---------------------------------------------------------- Zenith601-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Tue 04/02/13: 3 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 01:53 PM - Re: Zenith thrown out of plane (Shayne & Phyllis) 2. 08:26 PM - New to aircraft, flying tips needed. 601XL-B (SIDESLIP) 3. 09:29 PM - Re: New to aircraft, flying tips needed. 601XL-B (Barry Benson) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 01:53:31 PM PST US From: "Shayne & Phyllis" Subject: Re: Zenith601-List: Zenith thrown out of plane As an Owner/Builder of of a Zenith 650XL and a 601XL, from experience on early flights of both airplanes, you cannot count solely on the canopy locking mechanism to keep the canopy from opening in flight. Luckily, we were in the airport traffic pattern when the canopy decided to come unlatched and we were able to land without incident. The lesson learned was that both of our planes are now equipped with tether straps and an additional locking clip to prevent the canopy from opening more than about 1". The tether also provides a means to reach up and close the canopy without having to loosen your seat belt. My wife is unable to even reach the canopy once she is belted in her seat. The incident in TN with the occupant being thrown out of the plane is obviously a result of poor choices by the student and instructor. It is unfortunate that this incident will reflect poorly on the Zenith airplanes. I you are interested in seeing pictures of my tethers and latches for the 601 and/or 650, send me an e-mail. ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 08:26:55 PM PST US Subject: Zenith601-List: New to aircraft, flying tips needed. 601XL-B From: "SIDESLIP" Hello all, I'm sure some of you recognize my name, as I've been on this forum since sept 2012. I recently purchased a very nice 601XL-B. I've flown one of these right seat with a Jabiru several months ago and was startled at its pitch sensitivity. It took me about 40 mins before I could hold an altitude that didn't vary +300', -300'. Being right seat didn't help matters either. Anyways, the builder is a busy busy man and is quite a ways away, so he won't be able to offer me instruction on this airplane. I have two EXTREMELY high time flight instructors that are going to get me my 5 hours training insurance is asking for. One of the pilots has in excess of 17,000 hours single engine piston aircraft. Although neither of the two pilots have flown an XL before, this is what is making me a tad anxious. Personally I have over 120 hours in Cessna 152, 172, Cherokee 180's and a bunch of ultralights. I've flown 912 Rotaxes in the past, so I am familiar with the engine, just not in one of these planes. For the first flight with my instructor, is there anything specific I need to make him aware of? I've got 2 hours on an XL-B, just with the Jabiru, and it was right seat. So, I know they're pitch sensitive, but how are they in the circuit? Any tips that someone could offer would be SUPER greatly appreciated! I really want to get this plane in the air and work off my 5 hours dual. Then I'll be able to go practice local north until my brain bleeds. My Plane is a 145 total hour airplane with a 912ULS. The airplane is in good shape, and all looks good mechanically. I actually think that I could fly it solo with little effort, but not a smart decision on my part. Dual instruction for me is better, although even though the instructors are so highly experienced, I'm still very much anxious. Ps. Does anyone know of any experienced flight instructors on type in the Oshawa area? Thanks guys! Chad -------- C-GYXQ. 912ULS. 601XL-B Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=397711#397711 Attachments: http://forums.matronics.com//files/image_113.jpg ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 09:29:57 PM PST US Subject: Re: Zenith601-List: New to aircraft, flying tips needed. 601XL-B From: Barry Benson I have a 601XLB SLSA powered by a Continental 0-200. I use the following numbers: advance throttle slowly for takeoff rotation- 60 kts., climb out- 70 kts. pattern - 70 kts. base leg- 70 kts. to 65 kts. final- 65 kts. and 60 kts. over the runway numbers I use half flaps toward end of downwind, 3/4 flaps base leg, and add full flaps on final. Use light pressure for rotation and all banks. Keep ball centered. Make sure trim is set correctly, especially for final approach. Use neutral trim for takeoff. My plane is very stable and I did not experience the plus/minus 300 feet you write about. Good luck., Barry *** P.S.,You may want to view Paul Hamilton's free video on You Tube; he goes through the whole process as expertly as I have seen done for a Zodiac 601XLB. Go to You Tube, type in Paul Hamilton, and find the video for "checklist, takeoff. . . light sport airplane." Also it's better to use a flight instructor with light sport experience. I have heard of non-sport pilot instructors who have had difficulty with light sport aircraft because they lacked experience with how light sport aircraft handle. Do not try to learn to fly this plane on your own: for one, you may not have insurance coverage if you do. On Tue, Apr 2, 2013 at 11:26 PM, SIDESLIP wrote: > > Hello all, I'm sure some of you recognize my name, as I've been on this > forum since sept 2012. I recently purchased a very nice 601XL-B. I've flown > one of these right seat with a Jabiru several months ago and was startled > at its pitch sensitivity. It took me about 40 mins before I could hold an > altitude that didn't vary +300', -300'. Being right seat didn't help > matters either. Anyways, the builder is a busy busy man and is quite a ways > away, so he won't be able to offer me instruction on this airplane. I have > two EXTREMELY high time flight instructors that are going to get me my 5 > hours training insurance is asking for. One of the pilots has in excess of > 17,000 hours single engine piston aircraft. Although neither of the two > pilots have flown an XL before, this is what is making me a tad anxious. > Personally I have over 120 hours in Cessna 152, 172, Cherokee 180's and a > bunch of ultralights. I've flown 912 Rotaxes in the past, so I am familiar > with the engine, just not in on! > e of these planes. For the first flight with my instructor, is there > anything specific I need to make him aware of? I've got 2 hours on an XL-B, > just with the Jabiru, and it was right seat. So, I know they're pitch > sensitive, but how are they in the circuit? Any tips that someone could > offer would be SUPER greatly appreciated! I really want to get this plane > in the air and work off my 5 hours dual. Then I'll be able to go practice > local north until my brain bleeds. > > My Plane is a 145 total hour airplane with a 912ULS. The airplane is in > good shape, and all looks good mechanically. I actually think that I could > fly it solo with little effort, but not a smart decision on my part. Dual > instruction for me is better, although even though the instructors are so > highly experienced, I'm still very much anxious. > > Ps. Does anyone know of any experienced flight instructors on type in the > Oshawa area? > > Thanks guys! > > Chad > > -------- > C-GYXQ. 912ULS. 601XL-B > > > Read this topic online here: > > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=397711#397711 > > > Attachments: > > http://forums.matronics.com//files/image_113.jpg > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message zenith601-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Zenith601-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/zenith601-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/zenith601-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.