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Phill Barnes's Page

Latest Activity

Removed solid rivets from the L/H wing main spar
March 6
Took the top and nose skins off one wing. Machined up a drill guide for drilling out the rivets square to the spar.
March 4
6-ZU-2, 3a, 3b are dated 17 & 18 december. Mine were dated 15 december. Please check which ones you have before you proceed with the upgrade
February 23
Updated my kitlog site with my recent work http://www.mykitlog.com/ch601xl Nearly ready to start upgrades.
February 20
Riveted off the elevatorand trim tab. Ready to rivet off the hinge line to the horizontal tail.
February 13
Just doing the morning Zenith search.Found new checklist. http://www.zenithair.com/zodiac/xl/data/601XL-PRE-FLIGHT-INSPECTION-Feb-2010.pdf
February 11
Riveted off my horizontal tail plane.
February 8
Found updated plans on Zeniths site today. I don't know why they don't inform us . http://www.zenithair.com/zodiac/xl/data/6-ZU-JAN25.pdf
January 27

Profile Information

Aircraft Model
ZODIAC XL
Project Status
Just started
Building From
Kit
Your website (about your aircraft...)
http://www.mykitlog.com/ch601xl
Building Experience
Have worked on airplanes before
Flying Experience
Sport Pilot (or Ultralight)
Profession / Employer / Background Info
Self employed Signmaker

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Phill Barnes

Jabiru Tips & Tech


This blog is for all helpful information regarding install, operation, preventative and general maintaining, upgrades and any information to assist our engines to be the best that they can be.
Please ask any questions directly to the person who posted the info but please post any new info arrising from your discussions. This request is designed purely to make it easier to browse information… Continue

Posted on October 16, 2009 at 5:46pm — 18 Comments

Phill Barnes

So long Gary. RIP

For all that are interested, this is the final report from the ATSB regarding the loss of Gary Sweetnam, the Aussie Zenith agent and his 601xl demo plane.



Regards
Phill Barnes



AE2008029.pdf

Posted on June 26, 2009 at 7:27am —

Comment Wall (60 comments)

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At 6:49pm on March 8, 2010, Paul Hammond said…
so you like my stripes i better try getting the rest of my photos up
At 9:31am on March 7, 2010, Bob Pustell said…
Hi, Phil---

I remember your post on the bellcrank solution to taildragger rudder cable tension/pedal stability. That is why I mentioned bellcranks as a possible solution in my recent posted question. Unless somebody gives me reason to really want tension on my rudder cables, I think I will just go with some springs (as almost all production taildraggers do) and keep it simple. Your bellcrank idea is elegant, I saved a copy of it when you first posted it because I like it. I wonder if any factory planes out there use a bellcrank for the solution? Yours is the first time I have seen the idea presented, and I have been in aviation for almost half a century now. You are a clever guy.

Bob
At 10:25am on February 23, 2010, Stephen R. Smith said…
Hello Phill,

Upgrading two planes in less than two weeks was hard work. Each day we started at 8:00am and finished at 6:00pm with a short lunch break. We had up to 6 people working at the same time – most very experience builders. The project went well with a few glitches.

I have most of the pictures that were taken but not all – still collecting them. I may post a blog or a photo album in the next day or so. I need to get caught in other parts of my life.

My upgraded plane has been weighed on extremely accurate scales now and comes in at 810 pounds. Sadly I can’t post the increase in weight because my before weights are known to be inaccurate. My guess, for what is worth, is that 25 to 30 pounds have been added. I am very sure the planes carrying capacity has increase by far more than that however here in the USA we have an artificial limit of 1,320 pounds.

Steve
At 1:52am on February 20, 2010, Terry Phillips said…
Hi Phill

'Got your note on my wall. Thank you for your interest in the gear. I'd prefer to discuss this offline. My email is ttp44(at)rkymtn.net. If you could send me your email address, I'll communicate that way in the future. Thanks.

Terry
At 4:39pm on February 14, 2010, Paul Hammond said…
hey phill, ready to bolt the wings on tomorrowit looks like I fly away into the wild blue younder thursday
At 11:51pm on February 11, 2010, Chris Sinfield said…
Thanks Phill for the web waatching.. I missed the new checklist.. I am with you
I do whish they would put a one liner out on this website, telling us to look at the updates..
They do want this site to be a one stop shop don't they???
Chris.
At 2:34am on February 7, 2010, Meade A McKenzie said…
G'day phill,
Iv just bought a share of Barry Venamores zodiac which is why i have appeared out of no where. Our zodiac will have its wings back on it within a few days, after putting the new mods through it. will get some photos up when i can. cheers mate
Meade Mckenzie
At 5:35pm on February 2, 2010, Roberto Brito said…
Hello Phill, thank you for adding me as your friend. Beto.
At 7:35am on January 27, 2010, Jake Reyna said…
Phill, ZAC added some detail to the Drawings. Like the .063 Rear Attachment Upright and some rivet pitch information on other parts. I had this discussion with Caleb last week or so.I also noticed some other minor stuff, mostly doing a better job of identifying parts.

Weight loss idea. All I can think of is the canopy frame after viewing the new PiperSport XL ;-) Not sure it's worth the effort and I don't have the latest 650 version. I am going to add additional false bottom ribs to the wings, the 2 outer bays already have them installed. While I was inside the fuselage working on the Rear Attach plates, I noticed that the bottom oil cans badly, so, a few more stiffeners. The only weak link in my airplane will be the nut holding the stick :-)
At 4:17pm on January 26, 2010, Paul Hammond said…
thanks phill, I thought 2 stripes one a silver theother adark grey almost black metalic,down each side and each wing not sure about width 1/2 3/4 or1"any suggestions.

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