---------------------------------------------------------- Zenith-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Fri 08/15/08: 18 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 01:04 PM - Not sure what to think about this one (BiltACesna@aol.com) 2. 01:06 PM - Re: Not sure what to think about this one (BiltACesna@aol.com) 3. 01:16 PM - Re: Not sure what to think about this one (BiltACesna@aol.com) 4. 01:24 PM - Re: Not sure what to think about this one (Gig Giacona) 5. 03:07 PM - Help finding attached pictures (John Reinking) 6. 03:14 PM - Re: Mid top pucker final (Bill Naumuk) 7. 03:29 PM - Crash (jaybannist@cs.com) 8. 03:30 PM - Re: Mid top pucker final (Bill Naumuk) 9. 03:40 PM - Re: Crash (Bill Naumuk) 10. 03:42 PM - Re: Help finding attached pictures (Craig Payne) 11. 03:47 PM - Re: Crash (jonaburns) 12. 03:55 PM - Re: Crash (Craig Payne) 13. 04:03 PM - Re: Crash (Craig Payne) 14. 04:09 PM - Re: Crash (Skip Perry) 15. 06:55 PM - Re: Crash (LarryMcFarland) 16. 07:08 PM - Re: Sanding Compound Curves (leinad) 17. 07:30 PM - Re: Crash (Afterfxllc@aol.com) 18. 09:08 PM - Flying Canopy open photos!!!!! (Afterfxllc@aol.com) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 01:04:24 PM PST US From: BiltACesna@aol.com Subject: Zenith-List: Not sure what to think about this one One injured in plane crash near Farmersville Brad Kellar & Daniel Walker Herald-Banner Staff FARMERSVILLE =94 The pilot of a single-engine aircraft suffered broke n bones and was hospitalized in Dallas after the plane crashed Thursday morning nea r Farmersville. Dennis Levy, 65, was said by his son Joshua to have suffered two broken ankles and a broken pelvis as a result of the accident and was transported to Baylor Hospital in Dallas. =9CHe is not in critical condition or anything,=9D Joshua Levy s aid, noting it could have been worse, as the Zodiac aircraft was believed to have suffered the same problem =94 where the glass canopy above the pilot=99s seat came off during flight =94 once before. The plane was reported to have crashed in a field off of Collin County Road 698, near U.S. Highway 380 and just on the Collin County side of the border with Hunt County. Monique Matherne said the plane flew over her home. =9CIt flew low ov er our homes, took a left turn and then came down,=9D Matherne said. =9CThe pilot was still sitting in the plane when the rescue crew got here and came running a cross the field.=9D Dennis Levy was reported to have been doing a training flight with a studen t at the time of the crash, although the student was believed to have been unhurt. =9CI don=99t ev en think they took him to the hospital, =9D Joshua Levy, the owner of the plane and LCI Solutions in Plano, told the Herald-Banner. He said they have been having repeated difficulties with the plane. =9CWe=99ve had months of problems,=9D Levy said, includin g one prior incident where the canopy had come off of the plane, which resulted in the Levys contacting the manufacturer. =9CThey told us to bring the plane down there,=9D Levy said. =9C I assumed they did OK. I guess I was wrong.=9D **************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos. (http://autos.aol.com/cars-Volkswagen-Jetta-2009/expert-review?ncid=aolaut 00030000000007 ) ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 01:06:09 PM PST US From: BiltACesna@aol.com Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Not sure what to think about this one _http://www.myfoxdfw.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=7208319&version=4&l ocale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1_ (http://www.myfoxdfw.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=7208319&version=4&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1 .1.1) **************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos. (http://autos.aol.com/cars-Volkswagen-Jetta-2009/expert-review?ncid=aolaut00030000000007 ) ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 01:16:15 PM PST US From: BiltACesna@aol.com Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Not sure what to think about this one _http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNumSQL.asp?NNumbertxt=451BB&cmndfind .x=11&cmndfind.y=16_ (http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNumSQL.asp?NNumbertxt=451BB&cmndfind.x=11&cmndfind.y=16) **************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos. (http://autos.aol.com/cars-Volkswagen-Jetta-2009/expert-review?ncid=aolaut00030000000007 ) ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 01:24:35 PM PST US Subject: Zenith-List: Re: Not sure what to think about this one From: "Gig Giacona" Since the pilot and student are both alive we ought to get a pretty good report on this one. One thing is clear though, the wings are attached. -------- W.R. "Gig" Giacona 601XL Under Construction See my progress at www.peoamerica.net/N601WR Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=198780#198780 ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 03:07:51 PM PST US From: "John Reinking" Subject: Zenith-List: Help finding attached pictures Boy, am I glad it's Friday! Could one of you tell me how to view the pictures frequently mentioned in your posts? I'm just not finding them Cheers ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 03:14:13 PM PST US From: "Bill Naumuk" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Mid top pucker final Jeff- .020. I figured it would be too hard to make a nice looking bend at the front of the hoop with .025. This is actually my third mid top. My original kit material was too corroded to leave on, but I used it to make a pattern, then transferred it to another piece of .016. Didn't like the way the .016 dimpled when riveted around the hoops and formers so I tore everything down and went with the .020. Bill ----- Original Message ----- From: Afterfxllc@aol.com To: zenith-list@matronics.com Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2008 10:06 PM Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Mid top pucker final Are you guys using .016 or .025? I had zenith replace my .016 and like the way .025 comes out much better. I built the first one using .032 and it turned out really nice but the draw back was I kept the rear skin .016 and it dents really easy so on the ones I build now I use .025 on the rear and .025 on the front also. I am going to split the canopy like the new style on this 601 and might cut back some of the turtle deck and will also install the new latching system. Jeff ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos. ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 03:29:41 PM PST US Subject: Zenith-List: Crash From: jaybannist@cs.com OK, a few facts from the horses mouth: As most of you know, I have just completed a Zodiac CH 601XL (Lil Bruiser). Both me and the insurance company wanted me to get at least an hour in make and model before I solo my airplane. I discovered a new service at McKinney Airport (TKI), for training and rental in a 601XLi. This was a familiarization flight in a nearly new AMD built 601XLi. The airplane originally had the old style canopy latches. The owner was not satisfied with that mechanism and had the factory retrofit the new style latches. The owner, Dennis Levy, who is also CFII. was in the right seat, me in the left. We had gone through all the standard maneuvers and were straight and level. I noticed that the right hand canopy latch had come loose and the rail was up about 2 inches. I pointed it out to Dennis. We were in sight of a private airfield, but Dennis decided he was going to re-latch it - in the air! In doing so, the latch on my side came loose and the canopy immediately shot up to about 50 deg., and the nose went down about 60 deg. I immediately pulled the power completely off. We both grabbed what we could on the canopy but could only pull it down to about 30 deg. We both pulled back on the sticks, with all our might, but never got the nose up to level. I steered toward an open, plowed field. We hit the ground at about 10 deg nose down and stopped immediately. No fire. The canopy did not depart the airframe. Dennis was air lifted to Baylor Hospital in Dallas. I was taken to the trauma suite at the Presbyterian Hospital in Greenville. X-rays and CAT scans showed nothing out of place or broken. I have a badly sprained right foot and ankle, a bruised rib cage and lots of cuts and bruises on my arms. I also have a slight vision problem. In pain, but still OK. It is important to note that this had nothing to do with wings, but with a new and improved canopy latching system. Consequently, I am STRONGLY recommending that any 601 have a fail-safe strap to the rear canopy bow, regardless of the latching system, to keep this from ever happening again. Alive and still with you - Jay Bannister________________________________________________________________ ________ Email message sent from CompuServe - visit us today at http://www.cs.com ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 03:30:06 PM PST US From: "Bill Naumuk" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Mid top pucker final Larry- Third time's charm! This weekend is it. If I can finish the mid top successfully, the sheet metal work is essentially done. And to think I did it in only 5-1/2 years! Bill ----- Original Message ----- From: "LarryMcFarland" Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2008 9:56 PM Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Mid top pucker final > > Excellent Bill! > You finally beat it into submission. Congratulations. > Looks really good! > Larry McFarland 601HDS at www.macsmachine.com > do not archive > > Bill Naumuk wrote: >> All- >> OK, here's how I did it. This is assuming you already have the hoop >> holes and the formers drilled: >> 1. Cleco everything you've got holes for. Leave the last foot or so >> foreward of the mid top undrilled. >> 2. Install the cockpit side. >> 3.Work the "Bubble" out of the mid top aft to front. Drill and Cleco >> the center of existing holes afterwards. Pitch 20 or 30 by the time >> you're done doubling. Zero gap at the hoop a necessity. >> Bill Naumuk >> Townville, Pa. >> HDS 601MG/Corvair 95% >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> > > > ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 03:40:17 PM PST US From: "Bill Naumuk" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Crash Jay- Good job. Bill ----- Original Message ----- From: Sent: Friday, August 15, 2008 6:28 PM Subject: Zenith-List: Crash > > OK, a few facts from the horses mouth: > > As most of you know, I have just completed a Zodiac CH 601XL (Lil > Bruiser). Both me and the insurance company wanted me to get at least an > hour in make and model before I solo my airplane. I discovered a new > service at McKinney Airport (TKI), for training and rental in a 601XLi. > This was a familiarization flight in a nearly new AMD built 601XLi. The > airplane originally had the old style canopy latches. The owner was not > satisfied with that mechanism and had the factory retrofit the new style > latches. The owner, Dennis Levy, who is also CFII. was in the right seat, > me in the left. We had gone through all the standard maneuvers and were > straight and level. I noticed that the right hand canopy latch had come > loose and the rail was up about 2 inches. I pointed it out to Dennis. We > were in sight of a private airfield, but Dennis decided he was going to > re-latch it - in the air! In doing so, the latch on my side came loose > and the canopy immediately shot up to about 50 deg., and the nose went > down about 60 deg. I immediately pulled the power completely off. We both > grabbed what we could on the canopy but could only pull it down to about > 30 deg. We both pulled back on the sticks, with all our might, but never > got the nose up to level. I steered toward an open, plowed field. We hit > the ground at > about 10 deg nose down and stopped immediately. No fire. The canopy did > not depart the airframe. Dennis was air lifted to Baylor Hospital in > Dallas. I was taken to the trauma suite at the Presbyterian Hospital in > Greenville. X-rays and CAT scans showed nothing out of place or broken. > I have a badly sprained right foot and ankle, a bruised rib cage and lots > of cuts and bruises on my arms. I also have a slight vision problem. In > pain, but still OK. > > It is important to note that this had nothing to do with wings, but with a > new and improved canopy latching system. > > Consequently, I am STRONGLY recommending that any 601 have a fail-safe > strap to the rear canopy bow, regardless of the latching system, to keep > this from ever happening again. > > Alive and still with you - Jay > Bannister________________________________________________________________ > ________ > Email message sent from CompuServe - visit us today at http://www.cs.com > > > ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 03:42:59 PM PST US From: "Craig Payne" Subject: RE: Zenith-List: Help finding attached pictures If you receive individual e-mails then scroll to the very bottom of the messages. There should be a link for each picture. Sometimes I get the attachments as regular attachments. Sometime I get them as links at the bottom. I suspect it depends on the size of the attachment. Here is an example from a recent posting: Attachments: http://forums.matronics.com//files/pair__aircraft_version_with_hardware__179 .jpg http://forums.matronics.com//files/tensiometer_on_test_stand_964.jpg Note that these links don't remain valid forever. If you want the attachment, save the attachment not just the e-mail. -- Craig From: owner-zenith-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of John Reinking Sent: Friday, August 15, 2008 4:06 PM Subject: Zenith-List: Help finding attached pictures Boy, am I glad it's Friday! Could one of you tell me how to view the pictures frequently mentioned in your posts? I'm just not finding them Cheers ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 03:47:43 PM PST US Subject: Zenith-List: Re: Crash From: "jonaburns" Jay, I am happy that you guys are alive, and hope that Dennis recovers soon. Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=198816#198816 ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 03:55:14 PM PST US From: "Craig Payne" Subject: RE: Zenith-List: Crash This confirms other reports (from myself and others) about open bubble canopies in XLs and Evektor SportStars. In at least two cases with all your strength you can't close a open canopy in the air. I've attached the old report about a deliberate test in England again. This is what I have written in the past: Back in December Clive Richards sent out the attached report from the UK PFA magazine of an anonymous pilot testing his (pre-XL?) 601 with an open canopy. He attached a safety cord and intentionally unlatched his canopy. Quoting: =9CI commenced the test at 3500 ft and 80 knots cruise. I secured the safety cord to the cleat at my elbow with about 1 ft of slack and released the catch. The canopy rapidly popped up about 1 ft at the trailing edge as expected. I then slowly paid out the cord from the cleat and allowed the canopy to rise to a steady state. The canopy adopted a position where the base of the canopy settled to an angle of about 35 degrees to the airflow. Full lateral and pitch control could be maintained but forward speed dropped to about 60 knots and despite increase to full throttle descent was about 300 ft/min. An unexpected problem now presented itself. I was descending quickly and all the strength I could muster with my right arm was only just sufficient to pull the cord down and cleat it progressively. Possibly the slot effect at the front of the canopy open at the front increased the lift (and additionally the gas struts require a cord load of 15 lbs static). I finally, exhausted, got it down to about 6 inches and returned to=9D Craig again. I had a similar experience in an Evektor SportStar. This LSA resembles the 601XL: low wing, front-hinged bubble canopy. One difference is that the canopy is split behind the seats. There is a cross-bar behind the seats: www.evektoramerica.com/SportStarPlus.htm I was flying left-seat with my instructor. The canopy popped while we were in the pattern. I would estimate that the gap was well over a foot. While the instructor flew I tried to close the canopy. I wrapped my arm around the cross-bar and used all my weight and strength and could not close the canopy. At best I think I got the gap down to 6-8 inches. Evektor redesigned the latch the next year. I believe the upward force was generated by lift and not wind under the canopy as it did not decrease as I closed the gap. -- Craig -----Original Message----- From: owner-zenith-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of jaybannist@cs.com Sent: Friday, August 15, 2008 4:29 PM Subject: Zenith-List: Crash OK, a few facts from the horses mouth: As most of you know, I have just completed a Zodiac CH 601XL (Lil Bruiser). Both me and the insurance company wanted me to get at least an hour in make and model before I solo my airplane. I discovered a new service at McKinney Airport (TKI), for training and rental in a 601XLi. This was a familiarization flight in a nearly new AMD built 601XLi. The airplane originally had the =9Cold style=9D canopy latches. The owner was not satisfied with that mechanism and had the factory retrofit the new style latches. The owner, Dennis Levy, who is also CFII. was in the right seat, me in the left. We had gone through all the standard maneuvers and were straight and level. I noticed that the right hand canopy latch had come loose and the rail was up about 2 inches. I pointed it out to Dennis. We were in sight of a private airfield, but Dennis decided he was going to re-latch it - in the air! In doing so, the latch on my side came loose and the canopy immediately shot up to about 50 deg., and the nose went down about 60 deg. I immediately pulled the power completely off. We both grabbed what we could on the canopy but could only pull it down to about 30 deg. We both pulled back on the sticks, with all our might, but never got the nose up to level. I steered toward an open, plowed field. We hit the ground at about 10 deg nose down and stopped immediately. No fire. The canopy did not depart the airframe. Dennis was air lifted to Baylor Hospital in Dallas. I was taken to the trauma suite at the Presbyterian Hospital in Greenville. X-rays and CAT scans showed nothing out of place or broken. I have a badly sprained right foot and ankle, a bruised rib cage and lots of cuts and bruises on my arms. I also have a slight vision problem. In pain, but still OK. It is important to note that this had nothing to do with wings, but with a =9Cnew and improved=9D canopy latching system. Consequently, I am STRONGLY recommending that any 601 have a fail-safe strap to the rear canopy bow, regardless of the latching system, to keep this from ever happening again. Alive and still with you - Jay Bannister________________________________________________________________ ________ Email message sent from CompuServe - visit us today at http://www.cs.com ________________________________ Message 13 ____________________________________ Time: 04:03:03 PM PST US From: "Craig Payne" Subject: RE: Zenith-List: Crash Here is how Larry McFarland attached a canopy safety strap on his 601: http://www.macsmachine.com/images/canopy/full/viewupperbracket.jpg http://www.macsmachine.com/images/canopy/full/viewcanopyopen.jpg I couldn't find a good picture of the lower attachment of the cable. I believe there is an adjustable buckle on the strap to cinch it up before flight. Look in the archives for an old post from Larry describing the setup. -- Craig -----Original Message----- From: owner-zenith-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of jaybannist@cs.com Sent: Friday, August 15, 2008 4:29 PM Subject: Zenith-List: Crash OK, a few facts from the horses mouth: As most of you know, I have just completed a Zodiac CH 601XL (Lil Bruiser). Both me and the insurance company wanted me to get at least an hour in make and model before I solo my airplane. I discovered a new service at McKinney Airport (TKI), for training and rental in a 601XLi. This was a familiarization flight in a nearly new AMD built 601XLi. The airplane originally had the old style canopy latches. The owner was not satisfied with that mechanism and had the factory retrofit the new style latches. The owner, Dennis Levy, who is also CFII. was in the right seat, me in the left. We had gone through all the standard maneuvers and were straight and level. I noticed that the right hand canopy latch had come loose and the rail was up about 2 inches. I pointed it out to Dennis. We were in sight of a private airfield, but Dennis decided he was going to re-latch it - in the air! In doing so, the latch on my side came loose and the canopy immediately shot up to about 50 deg., and the nose went down about 60 deg. I immediately pulled the power completely off. We both grabbed what we could on the canopy but could only pull it down to about 30 deg. We both pulled back on the sticks, with all our might, but never got the nose up to level. I steered toward an open, plowed field. We hit the ground at about 10 deg nose down and stopped immediately. No fire. The canopy did not depart the airframe. Dennis was air lifted to Baylor Hospital in Dallas. I was taken to the trauma suite at the Presbyterian Hospital in Greenville. X-rays and CAT scans showed nothing out of place or broken. I have a badly sprained right foot and ankle, a bruised rib cage and lots of cuts and bruises on my arms. I also have a slight vision problem. In pain, but still OK. It is important to note that this had nothing to do with wings, but with a new and improved canopy latching system. Consequently, I am STRONGLY recommending that any 601 have a fail-safe strap to the rear canopy bow, regardless of the latching system, to keep this from ever happening again. Alive and still with you - Jay Bannister________________________________________________________________ ________ Email message sent from CompuServe - visit us today at http://www.cs.com ________________________________ Message 14 ____________________________________ Time: 04:09:20 PM PST US From: "Skip Perry" Subject: RE: Zenith-List: Crash HOLY MOLY BATMAN!!!! If you were in Fort Myers every drink would be on me. You deserve it. This doesn't deter me from finishing and flying but it does give me an extra chapter in the "odd things that might happen" chapter. Congratulations on keeping a level head and "flying the plane". Hope your healing is quick! Skip Perry N601MP DO NOT ARCHIVE -----Original Message----- From: owner-zenith-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of jaybannist@cs.com Sent: Friday, August 15, 2008 6:29 PM Subject: Zenith-List: Crash OK, a few facts from the horses mouth: As most of you know, I have just completed a Zodiac CH 601XL (Lil Bruiser). Both me and the insurance company wanted me to get at least an hour in make and model before I solo my airplane. I discovered a new service at McKinney Airport (TKI), for training and rental in a 601XLi. This was a familiarization flight in a nearly new AMD built 601XLi. The airplane originally had the "old style" canopy latches. The owner was not satisfied with that mechanism and had the factory retrofit the new style latches. The owner, Dennis Levy, who is also CFII. was in the right seat, me in the left. We had gone through all the standard maneuvers and were straight and level. I noticed that the right hand canopy latch had come loose and the rail was up about 2 inches. I pointed it out to Dennis. We were in sight of a private airfield, but Dennis decided he was going to re-latch it - in the air! In doing so, the latch on my side came loose and the canopy immediately shot up to about 50 deg., and the nose went down about 60 deg. I immediately pulled the power completely off. We both grabbed what we could on the canopy but could only pull it down to about 30 deg. We both pulled back on the sticks, with all our might, but never got the nose up to level. I steered toward an open, plowed field. We hit the ground at about 10 deg nose down and stopped immediately. No fire. The canopy did not depart the airframe. Dennis was air lifted to Baylor Hospital in Dallas. I was taken to the trauma suite at the Presbyterian Hospital in Greenville. X-rays and CAT scans showed nothing out of place or broken. I have a badly sprained right foot and ankle, a bruised rib cage and lots of cuts and bruises on my arms. I also have a slight vision problem. In pain, but still OK. It is important to note that this had nothing to do with wings, but with a "new and improved" canopy latching system. Consequently, I am STRONGLY recommending that any 601 have a fail-safe strap to the rear canopy bow, regardless of the latching system, to keep this from ever happening again. Alive and still with you - Jay Bannister________________________________________________________________ ________ Email message sent from CompuServe - visit us today at http://www.cs.com ________________________________ Message 15 ____________________________________ Time: 06:55:04 PM PST US From: LarryMcFarland Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Crash Craig, A canopy strap would be a good idea, but the one I constructed was to preclude damage from wind getting under it and taking it past top dead center. I've had it act like a full sail pulling me across the apron in taxi after shutting off the engine. Would suggest a bit stronger hardware than the nylon buckles used. Knowing you're really latched is the best thing. A white stripe across the visual latch slot and white on the arm to improve seeing a good latch condition is my active solution. I've been unlatched three times, once the right, twice the left side only. None since adding paint for a good visual cue. Larry McFarland 601HDS at www.macsmachine.com Craig Payne wrote: > > Here is how Larry McFarland attached a canopy safety strap on his 601: > > http://www.macsmachine.com/images/canopy/full/viewupperbracket.jpg > > http://www.macsmachine.com/images/canopy/full/viewcanopyopen.jpg > > I couldn't find a good picture of the lower attachment of the cable. I believe there is an adjustable buckle on the strap to cinch it up before flight. Look in the archives for an old post from Larry describing the setup. > > -- Craig > > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-zenith-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of jaybannist@cs.com > Sent: Friday, August 15, 2008 4:29 PM > To: zenith-list@matronics.com > Subject: Zenith-List: Crash > > > OK, a few facts from the horses mouth: > ________________________________ Message 16 ____________________________________ Time: 07:08:51 PM PST US Subject: Zenith-List: Re: Sanding Compound Curves From: "leinad" Sanding by hand is the right way to go. If you've really got ripples in the shape you'll need to fill in the low spots, and start again with very rough sand paper (I like to use rough belt sander belts) until you know the ripples are gone. Then graduate to finer and finer paper. You can use primer to fill in the sandpaper scratches and very small low spots. The only real trick to the trade is to make your sanding strokes long. Layers of different colors of primer can help you see the scratches and high spots. Dan [quote="dvanlanen"]Im glad that I am not building a composite aircraft! I think I have spent more time on the fiberglass tail tips than on any other task to-date. The fit of the FTTs were far enough off that I could not correct the fit using a heat gun, especially near the front of the stabilizer. So I followed another builders suggestion and used SuperFil (a great product!) to build them up to the point where I now have a great fit. However, after finish sanding and priming them, I found that I have a few minor longitudinal ripples in the surface. I need to smooth these out or they will really show when the FTTs are finish painted later. Due to the compound curves, I dont think it will work to just use a piece of hand-held sandpaper, or a regular sanding block, as I may not remove material from the right areas. Does anyone have any tricks of the trade they can share with me for sanding out these ripples and getting to a smooth contour, without having to create some sort of fancy sanding tool? Dave Van Lanen 601XL finishing tail and getting ready to start wings > [b] -------- Scratch building XL with Corvair Engine Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=198852#198852 ________________________________ Message 17 ____________________________________ Time: 07:30:13 PM PST US From: Afterfxllc@aol.com Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Crash Jay, First let me say I'm glad both of you are ok and I am not questioning you in any way I am just trying to understand what happened. What I am trying to understand is what the canopy being open had to do with the crash. I have pictures of a 601xl flying with the canopy open and it can and will fly in that situation. Did you just decide to land or forget to re apply power? As soon as I get to the airport I will take some pics of a latch Ben made for his 601xl and before flight he can insure the canopy is locked. I hope that Zenith didn't create a brand new problem for the brand new airplane. I was going to modify the canopy and latch system for the one I am building but might reconsider that now in light of the new information. My other question is if the new canopy can withstand the wind forces on the rear solid mounted piece or will it depart the aircraft if the canopy pops open. Has this been tested open? I will post the pics of a flying 601 with canopy open as soon as I find them. Jeff **************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos. (http://autos.aol.com/cars-Volkswagen-Jetta-2009/expert-review?ncid=aolaut00030000000007 ) ________________________________ Message 18 ____________________________________ Time: 09:08:45 PM PST US From: Afterfxllc@aol.com Subject: Zenith-List: Flying Canopy open photos!!!!! I found the pics of the canopy being open in flight and posted them to my website. _http://project601xl.com/Canopy_Open.html_ (http://project601xl.com/Canopy_Open.html) Enjoy Jeff **************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos. 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