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n601xs(at)gmail.com
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 Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 5:58 am Post subject: How big is the CH601HDS cockpit / First Flight N601XS |
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Kevin,
I am 6' 3" and got a ride in Larry McFarlan's 601HDS and I found it a little tight for leg room (It is an excellent plane by the way, Larry is very meticulous). I built the 601XL and moved the rudder peddles towards the firewall as far as the plans allowed and am quite comfortable.
On another more exciting note, N601XS passed inspection last Sunday 10/4/08 and yesterday 10/8/08, with the Sun ready to sink below the horizon, it changed from an expensive hobby to an airplane. The winds were calm and climb out was uneventful, although the climb rate was less than expected. The reason became apparent on downwind when I could only achieve 85 kts (at) ~ 1900 RPM. Since the 0-235 L2C makes full rated power of 118 HP (at) 2800 RPM I definitely need to re-pitch the prop. I have a 3-blade 66" Warp Drive currently pitched (at) 13 degrees, I would welcome input from anyone flying with a similar setup. I will re-pitch to 12 degrees and try again. I have a slightly heavy right wing with 12 gallons of fuel in both wings. After an excellent landing, one which I could walk away from and able to use the plane again, I tucked the plane in and smiled all the way home. The only disconcerting thing I noticed, other than the prop pitch, is a tendancy for the plane to want to continue to roll in the direction of a turn after ~ 15 degrees of bank. It is easily arrested with a light opposite input on the aileron and I wondered if this is a normal trait of the XL. Well, only 39.75 hrs flight testing left, hoping for a mild fall.
Craig Spainhower
N601XS, 601xl Lyc 0-235 L2C, Started Feb 2003, finished Oct. 2008
On 10/9/08, kevstewart <kevin(at)kevstewart.freeserve.co.uk (kevin(at)kevstewart.freeserve.co.uk)> wrote: [quote]--> Zenith-List message posted by: "kevstewart" <kevin(at)kevstewart.freeserve.co.uk (kevin(at)kevstewart.freeserve.co.uk)>
Hi All,
Having recently sold our PA38 we are looking for something newer and cheaper to run.
The CH601HDS looks a likely contender but there are none local to me that I can go and look at.
My question is: how much space is there in the cockpit? The reason I ask is that I am 6'4" and 190lb. My height is mainly biased towards my legs rather than my torso.
Do any of you guys have any experience of fitting someone my size into a 601? I see that there is a very useful diagram for the 601XL on the Zenair web site.
http://www.zenithair.com/zodiac/images/6-dim.gif
There is also a quote from a pilot:
"Just a quick note to let u know that I am 6'4" and weigh over 250 and I fit into the Super ZODIAC nicely. I encountered lots of headroom with the bubble canopy and was very surprised with the room." - TW
His quote mentions the Super Zodiac, does he mean the HDS variant or is he referring to the XL?
Some clarification/assistance would be much appreciated.
Many thanks,
Kevin (Plymouth, UK)
[b]
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larry(at)macsmachine.com
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| Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:20 am Post subject: How big is the CH601HDS cockpit / First Flight N601XS |
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Congratulations Craig!
You're right, the HDS was a little tight, but my seat back could get
another 2 inches if it were only an inch thick. Fits me as I'm short in
the legs, long in the waist.
On prop pitch, examine your numbers carefully as I'd have considered
going longer in pitch would take you to 14 or 15 degrees. There was an
airplane built a few years ago that crashed with the most likely
symptoms of being pitched too short. Could take off, but not stay in the
air. Very pleased to see your aircraft complete.
Larry McFarland 601HDS at www.macsmachine.com
Craig Spainhower wrote:
| Quote: | Kevin,
I am 6' 3" and got a ride in Larry McFarlan's 601HDS and I found
it a little tight for leg room (It is an excellent plane by the way,
Larry is very meticulous). I built the 601XL and moved the rudder
peddles towards the firewall as far as the plans allowed and am quite
comfortable.
On another more exciting note, N601XS passed inspection last
Sunday 10/4/08 and yesterday 10/8/08, with the Sun ready to sink below
the horizon, it changed from an expensive hobby to an airplane. The
winds were calm and climb out was uneventful, although the climb rate
was less than expected. The reason became apparent on downwind when I
could only achieve 85 kts (at) ~ 1900 RPM. Since the 0-235 L2C makes full
rated power of 118 HP (at) 2800 RPM I definitely need to re-pitch the
prop. I have a 3-blade 66" Warp Drive currently pitched (at) 13 degrees,
I would welcome input from anyone flying with a similar setup. I will
re-pitch to 12 degrees and try again. I have a slightly heavy right
wing with 12 gallons of fuel in both wings. After an excellent
landing, one which I could walk away from and able to use the plane
again, I tucked the plane in and smiled all the way home. The only
disconcerting thing I noticed, other than the prop pitch, is a
tendancy for the plane to want to continue to roll in the direction of
a turn after ~ 15 degrees of bank. It is easily arrested with a light
opposite input on the aileron and I wondered if this is a normal trait
of the XL. Well, only 39.75 hrs flight testing left, hoping for a
mild fall.
Craig Spainhower
N601XS, 601xl Lyc 0-235 L2C, Started Feb 2003, finished Oct. 2008
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DaveG601XL
Joined: 27 Oct 2006
Posts: 351
Location: Cincinnati, Oh
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| Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 11:46 am Post subject: Re: How big is the CH601HDS cockpit / First Flight N601XS |
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Way to go Craig! You will find your flight testing period to be a very exciting, yet sometimes frustrating, but mostly a fun, experience. You are just behind me. I have 3.8 hours to go before I reach my 40.
Good luck and be safe,
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_________________
David Gallagher
Cincinnati, OH area |
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s.clive.richards(at)homec
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| Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 12:12 pm Post subject: How big is the CH601HDS cockpit / First Flight N601XS |
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Congratulations Craig
We have tried a 66 inch 3 Blade on
Rays 601 HD 100 HP Cont 0200 set 13 degrees gives 2300 rpm max with chocks
on ground I think you should aim for around 2300 depending on air
temperature and gives about 2700 max straight & level. Caution we have had
the aluminium ferrule on the blades crack Warp have replaced the blades but
say we should Idle at a minimum of 1000 rpm to prevent this happening again,
we think this will give to long a landing run so have not tried this & are
staying with our wooded prop for present. We think Warp may have a problem
with direct drives.
Clive Richards
do not archive 260 Hrs app 40 on warp.
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