Today's Message Index:
----------------------
1. 07:15 AM - Wanted (gpjann1@netzero.com)
2. 03:06 PM - First Flight. (Paul Mulwitz)
3. 03:17 PM - Re: First Flight. (JEFFREY WEBB)
4. 03:46 PM - Re: First Flight. (Peter W Johnson)
5. 03:59 PM - Re: First Flight. (Peter W Johnson)
6. 04:28 PM - Re: First Flight. (Jerry)
7. 04:34 PM - Re: First Flight. (Bryan Martin)
8. 04:57 PM - Re: First Flight. (Paul Mulwitz)
9. 05:23 PM - Re: First Flight. (Ronald Steele)
10. 06:02 PM - Re: First Flight. (Paul Mulwitz)
11. 06:31 PM - Re: First Flight. (Carlos Sa)
12. 07:54 PM - Re: First Flight. (Paul Mulwitz)
13. 08:51 PM - Re: First Flight. (Ron Lendon)
14. 09:39 PM - Re: Re: First Flight. (Paul Mulwitz)
Message 1
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Does any one have a 601-HD wing kit for sale?
Greg
770-277-1637
____________________________________________________________
57 Year Old Mom Looks 27!
Mom Reveals $5 Wrinkle Trick That Has Angered Doctors!
http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL3241/4e1861c82d8722c003cst01vuc
Message 2
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I completed the first flight of my XL today. It went just fine, but
there were a number of small squawks to fix.
I wound up flying in the middle of the day and the sky was clear but the
air was unstable. I was not able to hold an attitude to do precise
measurements of airspeed or other parameters. Takeoff and landing went
just fine. I used 1/2 flaps for takeoff and full flaps for landing.
The nose was a little sticky on takeoff, so next time I think I will try
doing it with full flaps.
I think I had the tachometer setting on the Dynon EMS wrong. It
indicated I was doing 3800 RPM in a low cruise which just doesn't make
any sense. I had it set for 4 counts per revolution (the suggested
value in the Dynon book) and I think I will try 6 next time. I
controlled engine power by watching the cylinder head temperatures.
That left me at perhaps 1/2 power max for most of the flight.
I climbed to 5,000 feet and tried to do a couple of stalls - one with
and one without flaps. In both cases I was unable to get the nose to
drop, but the plane mushed and lost altitude much in the style of a
Piper. Indicated airspeeds in the mush was something around expected
values of 38 dirty and 45 clean. Again I couldn't maintain any airspeed
for long enough to be sure of the exact reading.
I also learned I need to install a trim tab on the rudder. I had to
hold left rudder for most of the flight to keep the ball centered. I
also need to darken the skin/panel above the instrument panel to improve
visibility when going toward the sun. The reflections made it hard to
see out front.
All in all it was a fine first flight. It will probably be a couple of
days before I am ready to try it again.
Paul
Camas, WA
XL in flight test - N773PM
Message 3
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| Subject: | Re: First Flight. |
Don't use any flaps for takeoff. Full flaps will only make the nose heavier for
takeoff.
& congratulations on the 1st flight...hope you have many more. I hope to be
there in about 2 years.
JW
________________________________
From: Paul Mulwitz <psm@att.net>
Sent: Sat, July 9, 2011 6:03:28 PM
Subject: Zenith601-List: First Flight.
I completed the first flight of my XL today. It went just fine, but there were
a number of small squawks to fix.
I wound up flying in the middle of the day and the sky was clear but the air was
unstable. I was not able to hold an attitude to do precise measurements of
airspeed or other parameters. Takeoff and landing went just fine. I used 1/2
flaps for takeoff and full flaps for landing. The nose was a little sticky on
takeoff, so next time I think I will try doing it with full flaps.
I think I had the tachometer setting on the Dynon EMS wrong. It indicated I was
doing 3800 RPM in a low cruise which just doesn't make any sense. I had it set
for 4 counts per revolution (the suggested value in the Dynon book) and I think
I will try 6 next time. I controlled engine power by watching the cylinder head
temperatures. That left me at perhaps 1/2 power max for most of the flight.
I climbed to 5,000 feet and tried to do a couple of stalls - one with and one
without flaps. In both cases I was unable to get the nose to drop, but the
plane mushed and lost altitude much in the style of a Piper. Indicated
airspeeds in the mush was something around expected values of 38 dirty and 45
clean. Again I couldn't maintain any airspeed for long enough to be sure of the
exact reading.
I also learned I need to install a trim tab on the rudder. I had to hold left
rudder for most of the flight to keep the ball centered. I also need to darken
the skin/panel above the instrument panel to improve visibility when going
toward the sun. The reflections made it hard to see out front.
All in all it was a fine first flight. It will probably be a couple of days
before I am ready to try it again.
Paul
Camas, WA
XL in flight test - N773PM
Message 4
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Paul,
I agree with Jeffery, I don't use flaps on take off. Full flaps on landing
makes for a nice approach and landing.
Well done on the first one.
Cheers
Peter
Wonthaggi Australia
http://zodiac.cpc-world.com
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-zenith601-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-zenith601-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Paul Mulwitz
Sent: Sunday, 10 July 2011 8:03 AM
Subject: Zenith601-List: First Flight.
I completed the first flight of my XL today. It went just fine, but
there were a number of small squawks to fix.
I wound up flying in the middle of the day and the sky was clear but the
air was unstable. I was not able to hold an attitude to do precise
measurements of airspeed or other parameters. Takeoff and landing went
just fine. I used 1/2 flaps for takeoff and full flaps for landing.
The nose was a little sticky on takeoff, so next time I think I will try
doing it with full flaps.
I think I had the tachometer setting on the Dynon EMS wrong. It
indicated I was doing 3800 RPM in a low cruise which just doesn't make
any sense. I had it set for 4 counts per revolution (the suggested
value in the Dynon book) and I think I will try 6 next time. I
controlled engine power by watching the cylinder head temperatures.
That left me at perhaps 1/2 power max for most of the flight.
I climbed to 5,000 feet and tried to do a couple of stalls - one with
and one without flaps. In both cases I was unable to get the nose to
drop, but the plane mushed and lost altitude much in the style of a
Piper. Indicated airspeeds in the mush was something around expected
values of 38 dirty and 45 clean. Again I couldn't maintain any airspeed
for long enough to be sure of the exact reading.
I also learned I need to install a trim tab on the rudder. I had to
hold left rudder for most of the flight to keep the ball centered. I
also need to darken the skin/panel above the instrument panel to improve
visibility when going toward the sun. The reflections made it hard to
see out front.
All in all it was a fine first flight. It will probably be a couple of
days before I am ready to try it again.
Paul
Camas, WA
XL in flight test - N773PM
Message 5
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Paul,
Regarding the rudder, if you find that rudder is needed for most of the
flight, you might find that the rudder cables need adjusting to keep the
aircraft straight when the nose wheel steering rod attachments are in the
vee of the nose gear bottom bearing.
I have found that the rudder is not used much in general flight.
Peter
Wonthaggi Australia
http://zodiac.cpc-world.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Peter W Johnson [mailto:vk3eka@bigpond.net.au]
Sent: Sunday, 10 July 2011 8:43 AM
Subject: RE: Zenith601-List: First Flight.
Paul,
I agree with Jeffery, I don't use flaps on take off. Full flaps on landing
makes for a nice approach and landing.
Well done on the first one.
Cheers
Peter
Wonthaggi Australia
http://zodiac.cpc-world.com
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-zenith601-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-zenith601-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Paul Mulwitz
Sent: Sunday, 10 July 2011 8:03 AM
Subject: Zenith601-List: First Flight.
I completed the first flight of my XL today. It went just fine, but
there were a number of small squawks to fix.
I wound up flying in the middle of the day and the sky was clear but the
air was unstable. I was not able to hold an attitude to do precise
measurements of airspeed or other parameters. Takeoff and landing went
just fine. I used 1/2 flaps for takeoff and full flaps for landing.
The nose was a little sticky on takeoff, so next time I think I will try
doing it with full flaps.
I think I had the tachometer setting on the Dynon EMS wrong. It
indicated I was doing 3800 RPM in a low cruise which just doesn't make
any sense. I had it set for 4 counts per revolution (the suggested
value in the Dynon book) and I think I will try 6 next time. I
controlled engine power by watching the cylinder head temperatures.
That left me at perhaps 1/2 power max for most of the flight.
I climbed to 5,000 feet and tried to do a couple of stalls - one with
and one without flaps. In both cases I was unable to get the nose to
drop, but the plane mushed and lost altitude much in the style of a
Piper. Indicated airspeeds in the mush was something around expected
values of 38 dirty and 45 clean. Again I couldn't maintain any airspeed
for long enough to be sure of the exact reading.
I also learned I need to install a trim tab on the rudder. I had to
hold left rudder for most of the flight to keep the ball centered. I
also need to darken the skin/panel above the instrument panel to improve
visibility when going toward the sun. The reflections made it hard to
see out front.
All in all it was a fine first flight. It will probably be a couple of
days before I am ready to try it again.
Paul
Camas, WA
XL in flight test - N773PM
Message 6
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| Subject: | Re: First Flight. |
Paul
Congratulations!!!!
Jerry
HDS 912 100 hrs
Message 7
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| Subject: | Re: First Flight. |
I usually take off with no flaps and just pull back on the stick at 60 MPH to rotate
and it flies off fine.
On Jul 9, 2011, at 6:03 PM, Paul Mulwitz wrote:
>
> I completed the first flight of my XL today. It went just fine, but there were
a number of small squawks to fix.
>
> I wound up flying in the middle of the day and the sky was clear but the air
was unstable. I was not able to hold an attitude to do precise measurements of
airspeed or other parameters. Takeoff and landing went just fine. I used 1/2
flaps for takeoff and full flaps for landing. The nose was a little sticky
on takeoff, so next time I think I will try doing it with full flaps.
--
Bryan Martin
N61BM, CH 601 XL,
RAM Subaru, Stratus re-drive.
do not archive.
Message 8
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| Subject: | Re: First Flight. |
Thanks to everyone for the nice comments.
Peter, your comment about the rudder cables seems like it makes sense.
I couldn't figure why a full flying rudder would need a trim tab.
Perhaps I will try tweaking the cables first instead.
I guess I need to try taking off with no flaps as well as full flaps.
After all this is test flying. The Jabiru is a large engine for this
plane and makes it so overpowered I don't think it will have any problem
climbing with full flaps.
Paul
On 7/9/2011 3:57 PM, Peter W Johnson wrote:
> --> Zenith601-List message posted by: "Peter W Johnson"<vk3eka@bigpond.net.au>
>
> Paul,
>
> Regarding the rudder, if you find that rudder is needed for most of the
> flight, you might find that the rudder cables need adjusting to keep the
> aircraft straight when the nose wheel steering rod attachments are in the
> vee of the nose gear bottom bearing.
>
> I have found that the rudder is not used much in general flight.
>
> Peter
> Wonthaggi Australia
> http://zodiac.cpc-world.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Peter W Johnson [mailto:vk3eka@bigpond.net.au]
> Sent: Sunday, 10 July 2011 8:43 AM
> To: 'zenith601-list@matronics.com'
> Subject: RE: Zenith601-List: First Flight.
>
> Paul,
>
> I agree with Jeffery, I don't use flaps on take off. Full flaps on landing
> makes for a nice approach and landing.
>
> Well done on the first one.
>
> Cheers
>
> Peter
> Wonthaggi Australia
> http://zodiac.cpc-world.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-zenith601-list-server@matronics.com
> [mailto:owner-zenith601-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Paul Mulwitz
> Sent: Sunday, 10 July 2011 8:03 AM
> To: zenith601-list@matronics.com
> Subject: Zenith601-List: First Flight.
>
> --> Zenith601-List message posted by: Paul Mulwitz<psm@att.net>
>
> I completed the first flight of my XL today. It went just fine, but
> there were a number of small squawks to fix.
>
> I wound up flying in the middle of the day and the sky was clear but the
> air was unstable. I was not able to hold an attitude to do precise
> measurements of airspeed or other parameters. Takeoff and landing went
> just fine. I used 1/2 flaps for takeoff and full flaps for landing.
> The nose was a little sticky on takeoff, so next time I think I will try
> doing it with full flaps.
>
> I think I had the tachometer setting on the Dynon EMS wrong. It
> indicated I was doing 3800 RPM in a low cruise which just doesn't make
> any sense. I had it set for 4 counts per revolution (the suggested
> value in the Dynon book) and I think I will try 6 next time. I
> controlled engine power by watching the cylinder head temperatures.
> That left me at perhaps 1/2 power max for most of the flight.
>
> I climbed to 5,000 feet and tried to do a couple of stalls - one with
> and one without flaps. In both cases I was unable to get the nose to
> drop, but the plane mushed and lost altitude much in the style of a
> Piper. Indicated airspeeds in the mush was something around expected
> values of 38 dirty and 45 clean. Again I couldn't maintain any airspeed
> for long enough to be sure of the exact reading.
>
> I also learned I need to install a trim tab on the rudder. I had to
> hold left rudder for most of the flight to keep the ball centered. I
> also need to darken the skin/panel above the instrument panel to improve
> visibility when going toward the sun. The reflections made it hard to
> see out front.
>
> All in all it was a fine first flight. It will probably be a couple of
> days before I am ready to try it again.
>
> Paul
> Camas, WA
> XL in flight test - N773PM
>
>
Message 9
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| Subject: | Re: First Flight. |
Paul, Congratulations!
I hope it was worth all the difficulties.
So how does it fly compared to the Echo? Do you think the Echo
prepared you for first flight?
Ron
Message 10
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| Subject: | Re: First Flight. |
Hi Ron,
Yes, it was worth all the difficulties. I flew a plane today that would
have never existed if not for my efforts over the last six years. That
makes it the longest project I have ever done. (Well, I've managed to
stay married to the same woman for 41 years . . .)
I can't really say how the Zodiac compares to the Echo. Today's flight
was not my best. The turbulence and my lack of familiarity with the
actual plane meant it was a pretty sloppy flight - at least by my
standards. In the large scheme of things I guess the two planes are
very similar. I'll try to do a detailed analysis of differences I noticed.
It took considerably more runway to get into the air than the Echo
takes, and still the nose jumped up rather than a nice smooth transition
from rolling down the runway to a nice climb profile. Takeoff (with
flaps) in the Echo is a matter of smoothly adding power and rotating as
soon as the power is in. With just one person it lifts off in around
300 feet of ground roll. I would estimate the runway needed today to be
closer to 600 feet in the same configuration and with a lot more
horsepower available.
One noticeable difference is the position of the main gear. The Echo
has the main gear located nearer to the CG than the Zodiac does. On
landing it is very easy to keep the Echo's nose gear in the air until
almost stopped. Holding the nose up after landing the Zodiac was a lot
harder. I managed to do it for a few yards (maybe 20 or so) but the
nose really wants to come down. I think this has a lot to do with the
low wing vs. high wing configuration. If the main gear were in the same
relative place on the Zodiac then stepping on the step to climb up on
the wing would cause the tail to hit the ground. I've seen some designs
that deal with this problem by putting the step in front of the wing
instead of behind it.
I think the Zodiac has a higher climb rate. This is only a guess since
the incorrect tachometer kept me from using full throttle and having
consistent power. A Jabiru powered Zodiac should climb a lot faster
than a Rotax powered Echo. There is 30 percent more power available to
convert to climb rate.
Visibility of the surrounding area is much better in the Zodiac. The
bubble canopy means everything above the horizon is easy to see and only
the wings and nose interfere with the view downward. In the Echo you
sit with your head at the same level as the wing roots. That means you
can't see much of anything to the side because the wings are in the
way. You really need to roll right to look for traffic before making a
left turn in the Echo. This is not an issue in the Zodiac.
I found it difficult to hold the Zodiac in the exact attitude I wanted.
This is just probably a "Training" issue. I also had difficulty doing
turns at the bank angle I wanted. I tended to roll too steeply into the
turn.
Oh . . . and the Jabiru sounds so much better than the Rotax engine. It
starts smoothly while the whole world shakes and rattles when starting a
Rotax. After you get it going, the Rotax seems to have a significant
ancestry in the sewing machine community while the Jabiru sounds just
great. Of course, this is just my opinion and I am certainly biased.
I suspect I will be able to do a much better comparison after I have
logged a few more hours in the Zodiac - especially if I get a nice calm
day to fly.
Paul
On 7/9/2011 5:20 PM, Ronald Steele wrote:
>
> Paul, Congratulations!
>
> I hope it was worth all the difficulties.
>
> So how does it fly compared to the Echo? Do you think the Echo
> prepared you for first flight?
>
> Ron
Message 11
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| Subject: | Re: First Flight. |
Paul, congratulations on your achievement.
How did the Jabiru behave in the temperature department?
Carlos
On 9 July 2011 18:03, Paul Mulwitz <psm@att.net> wrote:
>
> I completed the first flight of my XL today. It went just fine, but there
> were a number of small squawks to fix.
>
Message 12
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| Subject: | Re: First Flight. |
Hi Carlos,
Thanks for the kind words.
The Jab seemed to cool pretty well. I don't know how much power I was
generating, but each time the engine showed cylinders getting too hot
(over 350 F) I reduced power. I understand it will not generate as much
heat as the engine gets more broken in.
Paul
On 7/9/2011 6:28 PM, Carlos Sa wrote:
> Paul, congratulations on your achievement.
>
> How did the Jabiru behave in the temperature department?
>
>
> Carlos
Message 13
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| Subject: | Re: First Flight. |
Congratulations Paul,
I know it has been a long and tiring process getting this airplane airworthy for
you and I have much respect for the way you have gone through these details.
Fly Safe,
--------
Ron Lendon, Detroit, MI
WW Corvair with Roy's Garage 5th bearing
Zodiac XL, ScrapBuilder ;-)
http://www.mykitlog.com/rlendon
Corvair Engine Prints:
http://www.zenith.aero/profile/RonLendon
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=345704#345704
Message 14
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| Subject: | Re: First Flight. |
Thanks, Ron.
Yes it has been a long path - one with treacherous curves. I'm afraid I
made a lot of enemies along the way. Perhaps now some of them realize I
wasn't just out to make their lives miserable.
Hopefully we can all be happy Zodiac owners and fliers now.
Paul
On 7/9/2011 8:48 PM, Ron Lendon wrote:
> --> Zenith601-List message posted by: "Ron Lendon"<ron.lendon@gmail.com>
>
> Congratulations Paul,
>
> I know it has been a long and tiring process getting this airplane airworthy
for you and I have much respect for the way you have gone through these details.
>
> Fly Safe,
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