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Doug Norman's Page

Latest Activity

A blog post by Doug Norman was featured
on Thursday
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.
on Thursday
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
BTW: As SLSA owners, we MUST get AMD approval of the substitution; and i've sent them a note requesting it. I'll post it here when i get it.
February 14

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 — 13 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

Comment Wall (34 comments)

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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...
At 11:27am on February 25, 2010, Roger Lambert said…
The center section of my airplane came out for examination and upgrade. There was no evidence of damage or fatigue at 225 hours.
Roger
At 6:13pm on February 15, 2010, Gene Kujawa said…
Cherokee 140's were notorious for short lived 4509 bulbs. The fix was to turn the filament vertically, seemed to help considerably in mine for several decades. In the cherokee the 4509 was in the cowling directly behind the prop. Life expectancy was about 15 hours of night flying.
You can save money by buying them at an auto store, saving about 2/3's the cost. All the one's I purchased at a farm and fleet store were marked for aircraft use only.
At 10:17pm on February 13, 2010, Stephen R. Smith said…
Hello Doug,

I agree the stock lights are junk. Both of mine blew out within the first year. I replaced them with GE Q4509 which are still going strong. Totally worth the extra few bucks.

Steve
At 9:43pm on February 13, 2010, Mike Armstead said…
Aeroleds. They are a little expensive, but the current draw is very low.
At 9:14pm on February 13, 2010, GENE MAYO said…
Doug: I may have an idear about those GE409 bulbs.
E-MAIL me off line.mayo_g@comcast.net
GENE601sx/jabiru
>
At 3:46pm on January 23, 2010, Phill Barnes said…
Hi Doug
21 lbs?
Thats 10 lbs less than they claimed on the factory demo plane. Maybe they were mistakingly weighing all of the rivets to reinstall the skins as well. I can only hope mine ends up only 21 lbs heavyier. The only way I will know this is to weigh the parts before I install them as my plane is not finished yet. Does it feel any different to fly being a bit more rigid?

Regards
Phill

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