jonathan
Good to hear from you and thank you for the compliment! I don't know if I can help here! I think I know what you are looking for... I have seen some pictures that one other 601 builder took of his method, but for some reason... I cannot find his web site. I think that he is a Zenith member [ http://www.zenith.aero/profile/ScottLaughlin ] and his name is Scott Laughlin - his web site was called "cookingwithgas.com"... but its not working. He also had a link to it on the ch601.org web site... but it's broken and does not work!
This fellow was also making/selling LRI probes on the Matrionics Zenith Forum, if i remember.... that was awhile back!
Is there anything else that i can be of help to you? My web site is www.ronleclerc.net... there may be something there that you can use!
Again Jonathan, it was real good to hear from you and you take care now... BTH I find your blogs facinating and very very interesting to read!
Ron
Congratulations to Patricia! I hope she has a long and prosperous career, it is great to see Ghanaian's getting into the air to help their people. Great Job!
Thanks for the invite and the compliment. Sometimes I'm too particular in my work which slows down my progress. I spend a lot of time talking with Zenith to clarify my interpretation of the drawings and assembly guides. Maybe when the project is completed such a trip would be possible.
Regards
On de-burring for the soul: I go so far as to inspect each drilled hole with a handheld magnify glass! I hope to have my plane ready for flying next summer (2011). I will be considering all opportunities to fly until this time. Thanks for the email. Tom
P.s. With this being my first project, I,m not likely to involve others in on it until I get comfortable with the process myself- I'm into absorbing all I can without distraction!
Thanks for the words of wisdom. Your "dig it" comment reminds me of the movie "Joe Dirt". His line was "Lifes's a garden, dig it"
As for my health, I was doing all the right things. The aneurysm was caused by a congenital heart defect, the bicuspid aortic valve. I had a set expiration date, good living wasn't going to help. It did take about a year to fully recover from the surgery, but I'm back to better than normal.
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Jonathan Porter's Comments
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The CNN story of Patricia with you in it is magnificent! Congratulations to you two! Please pass my admiration to Patricia! Keep some for yourself, too! Well done!
Hi Jonathan,
Let me know how I can help with the African fly girls. I will not be at Oshkosh this year. We were there last year and do not go every year.
Val
Hi Jonathan,
Thw newer Zenair amphib are easier to construct and setup. I think I would go for those. On the CH701 they are pretty heavy...So watch for this.
Norm
Hi Jonathan,
Sorry it took so long to answer your comment about the Anti-skid tape found at Rona (construction store)! Went on EASY ! Very nice result and very cost effective. I don't think you could tell the difference between this stuff and what is sold by aircraft shops. Look at the pictures... Easy to cut and very STICKY! Can't pull it off afterwards.
Jonathan,
Thank you for the story in the news letter i enjoyed reading it.
Jonathan
I've been looking at your pics. Interesting stuff...I was especially interested in your camera mounts as I am currently working on a vid mount for the baggage. shelf. I've been thru a couple and about have one done that I'm satisfied with...thx for the pics.
Joe Spencer
Sorry to hear about the malaria hope it does not slow you down too mutch. I have been enjoying your blogs. My 750 will hopefully be flying in January 2011. Mybe I should fly up and visit you.
Regards
Andrew Conroy
I hope and pray that you will soon make a recovery from malaria. I have enjoyed reading how you put those STOL Zeniths to good use!
Hank
I enjoy your comments and suggestions in the chat group and respect what you are doing in your work there in Africa. I am honored to be "friended" by you.
Bob
Good to hear from you and thank you for the compliment! I don't know if I can help here! I think I know what you are looking for... I have seen some pictures that one other 601 builder took of his method, but for some reason... I cannot find his web site. I think that he is a Zenith member [ http://www.zenith.aero/profile/ScottLaughlin ] and his name is Scott Laughlin - his web site was called "cookingwithgas.com"... but its not working. He also had a link to it on the ch601.org web site... but it's broken and does not work!
This fellow was also making/selling LRI probes on the Matrionics Zenith Forum, if i remember.... that was awhile back!
Is there anything else that i can be of help to you? My web site is www.ronleclerc.net... there may be something there that you can use!
Again Jonathan, it was real good to hear from you and you take care now... BTH I find your blogs facinating and very very interesting to read!
Ron
Regards
P.s. With this being my first project, I,m not likely to involve others in on it until I get comfortable with the process myself- I'm into absorbing all I can without distraction!
As for my health, I was doing all the right things. The aneurysm was caused by a congenital heart defect, the bicuspid aortic valve. I had a set expiration date, good living wasn't going to help. It did take about a year to fully recover from the surgery, but I'm back to better than normal.
Life's a garden, dig it!
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