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Brad DeMeo's Discussions
Post 601XL/650 Upgrade Requirements
Replied Nov. 19, 2009
Q&A - Safety Alert and SAIB - Zodiac XL / CH 650
Replied Nov. 18, 2009
Q&A - Safety Alert and SAIB - Zodiac XL / CH 650
Replied Nov. 17, 2009
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Precision Airplane Scale - New Weight and Balance for N601BD
I did my original weight and balance in August 2008. After that my Zodiac XL was painted, I added sound proofing, and I recently replaced a 25 lbs. battery with a 13 lbs. battery. So a new W&B was needed and, today, I drai… Continue
Posted on September 7, 2009 at 11:49pm — 5 Comments
I Lost 12 lbs. and I Feel Great!
I fly a CH601XL with a Jabiru 3300 in front.
I was having problems with my 25.5 lbs. battery going dead too frequently, so I switched it out for a 13.5 lbs. Odyssey 680 last weekend.
WOW! what a difference 12 lbs. makes forward of the firewall. I immediately noticed a difference on take off. Less trim was needed for the plane to fly off the ground. It just felt lighter on climb out.
I can now set and trim for straight and level flight at 2… Continue
Posted on September 1, 2009 at 10:38pm — 6 Comments
N601BD Performance Statistics
Range: 518 Statute Miles
Endurance: 4.3 hours
Rate of Climb: 1000ft/min.
Fuel Consumption: 8.5 gph full throttle on climb out - 8 gph full throttle in cruise and 5.2 gph/@ 2650 rpm cruise
How does this compare with all y'all's experience so far?
Posted on August 30, 2009 at 12:36pm — 7 Comments
Shakespeare and the Zodiac XL
At 17:53z this captain and the Admiral (Wife Rosalie) departed Santa Rosa for Ashland, Oregon. In no time we were there at 19:28z. We set cruise at 2650 RPM's and sipped 4.8gph at 5500 feet msl. We averaged 93 KIAS and about 19.5mpg. Total fuel used was 13.5 gal. to go 230nm/264smiles (I like spelling "statue miles" "smiles" because that's what we get along the way). The air was smooth the enitre 264 smiles route. We took some pix of Mt. Shasta and Castle Crags… Continue
Posted on June 27, 2009 at 5:34pm — 6 Comments
First Passenger in "Little Yellow Bird"
With the NTSB issue it was a big decision to take a passenger with less than 50 hours on my plane. She has been thoroughly informed over that last few months of all that has transpired with the issue and still wanted to fly.
I have an ELSA. I was given only 5 hours for the Phase I testing. I extended it informally to 15 hours to allow for… Continue
Posted on May 21, 2009 at 11:16am — 3 Comments
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I will soon have to convince myself to just duck down behind the log out of the field of fire like the vast majority of XL builder/flyers who are not interested in the upgrade mods. If I continue to speak out, I will become a target and who needs that?
Ed
If I had a chance to take a good look at your plane, your logbook, and do a thorough preflight, I would probably be willing to fly with you without the mods. I'm a little bit sceptical about the flight through the mountains scenario but I would feel the same in a Cherokee or a 152. Before venturing into more complex decision-making territory, I would like to fly with you a few hours in a less potentially hazardous environment.
See? It's that "design coupled with operational issues" thing... no doubt about it. Also notice that it doesn't relate to changing the design of the plane?
Ed