Bob Jones
  • Big Lake, AK
  • United States
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Bob Jones's Discussions

Designed and Made a walking Panel to put on Floats

Started this discussion. Last reply by Daniel Niendorff Feb 23, 2019. 3 Replies

Float Modifications, Storage Compartment

Started this discussion. Last reply by Bob Jones Jan 15, 2019. 2 Replies

Fuel tanks

Started this discussion. Last reply by Henri Lavoie Sep 16, 2019. 12 Replies

 

Bob Jones's Page

Latest Activity

Bob Jones posted photos
Sep 26, 2020

Profile Information

Aircraft Model
STOL CH 701
Project Status
Flying
Building From
Kit
Engine installed (or plan to install)
Rotax 912iS
Your website (about your aircraft...)
http://www.zenithair.com/stolch701/7-photo69-alaska.htm
Building Experience
Have already built an airplane
Flying Experience
Private Pilot
Building and Flying Info / Your Profession / Other Background Info
auto, heavy eqpt. industrial pump and turbine mechanic. flying ski's, floats from L95 Jones landing seaplane base, Alaska
Home Airport (ie. KMYJ)
L95 in AK. supplement

Flying In Alaska... On floats and skis

Big Lake is 65 miles toward Mount McKinley (Denali National Park) from Anchorage and Johnson Creek is about 80 miles closer to Mt. McKinley. 

My plane was built from a kit purchased from the Zenith Aircraft factory in Mexico, Missouri.
From start to finish it took me over 1,000 hours, but I spent a lot of extra time on the construction of skis, a custom baggage door, a survival gear box under dash, ejectable top hinged bowed doors, and more. I also installed larger wing tanks (which are now standard in the kit) and built both wings with one broken arm (and some additional help). This is a "EAA Centennial Homebuilt" and after a 1-1/2 hour FAA Inspection, it passed without a change. 
I'm flying every chance I get and now have more than 100 hours on the plane in 10 months. It's on Zenair 1150 floats in the summer and skis in the winter.
I custom-built the skis from plans with UHMW bottoms, reinforcements and heavier axles and rigging. 
Part of the construction time was from working with ROTAX Austria to get approval to slightly modify the tuned air intake, to fit on the 701, and I believe it was the first 100-hp. Rotax 912S to use it. 

The plane flies unbelievably well. The shortest take off on skis, with no wind, pilot only, was 25 feet. The slowest landing I've made on floats was 28 miles per hour, the shortest landing and take off (at gross) on floats, was 400 feet. The plane will land itself, skis, floats, wheels, it doesn't make any difference. 
Anyone wanting to know more can contact me. 
Bob Jones
Tel. (907) 892-7369
bobnpat @ mtaonline . net

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Comment Wall (25 comments)

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At 9:50pm on November 4, 2021, Phillip Gregory said…

very impressive plane and pics!!!!!....kudos!!!!

At 2:24pm on February 12, 2019, Boyd Emmel said…

Hi  Bob,

I am mostly interested in wheel skis. 

Boyd

At 1:42pm on December 30, 2017, Buzz Harvey said…

kiwisfly@outlook.co.nz

At 1:41pm on December 30, 2017, Buzz Harvey said…

Hi Bob.  Thanks to your reply on my airbox question.

Firstly, I had a look through your photos and I'm impressed.   The engineering mods you have incorporated look very interesting indeed.  Skis and floats!   We have a local 701 owner who has a set of floats but I haven't seen skis before.   The aerofoil roof panel is interesting too.  One of our local 701 guys has just done his and claims a 4-5 knot increase in speed.  Myself and another guy are looking to do ours soon too.   The wingtop fences are interesting.   Are that associated with the skis and floats, or some other aerodynamic aid?

Now, the airbox.   Would you be able to send me some photos, as it sounds like you might have already done what I want to do.  I am buying a new Rotax engine for mine (although the old one has only 250hrs, it is an old one.  A local guy is going to buy it for a good price, but there is a whole new topic)   Anyway, if I buy the Rotax airbox at the time of engine supply, I can get a sizeable discount, although it is still expensive at $1250.   I'd like to see how you modified yours and that might be the way to go, as opposed to making one from scratch.

Secondly, great photos.  Reminds me of much of our own flying ground here in the South Island of New Zealand.   We have about 6 701s here and we go flying on Saturdays along with guys in Savannahs and Foxbats.   

Regards

Buzz

At 12:43am on December 19, 2017, Brandon Schulz said…

I have a 914 but I will check the intake mount points to make sure they are isolated on the engine side.

Regards

At 6:20pm on October 6, 2017, Bob McDonald said…

Bob

Black Bear went through my 4 ft X 8 ft kitchen window of my Northern Quebec camp last week. I'm still looking for the bear. A Timber Wolf was coming around my camp 2 - 3 times a day... close a 30 yards, 3 warning shots the 4th a kill. I'm carrying a rifle around the camp these days also. Never had a bear problem in 35 yrs, this year a bear & wolf.

At 11:40pm on May 12, 2017, Walt Cannon said…

Hey Bob....thanks for those strut lengths.

I will update my progress as I get everything rigged over the summer

At 3:21pm on April 16, 2017, jamie mason said…

 I need wing tanks for my project .let me know if you still have them

At 12:28am on July 30, 2016, Keith Crawford said…
Bob
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
At 6:26am on June 14, 2016, ulis temos said…
Hi Bob, I was at Zenith last week and requested a drawing to attach two strap seat belts to a 701. They asked me to contact you. Last year a friend crashed his 750 and slid out the standard belt setup causing him severe damage which could have been avoided with a two belt system.
Thanks Temos
 
 
 

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