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jon(at)joncroke.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 8:43 pm Post subject: Once, a bad spring; now: this year's spring brings flight!

It finally flew!

  

 N701US, in its second incarnation  (a weak, unauthorized Rotax Carb spring brought down the original  701 of this N number) made its maiden voyage after about 2.5 years of  building.  This was a mostly scratch built 701, built on an economy budget  (the first plane and engine were a total financial loss).

  

 I have a 1000' grass runway on my propery... with  trees at both ends.... so I had but one chance to apply full power and hope that  this metal contraption would leave the earth, climb over the trees and actually  FLY... such faith we put in ourselves, the designer, and the hope that we  attached all the components properly (right side up)....  that our  workbenches were flat enough... that rivet edge distances were more or less  adhered to.....

  

 I have 2 hours of flight and many touch and  goes to attest that a rather average builder -  with a simple workbench  that was never leveled to the perfection explained by many of our  readers here... can in fact build a plane that flies the first time... straight  and level.... and can be landed easily with no special training... and it IS a  BLAST to fly!  I swear this plane leaps off the ground at about 25mph  indicated... even tho that is not accurate, it still is relatively close enough  to say that this is STOL!

  

 Due to my economic restrictions, I also learned  that there are a few things that do NOT affect the ability to have a safe, fun  plane....  No PAINT... it still flies great without paint!  I notice  no difference in its performance or handling without paint...saved a bundle in  $$  (just didnt have it to spend) AND saved me a lot of time!  No  DOORS.... open cockpit... GREAT view... a little windy... but it will  be summer.... I will build some doors but they are not needed to fly!   No fancy gauges... just the basics...for the type of flying I do they are just  fine!  

  

 My first 701 was a kit (the one that died in the  trees...) The second was mostly scratch (a few components purchased to save  time)...  My observations on kit vs scratch: ... because I have just  shade tree mechanical skills, many of my own fabricated parts were not of the  precision of those that come with the kit... hard to to get the size tolerances  just right when you do it yourself the first time.... so it is not a 'show'  plane... but it is mechanically safe (I hope!) and it flies just fine even with  all of the little innacuracies and edge ripples, etc, etc... and it took a LOT  longer to build when you have to make the parts..... and BTW... I used .020 for  all the skins instead of .016 and it ended up weighing about 30lbs more...(but I  lost 15 lbs over the last year)...  

  

 Truly could not have accomplished this feet w/o the  aid of this Zenith-List.... (thank you!)

  

 Now if I can keep this thing in the sky and out of  the trees..

  

  

 Jon

 the aluminum butcher of Brussels  (Brussels,  Wisconsin)

Max Johansson

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 25
Location: Helsinki, Finland

Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 10:41 pm Post subject: Once, a bad spring; now: this year's spring brings flight!

Jon

  

 Heartfelt congratulations and a message at least for me  = keep it simple and my 701 will eventually fly  !

  

 best regards

 Max

  

 



  	  Quote: 	
		           From: owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com    [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of ext Jon    Croke

Sent: 05 June, 2006 07:43

To:    zenith-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Once, a bad spring;    now: this year's spring brings flight!

   

   It finally flew!

    

   N701US, in its second incarnation    (a weak, unauthorized Rotax Carb spring brought down the    original 701 of this N number) made its maiden voyage after about 2.5 years of    building.  This was a mostly scratch built 701, built on an economy    budget (the first plane and engine were a total financial loss).

    

   I have a 1000' grass runway on my propery... with    trees at both ends.... so I had but one chance to apply full power and hope    that this metal contraption would leave the earth, climb over the trees and    actually FLY... such faith we put in ourselves, the designer, and the hope    that we attached all the components properly (right side up)....  that    our workbenches were flat enough... that rivet edge distances were more or    less adhered to.....

    

   I have 2 hours of flight and many touch and    goes to attest that a rather average builder -  with a simple workbench    that was never leveled to the perfection explained by many of our    readers here... can in fact build a plane that flies the first time...    straight and level.... and can be landed easily with no special training...    and it IS a BLAST to fly!  I swear this plane leaps off the ground at    about 25mph indicated... even tho that is not accurate, it still is relatively    close enough to say that this is STOL!

    

   Due to my economic restrictions, I also learned    that there are a few things that do NOT affect the ability to have a safe, fun    plane....  No PAINT... it still flies great without paint!  I notice    no difference in its performance or handling without paint...saved a bundle in    $$  (just didnt have it to spend) AND saved me a lot of time!  No    DOORS.... open cockpit... GREAT view... a little windy... but it will    be summer.... I will build some doors but they are not needed to    fly!  No fancy gauges... just the basics...for the type of flying I do    they are just fine!  

    

   My first 701 was a kit (the one that died in the    trees...) The second was mostly scratch (a few components purchased to    save time)...  My observations on kit vs scratch: ... because I have    just shade tree mechanical skills, many of my own fabricated parts were not of    the precision of those that come with the kit... hard to to get the size    tolerances just right when you do it yourself the first time.... so it is not    a 'show' plane... but it is mechanically safe (I hope!) and it flies just fine    even with all of the little innacuracies and edge ripples, etc, etc... and it    took a LOT longer to build when you have to make the parts..... and BTW... I    used .020 for all the skins instead of .016 and it ended up weighing about    30lbs more...(but I lost 15 lbs over the last year)...  

    

   Truly could not have accomplished this feet w/o    the aid of this Zenith-List.... (thank you!)

    

   Now if I can keep this thing in the sky and out    of the trees..

    

    

   Jon

   the aluminum butcher of Brussels  (Brussels,    Wisconsin)

_________________
Max

Max Johansson, Helsinki, Finland
Building a CH701SP-912S
on CZAW amphibian floats

zodierocket(at)hsfx.ca
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 3:52 am Post subject: Once, a bad spring; now: this year's spring brings flight!

Jon, congrats! You have put a lot of effort into building your 701 “Twice” but most importantly, you were willing to share with this list the reason for your re-build! Many have learned from your mishap and from that came the birth of www.homebuilthelp.com , which is your ongoing determination to help all builders learn and avoid mistakes. This list is a great resource for learning but Jon has taken the time to produce video’s which cover almost everything a new and even a seasoned builder needs to know in order to build and register a Zenith plane. As unfortunate, as Jon’s accident was in his original 701 what spawned from that event has truly been a blessing. For those who have never visited his website at www.homebuilthelp.com  have a peek, for new builders or those prospecting the building adventure the job Jon has done with his video’s will eliminate two or more years of learning, not to mention the time saved in registration and building.   

   

So Jon, Congrats to you on your second first flight ! But more importantly THANK-YOU for your dedication towards the builders!!  

     

cdngoose  

Zodiac 601XL C-GOXL, CH701 just started  

www.ch601.org / www.ch701.com/ www.Osprey2.com  

  

--

ch701builder

Joined: 07 Feb 2006
Posts: 119
Location: N38.9947,W105.1305,ALT. 9,100'

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 3:52 am Post subject: Once, a bad spring; now: this year's spring brings flight!

Congratulations Jon!!!

Put a picture of it up on your CH701.com site, so that those of use still pounding away can ooohhh and aawwwwhhhhh:)



Once again, congratulations and keep us informed on flying status.



Keith

CH701 -- 8% -- scratch -- still cutting and pounding away!!

N 38.9947

W 105.1305

Alt. 9,100'

*******************************************************************************



It finally flew!



N701US, in its second incarnation  (a weak, unauthorized Rotax Carb spring

brought down the original  701 of this N number) made its maiden voyage

after about 2.5 years of  building.  This was a mostly scratch built 701,

built on an economy budget  (the first plane and engine were a total

financial loss).



I have a 1000' grass runway on my propery... with  trees at both ends....

so I had but one chance to apply full power and hope that  this metal

contraption would leave the earth, climb over the trees and actually

FLY... such faith we put in ourselves, the designer, and the hope that we

attached all the components properly (right side up)....  that our

workbenches were flat enough... that rivet edge distances were more or less

adhered to.....



I have 2 hours of flight and many touch and  goes to attest that a rather

average builder -  with a simple workbench  that was never leveled to the

perfection explained by many of our  readers here... can in fact build a

plane that flies the first time... straight  and level.... and can be

landed easily with no special training... and it IS a  BLAST to fly!  I

swear this plane leaps off the ground at about 25mph  indicated... even tho

that is not accurate, it still is relatively close enough  to say that this

is STOL!



Due to my economic restrictions, I also learned  that there are a few

things that do NOT affect the ability to have a safe, fun  plane....  No

PAINT... it still flies great without paint!  I notice  no difference in

its performance or handling without paint...saved a bundle in  $$  (just

didnt have it to spend) AND saved me a lot of time!  No  DOORS.... open

cockpit... GREAT view... a little windy... but it will  be summer.... I

will build some doors but they are not needed to fly!   No fancy gauges...

just the basics...for the type of flying I do they are just  fine!



My first 701 was a kit (the one that died in the  trees...) The second

was mostly scratch (a few components purchased to save  time)...  My

observations on kit vs scratch: ... because I have just  shade tree

mechanical skills, many of my own fabricated parts were not of the

precision of those that come with the kit... hard to to get the size

tolerances  just right when you do it yourself the first time.... so it is

not a 'show'  plane... but it is mechanically safe (I hope!) and it flies

just fine even with  all of the little innacuracies and edge ripples, etc,

etc... and it took a LOT  longer to build when you have to make the

parts..... and BTW... I used .020 for  all the skins instead of .016 and it

ended up weighing about 30lbs more...(but I  lost 15 lbs over the last

year)...



Truly could not have accomplished this feet w/o the  aid of this

Zenith-List.... (thank you!)



Now if I can keep this thing in the sky and out of  the trees..

Jon

the aluminum butcher of Brussels  (Brussels,  Wisconsin)



====================================

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====================================



 

 

 



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armyret(at)mchsi.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 5:56 am Post subject: Once, a bad spring; now: this year's spring brings flight!

Jon-  great news.  Congrats.  I am  just finishing up my re-build so I can understand where you are coming  from.  Best of luck in all future flights. 

 Al Young

 N601AY- second time around

 [quote]   ---

JAPhillipsGA(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 6:07 am Post subject: Once, a bad spring; now: this year's spring brings flight!

Jon, great story of success ! Many of us would have folded out tents and went home, but you battled back. You are to be commended for your ability and tenacity. A true aviator. Best regards, Bill of Georgia

 do not archive

davids601xl(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 6:25 am Post subject: Once, a bad spring; now: this year's spring brings flight!

Congratulations my friend!  Fly safe and have a blast.

I look forward to flying with you at some point. 

David



--- Jon Croke <jon(at)joncroke.com> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   It finally flew!

 

> 

 Jon

 the aluminum butcher of Brussels  (Brussels,

Wisconsin)
	




David Barth

601 XL Plansbuilder  15% done?

Working on Wings

www.ch601.org



__________________________________________________

taffy0687(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 6:50 am Post subject: Once, a bad spring; now: this year's spring brings flight!

Congratulations Jon--------- I really enjoyed your story and feel that this is what it is all about.  I have a whole lot of respect for what you have accomplished and I wish the "movement" would swing back more towards the grass roots of things, vs. the 200 mph  "glass" planes.  

  I know first hand (from building my 701) when you go to a fly-in, and the person  who will point out that "one rivet out of line" is the same person who hasn't even started building  his airplane yet, but when he does, "all his rivets will be in straight line."  ( I heard that more than once, from the "experts".)

  I flew my 701 for a year before painting it.  I did enjoy the view with full Lexan doors, and I also had the "optional" windows which could be opened in flight.  I think they were a nice feature as one could fly and rest your arm on the open "window sill", gave a lot of elbow room. ( I mention this to let you  know, they were very inexpensive to build, afforded the same view as" no doors", yet kept the wind out.)

  Again, your story touched my heart,  as my motto has been: " build it safe, build it to have fun, do the best I can with what I have to work with"

  Fritz--- Corvair -- plans building  XL-- 90% done---90% to go



Jon Croke <jon(at)joncroke.com> wrote: 

   	  Quote: 	
		          It finally flew!

   

  N701US, in its second incarnation (a weak, unauthorized Rotax Carb spring brought down the original 701 of this N number) made its maiden voyage after about 2.5 years of building.  This was a mostly scratch built 701, built on  an economy budget (the first plane and engine were a total financial loss).

   

  I have a 1000' grass runway on my propery... with trees at both ends.... so I had but one chance to apply full power and hope that this metal contraption would leave the earth, climb over the trees and actually FLY... such faith we put in ourselves, the designer, and the hope that we attached all the components properly (right side up)....  that our workbenches were flat enough... that rivet edge distances were more or less adhered to.....

   

  I have 2 hours of flight and many touch and goes to attest that a rather average builder -  with a simple workbench that was never leveled to the perfection explained by many of our readers here... can in fact build a plane that flies the first time...  straight and level.... and can be landed easily with no special training... and it IS a BLAST to fly!  I swear this plane leaps off the ground at about 25mph indicated... even tho that is not accurate, it still is relatively close enough to say that this is STOL!

   

  Due to my economic restrictions, I also learned that there are a few things that do NOT affect the ability to have a safe, fun plane....  No PAINT... it still flies great without paint!  I notice no difference in its performance or handling without paint...saved a bundle in $$  (just didnt have it to spend) AND saved me a lot of time!  No DOORS.... open cockpit... GREAT view... a little windy... but it will be summer.... I will build some doors but they are not needed to fly!  No fancy gauges... just the basics...for the type of flying I do they are just fine!  

    

  My first 701 was a kit (the one that died in the trees...) The second was mostly scratch (a few components purchased to save time)...  My observations on kit vs scratch: ... because I have just shade tree mechanical skills, many of my own fabricated parts were not of the precision of those that come with the kit... hard to to get the size tolerances just right when you do it yourself the first time.... so it is not a 'show' plane... but it is mechanically safe (I hope!) and it flies just fine even with all of the little innacuracies and edge ripples, etc, etc... and it took a LOT longer to build when you have to make the parts..... and BTW... I used .020 for all the skins instead of .016 and it ended up weighing about 30lbs more...(but I lost 15 lbs over the last year)...  

   

  Truly  could not have accomplished this feet w/o the aid of this Zenith-List.... (thank you!)

   

  Now if I can keep this thing in the sky and out of the trees..

   

   

  Jon

  the aluminum butcher of Brussels  (Brussels, Wisconsin)

	




 		Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. [url=http://us.rd.yahoo.com/mail_us/taglines/postman1/*http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=39663/*http://voice.yahoo.com]Make PC-to-Phone Calls[/url] to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

frank.hinde(at)hp.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 7:09 am Post subject: Once, a bad spring; now: this year's spring brings flight!

Jon...Awesome news!

  

 You have been an inspiration in pulling back from such a  downer.

  

 My hat is off to you.

  

 Frank

  

 RV7a....First successful spray  painting!



   From: owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com  [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Jon  Croke

Sent: Sunday, June 04, 2006 9:43 PM

To:  zenith-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Once, a bad spring;  now: this year's spring brings flight!

 

 It finally flew!

hrs1(at)frontiernet.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 7:15 am Post subject: Once, a bad spring; now: this year's spring brings flight!

Jon . . . I'm very happy for you and look forward  to reports on No. 2's performance - glide ability, landing characteristics,  etc. Robert 

 [quote]   ---

clojan(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 7:26 am Post subject: Once, a bad spring; now: this year's spring brings flight!

Jon: I remember your saga with the trees very well. You sure did get  back on the horse or in this case the plane. Congrats! Jack in los osos ca.  do not archive



Al Young <armyret(at)mchsi.com> wrote:  [quote]        Jon-  great news.  Congrats.  I am just finishing up my re-build so I can understand where you are coming from.  Best of luck in all future flights. 

  Al Young

  N601AY- second time around

  [quote]  ---

ggower_99(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 8:17 am Post subject: Once, a bad spring; now: this year's spring brings flight!

Congratulations Jon!!!!

   

  I knew you could make it,   Yes,  was a good idea to build it second time.

   

  Lots of hours of flight and happiness in years to come..

   

  Saludos

  Gary Gower.

  Do not archive.



Jon Croke <jon(at)joncroke.com> wrote:

  [quote]        It finally flew!

   

  N701US, in its second incarnation (a weak, unauthorized Rotax Carb spring brought down the original 701 of this N number) made its maiden voyage after about 2.5 years of building.  This was a mostly scratch built 701, built on an economy budget (the  first plane and engine were a total financial loss).

   

  I have a 1000' grass runway on my propery... with trees at both ends.... so I had but one chance to apply full power and hope that this metal contraption would leave the earth, climb over the trees and actually FLY... such faith we put in ourselves, the designer, and the hope that we attached all the components properly (right side up)....  that our workbenches were flat enough... that rivet edge distances were more or less adhered to.....

   

  I have 2 hours of flight and many touch and goes to attest that a rather average builder -  with a simple workbench that was never leveled to the perfection explained by many of our readers here... can in fact build a plane that flies the first time... straight and level.... and  can be landed easily with no special training... and it IS a BLAST to fly!  I swear this plane leaps off the ground at about 25mph indicated... even tho that is not accurate, it still is relatively close enough to say that this is STOL!

   

  Due to my economic restrictions, I also learned that there are a few things that do NOT affect the ability to have a safe, fun plane....  No PAINT... it still flies great without paint!  I notice no difference in its performance or handling without paint...saved a bundle in $$  (just didnt have it to spend) AND saved me a lot of time!  No DOORS.... open cockpit... GREAT view... a little windy... but it will be summer.... I will build some doors but they are not needed to fly!  No fancy gauges... just the basics...for the type of flying I do they are just fine!  

   

  My first 701 was a kit (the one that died in the trees...) The second was mostly scratch (a few components purchased to save time)...  My observations on kit vs scratch: ... because I have just shade tree mechanical skills, many of my own fabricated parts were not of the precision of those that come with the kit... hard to to get the size tolerances just right when you do it yourself the first time.... so it is not a 'show' plane... but it is mechanically safe (I hope!) and it flies just fine even with all of the little innacuracies and edge ripples, etc, etc... and it took a LOT longer to build when you have to make the parts..... and BTW... I used .020 for all the skins instead of .016 and it ended up weighing about 30lbs more...(but I lost 15 lbs over the last year)...  

   

  Truly could not have

Tommy Walker

Joined: 12 Jan 2006
Posts: 442
Location: Anniston, AL 36207

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:59 am Post subject: Once, a bad spring; now: this year's spring brings flight!

Congratulations  Jon!

  

 Tommy Walker in  Alabama

 Do Not  Archive

_________________
Tommy Walker
N25A - Anniston, AL

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