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Bob McDonald's Discussions

Looking For CH750 Builders Near Cold Lake, Alberta

Started this discussion. Last reply by Bob McDonald May 31, 2012. 2 Replies

Rotax 912 Fuel Pump - Safety Alert

Started this discussion. Last reply by Bob McDonald May 22, 2010. 3 Replies

 

Bob McDonald's Page

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Ralph Gregus Fly's C-IKIM

Ralph Gregus travelled from Lansing, Michigan, USA to Ontario, Canada to get some training on type Zenith CH750. This is part of his preparations prior to the 1st test flight of his own CH750. Both CH750's have the ROTAX 912S engines and Dynon D180…
Monday
Bob McDonald posted photos
Monday
Bob McDonald posted photos
May 15
Bob McDonald posted photos
May 15

Profile Information

Aircraft Model
STOL CH 750, ZODIAC CH 601
Project Status
Flying
Building From
Kit
Building Experience
Have worked on airplanes before
Flying Experience
Private Pilot
Building and Flying Info / Your Profession / Other Background Info
Co-pilot / Camera Operator Capital Air Surveys, Chemical Operator Bruce Heavy Water Plant,
Electrical Power System Operator Ontario Hydro,
Hydro-Electric Operating Technician Ontario Power Generation... getting ready to retire.
Private Pilot since 1975, used to own 1963 C172, flying a 2000 Challenger AULA, also a 1/2 ownership Rotax 912 CH601HD that is flying.
Ordered a CH750 from Can-Zac. Start building December 2009. Built as AULA with Rotax 912S engine. CH750 finished March 2010.

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Bob McDonald's Blog

How difficult Are Zenith Floats To Build?

Posted on June 23, 2011 at 3:46pm 3 Comments

Since posting pictures on this site I have had lots of requests for information, and pictures of my 1450 Amphib. float build.

Zenair has an instructional web page set up just for this purpose.http://http://zenairfloatassembly.com/1450A/ . It is sort of hidden away unless you are looking for it. Go to this page and look over the instructions for both the "parts kit" and "pre-drilled kit". You will notice the…

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Hand Pump Floats or Electric Pump

Posted on May 13, 2011 at 4:41pm 8 Comments

When you order Zenith amphibian floats you have to chose between operating your retractable wheels either by a hand pump or electric pump. Zenith does not price either pump differently...but if you want a hand pump to back up the electric version its an additional $1000. The hand pump must be mounted between the pilots legs so it can be operated by the pilot. The electric pump can be mounted in the rear and operated with a single switch. Both pumps weigh the same. Do any of the builders have… Continue

Leaking CH701 / CH750 / CH801 tires

Posted on May 5, 2011 at 4:13pm 10 Comments

I think most builders have at least one slow leak tire on their aircraft. On mine its the nose gear tire, it leaks down over a couple weeks while the mains have never leaked. I was thinking about putting tubes in the tires, but that adds extra cost and weight (I assume that is why tubes are not included in the kit?). A fellow builder Bob Stuart (CH701 plans only) suggested removing the valve stem and injecting (syringe) 5 - 10 cc of anti-freeze then installing the stem and inflating the…

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Rotax 912 Honeywell Oil Pressure Sender

Posted on April 13, 2011 at 7:43am 8 Comments

My CH750 is powered by the Rotax 912S engine. To date I have 90 trouble free hours on the engine with no adjustments required other than tightening a radiator hose clamp. While flying the other day the engine oil pressure started to fluctuate and go full scale both directions on the D180. This really gets your attention! I selected a field for a forced landing, but after flying the approach with Rotax humming along happily (all oil temps & cylinder temps normal) I reasoned I was risking…

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What Ever Happened To The Zodiac Gemini CH620?

Posted on November 18, 2010 at 9:30pm 8 Comments

A question for all the Zenith builder & fans out there..."What ever became of the Zodiac Gemini CH620?"

I have the factory information about the aircraft it. I stumbled across the literature while going through a stack of aircraft sales pitches I collected over the years. For those of you who have never heard of this aircraft it looked like a it was a version of the CH601HDS series, with retractable tri-gear and twin Rotax 912 80 hp engines on a low wing. It was a two seat…

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Comment Wall (120 comments)

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At 12:18pm on May 21, 2013, Normand Lambert said…

Hi Bob,

Been sometime since you posted...Glad to see you're doing fine !

Yep, that was really something else...I never landed while some other aircraft was doing the same ...So coming out of base and seeing the glider was a neat surprise ! We did it side by side and I kept an eye on these guys until...I realized they were landing FASTER than the 701 !!!

I was really laighing this one by myself while taking off again (touch and go!).

The REAL joy was to see it caught on video by my better half !

That 's one of my neatest flying moment so far...

Regards,

Norm

 

At 2:03pm on May 14, 2013, jim miller said…

thanks bob it has been an awsome exprience and i loved every minuit

At 11:16am on April 17, 2013, Normand Lambert said…

Hi Bob,

Just a couple of things quickliy...

1) what happened with your float installation ? I'm just curious to what you could do about MD-RA and paperwork there. Is there a possible solution where you could fly them ?

2) I have somebody around here that would like to build straight 1450 Zenair floats from a pre-drilled kit, He's looking for advice, tips, general questions about quality of components and ease fabrication, if I gave you his em,amail address, would you be willing to help ? He has a Pegazair, lyco 235 115 hp, warp drive tripale 72" GW 1450...

Regards,

Norm ...Still waiting for my tubeless kits from Matco...

At 11:07pm on April 9, 2013, Timothy Stephens Minor said…

Thanks Bob. And thanks for all the help.

At 9:27am on April 8, 2013, Normand Lambert said…

Hi Bob,

No problem...For the tires, I bought the whole landing gear from Zenair a long time ago. It came with the tubes and the rims are 2 pieces screwed together... Should I or Can I get away with using the tubes ???

For that purpose, I would have to get a valvefor my rims. Where can I get those valves ?

Also, the rims are 2 pieces bolted together, wouldn't they leak air and that's why they use tubes inside ???

Wainting on your answer to order or not new tubes .....

Regards,

Norm

 

Ps Once again, someone told me that my engine sounded nice and that the plane seemed to have plenty enough power on takeoff...Nice to know ! 

At 6:56pm on April 4, 2013, Jerry Latimer said…

Bob,

I finally made it to the airport.  You had asked me about the setup that I used to do the video that I recently posted.  Here are a couple of photos.  Basically, I'm using a GOPRO camera with a suction cup camera mount (Delkin Devices Fat Gecko).  By using the suction mount I don't have to drill holes in the plane and I can mount it where ever I want.  So far it has fallen from the plane.  A friend of mine uses the same setup to take videos of him doing aerobatics and so far hasn't lost his.

Jerry Latimer

At 8:15am on March 27, 2013, KENNETH DRUMHELLER said…

Bob:

I am currently preparing my CH750 for paint and would like to know the company you used to purchase the stripes for your 750.  I cannot find any suitable strips at any or the suppliers I have checked.  No rush,  I live in Pa and have to wait for warmer weather before I can start painting (spray booth is unheated).  Thank you

 

Ken Drumheller 

At 10:13am on March 5, 2013, Julio Marques Vieira said…

Very beatiful your plane!!! very nice paint!!!

At 8:42am on February 25, 2013, Normand Lambert said…

Hi Bob,

Welcome back from your trip down south !

I got your plans for the wheel-skis but need to get some soldering lessons before I can make those. Too bad they're not for sale anywhere...Also, they're made of round stock which is difficult to put together. For me, I would rather use square stock whenever possible...easier to work with...

Maybe next year project ...

Regards,

Norm

At 8:25pm on February 20, 2013, D Dixon said…
thanks Bob I appreciate the info....
already 3/4 of the way done with kit! going fast...
Dennis Dixon
 
 
 

New from Zenith:

Custom Instrument Panels
for your Zenith
:

Custom instrument panelsare now available directly from Zenith Aircraft Company exclusively for Zenith builders and owners. Pre-cut panel, power distribution panel, Approach Fast Stack harnesses, Dynon and Garmin avionics, and more.


Zenith T-shirts and Hats:


Zenair Floats


Flying On Your Own Wings:
A Complete Guide to Understanding Light Airplane Design, by Chris Heintz.


The official Zenith Aircraft DVD has been updated with new footage and features, and now includes the STOL CH 750 and the ZODIAC CH 650.

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