Today's Message Index:
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1. 10:50 AM - Re: 640 Builders Check-In ()
2. 11:22 AM - Re: Re: 640 Builders Check-In (Craig Smith)
3. 12:03 PM - Re: Re: 640 Builders Check-In (Doug Geese)
Message 1
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Subject: | Re: 640 Builders Check-In |
I feel compelled to defend both the CH640 and Zenair on this thread.
As far as support from Zenair, I have had nothing but positive experiences. Tim
Ward seems to be the guy in charge when it comes to questions, parts, etc and
is a great guy to talk to. When I was building my ailerons, I had one come
out twisted. I called to inquire about a replacement skin and since I was ordering
my fuse kit anyway, a replacement was included in the crate at NO charge.
They inadvertently sent two left hand longerons and no right hand. This was
quickly solved. I built my own engine mount since my engine is not a dynofocal
mount. I called to ask detailed questions concerning distance and angles
of engine placement and spoke to Chris himself. I can think of many more situations
like these so again, support couldn't have been better.
This airplane is directed towards a niche market, and except for the article in
Sport Aviation hasn't been advertised to any extent. I think the design speaks
for itself. Where else are you going to get a 180HP, 4 place, 145mpg, 1000#
useful load plane for under $50k?
It is truly a family traveller. Granted the back seat isn't as big as say an RV-10
but neither is the cost (not even in the same ballpark). In my case, the
back seat is more than roomy enough for my two kids to travel in comfort. When
the kids are grown and gone, the back seat will be great as baggage area to
take extended trips with my wife.
As I'm putting the finishing touches on mine in preparation for the first flight
(hopefully this fall), I'm amazed at what a solid, full featured plane this
has become. This won't be my everyday flier, but when the GPS says 1000 miles
to go, I wouldn't want to be in anything else. If anyone is ever in the northern
Indiana area, feel free to stop by our community airport and check mine out.
Doug Geese
CH640
95% done, 25% remaining
www.tropria.com
Message 2
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Subject: | Re: 640 Builders Check-In |
Doug, I'm happy that you had a positive experience. Why you feel a need to defend
anyone is not necessary. Steve and I have just stated our experiences, nothing
more. We both said we liked the aircraft. It's pretty clear that you are one
of the early adopters, and perhaps early in the program there was more enthusiasm
from the manufcturer. Such is not the case currently. The 640 has been
allowed to founder, plain and simple. They didn't even have one to show at Sun-N-Fun,
nor was there any promotional literature.
I have had very mixed results from the company and it's representatives. Some
e-mails drift off into oblivion, some get answered. Sometimes I have to make
a follow up phone call. But after perserverance on my part I have gotten some
answers for critical issues, such as my double fuel mod. Indeed Tim is the best
point contact for support, but sometimes things must get shifted around on his
desk, as I have had to follow up on a few things.
I agree with you that the features for price are unbeatable, that is why I chose
this model.
I too will be building my own engine mount, for a Rotamax 180. As Chris is retired
from the business, I'm hopeful it won't a problem when I'm crossing that
bridge.
Again, I have great admiration for the design, designer, and quality of materials
so far. But for us new builders, it seems the focus of the company is elsewhere.
It's exciting to hear that you are near completion. Please keep us apprised of
your progress, and I would love the oppurtunity to come to see your 640.
As a veteran builder, what were your "gotcha's" in building the 640, or what
advise would you have for those with projects still in infancy?
Craig in Michigan
dgeese@verizon.net wrote:
I feel compelled to defend both the CH640 and Zenair on this thread.
As far as support from Zenair, I have had nothing but positive experiences. Tim
Ward seems to be the guy in charge when it comes to questions, parts, etc and
is a great guy to talk to. ........ I built my own engine mount since my engine
is not a dynofocal mount. I called to ask detailed questions concerning distance
and angles of engine placement and spoke to Chris himself. I can think of
many more situations like these so again, support couldn't have been better.
This airplane is directed towards a niche market, and except for the article in
Sport Aviation hasn't been advertised to any extent. I think the design speaks
for itself. Where else are you going to get a 180HP, 4 place, 145mpg, 1000#
useful load plane for under $50k?
.....................
As I'm putting the finishing touches on mine in preparation for the first flight
(hopefully this fall), I'm amazed at what a solid, full featured plane this
has become. This won't be my everyday flier, but when the GPS says 1000 miles
to go, I wouldn't want to be in anything else. If anyone is ever in the northern
Indiana area, feel free to stop by our community airport and check mine out.
Doug Geese
CH640
95% done, 25% remaining
www.tropria.com
Message 3
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Subject: | Re: 640 Builders Check-In |
I don't remember any major difficulties in building the airframe, but of
course I've been working on it since spring of 2002 and I'm sure I
forgotten little things in that amount of time. I do remember the fuel
tanks being a little tight in the wing bays and so I used 1/16" cork
instead of the kit supplied 1/8". I built the entire airframe from
Zenair supplied slow build kits and went on my own for the instrument
panel and firewall forward (except for cowling). It seems that lately I
have spent a lot of time working between the back of the firewall and
the rear of the engine. Since I'm an "instant gratification" type
person, this has been tedious. Nothing looks different from day to day.
The canopy was riveted in last Sunday so things can start to happen at a
quicker pace now.
I guess that I would simply suggest to just stick to the plans while
building. I also follow the 601 list on Matronics and see a lot of
armchair engineers over there changing all sorts of stuff. Good, bad,
who knows? Now that we have our own list as I come up with thoughts
about the construction I'll post them here.
Doug
________________________________
From: owner-zenith640-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-zenith640-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Craig
Smith
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2008 2:23 PM
Subject: Re: Zenith640-List: Re: 640 Builders Check-In
Doug, I'm happy that you had a positive experience. Why you feel a need
to defend anyone is not necessary. Steve and I have just stated our
experiences, nothing more. We both said we liked the aircraft. It's
pretty clear that you are one of the early adopters, and perhaps early
in the program there was more enthusiasm from the manufcturer. Such is
not the case currently. The 640 has been allowed to founder, plain and
simple. They didn't even have one to show at Sun-N-Fun, nor was there
any promotional literature.
I have had very mixed results from the company and it's representatives.
Some e-mails drift off into oblivion, some get answered. Sometimes I
have to make a follow up phone call. But after perserverance on my part
I have gotten some answers for critical issues, such as my double fuel
mod. Indeed Tim is the best point contact for support, but sometimes
things must get shifted around on his desk, as I have had to follow up
on a few things.
I agree with you that the features for price are unbeatable, that is why
I chose this model.
I too will be building my own engine mount, for a Rotamax 180. As Chris
is retired from the business, I'm hopeful it won't a problem when I'm
crossing that bridge.
Again, I have great admiration for the design, designer, and quality of
materials so far. But for us new builders, it seems the focus of the
company is elsewhere.
It's exciting to hear that you are near completion. Please keep us
apprised of your progress, and I would love the oppurtunity to come to
see your 640.
As a veteran builder, what were your "gotcha's" in building the 640, or
what advise would you have for those with projects still in infancy?
Craig in Michigan
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