All Blog Posts (2,347)

Tool for checking rib flange straightness

While preparing to drill the bottom wing skin to the ribs, I wanted to be sure that the center line of the ribs were straight.

When doing top wing skin I had used a metal strip with holes drilled in a straightline to be able to verify straightness.

The improved version uses a 1/8" acrylic strip about 2 inches wide with a line drawn to verify the center line of the rib flange  is straight.

In addtion, two red lines were added that would give me a warning if a drilled hole…

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Added by Damon Brantley on May 30, 2021 at 11:49am — No Comments

Don’t Get Discouraged

Fred Westbrook, of Owego, New York, sent us this inspiring story of his build experience that we share below.

Don’t Get Discouraged

My name is Fred Westbrook. A few years ago, when my son Josh was about fourteen years…

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Added by Zenith Aero on May 13, 2021 at 2:30pm — 9 Comments

801 for sale

Jeff Overton 208-867-7517

Added by Jeffrey S Overton on May 6, 2021 at 11:02am — 2 Comments

Chris Heintz, 1938 - 2021

Aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz, the designer of all "CH" light aircraft designs, passed away on April 30th, 2021. Best known in aviation circles as a prolific and talented aircraft designer, innovator, builder, entrepreneur, lecturer and author, Chris touched the lives of thousands throughout his…

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Added by Zenith Aero on May 6, 2021 at 9:00am — 10 Comments

Pilot VLOG | NO ENGINES !!!

Added by Adam Andrews on May 4, 2021 at 10:10pm — 2 Comments

Horizontal Stabilizer Done (For Now)

Prepped and painted the black trim. Time to start the elevator.

Added by Todd Osborne on May 2, 2021 at 12:20pm — No Comments

Twiddling my thumbs

Ordered the finishing kit for my 701. They said it won't ship until late September. Building an airplane requires a lot of inspiration and motivation maintenance as it is. We've all heard of the high percentage of projects that take more than a decade or never get completed. I am dedicated and determined to my project in spite of the odds. I would like to drop a line in the old suggestion box if I could. Zenith please be more informative with your orders with regards to pricing and shipping.…

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Added by James H Skaggs on April 13, 2021 at 10:28pm — 1 Comment

Poor performance at higher Altitudes

I fly my 701 out of a 7000' airport, L35, and have a 912 engine with high comp pistons installed to produce about 90 hp at sea level. Plane has the fixed slats installed. The plane's performance is so marginal that I can not take a passenger because the plane will not climb over 50 mph with nose abnormally high just to stay level in the air. However at lower altitude airports of 3000', performance is better and there is better flying margin and I can climb at 400 fpm solo.

The plane…

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Added by Bob Hartunian on April 12, 2021 at 9:52am — 10 Comments

Landing/Taxi Light Kit Install - Help

Hello All,
I’m working on installing my landing/taxi light on the left wing as instructed from the optional Zenith sub kit on my Cruzer. It is clear that the lens is meant to be removed to service the bulbs. The problem I’m having is that the riblets on either side don’t seem to allow enough movement to remove the lens. Has anyone installed this kit before? What am I missing? Is there a trick to removing the lens?
Thanks,
Marc

Added by Marc Weniger on April 5, 2021 at 8:12pm — No Comments

Horizontal stabilizer Nearly Complete

Horizontal stabilizer is nearly complete. Just need to complete skinning and install hinge.

Added by Todd Osborne on March 21, 2021 at 3:29pm — 2 Comments

She Flew Out Of My Life - The Zen

This is "The Zen".

It is a 2005 kit built CH601HD that was built by Trevor Page, and sold to me & Ray Nash in 2007. At the time Ray & I had been flying Quad City Challengers on wheels / skis / amphibian floats. We wanted a faster go further adventure aircraft that was still in the Advanced Ultra Light Aircraft (AULA) category here in Canada. It was also the aircraft that introduced me to Zenair / Zenith kit planes, the Rotax 912 series of engines, and the hopeless addiction of…

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Added by Bob McDonald on March 21, 2021 at 5:57am — 7 Comments

"Minor" Delay

Well, I thought things were going too smoothly.  Two days ago I received the anxiously awaited prop spacer and when fitting to the prop flange, it would not allow all the bolts to thread easily into the flange.  A few of the bolts treaded easily through the spacer into the flange.  The next bolt started to bind after a few turns were made.…

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Added by Bill Bear on March 19, 2021 at 4:01pm — 5 Comments

Rudder is complete and working on horizontal stabilizer

Just wanted to post an update. The tail and flaperons kit arrived last month and I have completed the rudder and am currently working on the horizontal stabilizer.…

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Added by Todd Osborne on March 16, 2021 at 10:00am — No Comments

CH 750 STOL Kit

March 8, 2021 is a big day for me. I ordered a CH 750 STOL kit for pick up at Mexico, MO. I'm busy setting up the workshop in anticipation of picking up the kit and starting the build. I'm like a 5 year old kid waiting on Santa!

Added by Thomas Godbout on March 14, 2021 at 11:04am — No Comments

Youtube Channel with CH601HD & CH701 + others "Grass Roots" flying.

Check this YouTube channel out if you enjoy "Grass Roots"  flying videos. Mix of GA aircraft and the CH601HD / CH701 aircraft. CH601HD (both taildragger & tricycle gear) flying skis. They fly in Ontario, Canada.

Added by Bob McDonald on March 13, 2021 at 6:30am — 3 Comments

Corrosion Proofing

Hello All,
I noticed that some builders are using a Rustolium primer for corrosion proofing. I would rather use a spray paint for ease of use instead of the brush on primer. I am worried about longevity and weakening the structure using a primer. Thoughts on this?
Thanks,
Marc

Added by Marc Weniger on March 11, 2021 at 5:00pm — 3 Comments

Incorrect rib placement for taildragger 601 HDS?

This is for a 1993 601 HDS, taildragger. 

In the tri gear drawings, the center wing ribs (from inside to out) are at 585, 665, 770, etc. on the main spar.

The taildragger replacement drawings put the same ribs at 530, 650, 770 etc (the others are the same, only the first two ribs are different).

The issue is that 6-V-4-2 (this piece helps from the boundaries of the cabin) is riveted from the…

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Added by Scott Tyler Bragg on March 9, 2021 at 5:00pm — No Comments

Mod 2 - Internal Elevator Routing

Plumbed through the ribs, added a junction box on top of servo and will run Tefzel single run from servo to switch, eliminating all connections.…





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Added by Joshua Bardell on March 8, 2021 at 4:00pm — No Comments

Mod 1- Elevator End Rib Caps

Designed elevator end caps for the Cruzer. Designed a little oversized (20mm) flanges to trim back to personal desired fit.

Template/Dimensions (approximate, your fit may vary). …

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Added by Joshua Bardell on March 8, 2021 at 11:00am — No Comments

It lives

Nice day, so I pulled the Cruzer out of the shop for a first run. 

150 hp 0-320 lyc.  All ran smoothly, no precious fluids leaking.

Added by Mark Schoening on March 5, 2021 at 12:43pm — 1 Comment

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