---------------------------------------------------------- Zenith-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Tue 08/22/06: 23 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 06:42 AM - Re: 601XL AL Sheet Thickness changed from .016 to .020 ?? (Dave Austin) 2. 08:21 AM - Re: Thoughts on the Garmin 496/396 ? (JAPhillipsGA@aol.com) 3. 09:06 AM - 701 Battery location? (Zed Smith) 4. 10:32 AM - Re: 601XL AL Sheet Thickness changed from .016 to .020 ?? (Dino Bortolin) 5. 11:17 AM - Re: 701 Battery location? (Chuck Deiterich) 6. 01:12 PM - Zenair-supplied 'plastic' nosewheel (Grant Corriveau) 7. 01:12 PM - CH-801 on floats? (Chris In Madison) 8. 02:01 PM - 601 XL Float Plans (Tom and Bren Henderson) 9. 02:28 PM - Re: (Kemter) 10. 04:03 PM - Re: Zenair-supplied 'plastic' nosewheel (LarryMcFarland) 11. 04:15 PM - Re: 601 XL Float Plans (rick tedford) 12. 04:33 PM - Re: Zenair-supplied 'plastic' nosewheel (Robin Bellach) 13. 04:38 PM - Re: Thoughts on the Garmin 496/396 ? (george may) 14. 04:56 PM - Re: 701 Battery location? (Tommy Walker) 15. 06:14 PM - Re: Need that indicator light link (Dave Thompson) 16. 06:29 PM - fuel line routing on 601hd (gordo@xplornet.com) 17. 07:19 PM - fuel line routing on 601hd (gordo@xplornet.com) 18. 07:37 PM - 601 canopy?? () 19. 07:39 PM - First Flight (Tim & Diane Shankland) 20. 08:24 PM - Re: Thoughts on the Garmin 496/396 ? (Larry Portouw) 21. 09:03 PM - Re: Thoughts on the Garmin 496/396 ? (David X) 22. 09:17 PM - Re: 601 canopy?? (Robert L. Stone) 23. 10:17 PM - Re: Re: Thoughts on the Garmin 496/396 ? (John Marzulli) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 06:42:23 AM PST US From: "Dave Austin" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: 601XL AL Sheet Thickness changed from .016 to .020 ?? I've watched this thread with interest for some time and thought I'd add a comment. I built my 601HD some 11 years ago while a couple of ultralite builder friends were also building 601s. Advice given with some emphasis was "keep it as light as possible". I took the time and trouble to remove as much surplus metal as possible from anywhere I could find it. That included taking the corners (four triangles) off every piece of "L" angle, structural parts and skin that did not contribute to strength of the a/c. Final empty weight was 603 lbs with an 80 hp Rotax. It seems that if you add 60 lbs (10%) of weight, then take-off run, stall speed, climb rate etc. are all going to suffer significantly. Does the improved appearance of the a/c justify all those losses? Just my thoughts. Dave Austin 601HDS - 912, Spitfire Mk VIII ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 08:21:13 AM PST US From: JAPhillipsGA@aol.com Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Thoughts on the Garmin 496/396 ? Ed, great to hear from you. I have a Garmin 195 that I have been using for many years (since they came out, '98 ?) It is pretty slow and difficult to adjust in the confines of a XL cockpit. Especially I have a hard time pushing buttons at the top of the machine and not be able to see the screen because my big fat hand and arm blocks the view. Does this 2000C GPS you mentioned have a set up so one handed you can push all the buttons and still see the screen as you do ? I will mount it on a swivel at the front of the console. I am considering up grade to a higher Garmin number, but I also want the correct ergonomics for right handed use. Best regards, Bill of Georgia ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 09:06:19 AM PST US From: Zed Smith Subject: Zenith-List: 701 Battery location? --> Zenith-List message posted by: Zed Smith All, ZAC shows the 701 battery installed on passenger side behind seat, forward of the bottom access hatch. Some comments have been made in recent months indicating that some builders have mounted the battery farther aft. Is there some plans revision concerning this? What has been the Weight & Balance/flight control experience of those of you already flying the 701 with Rotax 912 (80 HP) and battery mounted per ZAC? All input welcome! Zed/701/R912/do not archive ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 10:32:24 AM PST US From: Dino Bortolin Subject: Re: Zenith-List: 601XL AL Sheet Thickness changed from .016 to .020 ?? Matt, I made the updates to the original cutting sheets that are on CH601.org. Since I was planning to use .020 on my plane, I fax'ed ZAC with a list of the parts I intended to change, and they replied that it was OK to do so. I have the original fax in my documentation folder. I don't know how ZAC would feel about me publishing it online, so I only added a note to that effect in the layout sheet. Any builder that wants to do this substitution could e-mail or fax ZAC and get their official approval. By the way, the layout is fairly conservative. If you use the Olfa knife cutting method, you can nest the parts quite a bit tighter than shown. I still have a long way to go, so I don't know yet just how much less material is needed. Regards, Dino Bortolin XL/Corvair La Salle, Ontario --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Matt Stecher" I am building my shopping list and sorting through the aluminum cut sheets that I found on CH601.org. These drawings show quite a few parts changed to .020 from the original, plans speced, .016 thickness. The document states that this is a ZAC approved change, but I cant find any proof of this in my documentation or online. Whats up? Thanks, Matt 601XL & Corvair in Katy, TX ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 11:17:17 AM PST US From: "Chuck Deiterich" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: 701 Battery location? --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Chuck Deiterich" Zed, Before locating my battery I did a preliminary weight and balance without the battery. Then using a spreadsheet and mathematically putting the weight of the battery at different locations I came up with the best place. It turns out that since the Jabiru 2200 weighs some 30 pounds less than the 912, my batteries (2 six volt in series) are on the top shelf on the front of the firewall. See pix at www.geocities.com/cffd66. or http://www.geocities.com/cffd66/Airplane/Jabinstall/EngPix.html. Chuck D. N701TX ----- Original Message ----- From: "Zed Smith" Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 11:05 AM Subject: Zenith-List: 701 Battery location? > --> Zenith-List message posted by: Zed Smith > > All, > > ZAC shows the 701 battery installed on passenger side behind seat, forward of the bottom access hatch. > > Some comments have been made in recent months indicating that some builders have mounted the battery farther aft. Is there some plans revision concerning this? > > What has been the Weight & Balance/flight control experience of those of you already flying the 701 with Rotax 912 (80 HP) and battery mounted per ZAC? > > All input welcome! > > Zed/701/R912/do not archive > > ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 01:12:03 PM PST US From: Grant Corriveau Subject: Zenith-List: Zenair-supplied 'plastic' nosewheel --> Zenith-List message posted by: Grant Corriveau HI ALL, I've got the Zenair nosewheel from 1995 or so - a plastic wheel that bolts together. Is it just my failing memory? ;-) Or where there some flyers who had this wheel fail on them? I've also got that very awkward fork-spreader nose axle/spindle that I want to change now, so I may just change to an entirely different wheel. Does anyone have a part no. and/or information regarding the latest model nosegear from Zenair for the 601 HDS? Thanks much Grant Corriveau GFTF 601HDS/CAM100 Nanaimo, CYCD ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 01:12:04 PM PST US Subject: Zenith-List: CH-801 on floats? From: "Chris In Madison" --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Chris In Madison" Hi all, I'm looking for some example of the Zenith CH-801 on floats. I've seen a couple of smaller pictures, but nothing with any detail. Of the photos I've seen, the 801 (and 701 for that matter) is set to a pretty high angle of attack on the float framework, and I wanted to do some more research on it. ZAC references that Czech Aircraft Works makes straight and amphibious floats for the 801, but there's no reference to them on the CAW web site that I can see. Does anyone have any details regarding floats on this aircraft? Thanks and best regards, Chris -------- Chris Owens Waunakee, WI Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=56428#56428 ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 02:01:22 PM PST US From: Tom and Bren Henderson Subject: Zenith-List: 601 XL Float Plans Does anyone have information on obtaining plans for a suitable set of amphibeous floats for the 601XL? I know CAW sells kits and complete, but I'm interested in building from plans. Second Question: Thoase floats are HEAVY. : ) Anyone know how quickly an XL can be changed from any flavor of floats back to Tri-Gear (or vice-versa)? I figure someone out there has been flying floats long enough to have some good info on it. Anything you've got would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Tom Henderson 601XL scratch from tin foil Fuselage nearly complete ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 02:28:15 PM PST US Subject: Re: Zenith-List: From: "Kemter" --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Kemter" Leo, Tried sending you a private email. I'm over in Schertz and would love to check out your airplane. Please drop me a line. Jim K. kemter at msn dot com Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=56450#56450 ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 04:03:56 PM PST US From: LarryMcFarland Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Zenair-supplied 'plastic' nosewheel --> Zenith-List message posted by: LarryMcFarland Grant, I don't remember having ever read about a plastic nose wheel on the Zenith or one that failed. My revision 3 plans describe the nose gear as part number NW80CC-Z, 16-inch nose wheel. The assembly is a threaded long wheel support with spacers and a AN4 bolt each end. Most of us have drilled out the 6L1-4 long support to accept an AN4 thru-bolt that is captured outside the fork by the head and washer one end, a washer and castle nut on the other. Having bolts each end seemed a bit iffy for security of the nose wheel. I've also been using the Michelin S83 3.5 X 8.0 tires with tubes am very pleased with them. http://www.macsmachine.com/images/tjh/hscentersection/full/Teebarforkjack3.gif http://www.macsmachine.com/images/gear/full/pantfrontbracket.gif Larry McFarland - 601HDS - www.macsmachine.com Grant Corriveau wrote: > --> Zenith-List message posted by: Grant Corriveau > > > HI ALL, > > I've got the Zenair nosewheel from 1995 or so - a plastic wheel that > bolts together. Is it just my failing memory? ;-) Or where there > some flyers who had this wheel fail on them? I've also got that very > awkward fork-spreader nose axle/spindle that I want to change now, so > I may just change to an entirely different wheel. > > Does anyone have a part no. and/or information regarding the latest > model nosegear from Zenair for the 601 HDS? > > Thanks much > Grant Corriveau > GFTF 601HDS/CAM100 > Nanaimo, CYCD > > ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 04:15:35 PM PST US From: "rick tedford" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: 601 XL Float Plans Tom : Amphibs weigh about 200 Lbs , however your present gear weigh about 98 Lbs ( Thats what mine weighed ) . I am not aware of plans being available for same . If you put it on floats you would probably be well advised to leave it on same . Hope this helps Rick ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom and Bren Henderson To: Zenith List Post Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 5:00 PM Subject: Zenith-List: 601 XL Float Plans Does anyone have information on obtaining plans for a suitable set of amphibeous floats for the 601XL? I know CAW sells kits and complete, but I'm interested in building from plans. Second Question: Thoase floats are HEAVY. : ) Anyone know how quickly an XL can be changed from any flavor of floats back to Tri-Gear (or vice-versa)? I figure someone out there has been flying floats long enough to have some good info on it. Anything you've got would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Tom Henderson 601XL scratch from tin foil Fuselage nearly complete ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- 8/22/2006 ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 04:33:48 PM PST US From: "Robin Bellach" <601zv@ritternet.com> Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Zenair-supplied 'plastic' nosewheel --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Robin Bellach" <601zv@ritternet.com> Current nosewheel for 601XL by ZAC is Matco NW51. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Grant Corriveau" Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 3:10 PM Subject: Zenith-List: Zenair-supplied 'plastic' nosewheel > --> Zenith-List message posted by: Grant Corriveau > > > HI ALL, > > I've got the Zenair nosewheel from 1995 or so - a plastic wheel that > bolts together. Is it just my failing memory? ;-) Or where there some > flyers who had this wheel fail on them? I've also got that very awkward > fork-spreader nose axle/spindle that I want to change now, so I may just > change to an entirely different wheel. > > Does anyone have a part no. and/or information regarding the latest model > nosegear from Zenair for the 601 HDS? > > Thanks much > Grant Corriveau > GFTF 601HDS/CAM100 > Nanaimo, CYCD > > > ________________________________ Message 13 ____________________________________ Time: 04:38:17 PM PST US From: "george may" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Thoughts on the Garmin 496/396 ? --> Zenith-List message posted by: "george may" >I use the Lowrance Airmap 2000C. It costs less than half what a Garmin 396 >does ($999 vs. I'm with you Ed. I've been using the Lowrance 2000 for about 100 hours flight time in a Kitfox with plenty of cross country. I find the screen very readable in direct sunlight and the latest terain awareness is veryhandy. Can't beat the price. Picked mine up at Sun n Fun a yearago for $650. I've moved it to my 601XL and made a mounting to have it flush to my 601 panel. George May 601XL 912s --painting complete!! _________________________________________________________________ Call friends with PC-to-PC calling -- FREE http://imagine-msn.com/messenger/launch80/default.aspx?locale=en-us&source=wlmailtagline ________________________________ Message 14 ____________________________________ Time: 04:56:03 PM PST US Subject: Zenith-List: Re: 701 Battery location? From: "Tommy Walker" --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Tommy Walker" Zed, Bob Spudis posted a picture of his battery installation a couple of weeks ago. I plan to mount my battery in the same position. If you have trouble viewing the pic he uploaded, let me know. I saved it. Tommy Walker in Alabama Do Not Archive zsmith3rd(at)earthlink.ne wrote: > All, > > ZAC shows the 701 battery installed on passenger side behind seat, forward of the bottom access hatch. > > Some comments have been made in recent months indicating that some builders have mounted the battery farther aft. Is there some plans revision concerning this? > > What has been the Weight & Balance/flight control experience of those of you already flying the 701 with Rotax 912 (80 HP) and battery mounted per ZAC? > > All input welcome! > > Zed/701/R912/do not archive -------- Tommy Walker Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=56485#56485 ________________________________ Message 15 ____________________________________ Time: 06:14:41 PM PST US From: "Dave Thompson" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Need that indicator light link I have used K-four indicators ( http://www.k-four.net/ ) on several autos & boats. Look at page 15 of their downloadable catalog. I am very impressed with their product. It is a lighted rectangular black plastic indicator with almost any legend that you want. They have a list of "in-stock" indicators but they will make them custom for a minimal price. I planed to put a micro switch in the canopy rail for a "Canopy Open" indicator. One speed boat I worked on didn't want any incandescent bulbs. I epoxied a bright LED into the indicator and installed a resister in line to be fed with 12 volts. It worked very well. I know you know, but don't use their wire or crimp terminals on aircraft. Dave Thompson dave.thompson@verizon.net Wesrminster, CA ________________________________ Message 16 ____________________________________ Time: 06:29:10 PM PST US From: gordo@xplornet.com Subject: Zenith-List: fuel line routing on 601hd --> Zenith-List message posted by: gordo@xplornet.com Hello Can anyone help me confirm the correct routing of the fuel lines on a ch601 hd with a header tank and one wing tank. On my aircraft, the wing tank joins a "T" where one end of the "T" goes into the bottom of the main tank, and the other end goes into the upper part of the tank. I am assuming that the upper line was originally designed for the vent tube but I am not sure. The main tank has a vented fuel cap, and the plane runs and flys fine but it is one question that I have always been curious about. I dont know if the upper hose was connected to the "t" and therfore the wing tank line by mistake from the previous owner, or if there is a good reason it is done this way that I dont yet understand.... ________________________________ Message 17 ____________________________________ Time: 07:19:43 PM PST US From: gordo@xplornet.com Subject: Zenith-List: fuel line routing on 601hd --> Zenith-List message posted by: gordo@xplornet.com Sorry Guys.... forgot the address info Gord O'Donnell FXZI 601hd ________________________________ Message 18 ____________________________________ Time: 07:37:11 PM PST US From: Subject: Zenith-List: 601 canopy?? I am not a builder, just investigating everything....Those of you that have finished the 601, what about A) wind noise from the canoply not sealing completly B) water leakage around the canopy, both in flight and when tied down out side. C) the sun? Do you find that heat is a problem with all of that sunlight streaming in? Bet you don't forget your sunglasses Bill in central Florida ________________________________ Message 19 ____________________________________ Time: 07:39:15 PM PST US From: Tim & Diane Shankland Subject: Zenith-List: First Flight --> Zenith-List message posted by: Tim & Diane Shankland Today August 22, at 6:30 PM N706TS came of age and left the nest. N706TS is a 601HD powered by a Stratus Suburu with a three bladed Warp Drive prop. She weights 788 pounds empty, plans built, construction was started in October of 1998. I can't give you rate of climb yet because I found my vertical speed indicator is not functioning. During the twenty minute flight over the airport handling was tested and found to be as expected heavy in roll light in pitch. I also noted that considerable right rudder is needed during full power climbs to keep the ball centered. Uncalibrated air speed was 95 mph at cruise with no wheel pants (haven't finished the mold yet). More details when I analyze the data from my flight and engine recorder. Tim Shankland ________________________________ Message 20 ____________________________________ Time: 08:24:00 PM PST US Subject: Zenith-List: Re: Thoughts on the Garmin 496/396 ? From: "Larry Portouw" --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Larry Portouw" Watch out for the XM antenna-- it has a very powerful magnet in it that can cause obvious compass problems, but can also magnetize ferrous parts of the airframe. A freind of mine had a very bad experience with this is a Mooney when the antenna touched a fuselage tube over the instument panel. There are instructions for removing the magnet posted on the internet. -------- Larry Portouw 601XL Kit (H. Stab) Fort Huachuca, AZ Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=56562#56562 ________________________________ Message 21 ____________________________________ Time: 09:03:57 PM PST US Subject: Zenith-List: Re: Thoughts on the Garmin 496/396 ? From: "David X" --> Zenith-List message posted by: "David X" I just completed a 6000 mile adventure from Albany, NY across the divide to Roseburg, OR and back across the divide to Princeton, NJ. I used a Garmin 296; which is basically the same as the 396 and 496 minus a few features. I also use this unit extensively for automobile navigation too. I'm thoroughly satisfied with the unit for VFR flight and for automobile use too. A word of caution, however, is that one can easily get overly dependant on the GPS and get lazy or lax on good old fashioned navigation skills. The GPS is no substitute for a sectional. It can tell you where the nearest airport is for diversion (a feature I used twice on my adventure) but only tells you field elevation and obstacle data. The geography is fuzzy and there is no topographical detail telling you how high something is. I would have liked to have had real-time precip and cloud data on that long cross-country ... as I was often 4 hours or more on a single leg. Calling flight service in the air was adequate, but not always available depending on geography and or VOR signal strength etc. There are also other data features as well that will allow you to drive other equipment (like an autopilot) and integrate into your audio system to give you audio warnings and queues etc. I like the unit so much that I'm going to install a snap-in on the panel with remote antenna and data interface for the unit. -------- Zodiac 601 XL - CZAW Built - Rotax 912S DO NOT ARCHIVE Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=56572#56572 ________________________________ Message 22 ____________________________________ Time: 09:17:51 PM PST US From: "Robert L. Stone" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: 601 canopy?? Hay Bill in Florida, The only real problem I see with the ZodiacXL is as with any aircraft that has a bubble or tear drop canopy, the sun shining in will be too much. However, there is an answer. The visibility with either of these canopy's is excellent. That's why all fighter/fighter bomber aircraft in the military have them. Van's aircraft, the guy who produces the RV kits has a sun shade system that is easy to install and is reasonably priced. With this installed one can use it when cruising on a sunny day and slid it back during times when it is not needed. Bob Stone, Harker Heights, Tx ----------Original Message ----- From: allpro2@bellsouth.net To: zenith-list@matronics.com Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 9:35 PM Subject: Zenith-List: 601 canopy?? I am not a builder, just investigating everything....Those of you that have finished the 601, what about A) wind noise from the canoply not sealing completly B) water leakage around the canopy, both in flight and when tied down out side. C) the sun? Do you find that heat is a problem with all of that sunlight streaming in? Bet you don't forget your sunglasses Bill in central Florida ________________________________ Message 23 ____________________________________ Time: 10:17:40 PM PST US From: "John Marzulli" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Re: Thoughts on the Garmin 496/396 ? Wow. The fact that the antenna can cause navigation problems for someone trying not use the GPS... that could force you to use the GPS... wow. That is scary. You may have just convinced me a 296 is the way to go. Thanks! On 8/22/06, Larry Portouw wrote: > > --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Larry Portouw" > > Watch out for the XM antenna-- it has a very powerful magnet in it that > can cause obvious compass problems, but can also magnetize ferrous parts of > the airframe. A freind of mine had a very bad experience with this is a > Mooney when the antenna touched a fuselage tube over the instument > panel. There are instructions for removing the magnet posted on the > internet. > > -------- > Larry Portouw > 601XL Kit (H. Stab) > Fort Huachuca, AZ > > > Read this topic online here: > > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=56562#56562 > > -- John Marzulli http://701Builder.blogspot.com/ "Flying a plane is no different than riding a bicycle... it's just a lot harder to put baseball cards in the spokes.