Matronics Email Lists :: View topic - Starting a zodiac - Downsides of going with a HD instead?

Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists

Get Email Distribution Too! FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register

Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in

Starting a zodiac - Downsides of going with a HD instead?

Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Zenith-List

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author Message

Jbellinger

Joined: 11 May 2008
Posts: 1
Location: Akron, OH

Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 10:57 am Post subject: Starting a zodiac - Downsides of going with a HD instead?

Howdy! I'm new to this list.



I just started on a rudder (I've been planning to build a zodiac for about a decade, but I finally have both the space and the funds) and then discovered all the scuttlebutt about the recent XL crashes. Without making statements about the XL, we know that the HD is a very time-tested and proven design. 



Besides the pre-drilled skins and some speed, what would I lose if I decided to build a 601HD instead of a 601XL? Has anyone here built and flown both so they can give an A/B comparison?



Just something I've been mulling over in my head.



Thanks,

John

jeffrey_davidson(at)earth
Guest

Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 1:42 pm Post subject: Starting a zodiac - Downsides of going with a HD instead?

Besides the pre-drilled skins and some speed, what would I lose if I decided

to build a 601HD instead of a 601XL? 



=> You wouldn't lose anything.  There are some differences, but most of the

improvements in the XL, except the wing design and spring main gear,

transfer to the HD.  My HD is built with the XL canopy, the XL firewall for

a heavier engine, and an XL like fuel system.   I have the XL center console

too.  The HD doesn't have flaps so that complication is gone.  The wing has

a constant chord so fewer forms are needed if you scratch build.  In theory

you might lose some cruise speed, but all 601s are slow regardless.  Others

may find the differences more significant.  The interior is almost the same.



Jeff Davidson 

CH601 HD/Jabiru 3300A 

Getting ready for fuel flow testing ....

daveaustin2(at)primus.ca
Guest

Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 3:24 pm Post subject: Starting a zodiac - Downsides of going with a HD instead?

How about the 601HDS?  Cruise at 120 mph on 80 hp and not as bumpy.

Dave Austin  601HDS - 912, Spitfire Mk VIII

William Dominguez

Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 118

Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 3:32 pm Post subject: Starting a zodiac - Downsides of going with a HD instead?

Are you planning to scratch build? This is an important question for you because the HD is no longer being produced as a kit. 



Like you, I had a hard time deciding between the HD or the XL, but in my case it wasn't because of the accidents (the accident started to happen after I made the decision and started building) there where things in the HD that I liked. I went with the XL anyway and so far I haven't regret my decision. 



The reason why I decided in favor of the XL is this: In time there will be more XL flying than HDs. That time is already here. Today, the XL is more common than the HD or the HDS, but not more common than the HD and HDS combined, but give it a little bit more time. One reason why the XL is more common is because you can buy a certified ready to fly XL, but if you want an HD/HDS your only option is scratch building. You can buy a kit or a quick build. 



Number of planes flying is very important to me, specially if there is a  certified version of the plane. I believe that a design with lots of copies flying plus a certified version is more likely, in the long run, to be a more debugged plane.



I don't know for sure what is causing these accidents (I have my suspicions), but I'm quite confident that whatever it is, it will be found and resolved. However, you need to consider that I'm scratch building and I'm still years away from having a flying plane, I have to wait no matter what.



William Dominguez

 Zodiac 601XL Plans

 Miami Florida

 http://www.geocities.com/bill_dom



Jbellinger <blondietheblond(at)gmail.com> wrote:[quote] --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Jbellinger" 



Howdy! I'm new to this list.



I just started on a rudder (I've been planning to build a zodiac for about a decade, but I finally have [quote][b]

_________________
William Dominguez
Zodiac 601XL Plans
Miami Florida
http://www.geocities.com/bill_dom

jeffrey_davidson(at)earth
Guest

Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 4:44 pm Post subject: Starting a zodiac - Downsides of going with a HD instead?

Dave,

	Of the three models (HD, HDS, and XL), the HDS is the least likely

to meet the LSA criteria when built.  Otherwise it is fine too.

	Jeff D

How about the 601HDS?  Cruise at 120 mph on 80 hp and not as bumpy.

Dave Austin  601HDS - 912, Spitfire Mk VIII

dforney(at)bctonline.com
Guest

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 5:19 pm Post subject: Starting a zodiac - Downsides of going with a HD instead?

Does the HD or HDS meet the “light sport” requirements for stall speeds, and other specification requirements?    

       [quote][b]

Jeyoung65(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 5:50 pm Post subject: Starting a zodiac - Downsides of going with a HD instead?

YES, to all. Jerry of GA

  

  In a message dated 5/12/2008 9:20:37 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  dforney(at)bctonline.com writes:

  	  Quote: 	
		        

Does the HD or HDS meet the “light    sport” requirements for stall speeds, and other specification    requirements?   

	




Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food.

  [quote][b]

challgren(at)mac.com
Guest

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject: Starting a zodiac - Downsides of going with a HD instead?

Juan:



You are wrong.  My HDS easily met the Light Sport criteria.

Stan Challgren

On May 12, 2008, at 8:03 PM, Juan Vega wrote:[quote]

agbeyer(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:11 am Post subject: Starting a zodiac - Downsides of going with a HD instead?

Juan,

  

 My HDS with 350 Hrs. also meets the LSA specs.

 

  

AL from Oshkosh 

 ---

twcroy(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:42 pm Post subject: Starting a zodiac - Downsides of going with a HD instead?

mine meets LSA specs



 On 5/13/08, Jeff Davidson <jeffrey_davidson(at)earthlink.net (jeffrey_davidson(at)earthlink.net)> wrote: [quote]--> Zenith-List message posted by: Jeff Davidson <jeffrey_davidson(at)earthlink.net (jeffrey_davidson(at)earthlink.net)>

 

Jay wrote:How would you know what your airplane's stalling speed is without flying it?



This is how National EAA explains it:



Question :

I have a homebuilt airplane that meets all of the criteria for Sport Pilot except that it is a few miles an hour too fast. I would like to change the prop to a slower speed that does match Light Sport so that I can then someday fly it as a Sport Pilot. Is this possible?

 

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



Answer :

No, you cannot make an existing aircraft that does not meet the definition of a light-sport aircraft (ref. 14 CFR 1.1) eligibile for operation by sport pilots regardless of how you modify the aircraft. The LSA definition requires that the aircraft be both initially certificated AND continuously operated within the definition in order to be eligible for operation by sport pilots. The aircraft you describe was neither initially certificated nor continuously operated within the LSA definition, so it cannot be made eligible for operation by sport pilots.

  [quote][b]

Display posts from previous:

	Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Zenith-List	All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

Jump to:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum