Some Reflections On Building An Airplane..... - Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers2024-03-28T18:55:29Zhttps://zenith.aero/forum/topics/some-reflections-on-building-an-airplane?commentId=2606393%3AComment%3A830001&feed=yes&xn_auth=no...And today 12th May 2021, I…tag:zenith.aero,2021-05-12:2606393:Comment:8353302021-05-12T09:51:47.154ZGeoff Klestadthttps://zenith.aero/profile/GeoffKlestadt
<p>...And today 12th May 2021, I received the ongoing permit to fly, thus bringing to an end of the building phase of owning a Zenith aircraft.</p>
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<p>I checked my build log. I started on the rudder at 12.03pm on April 20th 2012 with the written comment: "May G-d have mercy on me".</p>
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<p>My first passenger will be my long suffering wife.</p>
<p>...And today 12th May 2021, I received the ongoing permit to fly, thus bringing to an end of the building phase of owning a Zenith aircraft.</p>
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<p>I checked my build log. I started on the rudder at 12.03pm on April 20th 2012 with the written comment: "May G-d have mercy on me".</p>
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<p>My first passenger will be my long suffering wife.</p> You’re a good father, Narfi.tag:zenith.aero,2021-04-15:2606393:Comment:8324622021-04-15T00:40:19.479ZJim and Amelia Isaacshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JimIsaacs
<p>You’re a good father, Narfi.</p>
<p>You’re a good father, Narfi.</p> Great post and a true perspec…tag:zenith.aero,2021-04-13:2606393:Comment:8323892021-04-13T17:54:16.004ZNarfihttps://zenith.aero/profile/DennisWFowler
<p>Great post and a true perspective for many.</p>
<p>Perhaps I could offer another?</p>
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<p>I am scratch building the 750 Super Duty with my 11yr old son.</p>
<p>We already built a canoe and a powerboat together.</p>
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<p>We have time, he cant legally solo for another 5 years. He has another 60 years till he reaches your stage of life, so good primer could prove practical in his lifetime.</p>
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<p>Perhaps he will have this plane his whole life and enjoy a practical tool he…</p>
<p>Great post and a true perspective for many.</p>
<p>Perhaps I could offer another?</p>
<p></p>
<p>I am scratch building the 750 Super Duty with my 11yr old son.</p>
<p>We already built a canoe and a powerboat together.</p>
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<p>We have time, he cant legally solo for another 5 years. He has another 60 years till he reaches your stage of life, so good primer could prove practical in his lifetime.</p>
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<p>Perhaps he will have this plane his whole life and enjoy a practical tool he built with his father when he was young.</p>
<p>Perhaps he will sell, buy, build many such through his life and carrier and it was just a stepping stone towards a future I can't even dream of for him.</p>
<p>Perhaps he will move out at 18 and never fly again, choosing his own path.</p>
<p>No matter what though, he will know that if he puts his mind to it, he can take a pile of aluminum and cut and form it into a safely flying aircraft. He can take a pile of plywood, fiberglass and epoxy and build a fun safe boat that he can be proud of. There is no limit to what he can do.</p>
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<p>He is young, he isn't going to spend hours a day in the shop, but he will do bit here and a bit there mixed with his other studies and play. Hopefully growing up knowing there is no limit to what he can accomplish.</p>
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8790123668?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8790123668?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
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<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8790123692?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8790123692?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p> Same here, when I started off…tag:zenith.aero,2021-03-25:2606393:Comment:8300142021-03-25T22:40:49.474ZPaul Sandershttps://zenith.aero/profile/ukpylot
<p>Same here, when I started off I didn't think I would be able to build a rudder and I really didn't expect to get past the tail but somehow, after 7 years of part-time building I found myself with a plane, that actually worked. She isn't as pretty or complex as the other planes I see here but I built her and I doubt there's anything I've done that matches the feeling of accomplishment.</p>
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<p>I had to teach myself so many things: how to read plans, how to follow technical…</p>
<p>Same here, when I started off I didn't think I would be able to build a rudder and I really didn't expect to get past the tail but somehow, after 7 years of part-time building I found myself with a plane, that actually worked. She isn't as pretty or complex as the other planes I see here but I built her and I doubt there's anything I've done that matches the feeling of accomplishment.</p>
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<p>I had to teach myself so many things: how to read plans, how to follow technical instructions, how to research tools and techniques I'd never heard of, how engines work - heck, I'd never even seen an engine outside of a car before. Not only is the feeling of overcoming these obstacles such a great feeling, but being part of a community that encouraged, taught, advised was an unexpected highlight. And, since I worked on this build with mostly on my own I could not have done it without that community.</p>
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<p>Unfortunately, my lack of knowledge and experience has led to me only having flown my bird twice in the 3 years since I got my AW. But I wouldn't swap my time building her for all the tea in China, such a great experience and I'd heartily recommend the process to anyone thinking about it, and with the build knowledge I now have, maybe another will be on the cards some day.</p>
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<p>Paul</p>
<p>*In case anyone asks, I've had some minor issues with the engine that I am sure someone with experience would fix in a heartbeat, and I think I've gotten to the point where I just don't trust my installation anymore. When the plane flew, though, it flew great. And I haven't given up hope of flying it again.</p> Hi Geoff -
A truly outstandi…tag:zenith.aero,2021-03-25:2606393:Comment:8299022021-03-25T19:55:40.010ZTim Joneshttps://zenith.aero/profile/TimJones532
<p>Hi Geoff - </p>
<p>A truly outstanding post. I am starting year 5 and though I have a ways to go on the fuselage, I ordered my Finishing Kit yesterday to keep the sub-kits coming (delivery expected early October!). I will add that another key success factor is selecting an airplane that you have a <em>passion for.</em> What I struggled with during the selection phase was the fact that I can get on a bicycle and be at Vans Aircraft in about 15 minutes. Took a factory tour (awesome!). …</p>
<p>Hi Geoff - </p>
<p>A truly outstanding post. I am starting year 5 and though I have a ways to go on the fuselage, I ordered my Finishing Kit yesterday to keep the sub-kits coming (delivery expected early October!). I will add that another key success factor is selecting an airplane that you have a <em>passion for.</em> What I struggled with during the selection phase was the fact that I can get on a bicycle and be at Vans Aircraft in about 15 minutes. Took a factory tour (awesome!). Took an RV-12 test flight! Talked to many RV owners about how great their kits are. <em>I simply could not find the passion factor for the RV12.</em> Knew I had no chance completing anything that did not involve pull rivets (bye bye RV-9) I attended a Corvair college in Mexico in Sept 2014 and that's when I first saw the Cruzer. Had a nice talk with Roger and then with Sebastian. Took the test flight. DONE! The Cruzer was "the one" ... It <em>looked and felt right. </em> I have never doubted the decision. Its cute as a bug and easy to get in and out of (I too am not the person I was 5 years ago) Anyway, appreciate your post. Regards, Tim</p> Geoff, You pretty much told m…tag:zenith.aero,2021-03-25:2606393:Comment:8300042021-03-25T04:04:28.742ZTom Sullivanhttps://zenith.aero/profile/tomsullivan
<p>Geoff, You pretty much told my story as well in your message and share my sentiments. I started my rudder kit in June 2014 and first flew it on 20 Sept. last year. I am very happy to have made it this far as I am now 72 and certainly not the guy I was when I started it. I kept it simple with possibilities for later additions. I tried to keep the project moving forward at all times with the thought that if something doesn't work out to be perfect or pretty to move on as long it's not it's not…</p>
<p>Geoff, You pretty much told my story as well in your message and share my sentiments. I started my rudder kit in June 2014 and first flew it on 20 Sept. last year. I am very happy to have made it this far as I am now 72 and certainly not the guy I was when I started it. I kept it simple with possibilities for later additions. I tried to keep the project moving forward at all times with the thought that if something doesn't work out to be perfect or pretty to move on as long it's not it's not safety related. And the thing actually flies pretty well as far as this test pilot can tell anyway. Congrats on a job well done. Tom</p> Excellent presentation of wha…tag:zenith.aero,2021-03-25:2606393:Comment:8300012021-03-25T01:41:54.668ZBob McDonaldhttps://zenith.aero/profile/BobMcDonald
<p>Excellent presentation of what some builders come to recognize. You build to learn how to build. Its an education. If your building to make an aircraft cheaper than market price, there are more aircraft for sale cheaper ready-to-fly.</p>
<p>Excellent presentation of what some builders come to recognize. You build to learn how to build. Its an education. If your building to make an aircraft cheaper than market price, there are more aircraft for sale cheaper ready-to-fly.</p> Excellent write up Geoff!
Al…tag:zenith.aero,2021-03-25:2606393:Comment:8300982021-03-25T00:01:26.673ZClint L Goschhttps://zenith.aero/profile/ClintLGosch
<p>Excellent write up Geoff!</p>
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<p>All true! Now get started on that next airplane!</p>
<p>Excellent write up Geoff!</p>
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<p>All true! Now get started on that next airplane!</p> Geoff as someone who has buil…tag:zenith.aero,2021-03-24:2606393:Comment:8299982021-03-24T23:31:20.080ZDon Morriseyhttps://zenith.aero/profile/DonaldMorrisey
Geoff as someone who has built an airplane previously and who with life changes etc who ran out of gas on my own CH 750 Cruzer and sold it, you could not be more on point w your advice and recommendations on Zenith, I could not have been happier w the support. Kudos to you on completing,
Geoff as someone who has built an airplane previously and who with life changes etc who ran out of gas on my own CH 750 Cruzer and sold it, you could not be more on point w your advice and recommendations on Zenith, I could not have been happier w the support. Kudos to you on completing, All nicely put Geoff...and IM…tag:zenith.aero,2021-03-24:2606393:Comment:8299952021-03-24T22:49:52.867ZDavid J. Beaulieuhttps://zenith.aero/profile/DavidJBeaulieu
<p>All nicely put Geoff...and IMHO True!</p>
<p>All nicely put Geoff...and IMHO True!</p>