Glenn Johnson
  • Male
  • Harrisonburg, VA
  • United States
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Glenn Johnson's Discussions

O-200 On 601XL

Started this discussion. Last reply by Glenn Johnson Jul 5, 2018. 6 Replies

Airspeed not accurate

Started this discussion. Last reply by Robert Stacey May 27, 2014. 7 Replies

 

Glenn Johnson's Page

Latest Activity

A photo by Glenn Johnson was featured

Flight to W75 Fall 2020

Taken by John Andre in his RV.
Oct 20, 2020
Glenn Johnson posted photos
Oct 22, 2019
Glenn Johnson posted a blog post

Flying my 601XLB

This is Tangier Island we flew to in August.  It's a quaint village struggling against time and climate change and sinking into the bay.  We had a group of four aircraft for this almost 70 mile trip.  There are many great restaurants and normal tourist shops.  If you go it's short and has many frost heaves creating a roller coaster landing and take…See More
Oct 21, 2019

Profile Information

Aircraft Model
ZODIAC XL
Project Status
Flying
Building From
Kit
Engine installed (or plan to install)
Continental O-200
Building Experience
No Experience
Flying Experience
Private Pilot
Building and Flying Info / Your Profession / Other Background Info
Completed my 601XL after 7-1/2 year build. FAA issued the SAIB so "rebuilt" plane and engine. After about 100 hours did a really sloppy landing and needed to rebuild front of aircraft. Made some comfort changes and put more power in the engine with new piston and electronic ignition.

Looking for another plane to build and then retire and enjoy life.
Home Airport (ie. KMYJ)
KCPK

Recent updates

Have my plane flying again after a hard landing which took out nose gear, firewall and cabin floor.  Use the rebuild yo make the plane "fit" me better.  Moved rudder pedals almost 2" forward, bought a Zenith cowl, upped compression from 7:1 to 9.5:1, replaced mag with P-MAG electronic ignition.  

This made it a better looking and flying aircraft.  Also changed to a Ed Sturba propeller which I like.  I am now seeing cruise of 95 to 100 knots @ 2400 RPM which it great.  I was seeing 85 - 90 knots before.  Cruiseing at this increased speed makes flying much more comfortable as it it No longer feels like it is walering all over.   Pattern work is much easier also.  I have to hold less power than before and seems to get a bit more "glide" on final.

I also added a Garmin 235 transponder, Garmin GDL for ADS-B in and a Garmin 660 portable GPS.  This makes a big difference in situational awareness with other aircraft.  I did the rebate process and got a passing grade first time flying over KORF airspace.

I have to also say that Zenith was great working with me getting parts for my aircraft.  My kit was a early kit made before CNC process so was a real challenge getting what I needed.  I had to make sure nothing was predrilled as it would never match what I drilled.  The photo below is results of my landing incident a few years ago.

Next, ?  I have plans for a T(S) 18 Thorp.  I recently read that support for this design has faltered.  Several flying friends mentioned a Mustang 2 which after some quick research I ordered plans for  that, so still deciding what to build next.  

&

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Glenn Johnson's Blog

Flying my 601XLB

Posted on October 21, 2019 at 5:37pm 1 Comment

This is Tangier Island we flew to in August.  It's a quaint village struggling against time and climate change and sinking into the bay.  We had a group of four aircraft for this almost 70 mile trip.  There are many great restaurants and normal tourist shops.  If you go it's short and has many frost heaves creating a roller coaster landing and take…

Continue

Where I stand now

Posted on February 3, 2010 at 8:09pm 4 Comments

It has been a while since I have posted, so here is where I stand now.



Back in October I grounded my 601 because of the engine using oil, low oil pressure and just not running very well for very long. What I found was a partial oil ring on the #3 cylinder as well as a few bearings that were at service limits on the crank shaft and cam shaft. I also found a stud that had pulled loose from the crank case under the rear cam shaft journal, so the case needs to be line bored also. I also… Continue

Engine issues

Posted on November 1, 2009 at 6:47am 4 Comments

Just wanted to add a note about what's happening with my airplane. On my last flight I decided to ground my airplane because of the engine using too much oil and fouling the # 4 cylinder. I pulled the engine off and brought it home to work on.



This past week I was able to finally get time to get it apart. The # 4 oil ring was missing about 1/3 of it, other wise engine is in good but worn out shape. As far repairs, looks like I can get all new bearing, rings and gaskets and be good… Continue

Flying report

Posted on July 27, 2009 at 7:15pm 1 Comment

My first flight was on July 5, 2009 around 11:00 AM on a cloudly day with a few drops of rain. After one more runway "hop" I decided it was now or never and kept the throttle full on till lift off.



Performance was not what I expected and it climbed very slow and as soon as I was out of ground effect I had a very heavy left wing. The climb was some where around 80 KIAS and was very slow. After a few circles over the airport and two attempts I landed unevently with a slight bounce.… Continue

FAA BLESSING

Posted on May 24, 2009 at 9:30pm 0 Comments

I have already posted to the Zenith forum, but I'll add this here also. Yesterday, 05/23/2009 I had my plane inspected by a DAR and it passed. I had some bolts on the warp drive that needed to have thin washers as not enough threads were showing (I used the supplied washers) and safety waires on the prop bolts not tight enough. He also noted that I had cotter pins that we too long on the landing gear attach bolts. All minor and fixable on the spot.



He did go over the cable tensions… Continue

Comment Wall (10 comments)

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At 6:15am on June 18, 2021, Michael Mccarthy said…

Hello,

My name is Mr. Michael Mccarthy, I have contacted you before without any response from you. Please replied if you receive this message. I have something very important to discuss with you, I have a vital information to give you. Could you please get back to me on (mmichaelmccarthy4@gmail.com ) for full details.

Michael Mccarthy.

At 10:05am on February 25, 2018, John M Greiner said…

Beautiful family and plane. You are truly blessed. Glad to know you now Glenn. Hope your new engine is front of you very soon in the air again. Sunrise / Sunset picture, priceless.

At 4:47am on January 11, 2018, Gordon Edgar Burgess said…

Thanks Glenn.  I have a jabiru 3300 which is lighter than the 0200 so it should be even better. Gordon.

At 7:31pm on August 14, 2011, Dan Dempsey said…

Believe me, I understand the "no time" problem.  I get "some" weekends to work on the plane.  Still working long hours at work + they have me travelling a bit.  At least I'm not on 3rd shift anymore.  I did 18 weeks of that, and it was definatelyt taking the wind out of my sails.  

Good luck on the engine rebuild.  Let me know how it comes out.

At 8:49pm on August 12, 2011, Dan Dempsey said…

Glen,

Are you back in the air?

Dan

At 5:26pm on October 24, 2009, Dan Dempsey said…
Glen,
How is the plane flying these days? Did you get the bugs out?
Dan
At 7:30pm on July 27, 2009, Dr. Edward M. Moody II said…
Steve Weston put a photo of his flap motor on his Zenith Aero page. His flap motor is completely encased in a plastic housing and does not have the microswitches mounted on an exposed bar like mine (and I assume yours). It was a Zenith - supplied unit but is perhaps older or younger than mine. Kind of a bummer not being able to set the travel limits, huh?

I don't feel inclined to move any significant weight aft in the plane, so for me it comes down to: (A) live with less or no flap extension which is pretty much okay with me, or (B) re-pitch the stab which sounds like a gigantic pian in the butt. The downside of limiting the flap travel to 10 - 15 degrees is that makes it harder to get into and out of the plane. It might be the best idea to simply not use the flaps at all or manually stop the extension at a lesser angle. What do you think?

Ed
At 11:45am on July 27, 2009, Dr. Edward M. Moody II said…
I may talk to Sebastien about this issue when the Oshkosh rush has passed but it's basically an issue of whether or not I am losing out in some way by simply not using the flaps. I never planned to use them very much anyway and there's not much difference between not very much and not at all. I may occassionaly use them but at only 10 - 15 degrees extension. I'm planning to move the down limit switch to stop the extension at 15 degrees then go flight test again. If I like what happens on that test, I'd leave it like that indefinitely unless someone gives me a compelling reason why I need more flap travel. That's the input I'm fishing for with this blog post so let's see what pops up. I don't plan to move any weight since I am very happy with everything except the full flap handling.

Ed
At 9:39pm on May 17, 2009, Dr. Edward M. Moody II said…
What engine ar eyou using, Glen?

Ed
At 7:00pm on January 9, 2009, Dan Dempsey said…
Glen,
You're not related to the Woods are you. They had an airstrip just a mile to 2 from here, but it's not been used for years. The story I heard was that the 1985 flood swept the hanger and the antique plane Mr Wood had down the river. It's still on the sectionals though.
If the light you're talking about is a timing light I have one I could lone you.
Dan
 
 
 

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