John Burns's Posts - Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers2024-03-29T13:06:54ZJohn Burnshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnBurnshttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2197126253?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://zenith.aero/profiles/blog/feed?user=18qarpdq0m5ui&xn_auth=noA completed and flying airplane.tag:zenith.aero,2021-10-30:2606393:BlogPost:8515732021-10-30T11:15:40.000ZJohn Burnshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnBurns
<p>Inspection was completed on September 23rd and first flight on the 24th. Currently trying to get as much flight time in the remaining fall flight weather. Many thanks to all on this forum who have posted their experiences, lessons learned, and especially photos. Without these resources I would only be half done by now. I hope to share more of my experiences when the weather gets worse. I am hoping I can help others they way this community has helped my build. </p>
<p>Inspection was completed on September 23rd and first flight on the 24th. Currently trying to get as much flight time in the remaining fall flight weather. Many thanks to all on this forum who have posted their experiences, lessons learned, and especially photos. Without these resources I would only be half done by now. I hope to share more of my experiences when the weather gets worse. I am hoping I can help others they way this community has helped my build. </p>Airplanes first day outsidetag:zenith.aero,2020-03-31:2606393:BlogPost:7150762020-03-31T00:20:59.000ZJohn Burnshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnBurns
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4278936214?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4278936214?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right"/></a></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4278936214?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4278936214?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right"/></a></p>Work on it dailytag:zenith.aero,2020-03-17:2606393:BlogPost:7131342020-03-17T23:42:21.000ZJohn Burnshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnBurns
<p>It is critical that I work on my airplane every day in order to make progress. I find that if I have more than 24 hours between sessions it is way too hard to remember where I left the tools ! :-)</p>
<p>It is critical that I work on my airplane every day in order to make progress. I find that if I have more than 24 hours between sessions it is way too hard to remember where I left the tools ! :-)</p>Jabiru Gen4 and Arion Aircraft FFW kittag:zenith.aero,2020-01-16:2606393:BlogPost:7067712020-01-16T23:56:22.000ZJohn Burnshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnBurns
<p>I just received my generation 4 engine today. I also received the firewall forward kit provided by Arion aircraft the US Jabiru dealer. Everything looks great and it seems to be a very complete kit. I will post more details at a later date, but the Jabiru engine and FWF kit combined seem to be the cheapest combination after the Viking engine and certainly the cheapest for a new engine.</p>
<p>I just received my generation 4 engine today. I also received the firewall forward kit provided by Arion aircraft the US Jabiru dealer. Everything looks great and it seems to be a very complete kit. I will post more details at a later date, but the Jabiru engine and FWF kit combined seem to be the cheapest combination after the Viking engine and certainly the cheapest for a new engine.</p>Hardware Boardstag:zenith.aero,2019-08-25:2606393:BlogPost:6894592019-08-25T20:36:22.000ZJohn Burnshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnBurns
<p>I unpacked the finishing kit this weekend and had to add two more hardware boards to keep it all organized.</p>
<p>I unpacked the finishing kit this weekend and had to add two more hardware boards to keep it all organized.</p>90% done, 90% to gotag:zenith.aero,2017-04-13:2606393:BlogPost:5620002017-04-13T11:51:34.000ZJohn Burnshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnBurns
<p>Looking at the completed box makes gives you a sense of progress. Then I looked at the Home Built help videos and realized I was only working on disc 1 of 4 for the fuselage. It always feels like you are almost there and you have just begun at the same time. As they say 90% done and 90% to go.</p>
<p>Looking at the completed box makes gives you a sense of progress. Then I looked at the Home Built help videos and realized I was only working on disc 1 of 4 for the fuselage. It always feels like you are almost there and you have just begun at the same time. As they say 90% done and 90% to go.</p>Filler Neck Trim Ringtag:zenith.aero,2015-11-04:2606393:BlogPost:4648692015-11-04T11:17:30.000ZJohn Burnshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnBurns
<p>Used a simple plumbing gasket for a trim ring on the filler neck. Almost embarrassing to have something look this good for $2.00</p>
<p>Used a simple plumbing gasket for a trim ring on the filler neck. Almost embarrassing to have something look this good for $2.00</p>Extra Materialstag:zenith.aero,2015-10-29:2606393:BlogPost:4634512015-10-29T09:34:35.000ZJohn Burnshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnBurns
<p>Some extra products you may need for the build are available in the US from McMaster Carr. The Loctite 567 thread sealant that is used in the Home Built help videos is available from McMaster Carr <a href="http://www.mcmaster.com/#45855k27/=zkpe8n%C2%A0">http://www.mcmaster.com/#45855k27/=zkpe8n </a>; part number 45855K27 and has worked well on my fuel tanks and fuel sender screws. The cork for the fuel tanks is also available from McMaster…</p>
<p>Some extra products you may need for the build are available in the US from McMaster Carr. The Loctite 567 thread sealant that is used in the Home Built help videos is available from McMaster Carr <a href="http://www.mcmaster.com/#45855k27/=zkpe8n%C2%A0">http://www.mcmaster.com/#45855k27/=zkpe8n </a>; part number 45855K27 and has worked well on my fuel tanks and fuel sender screws. The cork for the fuel tanks is also available from McMaster <a href="http://www.mcmaster.com/#93305k63/=zkpqoa%C2%A0">http://www.mcmaster.com/#93305k63/=zkpqoa </a>; part number 93305K63. This is exactly the same roll of cork that is in the kit. I needed much more than what was included.</p>Safetytag:zenith.aero,2015-10-14:2606393:BlogPost:4593212015-10-14T15:44:35.000ZJohn Burnshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnBurns
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2231376948?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2231376948?profile=original" width="597"></img></a> Saw an great Kitplanes article from November 2010 discussing the safety of Zenith aircraft compared to other kit aircraft.…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2231376948?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="597" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2231376948?profile=original"/></a>Saw an great Kitplanes article from November 2010 discussing the safety of Zenith aircraft compared to other kit aircraft. <a href="http://www.kitplanes.com/issues/27_11/exploring/Safety_Is_No_Accident_Zenith_9374-1.html?utm_source=Homebuilder%E2%80%99s+Portal+by+KITPLANES%C2%AE&utm_campaign=dfd6eb27e0-Homebuilders_Portal_October_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3d7b019245-dfd6eb27e0-209139053" target="_blank">Kitplanes Article Link</a> </p>
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<p>The article confirms that Zenith STOL aircraft have the lowest fatality rate. The overall accident rate for the STOL aircraft seems slightly high compared to other kits, but it could probably be easily controlled and reduced with transition training.</p>
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<p>Always good to find more encouragement for my Kit Aircraft Choice. </p>
<p> </p>The first wing is finally taking shape.tag:zenith.aero,2015-05-04:2606393:BlogPost:4313162015-05-04T16:15:45.000ZJohn Burnshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnBurns
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2231363232?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2231363232?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2231363232?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2231363232?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></a></p>One more kit finishedtag:zenith.aero,2014-12-05:2606393:BlogPost:3979252014-12-05T17:31:32.000ZJohn Burnshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnBurns
<p>Finished the last of the slats on November 6th. The wing kit is now here and I hope to start assembly this weekend.</p>
<p>Finished the last of the slats on November 6th. The wing kit is now here and I hope to start assembly this weekend.</p>L Brackets for 75S1-1tag:zenith.aero,2014-08-11:2606393:BlogPost:3729042014-08-11T16:09:48.000ZJohn Burnshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnBurns
<p>A jig made bending and attaching the L brackets to the 75S1-1 ribs much easier and only took a few minutes to build.</p>
<p>A jig made bending and attaching the L brackets to the 75S1-1 ribs much easier and only took a few minutes to build.</p>Flaperons Completetag:zenith.aero,2014-08-08:2606393:BlogPost:3722352014-08-08T13:46:10.000ZJohn Burnshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnBurns
<p>Completed the last of the flaperons on July 29th. Working on the slats now.</p>
<p>Completed the last of the flaperons on July 29th. Working on the slats now.</p>