---------------------------------------------------------- Zenith-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Wed 11/12/03: 18 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 07:48 AM - Re: Zenith-List Digest: 2 Msgs - 11/11/03 (Thomas F Marson) 2. 08:05 AM - Re: Re: Zenith-List Digest: 2 Msgs - 11/11/03 (Dave Pepper) 3. 08:52 AM - prop size (little john) 4. 10:12 AM - Re: prop size (Greg Ferris) 5. 12:39 PM - Re: Re: Zenith-List Digest: 2 Msgs - 11/11/03 (JERICKSON03E@aol.com) 6. 01:53 PM - 601 Builders in Florida (Mark Townsend) 7. 03:33 PM - Re: 601 Builders in Florida (ZodiacBuilder@aol.com) 8. 04:29 PM - Re: 601 Builders in Florida (CBRxxDRV@aol.com) 9. 04:45 PM - 701 Aluminum Spring Gear (Glendale Farm) 10. 04:47 PM - Re: Re: Zenith-List Digest: 2 Msgs - 11/11/03 (Grant Corriveau) 11. 05:30 PM - Re: Re: Zenith-List Digest: 2 Msgs - 11/11/03 (Rick Pitcher) 12. 06:14 PM - elk,Re: 701 Aluminum Spring Gear (Roger Roy) 13. 06:28 PM - Fw: Zenith-List : Subject --- Your own strip (Thomas F Marson) 14. 06:30 PM - Re: prop size (ZodiacBuilder@aol.com) 15. 06:47 PM - Dimpled floating nut plates (Mark Stauffer) 16. 07:10 PM - Re: Dimpled floating nut plates (George Swinford) 17. 09:19 PM - Re: 701 Aluminum Spring Gear (Benford2@aol.com) 18. 09:50 PM - rivnuts for inspection plates? (Jack Russell) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 07:48:21 AM PST US From: "Thomas F Marson" Subject: Zenith-List: Re: Zenith-List Digest: 2 Msgs - 11/11/03 --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Thomas F Marson" This is a tough question to answer because so much depends on pilot skills and wind conditions and turbulence in the worst case. One always has to plan the worst case because that it the one that can kill you. You didn't mention the altitude where you will be buying land. What is the hottest day in which you will be flying. These are all factors. I have heard some guys say some thing like this, "give me a barn door and I can fly it". This is just boastful retoric.. The laws of gravity, air density wind direction turbulence (are you very close to a hill the deflects air downward) etc don't respect a braggard any more than a beginner. You can never have too much runway. Given the wrong set of circumstances the runway you always use may not be enough and only once is enough. You need to note the following, to determine this: 1. What is the longest ground run you will ever expect on the hottest day you will fly and with the heaviest load you will put in the plane. 2. What will be the rate of climb of the plane after breaking ground with the load on that day. 3. Now plan to pass the trees at at least 50 feet above them with the conditions listed in 1 and 2 above. When you have these distances worked out then increase them by at least 150%. If you don't have the ability to do this yourself get with someone who knows the plane and do it There is no one who can do this for your unless they have facts as above including altitude and gradient of the land (up hill down hill). If you want a simple answer it is not there. The homework must be done. What you are essentially asking is what size is neccessary for a new airport I plan to build. Much homework needs to be done. If you get a simple answer like 600 feet or 800 feet, do you want to bet your life on it? If someone says 1800 feet do you want to bet your life on that? On a personal note. In Wisconsin where I live I built such an airport, I went through the labor and trauma of getting formal approval of the State Aeronautics dept, Then the made me get the FAA to approve. But both of these approvals were contingent of the Township and the County. This was the real rub. If your n eighbors are or will become annoyed with the idea of a new airport in their vicinity you will not get approval. The FAA and State can approve of the "lay of the land". They will not in anyway placate a neighbor who says, " I don't what planes operating near me". If you say the hell with that I will just build it, "it's my land". Ok but after all your work and expense you could be shut down because you dont have the approval. You could fly for years and then someone builds a house near the runway and blows the whistle. I have seen this happen. In my case I jumped through all the hoops and got all the approvals---- took 8 months and lots of meetings. I built the grass strip with a clear distance (runway length) of 1800 feet. Next I built the hangar. 40X40 with electric bifold door. Hangar cost of around $ 25,000. Now I had the dream of most pilots, my own strip and hangar right outside my house. (by the way the only way my neighbors would approve (my township) was it was only for me, no commercial and no other airplanes or hangars. After I had the airstrip and hangar in operation for 3 years I abandoned the whole thing and here is why. 1. A lot of flying is companionship and social interaction. At my hangar and my airstrip I was always alone. To get the social interaction I would have to fly to another, airport where there were airplanes and pilots and people to BS with. At my airport the only conversation I had usually was with myself, and the radio. This gets old after awhile. 2. My runway was fine as to length and width. But there was a row of 200 foot high hills immediately to the northwest. When ever the wind was out of that direction with a strength of over 15 the turbulence over the runway scared the hell out of me. ( I am Commercial rated, Mult engine,CFI and lots of hours. You know what----- I finally built a hangar at municipal small non-towered field 22 miles away and moved my plane there. Did I mention that mowing the runway, controlling pocket gophers, took more hours than I flew? In the winter the field was buried under a foot of snow. Skiis---- well other have done that. But you need to know that is another can of worms the we can talk about if someone wants to. For those who love ski flying so much that they don't want to talk about the downside,ok. But here is just one. Skis work ok on snow if it not too wet, then they can freeze down. Next how do you get the ski equiped plane back into your concret hangar floor. When you fly to an airport where you get fuel and there is an asphalt fuel apron now what. All these and more can be licked----------- but at what price and what effort. This was supposed to be fun. I started having fun ----- when I finally moved to an air port with other planes-pilots, paved and grass runways, fuel supplies and that someone else maintained so I could enjoy my passion--- my plane. My plane by the way was and still is a Dakota Hawk. Will eventually build a Zenith too. Do build your 701 great plane, Before you invest a lot in land and airport think it thru. Tom Marson Tom ----- Original Message ----- From: "Zenith-List Digest Server" Subject: Zenith-List Digest: 2 Msgs - 11/11/03 > * > > ================================================== > Online Versions of Today's List Digest Archive > ================================================== > > Today's complete Zenith-List Digest can be also be found in either > of the two Web Links listed below. The .html file includes the Digest > formatted in HTML for viewing with a web browser and features Hyperlinked > Indexes and Message Navigation. The .txt file includes the plain ASCII > version of the Zenith-List Digest and can be viewed with a generic > text editor such as Notepad or with a web browser. > > HTML Version: > > http://www.matronics.com/digest/zenith-list/Digest.Zenith-List.2003-11-11.ht ml > > Text Version: > > http://www.matronics.com/digest/zenith-list/Digest.Zenith-List.2003-11-11.tx t > > > ================================================ > EMail Version of Today's List Digest Archive > ================================================ > > > Zenith-List Digest Archive > --- > Total Messages Posted Tue 11/11/03: 2 > > > Today's Message Index: > ---------------------- > > 1. 07:10 AM - Re: Another First Flight-CH701/912ULS (H. Robert Schoenberger) > 2. 07:24 PM - Runway length for 701? (Les Slater) > > > ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ > > > Time: 07:10:52 AM PST US > From: "H. Robert Schoenberger" > Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Another First Flight-CH701/912ULS > > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "H. Robert Schoenberger" > > Shay .... congrats on a job well done. We'll be interested in more details > on how it handles. Hap Schoenberger 701 tail finished, working on right > wing. Do not archive. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Shay King" > Subject: Zenith-List: Another First Flight-CH701/912ULS > > > > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Shay King" > > > > Dear Listers, > > After 3 years and an embarrassing number of building hours I flew my 701 > for the first time this morning. Everything seems to work OK, just had to > tape over the oil cooler to get the temp up to normal range. Did 4 flights > in all today totalling 1 hr 16 min. > > > > Thanks to all you guys on the list who helped out over the 3 years. Thanks > to Nick at Zenair for answering all those questions, and a special thanks to > Marek at CZAW for answering so many questions and providing encouragement > along the way. > > > > Regards, > > Shay King. CH701 Reg: EI - SMK Possibly the first one to fly in > Ireland. > > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ > > > Time: 07:24:51 PM PST US > From: "Les Slater" > Subject: Zenith-List: Runway length for 701? > > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Les Slater" > > Hi, > > I am considering building a CH-701. I am also in the market for real estate. I > would like to buy enough land to build grass runway. > > I do not have private pilot's license. I have taken lessons and have about 10 hours > solo in Piper Colt years ago. Plan to start again. > > My question is how much grass runway would a low hours pilot need for a 701 runway > including clearing 50' trees on both ends? I would get 701 or similar time > at real airport. > > ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 08:05:52 AM PST US From: "Dave Pepper" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Re: Zenith-List Digest: 2 Msgs - 11/11/03 --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Dave Pepper" I'm out in the middle of nowhere in Northern Arizona on 80 acres of open range land. I'm bulldozing my own runway and building my own hangar (for a lot less than $25,000). I have no need to drive 50-75 miles on a rough dirt road to the nearest airport just so I can socialize with other pilots! My dream is to have my own runway so I can hop in my Zenair and fly anywhere I want right from my solar/wind-powered ranch house. If you're looking to be a social butterfly, keep your plane at an airport, with its high tiedown/hangar costs. If you want true independence, have your own airstrip and fly from home. It's all a matter of what's important to you. Dave ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 08:52:28 AM PST US From: "little john" Subject: Zenith-List: prop size --> Zenith-List message posted by: "little john" Hi Listers..I have been lurking here for about a year now while finishing up a 601HD that I purchased from another builder. I am putting a 912UL engine on the plane and was wondering about prop size and ground clearance. I have a 70" warp drive prop that gives me about 9.5 inches of ground clearance. Is this enough? Should I go with a smaller prop? I also would like to know what the rotation speed is on the 601HD with the 912 engine.Where do you set the beginning of the green arc. Thanks for your input, and all the info I have gathered from the list John Compare high-speed Internet plans, starting at $26.95.* * Prices may vary by service area. ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 10:12:10 AM PST US From: "Greg Ferris" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: prop size --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Greg Ferris" I have a 68", 3-blade warp prop on my 610HD with a 912UL. I have been satisfied with its performance. Greg ----- Original Message ----- From: "little john" Subject: Zenith-List: prop size > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "little john" > > > > > Hi Listers..I have been lurking here for about a year now while finishing up a 601HD that I purchased from another builder. I am putting a 912UL engine on the plane and was wondering about prop size and ground clearance. I have a 70" warp drive prop that gives me about 9.5 inches of ground clearance. Is this enough? Should I go with a smaller prop? I also would like to know what the rotation speed is on the 601HD with the 912 engine.Where do you set the beginning of the green arc. > > > Thanks for your input, and all the info I have gathered from the list > > > John > > > Compare high-speed Internet plans, starting at $26.95.* > * Prices may vary by service area. > > ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 12:39:41 PM PST US From: JERICKSON03E@aol.com Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Re: Zenith-List Digest: 2 Msgs - 11/11/03 --> Zenith-List message posted by: JERICKSON03E@aol.com In a message dated 11/12/2003 9:49:36 AM Central Standard Time, tmarson@pressenter.com writes: > > I started having fun ----- when I finally moved to an air port with other > planes-pilots, paved and grass runways, fuel supplies and that someone else > maintained so I could enjoy my passion--- my plane. > > Tom, Thanks for the insight. It is very useful to think through the practical aspects of things as you have helped us to do here. We are enlightened by your experience. Good job Sir. Jerry Erickson ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 01:53:11 PM PST US From: "Mark Townsend" <601xl@sympatico.ca> Subject: Zenith-List: 601 Builders in Florida --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Mark Townsend" <601xl@sympatico.ca> Anyone on this list building or flying a 601 in Orlando, Florida? I'm taking the kids to Disney for 2 weeks. Would love to meet some other builders. Mark Townsend 601XL EA-82MPFI Turbo Alma, Ontario -----Original Message----- From: owner-zenith-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of JERICKSON03E@aol.com Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Re: Zenith-List Digest: 2 Msgs - 11/11/03 --> Zenith-List message posted by: JERICKSON03E@aol.com In a message dated 11/12/2003 9:49:36 AM Central Standard Time, tmarson@pressenter.com writes: > > I started having fun ----- when I finally moved to an air port with other > planes-pilots, paved and grass runways, fuel supplies and that someone else > maintained so I could enjoy my passion--- my plane. > > Tom, Thanks for the insight. It is very useful to think through the practical aspects of things as you have helped us to do here. We are enlightened by your experience. Good job Sir. Jerry Erickson = == == == == ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 03:33:21 PM PST US From: ZodiacBuilder@aol.com Subject: Re: Zenith-List: 601 Builders in Florida --> Zenith-List message posted by: ZodiacBuilder@aol.com In a message dated 11/12/2003 4:54:03 PM Eastern Standard Time, 601xl@sympatico.ca writes: Anyone on this list building or flying a 601 in Orlando, Florida? I'm taking the kids to Disney for 2 weeks. Would love to meet some other builders. Mark Townsend 601XL EA-82MPFI Turbo Alma, Ontario I'm in Orlando.....Doing an annual now. but your more than welcome to visit. ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 04:29:11 PM PST US From: CBRxxDRV@aol.com Subject: Re: Zenith-List: 601 Builders in Florida --> Zenith-List message posted by: CBRxxDRV@aol.com In a message dated 11/12/03 4:54:03 PM Eastern Standard Time, 601xl@sympatico.ca writes: > Anyone on this list building or flying a 601 in Orlando, Florida? I'm > taking the kids to Disney for 2 weeks. Would love to meet some other > builders. > > Mark Townsend > I am in the middle of a "redo" in Lakeland. With any luck at all the fuse will be in sebring getting painted any day now :)) Sal Capra Lakeland, FL My Home Page http://hometown.aol.com/cbrxxdrv/index.html ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 04:45:32 PM PST US From: "Glendale Farm" Subject: Zenith-List: 701 Aluminum Spring Gear --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Glendale Farm" I have a 701 with the "Sky Jeep" aluminum gear. After 50 hours the gear has begun to spread considerably. The condition appears to progress with each landing. My children (18 and 20) fly the plane. Somebody may have made a hard landing, but no one will confess. I've been told to put pressure and heat (not flame) on the gear to reform it. Has anyone else had this experience? Is there a way to strengthen the gear? A better technique or method of repair? A way to avoid this condition (other than better landings)? Thanks Delk Kennedy CH 701/912S ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 04:47:38 PM PST US Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Re: Zenith-List Digest: 2 Msgs - 11/11/03 From: Grant Corriveau --> Zenith-List message posted by: Grant Corriveau I've also wished sometimes for that 'dream airstrip' in my backyard. Thanks for throwing cold water on my dream! ;-) Your experienced report was a good read. Thanks. FWIW - I have a choice of two airstrips for my Zodie. The closest one is literally a 5 minute drive (or a 15 minute bike ride) from home. But it is a minimum facility airstrip with just a few other aircraft tied down. So I chose to forgo this convenience and instead drive about 30 minutes further to a great little airport that has fuel, a clubhouse, an active flying club, companionship, expertise when I look for it in the form of other experienced builders, flyers, mechanics, etc... This was especially imoportant during my test flying. The time or two that my engine 'coughed' on the runway or just after takeoff -- it was comforting to see that others on the field were keeping an eye out for me. Happy flying -- Grant Corriveau C-GHTF / HDS / CAM100 > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Thomas F Marson" > > This is a tough question to answer because so much depends on pilot skills > and wind conditions and turbulence in the worst case. One always has to > plan the worst case because that it the one that can kill you. You didn't > mention the altitude where you will be buying land. What is the hottest day > in which you will be flying. These are all factors. ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 05:30:50 PM PST US From: Rick Pitcher Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Re: Zenith-List Digest: 2 Msgs - 11/11/03 --> Zenith-List message posted by: Rick Pitcher Dave Pepper wrote: > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Dave Pepper" > If you're looking to be a social butterfly, keep your plane at an airport, > with its high tiedown/hangar costs. If you want true independence, have your > own airstrip and fly from home. Having done both, I'd rather pay a few more $$$ and keep the plane at the airport. It's GREAT to have the plane at home so you can hop in and fly whenever the mood strikes, but the advantages of being around other planes and pilots is well worth the tradeoff. just my 2 Rick P. ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 06:14:23 PM PST US From: "Roger Roy" Subject: elk,Re: Zenith-List: 701 Aluminum Spring Gear Seal-Send-Time: Wed, 12 Nov 2003 21:13:49 -0500 --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Roger Roy" Hi Delk, I think before you attempt such an undertaking I'd talk with some of the Zenair folks only because you could have a bad ly manufactured gear. I've got the same airplane and same engine and every landing for me is a controlled crash and I mean this litterally, this is what this aircraft was designed to do I'd check it out Cheers Roger J. Roy CH-701/912ULS ----- Original Message ----- From: Glendale Farm To: zenith-list@matronics.com Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003 7:46 PM Subject: Zenith-List: 701 Aluminum Spring Gear --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Glendale Farm" I have a 701 with the "Sky Jeep" aluminum gear. After 50 hours the gear has begun to spread considerably. The condition appears to progress with each landing. My children (18 and 20) fly the plane. Somebody may have made a hard landing, but no one will confess. I've been told to put pressure and heat (not flame) on the gear to reform it. Has anyone else had this experience? Is there a way to strengthen the gear? A better technique or method of repair? A way to avoid this condition (other than better landings)? Thanks Delk Kennedy CH 701/912S ________________________________ Message 13 ____________________________________ Time: 06:28:03 PM PST US From: "Thomas F Marson" Subject: Zenith-List: Fw: Zenith-List : Subject --- Your own strip --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Thomas F Marson" ----- Original Message ----- From: "Thomas F Marson" Subject: Re: Zenith-List : Subject --- Your own strip > Thanks Ric, nice plane your building. I think I will build the XL too. What > engine are you planning to use? > > On the runway, I cant say enough for the amount of work you need to keep up > a safe one AFTER all the initial work of building it. Even with big > equipment just mowing it 2000 feet by 100 feet at least once a week. And > you must keep it short or you won't spot the Ground hog hole that will > swallow a wheel on your plane. > > As far as approvals think about it. The Wis DOT was at least one trip to the > state capital, and one visit by an official to my site. Then several > letters. The FAA was in fact easier. They needed to insure that my traffic > pattern would not interfere with existing others. That was fairly simple > but I had to submit lots of documents. After they approved, the State was > not far behind for their approval. > > Both clearly stated that their approvals had no power to overule any local > opposition. I personally contacted 14 neighbors to explain in advance what > I was planning so they would not show up at the township board meeting with > objections. One neighbor---my closest his house was 500 feet off to the > side of the approach objected. Having had 13 neighbors sign in advance that > they didn't object swayed the board in favor. But they didn't want to > carteblanch the authority so they gave me a 3 year conditional approval. > After 3 years I would again have to reapply. If there were no adverse > comments they would again consider approval. > > Think about this, After building it (all thework-all the expense) including > the hangar in three years I could be all done. > > Next the County------ they said of the township is ok they are ok. So I had > my three year airstrip. > > By then end of the three years I was personally convinced that is was not > all it was cracked up to be to have your own airstrip. I could easily drive > to the airport (22 miles away with a cup of coffee and the radio on ) in > less time than maintentance of my strip. > > At the the Municipal airport ( about 140 planes there) there is always > someone around to give a hand or dropping by to chat for a minute. We share > equipment such as motor lift cranes, Benders etc. > > At home when I needed a hand it was a big deal because there was no one > there unless I made special arrangements. On the safety issue ---if > something bad happened I was all alone too. > > So in my case , single plane private airstrip it was just not worth it. Plus > I just wasn't even enjoying it. > > If it had been an airpark--------- different story. > > Whenever some one did drop by they usually said-----boy you really have got > it made. Your own hangar in your front yard and your own private flying > field. ---------- I said, "Yeh aint I lucky". > > For me, bottom line it was at times fun building it and imagining what it was > all going to be like. But bottom line------- not counting the hundreds of > hours of building and maintenance of it and the approval hassle my out of > pocket costs were around 30,000 including the new hangar. After three years I abandoned it and > built a hangar on leased space at New Richmond Municipal airport in New > Richmond Wisconsin. My lease costs are 500 dollars per year. > > A few years later I sold the entire homesite and airstrip (about 12 acres) > and moved to a new home on 2.5 acres, now only 15 miles from the NR Airport > and my hangar. Still just a cup of coffee away. > > No my personal airstrip is no longer an airstrip---- it is a cornfield now. > The guy who bought the whole thing uses the nice 40 by 40 hangar with the > electric bifold door for storing cars and other stuff. > > End of story. Tom Marson > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Beckman, Rick" > To: > Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003 11:20 AM > Subject: Zenith-List : Subject --- Your own strip > > > > > > Tom, > > My name is Rick Beckman. I am building a Zodiac XL. I have > > been entertaining > > the idea of my own strip and hangar. I'm about twenty five miles > > East of K.C., MO. > > About two miles from home, I have a cousin with acreage and about a > > half-mile, > > flat, nearly N/S (15/195) ridge that I feel would make a super > > runway. I will talk > > to him this weekend about this. Your letter sure opened my eyes to > > what all has > > to be done to obtain approval by all necessary entities (FAA, Local > > Gov't.,etc.) . > > I hadn't given a lot of consideration to the mole/groundhog > > situation. I had planned on > > enticing him to agree to this by offering to build the hangar on his > > dirt and > > whenever I leave the site, the building is his. > > Now you've got me to re-think this predicament. Thanks (I > > think) for opening my > > eyes to the pit-falls of this. I'll ponder this long and hard before > > taking action. > > I still have a year or better before The Bird is done. You can see > > what I mean at: > > > > > > www.SHARBO.US/thebird > > > > > > Thanks, again, > > > > Rick > > > > p.s. > > : The ridge has no obstructions. > > > ________________________________ Message 14 ____________________________________ Time: 06:30:46 PM PST US From: ZodiacBuilder@aol.com Subject: Re: Zenith-List: prop size --> Zenith-List message posted by: ZodiacBuilder@aol.com In a message dated 11/12/2003 11:53:57 AM Eastern Standard Time, professor71@hotmail.com writes: Hi Listers..I have been lurking here for about a year now while finishing up a 601HD that I purchased from another builder. I am putting a 912UL engine on the plane and was wondering about prop size and ground clearance. I have a 70" warp drive prop that gives me about 9.5 inches of ground clearance. Is this enough? Should I go with a smaller prop? I also would like to know what the rotation speed is on the 601HD with the 912 engine.Where do you set the beginning of the green arc. You are required to have 7 inches of clearance as stated in acceptable methods manual. John T. ________________________________ Message 15 ____________________________________ Time: 06:47:46 PM PST US From: "Mark Stauffer" Subject: Zenith-List: Dimpled floating nut plates --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Mark Stauffer" Does anyone happen to have a source for dimpled or "bottom countersunk" nut plates? I did find a source for the non floating ones - Aircraft Fasteners, Inc. I checked with Aircraft Spruce and with their suppliers to no avail. I'm working on the inspection plate for the wing. I want to mount the cover on the outside of the wing skin and feel to make it look right I need use flush rivets to fasten the nut plates to the wing skin. I did a mock up (read practice piece!) with some scrap and showed it to my local A&P using standard nut plates against a dimpled skin. Obviously the nut plate rode on top of the dimples leaving a small gap between the nut plate and the skin. He didn't like the way it looked and suggested using dimpled nut plates, hence my search. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Mark Stauffer 601XL SN:4999 Tail finished, still plugging along on the first wing. ________________________________ Message 16 ____________________________________ Time: 07:10:30 PM PST US From: "George Swinford" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Dimpled floating nut plates --> Zenith-List message posted by: "George Swinford" Mark: If you can't find the nutplates you need why not use a countersunk spacer between the skin and nutplate.Some scrap .040 or .050 should be thick enough. Since the spacer would serve no structural purpose you don't need to worry about a "knife-edge" on the countersunk hole. George ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Stauffer" Subject: Zenith-List: Dimpled floating nut plates > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Mark Stauffer" > > Does anyone happen to have a source for dimpled or "bottom countersunk" nut > plates? I did find a source for the non floating ones - Aircraft Fasteners, > Inc. I checked with Aircraft Spruce and with their suppliers to no avail. > > I'm working on the inspection plate for the wing. I want to mount the cover > on the outside of the wing skin and feel to make it look right I need use > flush rivets to fasten the nut plates to the wing skin. I did a mock up > (read practice piece!) with some scrap and showed it to my local A&P using > standard nut plates against a dimpled skin. Obviously the nut plate rode on > top of the dimples leaving a small gap between the nut plate and the skin. > He didn't like the way it looked and suggested using dimpled nut plates, > hence my search. Any help would be greatly appreciated. > > Mark Stauffer > 601XL SN:4999 > Tail finished, still plugging along on the first wing. > > ________________________________ Message 17 ____________________________________ Time: 09:19:29 PM PST US From: Benford2@aol.com Subject: Re: Zenith-List: 701 Aluminum Spring Gear --> Zenith-List message posted by: Benford2@aol.com In a message dated 11/12/2003 5:46:24 PM Mountain Standard Time, delk@bellsouth.net writes: > > I have a 701 with the "Sky Jeep" aluminum gear. After 50 hours the gear has > begun to spread considerably. The condition appears to progress with each > landing. My children (18 and 20) fly the plane. Somebody may have made a > hard landing, but no one will confess. I've been told to put pressure and > heat (not flame) on the gear to reform it. Has anyone else had this > experience? Is there a way to strengthen the gear? A better technique or > method of repair? A way to avoid this condition (other than better > landings)? > > > Thanks > I hope to heck you are KIDDING .. Ben Haas N801BH. ________________________________ Message 18 ____________________________________ Time: 09:50:38 PM PST US From: Jack Russell Subject: Zenith-List: rivnuts for inspection plates? TO_ADDRESS_EQ_REAL --> Zenith-List message posted by: Jack Russell Mark: since I am not to the wings yet I am not sure about your application but I used rivnuts from aircraft spruce for all of the internal inspection plates on the fuselage. They seem to hold well and are easy to install. I used a rivnut gun from harbor freight which just broke so I am still waiting for the manual installer I just ordered from AS. I am also using them on the console cover so it will be removable. I have several types of rivnuts including flush mounted which would be countersunk. Jack progress updated 10/11/03 at: http://www.geocities.com/clojan@sbcglobal.net/zodiacbarn.html