Today's Message Index:
----------------------
1. 04:42 AM - Re: Finally getting close to certification. (Dave Austin)
2. 05:55 AM - Re: Finally getting close to certification. (Paul Mulwitz)
3. 11:09 AM - Re: Finally getting close to certification. (Don Honabach)
4. 06:09 PM - Re: Finally getting close to certification. (Paul Mulwitz)
5. 06:31 PM - Re: Finally getting close to certification. (vvkidd@mindspring.com)
Message 1
| INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
| NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
| LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
| SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
| Subject: | Re: Finally getting close to certification. |
Hey Paul,
That was meant as positive encouragement!
If anyone has, you have done everything to get it right. But at some point you
have to, not stop
listening to all the "what could happen" stuff that comes at you, but make a decision
to fly based
on your knowledge that you've built it the best that could be.
Just for fun, I can't rmember if yours is tail dragger or trike, but I was advised
strongly at first
flight for the Spitfire (taildragger) do not attempt to do hops on the runway.
That's the way to
lose directional control and wrap it up in a ball. High speed taxies are the same.
If it doesn't
yaw or do something wierd as you lift off, go for the circuit.
Enjoy.
Dave Austin
Message 2
| INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
| PREVIOUS | Skip to PREVIOUS Message |
| NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
| LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
| SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
| Subject: | Re: Finally getting close to certification. |
Hi Dave,
I feel encouraged! I am just a nervous type when it comes to flying.
That is nothing new for me. Of course, it is peaked by planning a first
flight of a plane built by an amateur (me).
My Zodiac has tricycle gear.
I do not plan to do hops on the runway. I don't want to do any landings
- even after a flight of just a few feet -- until I have had a chance to
get the feel of the plane in landing configuration and stall speeds,
etc. at high altitude. My first flight should take at least a half hour
- probably longer. I want to get a reading on indicated stall speeds -
both clean and dirty - and try forward slips both clean and dirty before
attempting any approaches. I also want to do some gentle turns such as
the type needed from base leg to final. A bonus would be learning the
power setting for level flight at 70 KIAS for traffic pattern entry.
I've been flying a Tecnam Echo Super for the last two years. I found it
really likes to be at exactly 52 KIAS with full flaps when it is time to
flare for landing. If it is slower than that it just slams into the
runway no matter what the pitch. If faster it floats forever. (It
stalls at 38 KIAS dirty.) I plan to try this same speed for the Zodiac
landing, but would be delighted to hear what others use. Also the best
glide speeds for the Echo are around 70 clean and 60 dirty. Since the
Zodiac has nearly exactly the same wing loading I expect it to have
similar key speeds. (I am used to using Knots rather then MPH.)
I just started a first-cut checklist for my Zodiac. I didn't use one at
all with the Echo. It was such a simple plane I really didn't need
one. The Jabiru engine rather than Rotax and low wing vs. high wing
makes a number of issues to check like carb heat, electric fuel pump,
and fuel tank selection. The Rotax powered Tecnam Echo has a gravity
feed fuel system and no air box as well as no vacuum pump. Both planes
have Dynon based instrument panels so there is no need to set and
monitor a DG. To get the Echo going all you need to do is set the
altimeter and radios, set take-off flaps (there is a line marked TO on
the readout) and do a quick mag check. You could put a checklist for
that plane on the back of a fortune cookie insert.
I have an appointment with a DAR for 1:00 this afternoon. If all goes
well I will have an airworthiness certificate tonight. That seems a bit
risky because of issues with the MIDO and their DAR list, but I won't
bore everyone here with FAA politics. I'm just hoping it all works out OK.
Then my biggest problem planning my first flight is determining who to
invite to watch and/or help. I have offered the opportunity to my wife
and at least one EAA chapter member has expressed great interest in
helping. My first choice would be to just do it without anybody else
involved.
Paul
On 7/7/2011 4:39 AM, Dave Austin wrote:
> <daveaustin2@primus.ca>
>
> Hey Paul,
> That was meant as positive encouragement!
> If anyone has, you have done everything to get it right. But at some
> point you have to, not stop listening to all the "what could happen"
> stuff that comes at you, but make a decision to fly based on your
> knowledge that you've built it the best that could be.
> Just for fun, I can't rmember if yours is tail dragger or trike, but I
> was advised strongly at first flight for the Spitfire (taildragger) do
> not attempt to do hops on the runway. That's the way to lose
> directional control and wrap it up in a ball. High speed taxies are
> the same. If it doesn't yaw or do something wierd as you lift off, go
> for the circuit.
> Enjoy.
> Dave Austin
>
>
Message 3
| INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
| PREVIOUS | Skip to PREVIOUS Message |
| NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
| LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
| SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
| Subject: | Finally getting close to certification. |
I second that ;-)
Don
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-zenith601-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith601-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Dave Austin
Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2011 5:53 PM
Subject: Re: Zenith601-List: Finally getting close to certification.
--> <daveaustin2@primus.ca>
Paul,
Get in the cockpit and fly the bloody thing..
Dave Austin
Message 4
| INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
| PREVIOUS | Skip to PREVIOUS Message |
| NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
| LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
| SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
| Subject: | Re: Finally getting close to certification. |
Thanks guys,
Well, there's DARs and then there's DARs and never the twain shall meet.
I got my plane certified this afternoon. It turns out there are
"Manufacturing" DARs that report to the MIDOs and "Maintenance" DARs
that report to FSDOs. The ones you want for an E-AB inspection are
Maintenance DARs. If you are manufacturing type certificated planes you
need Manufacturing DARs. They cost a lot more and have much busier
schedules. I went the wrong way asking the local MIDO for an inspection
instead of the local FSDO. It all worked out in the end, but this is a
mistake I made that others can learn from.
My inspection took about three hours. The last of the hours was just
doing paper work. It was quite painless. The DAR found a few small
things that should be corrected before I fly the plane, but they were
really small. In one case there was an edge to a piece of skin that was
not smooth and he suggested running some sandpaper or a file over it.
Another case was some wires in the engine compartment he was afraid
might rub on adjacent metal parts.
There was one interesting discussion that everyone can gain from. He
asked me if I had done engine testing from both tanks, and the answer
was no. He suggested I do some taxi testing from the other tank and
then clean out the gascolator before flying the plane. This was great
advice. I have read several accident reports about fuel starvation
because of manufacturing trash (chips, etc.) in the fuel system that
could have been removed before flight.
I don't know exactly when I will be able to get the plane in the air,
but it will be a few days for sure. I have to put it all back together,
fix the squawks, and do the engine testing from the other tank.
Paul
XL - now a real airplane
On 7/7/2011 11:07 AM, Don Honabach wrote:
> --> Zenith601-List message posted by: Don Honabach<don.honabach@pcperfect.com>
>
> I second that ;-)
>
> Don
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-zenith601-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith601-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Dave Austin
> Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2011 5:53 PM
> To: zenith601-list@matronics.com
> Subject: Re: Zenith601-List: Finally getting close to certification.
>
> --> Zenith601-List message posted by: "Dave Austin"
> --> <daveaustin2@primus.ca>
>
> Paul,
> Get in the cockpit and fly the bloody thing..
> Dave Austin
>
>
Message 5
| INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
| PREVIOUS | Skip to PREVIOUS Message |
| NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
| LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
| SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
| Subject: | Re: Finally getting close to certification. |
Congrats.
Victor Kidd
N922VK CRW WV
-----Original Message-----
>From: Paul Mulwitz <psm@att.net>
>Sent: Jul 7, 2011 9:05 PM
>To: zenith601-list@matronics.com
>Subject: Re: Zenith601-List: Finally getting close to certification.
>
>
>Thanks guys,
>
>Well, there's DARs and then there's DARs and never the twain shall meet.
>
>I got my plane certified this afternoon. It turns out there are
>"Manufacturing" DARs that report to the MIDOs and "Maintenance" DARs
>that report to FSDOs. The ones you want for an E-AB inspection are
>Maintenance DARs. If you are manufacturing type certificated planes you
>need Manufacturing DARs. They cost a lot more and have much busier
>schedules. I went the wrong way asking the local MIDO for an inspection
>instead of the local FSDO. It all worked out in the end, but this is a
>mistake I made that others can learn from.
>
>My inspection took about three hours. The last of the hours was just
>doing paper work. It was quite painless. The DAR found a few small
>things that should be corrected before I fly the plane, but they were
>really small. In one case there was an edge to a piece of skin that was
>not smooth and he suggested running some sandpaper or a file over it.
>Another case was some wires in the engine compartment he was afraid
>might rub on adjacent metal parts.
>
>There was one interesting discussion that everyone can gain from. He
>asked me if I had done engine testing from both tanks, and the answer
>was no. He suggested I do some taxi testing from the other tank and
>then clean out the gascolator before flying the plane. This was great
>advice. I have read several accident reports about fuel starvation
>because of manufacturing trash (chips, etc.) in the fuel system that
>could have been removed before flight.
>
>I don't know exactly when I will be able to get the plane in the air,
>but it will be a few days for sure. I have to put it all back together,
>fix the squawks, and do the engine testing from the other tank.
>
>Paul
>XL - now a real airplane
>
>
>On 7/7/2011 11:07 AM, Don Honabach wrote:
>> --> Zenith601-List message posted by: Don Honabach<don.honabach@pcperfect.com>
>>
>> I second that ;-)
>>
>> Don
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: owner-zenith601-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith601-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Dave Austin
>> Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2011 5:53 PM
>> To: zenith601-list@matronics.com
>> Subject: Re: Zenith601-List: Finally getting close to certification.
>>
>> --> Zenith601-List message posted by: "Dave Austin"
>> --> <daveaustin2@primus.ca>
>>
>> Paul,
>> Get in the cockpit and fly the bloody thing..
>> Dave Austin
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
Other Matronics Email List Services
These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.
-- Please support this service by making your Contribution today! --
|