---------------------------------------------------------- Zenith-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Sun 04/26/09: 15 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 02:35 AM - Re: Method of Mass Balancing (Roger & Lina Hill) 2. 06:48 AM - Re: My plans for flying my XL (Randy) 3. 07:04 AM - Re: My plans for flying my XL (Jay Maynard) 4. 07:42 AM - Cable Tensions in general (Bill Morelli) 5. 07:47 AM - Re: My plans for flying my XL (Juan Vega) 6. 08:25 AM - Re: My plans for flying my XL (Jay Maynard) 7. 08:54 AM - Website mission (Bill Naumuk) 8. 10:40 AM - your post on the list (=?iso-8859-1?Q?Fran=E7ois_CHAPPERON?=) 9. 11:20 AM - Re: your post on the list (Juan Vega) 10. 11:34 AM - Sun N Fun flyin in a 601xl (Juan Vega) 11. 12:34 PM - Cable gauge calibration (thesumak@aol.com) 12. 01:27 PM - Parting Out Zodiac Tail Kit (Andrew Hinsdale) 13. 02:29 PM - Chat Room Reminder For "Digesters" (George Race) 14. 02:39 PM - Re: Cable gauge calibration (Thruster87) 15. 03:22 PM - Re: Parting Out Zodiac Tail Kit (Juan Vega) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 02:35:52 AM PST US From: "Roger & Lina Hill" Subject: RE: Zenith-List: Method of Mass Balancing Rich; Ya I went to the school of hard knocks too !!!!!! Well, I didn't graduate or anything... Actually, I flunked out.. Come to think of it, my life has been really pretty easy.... Roger _____ From: owner-zenith-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Rich Simmons Sent: Sunday, April 26, 2009 12:09 AM Subject: Zenith-List: Method of Mass Balancing Hey finger pointers and name callers, stop for a minute and discuss something. I went to an EAA breakfast this morning after some more time in IFR training (Love those VFR holds! I feel like a NASCAR driver!!) . In conversation, a gentleman in a Stagar EZ and I discussed Static balancing he did for his alerons. It was simply a steel rod attached at the lower portion of the aleron (composite) on the front side below the hing line. Seemed to work nicely and simle to boot. It made a very small foot print on the part since it spaned the width of the aleron. It literaly was a rod attached at the most forward lower angle of the aleron and is hidden by the rear chanel. Is this literaly what "MAY" be possible for balancing and is it a valid method of doing it. It worked on his 200mph plane obvioulsy. If so it requires no modification of the exissting wing structure. It seem regardless of speed, balancing makes it a better mechanically. So, instead of pointing fingers, take a break and do something constructive like telling me what you think. - - - About the method of balancing! I only have a bit of common sense and no formal degree in engineering. Funny though, I do train several in my line of work though and they always want my opinion! Kind of comical them learning from me!!!! In the school of hard knocks there is no certificate of BS or PHD. If I need to do a small sketch I will be glad to. Thanks, Rich 601XL paciently building, waithing and listening I see an engine soon! (Still!) Do not archive ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:48:01 AM PST US From: "Randy" Subject: Re: Zenith-List: My plans for flying my XL Jay, you say this with a matter of fact "but your first few landings in a Zodiac *will* suck." Maybe yours did, but mine didn't, and I'm sure some others on this list didn't either. It is sensitive in pitch; but you get the feel for that before you enter the pattern for your first landing. Randy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jay Maynard" Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2009 8:58 PM Subject: Re: Zenith-List: My plans for flying my XL > > On Sat, Apr 25, 2009 at 12:53:20PM -0400, macleod@eagle.ca wrote: >> Within a month I should be flying my XL. > > Happy to hear it! > >> My thoughts on the ZBAG group >> This is a group of well meaning individuals who invested time and money >> to >> find a fault with the design. Well, apparently the design is ok - but >> their mission was to find a problem - so they found one - flutter - not >> easily refutable - and, despite a lack of evidence, went with it. (To the >> NTSB no less). > > Sorry, but no. I, at least, would have been perfectly happy had there been > nothing at all found. I'm happy Zenair chose to run the exhaustive > analysis > of the Zodiac structure, both static and dynamic, they hadn't run before. > I > look forward with interest to reading the reports they've promised to > publish. > >> Flutter is a phenomena that can be computer modeled. If these models >> tell us that flutter is not an issue, I believe them. > > However, those models are only approximations unless and until they're > validated with ground vibration testing. Zenair has now done that; until > then, it's just a guess. > >> In addition, trying to scare us by suggesting that our XLs will behave >> similarly to the posted videos of flutter on non XL wings is >> irresponsible. We all know that given the right conditions (well above >> Vne) flutter can occur. > > That assumes that the design was analyzed and tested for flutter above > Vne - > something that may or may not have been done before now in the case of the > Zodiac. > >> MY CONCLUSIONS: >> - There is not a design problem that causes flutter. > > Zenair's testing this week seems to agree with you. If so, it's the first > time anyone can say so definitively. > >> - There is probably no single cause of the accidents. (unless you count >> pilot error) > > Sorry, but I can't accept this either. For example, where did Mathieu > Heintz > get the Yuba City accident having a -8G load?! The NTSB report didn't say > anything like that. Not all pilots have been doing aerobatics in their > Zodiacs. > >> - Aileron balancing is not required. > > If there's no flutter, then you're correct. However, *every* aeronautical > engineer I've discussed the Zodiac with, and *every* bit of written > guidance > from the FAA, says that the only way to *guarantee* no flutter is to use > mass balanced controls. Given that, it's not unreasonable to assume that > mass balancing is required. > >> - Eyewitness reports can be misleading. > > No arguments here. > >> MY PLANS >> - First, before taking FSVB up - practice, practice, practice landings in >> another low wing plane until I can grease it in every time. >> I think the stresses on the wings from hard landings far exceed >> anything you can do in flight. > > I'd *strongly* recommend getting some time in a Zodiac. The pitch > sensitivity is such that you *will* need some transition time. Landing a > Zodiac is not like landing a Cherokee or a Mooney or a Musketeer. The > principles are the same, sure, but your first few landings in a Zodiac > *will* suck. > >> - Avoid off airport landings (and try to avoid grass strips) >> I know that many XLs use grass strips but in my experience they can be >> very rough and again put stress on the wing attachments. > > I've flown in ad out of grass strips with mine. No issues. (In fact, my > favorite picture of my airplane was taken at a fly-in at a grass strip in > the middle of nowhere on Michigan's upper peninsula.) > >> - Keep the cables tightened to 'spec'. >> - Never fly faster than 130 kts. > > Both very good ideas. > >> - Fly only in good weather (I have always done this, I hate "bumps") > > That's a good idea in theory, but in practice, you'll get them > anyway...just > remember to slow to maneuvering speed if the bumps get too bad. > >> - Treat the plane with kid gloves (no spins, dives, turns over 60 degrees >> bank, etc) > > This is just prudent piloting. The Zodiac is not an aerobatic airplane. > Don't fly it like one. > >> - Watch that rearward C of G >> With the light Rotax engine my plane's C of G can easily go behind >> 450mm >> as the fuel is burned. > > Good advice, always. I have jsut the opposite problem with the O-200: it > takes some weight in the seats with full fuel to keep the CG in limits > forward. > >> - Never, never make abrupt fore or aft movements with the stick >> I have the dual stick option, I think this will give me more leverage >> with less feedback when I move the elevator. > > Don't think of it as moving the stick. Think of it as pushing on the stick > until the airplane does what you want. The Zodiac will teach you the > meaning > of 'control pressure". > >> - I will not 'balance' my ailerons or elevator. > > Your choice, but I suspect that, should Zenair develop and release a mass > balance kit, the market will force you to install it if you ever want to > sell your airplane. > > That said...why wouldn't you? What bad effects would you expect such a kit > to have? > -- > Jay Maynard, K5ZC, PP-ASEL, AGI http://www.conmicro.com > http://jmaynard.livejournal.com http://www.tronguy.net > Fairmont, MN (KFRM) (Yes, that's me!) > AMD Zodiac CH601XLi N55ZC http://www.tronguy.net/N55ZC.shtml > > > ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 07:04:30 AM PST US From: Jay Maynard Subject: Re: Zenith-List: My plans for flying my XL On Sun, Apr 26, 2009 at 08:47:05AM -0500, Randy wrote: > Jay, you say this with a matter of fact "but your first few landings in a > Zodiac *will* suck." Maybe yours did, but mine didn't, and I'm sure some > others on this list didn't either. It is sensitive in pitch; but you get > the feel for that before you enter the pattern for your first landing. Oh, I'm sure there are folks out there who got it right the first time. Still, isn't it better to treat it carefully, and if your first few landings don't suck, take it as a pleasant surprise? It's still far, far better to get some transition training than to have to learn the hard way on the first flight of your shiny new aircraft. -- Jay Maynard, K5ZC, PP-ASEL, AGI http://www.conmicro.com http://jmaynard.livejournal.com http://www.tronguy.net Fairmont, MN (KFRM) (Yes, that's me!) AMD Zodiac CH601XLi N55ZC http://www.tronguy.net/N55ZC.shtml ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 07:42:15 AM PST US From: "Bill Morelli" Subject: Zenith-List: Cable Tensions in general I fly a Zodiac CH601 HDS that first flew in Jan of 2001. It's not an XL but I just wanted to share my perspective on cable tensions. As of this past Friday, the aircraft has 648 hours and 928 landings, some hard but most great. I set my cable tensions during the build and they have remained set. They are checked at each condition inspection (have done 8 inspections) and have been OK. Wing attach bolt torques are also checked and they also have never been a problem. Cable tensions should not change significantly ( only slight changes due to temperature variations). If they do, there is something wrong! I am an A&P and of all of the aircraft I have checked cable tensions on (Cessna, Piper, Beech, YAK and my HDS) I have never found the cable tensions out of spec. Flying the HDS is much fun and of the 928 takeoffs and landings, I have had a smile on my face about 928 times. P.S. - I installed an MGL Avionics Enigma back in January and man is that thing great!!!! Wanted to give a plug for MGL Avionics Regards, Bill Morelli ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 07:47:04 AM PST US From: Juan Vega Subject: Re: Zenith-List: My plans for flying my XL Speak for your self Jay!. DUde. the 601 once you get the hang of the stick motion up in the air, the landings are Asymptotic! Cushy is the word! Juan -----Original Message----- >From: Randy >Sent: Apr 26, 2009 9:47 AM >To: zenith-list@matronics.com >Subject: Re: Zenith-List: My plans for flying my XL > > >Jay, you say this with a matter of fact "but your first few landings in a >Zodiac >*will* suck." Maybe yours did, but mine didn't, and I'm sure some others on >this list didn't either. It is sensitive in pitch; but you get the feel >for that before you enter the pattern for your first landing. > >Randy > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Jay Maynard" >To: >Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2009 8:58 PM >Subject: Re: Zenith-List: My plans for flying my XL > > >> >> On Sat, Apr 25, 2009 at 12:53:20PM -0400, macleod@eagle.ca wrote: >>> Within a month I should be flying my XL. >> >> Happy to hear it! >> >>> My thoughts on the ZBAG group >>> This is a group of well meaning individuals who invested time and money >>> to >>> find a fault with the design. Well, apparently the design is ok - but >>> their mission was to find a problem - so they found one - flutter - not >>> easily refutable - and, despite a lack of evidence, went with it. (To the >>> NTSB no less). >> >> Sorry, but no. I, at least, would have been perfectly happy had there been >> nothing at all found. I'm happy Zenair chose to run the exhaustive >> analysis >> of the Zodiac structure, both static and dynamic, they hadn't run before. >> I >> look forward with interest to reading the reports they've promised to >> publish. >> >>> Flutter is a phenomena that can be computer modeled. If these models >>> tell us that flutter is not an issue, I believe them. >> >> However, those models are only approximations unless and until they're >> validated with ground vibration testing. Zenair has now done that; until >> then, it's just a guess. >> >>> In addition, trying to scare us by suggesting that our XLs will behave >>> similarly to the posted videos of flutter on non XL wings is >>> irresponsible. We all know that given the right conditions (well above >>> Vne) flutter can occur. >> >> That assumes that the design was analyzed and tested for flutter above >> Vne - >> something that may or may not have been done before now in the case of the >> Zodiac. >> >>> MY CONCLUSIONS: >>> - There is not a design problem that causes flutter. >> >> Zenair's testing this week seems to agree with you. If so, it's the first >> time anyone can say so definitively. >> >>> - There is probably no single cause of the accidents. (unless you count >>> pilot error) >> >> Sorry, but I can't accept this either. For example, where did Mathieu >> Heintz >> get the Yuba City accident having a -8G load?! The NTSB report didn't say >> anything like that. Not all pilots have been doing aerobatics in their >> Zodiacs. >> >>> - Aileron balancing is not required. >> >> If there's no flutter, then you're correct. However, *every* aeronautical >> engineer I've discussed the Zodiac with, and *every* bit of written >> guidance >> from the FAA, says that the only way to *guarantee* no flutter is to use >> mass balanced controls. Given that, it's not unreasonable to assume that >> mass balancing is required. >> >>> - Eyewitness reports can be misleading. >> >> No arguments here. >> >>> MY PLANS >>> - First, before taking FSVB up - practice, practice, practice landings in >>> another low wing plane until I can grease it in every time. >>> I think the stresses on the wings from hard landings far exceed >>> anything you can do in flight. >> >> I'd *strongly* recommend getting some time in a Zodiac. The pitch >> sensitivity is such that you *will* need some transition time. Landing a >> Zodiac is not like landing a Cherokee or a Mooney or a Musketeer. The >> principles are the same, sure, but your first few landings in a Zodiac >> *will* suck. >> >>> - Avoid off airport landings (and try to avoid grass strips) >>> I know that many XLs use grass strips but in my experience they can be >>> very rough and again put stress on the wing attachments. >> >> I've flown in ad out of grass strips with mine. No issues. (In fact, my >> favorite picture of my airplane was taken at a fly-in at a grass strip in >> the middle of nowhere on Michigan's upper peninsula.) >> >>> - Keep the cables tightened to 'spec'. >>> - Never fly faster than 130 kts. >> >> Both very good ideas. >> >>> - Fly only in good weather (I have always done this, I hate "bumps") >> >> That's a good idea in theory, but in practice, you'll get them >> anyway...just >> remember to slow to maneuvering speed if the bumps get too bad. >> >>> - Treat the plane with kid gloves (no spins, dives, turns over 60 degrees >>> bank, etc) >> >> This is just prudent piloting. The Zodiac is not an aerobatic airplane. >> Don't fly it like one. >> >>> - Watch that rearward C of G >>> With the light Rotax engine my plane's C of G can easily go behind >>> 450mm >>> as the fuel is burned. >> >> Good advice, always. I have jsut the opposite problem with the O-200: it >> takes some weight in the seats with full fuel to keep the CG in limits >> forward. >> >>> - Never, never make abrupt fore or aft movements with the stick >>> I have the dual stick option, I think this will give me more leverage >>> with less feedback when I move the elevator. >> >> Don't think of it as moving the stick. Think of it as pushing on the stick >> until the airplane does what you want. The Zodiac will teach you the >> meaning >> of 'control pressure". >> >>> - I will not 'balance' my ailerons or elevator. >> >> Your choice, but I suspect that, should Zenair develop and release a mass >> balance kit, the market will force you to install it if you ever want to >> sell your airplane. >> >> That said...why wouldn't you? What bad effects would you expect such a kit >> to have? >> -- >> Jay Maynard, K5ZC, PP-ASEL, AGI http://www.conmicro.com >> http://jmaynard.livejournal.com http://www.tronguy.net >> Fairmont, MN (KFRM) (Yes, that's me!) >> AMD Zodiac CH601XLi N55ZC http://www.tronguy.net/N55ZC.shtml >> >> >> >> > > ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 08:25:42 AM PST US From: Jay Maynard Subject: Re: Zenith-List: My plans for flying my XL On Sun, Apr 26, 2009 at 10:45:44AM -0400, Juan Vega wrote: > Speak for your self Jay!. DUde. the 601 once you get the hang of the > stick motion up in the air, the landings are Asymptotic! Cushy is the > word! *Once you get the hang of it*, I agree. The transition is the hard part. -- Jay Maynard, K5ZC, PP-ASEL, AGI http://www.conmicro.com http://jmaynard.livejournal.com http://www.tronguy.net Fairmont, MN (KFRM) (Yes, that's me!) AMD Zodiac CH601XLi N55ZC http://www.tronguy.net/N55ZC.shtml ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 08:54:51 AM PST US From: "Bill Naumuk" Subject: Zenith-List: Website mission All- I've seen some incredibly vitriolic posts in the past 3 weeks and few have had anything to do with building. In addition, when has it become list policy to tell builders of other brands of aircraft to take a hike? We used to routinely share lessons learned though the school of hard knocks with RVers, Kitfox, and especially Sonex builders and they appreciated our input. What if Octave Chanute had told Wilbur and Orv "Go to Hell, figure it out yourselves"? Don't forget, the Wrights flew experimentals whose operational life was measured in seconds. Any Zenith is exponentially more capable. EXPERIMENTAL, remember?! I personally would be more liable to blame an airframe failure on my building talents rather than those of the designers. 'Fess up. Everyone has a rivet he wonders about. Psychologically, this may be the root of the problem. The individual builder is scared shitless of that rivet and looking for an excuse. My project is so over-built I'll be lucky to see 100mph cruise. I'll plow in like a Cadillac but survive for all the additional sheet metal. If I get flamed for an appeal for a return to normalcy I'm ashamed for the lot of you. do not archive Bill Naumuk Townville, Pa. HDS 601MG/Corvair 95% ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 10:40:43 AM PST US From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Fran=E7ois_CHAPPERON?= Subject: Zenith-List: your post on the list Hello, Just a little comment from France , on your post. I fully agree with your opinion on all the points evocated. I have built my 601 xl from a 100% kit made in Canada. I fly under the French ultralight regulations (472,5 kilos maximum weight in flight with =E0 total rescue parachute) the empty weight is 296 kilos. We have had an official order from our Administration ( equivalent of FAA) not to fly more than 180km/hour .. I still fly regularly at 200 km/h and tryed 260 on descent, (one hand on the parachute handle)ABSOLUTELY no vibrations at all ! Design is perfect and I agree with you that if flutter could occur, because of the design, hundreds of 601 should have encountered this terrible phenomena ! Your plans are perfectly good(to my opinion). I do use more grass strips than others, but my speed contact with ground is generally 70 to 80 km/per hour with =93everything =93 out ! (stall speed 65) Congratulations for your post, again, Fran=E7ois Chapperon http://picasaweb.google.fr/chapred 407 r=E9duite_modifi=E9-1 ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 11:20:02 AM PST US From: Juan Vega Subject: Re: Zenith-List: your post on the list Francois, Merci Boucoup. Je espere que vous averais un bon temp dan votre avion ausi. Plut tarde, du les estas Unis! Juan Vega -----Original Message----- >From: Franois CHAPPERON >Sent: Apr 26, 2009 1:39 PM >To: macleod@eagle.ca >Subject: Zenith-List: your post on the list > >Hello, > > > >Just a little comment from France , on your post. > > > >I fully agree with your opinion on all the points evocated. > >I have built my 601 xl from a 100% kit made in Canada. I fly under the >French ultralight regulations (472,5 kilos maximum weight in flight with >total rescue parachute) the empty weight is 296 kilos. > >We have had an official order from our Administration ( equivalent of FAA) >not to fly more than 180km/hour .. I still fly regularly at 200 km/h and >tryed 260 on descent, (one hand on the parachute handle)ABSOLUTELY no >vibrations at all ! > >Design is perfect and I agree with you that if flutter could occur, because >of the design, hundreds of 601 should have encountered this terrible >phenomena ! > > > >Your plans are perfectly good(to my opinion). I do use more grass strips >than others, but my speed contact with ground is generally 70 to 80 km/per >hour with everything out ! (stall speed 65) > > > >Congratulations for your post, again, > > > >Franois Chapperon > >http://picasaweb.google.fr/chapred > > > > > >407 rduite_modifi-1 > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 11:34:02 AM PST US From: Juan Vega Subject: Zenith-List: Sun N Fun flyin in a 601xl ladies and germs; saterday, Josh my 6 year old and I took off in the morning to Sun N Fun in Rivet the Wonder PLane, our trusty 601xl. We took off in the moring, from Albert Whitted, and got radio transfer to Tampa Traffic for flight follwoing along the I-4 cooridor. we flew at 1200 ft AGL NE bound and met up with a gaggle of ten other aircraft flying round the LAke waiting to enter the pattern at SNF. Once in the pattern, we landed on our orange dot and taxied in. They day was great with lots of great oogling of other peoples' aircraft. Everyone we ran into that had 601s would speak aware of the NTSB report, knowing that the NTSB was at odds with the FAA over the entire LSA program to begin with. Questions were asked about the report.Notes were swapped. The consencous is the following. The reports will be out soon. we will wait with our breaths health till blue (tongune and cheek). Most agree a list of precautions from Zentih will come out, such as wiggle the ailerons by hand during the preflight (that thing you are supposed to do before getting in the plane) and if the stick has lag in it the plane cable should b tightened to the point of no slack. Also make sure that the flaps are tight in the up positions. meaning the flap stop has to be in place and the flap needs to lock up tightly for no play. How is that done? well there is enough twist in the flap that the stop servo can be moved up 1mm , so that when it goes to the up position, it hits the plastci stop then continues for 1 to 2 mm before stopping the motor ensuring a good locked up position. How many of us are flying with loosy goosy flaps? also stuff like retorquing( you know that fuinny looking wrench you hopefully used during your build)all the bolts on wings , motor mounts, body, etc.. every 100 hours or so. Other than that we flew back home, in our 601xl, happy as pigs in mud. >From sunny Florida. Juan Vega3300, 601 xl ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 12:34:12 PM PST US Subject: Zenith-List: Cable gauge calibration From: thesumak@aol.com I have a question for the A&Ps on the list:? Do you think it's ok for us to calibrate our own cable gauge provided that we make some effort to have our test weights traceable to some standard and maintain paperwork to the standards required for repair stations?? I'm obviously referring to the certificated side of our life. If anyone is nice enough to respond, lets talk off list.? This forum sometimes frightens me :-) Cheers, Bill 601 XL (wings) Ercoupe (flying) do not archive ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 01:27:32 PM PST US From: Andrew Hinsdale Subject: Zenith-List: Parting Out Zodiac Tail Kit Hello listers!=0A=0ASince I could not give it away, I am parting out my 601 tail kit.- It is a mix of HD and XL parts.- BAsically I upgraded an HD kit to XL structural specs.- The parts that will probably be of greatest interest are the ribs, the Ray Allen T2-7A servo, and the XL-spec tail spa rs and elevator horn parts.- I also have for sale two bags of rivets (A4 and A5 and a ZAC customized rivet puller), as well as my XL/HD/HDS plans. - Email me off list at ahinsdale@yahoo.com and I will send you an Excel s preadsheet with a price list.- If you cannot read Excel, there is a free reader at the Microsoft download site or I will convert it to plain text if you prefer.- Just let me know.- =0A=0AThis is a great way to get some parts deeply discounts from ZAC prices.- The servo alone is a great deal. - Please note that many of these are HD kit parts which means that theya re not pre-drilled, but many are latest spec XL parts with factory pre-dril ling.- They are identified on the spreadsheet.- I will ship any or all of this stuff FREE in the continental US.- Other shipping arrangements on a case-by-case basis.=0A=0AThank You=0A=0AAndy Hinsdale=0A=0A=0A ________________________________ Message 13 ____________________________________ Time: 02:29:31 PM PST US From: "George Race" Subject: Zenith-List: Chat Room Reminder For "Digesters" Live Chat Room every Monday evening around 8:00 EDT www.mykitairplane.com Click on the Chat Room link on the page. George Do Not Archive ________________________________ Message 14 ____________________________________ Time: 02:39:01 PM PST US Subject: Zenith-List: Re: Cable gauge calibration From: "Thruster87" Usually the tensiometer will have a calibration strip with which to check for correct operation but if you mean pulling the whole thing apart then no.You can also set up a cable with a bucket hanging from it and filled to a specific weight to test your gauge. Hope this helps Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=241358#241358 ________________________________ Message 15 ____________________________________ Time: 03:22:42 PM PST US From: Juan Vega Subject: Re: Zenith-List: Parting Out Zodiac Tail Kit Andrew!, I am sorry you could not give them away! I was not on the in the know list at the time, I will more than happy take your tail kit if you want to give it away again! Juan -----Original Message----- >From: Andrew Hinsdale >Sent: Apr 26, 2009 4:25 PM >To: Zenith List >Subject: Zenith-List: Parting Out Zodiac Tail Kit > >Hello listers! > >Since I could not give it away, I am parting out my 601 tail kit. It is a mix of HD and XL parts. BAsically I upgraded an HD kit to XL structural specs. The parts that will probably be of greatest interest are the ribs, the Ray Allen T2-7A servo, and the XL-spec tail spars and elevator horn parts. I also have for sale two bags of rivets (A4 and A5 and a ZAC customized rivet puller), as well as my XL/HD/HDS plans. Email me off list at ahinsdale@yahoo.com and I will send you an Excel spreadsheet with a price list. If you cannot read Excel, there is a free reader at the Microsoft download site or I will convert it to plain text if you prefer. Just let me know. > >This is a great way to get some parts deeply discounts from ZAC prices. The servo alone is a great deal. Please note that many of these are HD kit parts which means that theya re not pre-drilled, but many are latest spec XL parts with factory pre-drilling. They are identified on the spreadsheet. I will ship any or all of this stuff FREE in the continental US. Other shipping arrangements on a case-by-case basis. > >Thank You > >Andy Hinsdale > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message zenith-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Zenith-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/zenith-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/zenith-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.