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First time builder, need some advice :)

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jelveh

Joined: 09 Dec 2007
Posts: 2

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 12:42 pm Post subject: First time builder, need some advice :)

Hi all!



I'm going to be a first time time builder soon  and I've just found this mailing-list, I hope to maybe find some more information about the kit I'm gonna build.

I recently ordered an zenith-xl kit that I'm planning to build in canada (should be delivered sometime early next year), now I still have a lot of questions mostly about the powerplant... I know this is a recurring theme over this list but I hope it's ok if I ask again:

I'm surfing all over the net to help me decide which engine to buy, unfortunately I'm still unsure - zenith has a list of supported engines on their site but I don't know how they would fit into what I'd like to do...

What I'd like to do is after having built the plane is to maybe take a year off from work and go on a longer trip, maybe something like a round the world trip. Now I'm hoping/guessing that wouldn't be a problem for the plane itself however I have no idea what a good engine would be for such a plan.

It should have a good range and of course be reliable, easy maintenance is a plus  and it should have no problems in cold/warm weather, I was thinking of maybe getting a diesel engine as I suppose it gives you another level of indepence on fuel matters but I haven't really found anything specific.



So what would you guys/gals recommend?  



TIA!

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bryanmmartin

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1018

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 2:54 pm Post subject: First time builder, need some advice :)

If you're planning an around the world trip, the availability of  

repair parts and maintenance expertise in the event of a breakdown may  

be a major concern. In that case, the Continental O-200 would be one  

good choice. It's been around for decades, it's well known by repair  

shops around the world, parts should be readily available and it will  

run on 87 octane auto gas if necessary. It may not be as efficient as  

some of the alternatives and it may be more expensive to maintain than  

some, but those are some of the trade-offs.



On Dec 9, 2007, at 3:42 PM, jelveh wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Hi all!



 I'm going to be a first time time builder soon  and I've just  

 found this mailing-list, I hope to maybe find some more information  

 about the kit I'm gonna build.

 I recently ordered an zenith-xl kit that I'm planning to build in  

 canada (should be delivered sometime early next year), now I still  

 have a lot of questions mostly about the powerplant... I know this  

 is a recurring theme over this list but I hope it's ok if I ask again:

 I'm surfing all over the net to help me decide which engine to buy,  

 unfortunately I'm still unsure - zenith has a list of supported  

 engines on their site but I don't know how they would fit into what  

 I'd like to do...

 What I'd like to do is after having built the plane is to maybe take  

 a year off from work and go on a longer trip, maybe something like a  

 round the world trip. Now I'm hoping/guessing that wouldn't be a  

 problem for the plane itself however I have no idea what a good  

 engine would be for such a plan.

 It should have a good range and of course be reliable, easy  

 maintenance is a plus  and it should have no problems in cold/warm  

 weather, I was thinking of maybe getting a diesel engine as I  

 suppose it gives you another level of indepence on fuel matters but  

 I haven't really found anything specific.



 So what would you guys/gals recommend?



 TIA!


	


-- 

Bryan Martin

N61BM, CH 601 XL,

RAM Subaru, Stratus redrive.

do not archive.

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_________________
--
Bryan Martin
N61BM, CH 601 XL, Stratus Subaru.
do not archive.

larry(at)macsmachine.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 6:16 pm Post subject: First time builder, need some advice :)

Hi Jelveh,



For such a round the world trip, the engine needs to run reliably for 

long periods. The engine must be able to use whatever most common fuel 

is available. It might not be aviation gas or even high octane. Fuels 

like jet-A or diesel shouldn’t be considered, as they’re not easily 

found at a majority of minor airports. The HD thick wing would have been 

a better carrier for short field takeoffs full fuel and maximized 

payload. The XL would need to refuel with a frequency that planning 

becomes as difficult as the engine’s ability to go the distance. I’d 

rather have an engine that’s easily repaired with low cost parts that 

are available worldwide and dirt simple. The reliability of this engine 

would have been already proven by a great number of users. Tools carried 

for this engine at such a distance would have to be simple and minimal. 

Speed would have to be considered because the engine would have to run 

at a low cruise rpm for fuel economy and engine temperatures would have 

to be controlled by altitude compensating carbs and on short notice 

endure thermal extremes. If the engine had a re-drive, it would have to 

be belted for ease of maintenance, inspection, repair

and adjustment. The prop would likely be a ground adjustable 3-blade.



The engine that comes to mind is an automotive conversion such as a 

Subaru EA-81 or possibly a Corvair. Dirt simple, economical, reliable, 

burns 87-octane or 100LL and depends on the builder-user obtaining 

knowledge for a proper conversion before the fact. Many of these are 

still being put to severe service in gyros and run many hours at low 

speeds with great reliability.



I’m sure there may be other engines that would fill the bill too.



Best regards,



Larry McFarland 601HDS at www.macsmachine.com



jelveh wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Hi all!



 What I'd like to do is after having built the plane is to maybe take a year off from work and go on a longer trip, maybe something like a round the world trip. Now I'm hoping/guessing that wouldn't be a problem for the plane itself however I have no idea what a good engine would be for such a plan.

 It should have a good range and of course be reliable, easy maintenance is a plus  and it should have no problems in cold/warm weather, I was thinking of maybe getting a diesel engine as I suppose it gives you another level of indepence on fuel matters but I haven't really found anything specific.



 So what would you guys/gals recommend?  



 TIA!





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 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=151348#151348

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craig(at)craigandjean.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 8:51 pm Post subject: First time builder, need some advice :)

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the India Air Force two of their jet

pilots flew a Rotax-powered Flight Design CTsw LSA around the world in 79

days. I'm still trying to figure out how they did it VFR as the Canadian and

Greenland governments really strongly discourage VFR flight plans across the

Atlantic.



For "Round the World" information take a look at www.earthrounders.com.



-- Craig

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dredmoody(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:17 am Post subject: First time builder, need some advice :)

On that line of thought the Jabiru engines (all three models) have been deliberately kept as simple as possible to meet the demands of the Aussies (and others) flying into wilderness areas where at best one would expect to find an auto mechanic. Light, decent hp and torque, fuel efficient, designed to swing a shorter prop to get its best performance (less climb peformance, better cruise speed and efficiency) and reduced ground strike potential off field. The down side, not many trained mechanics out there at this point so you should learn to work on it yourself. FWIW,



Dred



---- Bryan Martin <bryanmmartin(at)comcast.net> wrote: 

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 If you're planning an around the world trip, the availability of  

 repair parts and maintenance expertise in the event of a breakdown may  

 be a major concern.

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Iberplanes

Joined: 10 Dec 2007
Posts: 174
Location: Igualada - Barcelona - Spain

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:12 am Post subject: Re: First time builder, need some advice :)

Hello, 



Information regarding the trip that was described by Jean-Paul Roy  can be found here: 



1) http://www.zenithair.com/misc/transiberia.html

2) http://www.worldtranssiberia.com/



Bye!!



Alberto Martin

www.iberplanes.es

Igualada - Barcelona - Spain

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jelveh

Joined: 09 Dec 2007
Posts: 2

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:19 am Post subject: Re: First time builder, need some advice :)

thanks so much for all your inputs! I don't think a car engine conversion would be the right thing for me (at least not for now) as I have little experience in such things, I think I would narrow down my choice to either the continental which bryan mentioned due to its widespread maintenance expertise or the jabiru 3300 which many people told me to be a very reliable and relatively simple to maintain engine, personally I would prefer the jabiru as it is slightly more economical (range etc.) but more expensive I guess, although the continental also has a lot of plus points...  hmmm...

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Iberplanes

Joined: 10 Dec 2007
Posts: 174
Location: Igualada - Barcelona - Spain

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:28 am Post subject: Re: First time builder, need some advice :)

Hi there, 



When considering cost, Muttituck USA has a great price for its O-200, check this link.  http://www.mattituck.com/

O-200-A  Continental Engine Overhaul     

               January 2007

Our Mattituck overhauled O-200 engines are assembled

using all new Continental parts for for increased reliability and Test Cell run. This includes new Slick magnetos & harness, new spark plugs, new carburetor, the new one piece starter and clutch assembly, new carburetor and new alternator.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



100% New Parts

$17,995.00



Bye!!

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Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

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_________________
Alberto Martin
601 XL - Jabiru 3300
http://www.iberplanes.es
Igualada - Barcelona - Spain

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