Hi Chris,
Thank you. I bought my plans a long time ago, built a special garage to build my plane and then bought a Piper Colt. I sold that when I immigrated to Aus and have decided to start with the Zodiac. So far i am busy with the preparations like drawing out all the parts on Cadd and layoing these out on sheets for possible Laser or Water jetting. I will also do everything in 3D to do a bit of virtual building before i start. Where do you live. I am in Perth. I would really like to meet some builders in the area.

Cheers
Johan

Hi Chris,

Yeh, I got out of Qantas before I was chucked out like the rest of the guys:( Now consulting to CAE on training programs for the KC30A, pretty interesting! Starting to get a bit done on the HDS, just started the left wing.

Cheers for now,

Bob

I cut a hole in the top center of the rear wall of the baggage area. I mounted a 35 CFPM 4" muffin fan in the hole and wired it to a switch in the EXP BUS2V power center. I turned it on to assist in drawing in fresh air and evacuating the cabin air when the CO indication began inflight. Unfortunately, it did nothing to abate the CO detection level. My guess is that the CO entering from the belly hatch was too great for the fan to have any effect on it.

The fan will act as designed however to draw in fresh air through the eyeball vents when the plane is on the ground. That's what it was installed for. Inflight, there is already quite enough air being forced in from the NACA scoops through the eyeball vents to make the cabin temp comfortable, but even that apparently won't clear the CO if the exhaust is being syphoned in through the belly hatch. I will seal off the hatch in a way that allows me to get back in there anytime I need to. As far as I am concerned that problem is solved.

Now I have to figure out if my left tank sender is screwed or if I have a broken wire or bad ground. The indication from the tank was erratic today. Just another hurdle in the quest for flight brother.

Ed

My thanks and admiration for hitting the nail on the head. The taped off belly hatch solved the CO issue entirely. Today's 1.33 hour flight was CO free. I may get my decal maker to cut me several feet of 3" wide silver metalflake decal material to seal the hatch as a long term solution. That material sticks like mad and disappears into the silver metalflake paint.

Ed

I'll give it a try later this week. Thanks,

Ed

I was pinched for time when I first replied to your suggestion, but I think your idea is likely to be the actual problem; at least I hope it is. If the problem is happening due to engine compartment CO leaking into the cabin from the upper/lower cowling joint as I first suspected, the implications are pretty disappointing. By that, I mean that if the environment under the cowling is that contaminated with exhaust leakage, I will never be able to use the cabin heat option that I paid for and worked to install. The cabin heat muff is not even remotely isolated from the engine compartment air, and if there is enough CO "under the bonnet" to leak out and darken my little chemical detector, I was going to be in deep crap if I ever opened up the cabin heat valve.

I will tape off the belly hatch as soon as I clean the soot off the bottom of the plane and install a little chromed exhaust "turn down" extension. If the gods are with me that will solve the issue.

Thanks again,

Ed

Given the trail of soot on the bottom of the plane, that's very likely. Thanks for the tip.

Ed

Perectly normal when you factor in the fact that I won't get jealous or pitch a fit if you look at an airplane instead of at me.

Keep me posted as you progress.

Ed

Okay, now climb down from that Herc or whatever it is and get finished with that airplane! You're using a Jabiru 3300A, right? If so and if you are curious about the early sketchy first 3hours or so in the air, tag me back for the details.

Ed

Hi Chris, I did send you a reply via Yahoo. I am about to start on my canopy and I may be interested in one of those from Todd's. I will let you know in another week one way or the other.. If you make it up here to Exmouth, it would be great to catch up for a chat and a glass or two.

Peter

Thank you for your Camloc reply. Would you be willing to take the time to expand your answer as to which Camlocs you used and where I might be able to gain info as to installation pocedure, I have seen 2600/2700 series. Some s.s., some coutersunk, retaining clips and on and on. Any further info would be greatly appreciated and help clarify the Camloc world for me. Best regards, Jerry

Hi Chris,
Last newsletter was Summer 08 09.
I'd be interested in a diagram of what's changed to the nosewheel. One of the guys on the Rec Flying website has done a mod involving a sort of bearing under the fixings for the steering rods which rolls on the nylon lower bearing. If nothing better is available I might do a version of that as I think the rudder in the air will be very heavy and put quite a strain on the rudder pedals.

Hi Chris, Sorry I haven't replied before but I've been working on the house to earn the brownie points to do the plane. The kit finally arrived on 22nd March and I've decided to get the wheels on to give it some mobility. I put the nosewheel on tonight after taking a couple of days to get a 1/4" tap for the bottom bearing. What surprises me is the effort you need to turn the nosewheel when the bungy is on. I haven't connected the rudder pedals to it yet. Is this normal or do the bearings need to be opened out? It's going to make the rudder control in the air very heavy unless the bearings 'wear in'. Everything went in to the plans except the top cap 6G2-3, which appears to be for an earlier version as my nosewheel strut has no fixings at the top for this metal cap. Looking into the tube all you can see is the tube supporting the bungy cord. Any comments would be good. PS haven't had any more newsletters other than the last you sent some time ago.

Hey Chris is there plenty of spots for a caravan at Narromine

Yeah mate, since we have been flying I have foregotten to do that, we should place new pics' soon. Will get to it mate. How you been, we have only 11.4 hours so far due to weather... Very frustrating at the moment

Hi Chris, I am building a 601HD from plans only - it's a bit of a slog - think I would go for a kit in future - roughly 25% done - big 75% to go.
Have you decided on an engine for your XL ?
Cheers, John V

Hi Chris, I am well thanks.
I will definately be at Natfly from Friday to Monday. I did send you a message to let you know that I would be happy to help out with the BBQ as much as required.
I am just starting to get back into my building. I have been so busy with my son's sport and at work it's hard to make time at the moment.
Regards, Greg

Haven't decided just yet few other things on that weekend I have to work around e.g. football etc. I assume that your allowed to camp from some of the photos I've seen? If I do come I will most likely end up using my swag for accommodation. Also have to calculate how long the drive will take as well. Be great to go for a demo flight to get the motivation levels going.

Hi Chris Yes I am flying up should be there sometime thursday
I am going to put my plane on my site this year
As I plan on doing some flying will I am up there