cj.tremblay(at)videotron. Guest
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Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2006 7:32 pm Post subject: Flyin with the CH 640 |
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Hi Marco,
There is the Steve Adams forum note on his experience with the CH640
Christian Tremblay
Match:
#3
Message:
#40664
Subject:
Re: Steve Adams'Zenair Zodiac CH640
From:
"steveadams" <dr_steve_adams(at)yahoo.com>
Date:
Aug 11, 2006
Thanks. There is about a 10-11 month delay between submission and when you see
your completion in the magazine. I have been flying the heck out of the plane,
and now have about 235 hours in just over a year. My next milestone will be flying
it for more hours than it took me to build. I just finished my first condition
inspection and found no problems. My kit was #0052, ordered in May 2004.
I think mine was the 3rd owner built 640 to fly. I believe there are 2 others
that have since been completed and a number making serious progress toward finishing.
The numbers are relatively small, but the 640 is a nice plane. If I
was just now looking at buying a kit, I would make the same choice.
Just a few thoughts from the perpective of flying your creation for a while. The
process of building is a process of learning, with a series of milestones along
the way. Each part you complete and each skill that you learn is a step toward
the ultimate milestone; the first flight. We hear a lot about the building
process, and of course we celebrate each first flight in anticipation of our
own. We hear about the problems encountered after the first flight, and sadly
we discuss the accidents that occur. But we rarely hear much more of what happens
after that first flight. It also is a learning process every bit as challenging
and rewarding as the actual building. The learning curve is steepest during
those first few hours as you explore the characteristics of your new plane.
To me that first power on full stall was almost as nerve wracking as the first
flight, until it just mushed straight over and started flying again. With
each characteristic and phase of flight you explore, you gain confidence and
respect for the airplane you created. Later you start to refine things as you
discover how to best fly the pattern and land, how it handles x-winds and different
loadings. In essence you begin to know your airplane in flight every bit
as well as you knew every bolt, rivet and wire as you were building. Then as
you put in a few hours, your role changes from builder and test pilot to mechanic
and aircraft owner, and there is a whole new set of skills to learn and tools
to buy. You quickly learn that what was an easy thing to do during the build,
turns you into a contortionist when you have to get back in to inspect, change
or repair. You discover things that maybe you should have done a little differently,
or some other addition that you would like to make to the airplane.
I guess what I am saying is that what you started by drilling that first hole
in the rudder spar, doesn't end with pulling the last rivet or the first flight.
It's a continual challenge and source of enjoyment. Happy building and flying.
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=54076#54076
De : owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com] De la part de Marco Rispoli
Envoyé : Sunday, August 20, 2006 3:52 PM
À : zenith-list(at)matronics.com
Objet : ch 640
Hello all. I have a question about the CH 640.
I have seen many 640s started (both looking on the web and at the builder's list on the official Zenith site) but I can't find an example (pictures, comments, feedback) from a real homebuilder about the experience and how happy he/she is about the end result.
So my question is: Did anyone ever complete a 640? I am not talking about a factory built prototype. I would like to know if any homebuilder has ever completed a 640 and he/she is actually flying it right now.
Thank you!
Marco 01234567890123
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