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Doug Norman's Page

Latest Activity

Quick question: If i were to put my Zodiac back on a flight line for rentals in the St. Pete, FL area, how many here would come and use it?
May 13
A blog post by Doug Norman was featured
March 18
Doug Norman might attend Mark Townsend's event
Sun'n Fun BBQ at Foxtrot Lane
April 15, 2010 from 6pm to 8pm
Welcome to the Sun'N'Fun Annual BBQ , Held once again in the campgrounds on Foxtrot Lane. This is an evening gathering of Builders , Flyers and interested people. RSVP please so we know what to have for food.
March 18
Doug Norman added a blog post
Did anyone weigh their wings when they were off the airplane? What did you find?
March 10
Doug Norman added a blog post
Below is a link to the EAA article just published. http://www.eaa.org/news/2010/2010-02-25_zodiac.asp Excerpts: "The manufacturer successfully tested the modified wing structure to loads higher than determined in their revised analysis and the wi…
February 25
just received this from Roger Lambert: "...for examination and upgrade. There was no evidence of damage or fatigue at 225 hours."
February 25
Did I mention that, upon disassembly for the mods, there were no indicators of damage or fatigue of any sort for an airplane with >400 hrs?
February 24
Doug Norman added a blog post
Attached is the authorization letter which other AMD SLSA owners can use to install landing/taxi lights other than GE4509s legally. AMD Authorization for Replacement Bulbs.pdf
February 24

Profile Information

Aircraft Model
ZODIAC XL
Project Status
Flying
Building From
Purchased finished aircraft
Building Experience
No Experience
Flying Experience
Commercial / CFI
Profession / Employer / Background Info
Director of Engineering / The MITRE Corporation (http://www.mitre.org)

Doug Norman's Photos

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Doug Norman's Blog

Doug Norman

Independent Analysis and Interpretation of the Sept '09 Load Test




… Continue

Posted on March 17, 2010 at 1:30pm — 14 Comments

Doug Norman

Anybody weigh their wings?

Did anyone weigh their wings when they were off the airplane?

What did you find?

Posted on March 10, 2010 at 12:47pm — 2 Comments

Doug Norman

EAA News Article: A Closer Look ...FAA’s Zodiac 601/650 Aircraft Report

Below is a link to the EAA article just published.



http://www.eaa.org/news/2010/2010-02-25_zodiac.asp



Excerpts:



"The manufacturer successfully tested the modified wing structure to loads higher than determined in their revised analysis and the wing structure did not fail at the ultimate test loads.


Despite disagreeing with the FAA on several issues deemed "signific

… Continue

Posted on February 25, 2010 at 7:13pm — 6 Comments

Doug Norman

AMD Authorization for other than GE4509 landing/taxi lights

Attached is the authorization letter which other AMD SLSA owners can use to install landing/taxi lights other than GE4509s legally.



AMD Authorization for Replacement Bulbs.pdf


Posted on February 24, 2010 at 9:39am — 4 Comments

Doug Norman

So, how does a modified Zodiac Fly?

A quick note to answer a set of questions i've been asked quite a few times.

Background: I own a 2007 AMD Zodiac which has just been returned from AMD having had the modifications performed. I've flown it down and back to the Sebring Expo from Clearwater, FL.

An untrained-eye won't see any differences (you can see pictures i loaded if you wish).

So... how does it fly?

I can't really tell any differences (if any). If there are a bit of differences (which i'm unable to detect), i'm not sure it… Continue

Posted on January 25, 2010 at 10:08am — 9 Comments

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At 10:19pm on July 21, 2010, Jon L Bateman said…
hello Doug
Yes I am talking about the rubber trim that goes on the front and back. The reason I am asking is that I know that Todd's canopy is heavier so I am thinking it is thicker. I guess when you get to the nuts and bolts of it all I am trying to lessen all of the shipping and handling charges. I do have a order going in to AS and found a trim with a .125 gap . that might perform better than what Zenith offers.
At 3:49pm on July 20, 2010, Jon L Bateman said…
Doug
I see that you have a Todds canopy. Did you use the factory seal or find a better seal?
Thanks
Jon
At 7:09pm on July 11, 2010, brad cohen said…
Hey Doug,
I finally got my wings to Russell @ flightcrafters. I'm about 3/4 the way through the port wing and making stready progress. both will be done by the end of the month. So now I really am getting close, the basic airframe will be assembled (minus engine and avionics)I'm also thinking about renting hanger space up at ZPH instead of CLW. prices are better and a much bigger runway for flying off hours 0-40
I know your post about rental is somewhat dated by now, but for what it's worth, I would be interested as well.
And I PROMISE not to break your canopy this time!
Brad
At 2:14pm on June 4, 2010, Jerold Ebke said…
Doug,
Do not think my message went thru.
I was looking for info on weekend, thus my question.
Talked to Robby at Grove on Tuesday and he told me how to install and under no circumstances to notch the gear at all. Glad I called him.
Thanks for your offer of help.
Maybe another question another time.
Jerry
At 10:10pm on May 29, 2010, Jerold Ebke said…
Doug,
I am always asking questions and relying on the kindness of others to guide me along. A question again about the Grove gear setup on your Zodiac.
I purcased lower gear mount brackets from Zenair in Canada to mount the Grove gear on my 650. These were said to be same brackets supplied to AMD. They have a flat bulkhead or flange for lack of a better term which bumps up against 1 side of the gear and then the opposite side of the gear needs to be fit to the large down bolt on the upper gear attatch bracket by machining an arc in the gear to match the bolt position.
My plans call for a 3.5 mm depth to this arc on both sides of the factory gear to fit between the bolts on the top gear attatch bracket.
Here is the question. Since the Grove gear is narrower front to back, can you tell on your gear if the depth of the arc into the gear is still 3.5 mm, or since we can only notch 1 side of the gear, did AMD deepen this notch to help with lateral stability? I assume that is the purpose of the notches, to keep the gear from sliding side to side under lateral loading.
As I have said before, I appreciate people like you who obviously have both knowledge and experience and are willing to help others like myself. I have only the knowledge and experience I have gained while building this my first kit, and it's indivduals like you who expand my aviation world. Thank you in advance for your time
Jerry
At 8:13pm on May 16, 2010, Jerold Ebke said…
Doug, Short answer is I would be interested some day. Need to finish my 650 and that would be several years in all likelyhood. Then take pilot instruction and then seek some time in 650. Sounds like a great chance for Sharon and I to see Florida as well.
Jerry
At 9:56am on March 18, 2010, Bob Simmons said…
Doug, to answer your question, no, I was never stationed at Wright-Patt. I retired at Offutt in 98. But my wife was still active duty at the time and got assigned to W-P, which is how I ended up in Ohio. She retired in 05, and we're planning to move to Tennessee in the next two or three years.
At 7:09pm on March 8, 2010, Jerold Ebke said…
Doug Thanks for your reply. I look forward to the pic and your help. E-mail is jsebke@yahoo.com if you need to send, which I assume thats what you meant. Jerry
At 2:02pm on March 7, 2010, Jerold Ebke said…
I am building a 650.Am nearing riveting front/rear fuselages together. I have enjoyed your toughtful contributions.I purchased Grove gear which I believe your AMD has. Mine has openings on top for brake lines and was sold that by Grove because they said that's how AMD purchases.Would you be willing to help explain howAMD runs lines under seat components to gear? I considered thru center spar , outward under seat pan. Cut 1/2 moon opening bottom aft of seat pan, then down thru opening in gear channel with elbow into gear.How much movement needs allowed fo rin gear on gear flex? thanks, J
At 7:10pm on March 2, 2010, Phillip Stacy said…
I'm based at KDNL which is less than 5 miles from KAGS. I do practice landings their frequently. As a add bonus, one of the controllers is a good friend, so I get to sit in the TRACON often. If you get back up this way give me a call at 706-799-5658 or stop by at Daniel Field (The fuel is cheeper and there is no ramp fee). Everyone knows me there...

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