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rstone4(at)hot.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 11:35 am Post subject: Factory Support

I have seen a good many  posts that claim good factory support.  I would like to know what the  secret is since I have sent three questions to Zenith and have yet to receive an  answer to any of them.  I have a completed Zodiac601XL that my dad had  built and then gave it to me. 

      Also the ZodiacXL is  touted as an easy aircraft to fly and this is anything but true.  I am  still trying to learn to land on a calm day and cross-wind landing  are almost impossible to get right. My log book shows 258 hours  in Spam Cans so I am a low time pilot.  I have an instructor CFI/CFII that  says "This is a high time pilot aircraft"

  

 Tracy Stone

 Harker Heights, Tx

 ZodiacXL w/Jabiru 3300

   [quote][b]

craig(at)craigandjean.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 11:55 am Post subject: Factory Support

E-mail to and from the factory can be unreliable. If  you don't get a response in a reasonable time call them.

  

 I'm a 100 hour pilot and my landings in an XL are just as  bad as the ones made in 172s, Katanas and Evektor  Sportstars.

  

 -- Craig

[quote] [b]

crvsecretary

Joined: 18 Mar 2007
Posts: 38
Location: Naugatuck, CT

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 5:53 pm Post subject: Factory Support

Hello Tracy:

  

 Only two suggestions:

  

  - Zenith has limited resources, just like any other business.   If you sent your inquiries in during an incredibly busy time, say, during Sun  & Fun, there will be a delay in response.  Or maybe, if your inquiry  required an expert response, that, too, will take time.  But for everyday  inquiries I have never been less than completely satisified with Zenith  response.

  

 -  As far as being difficult to fly, maybe it's time that an  EXPERIENCED 601XL pilot had some left seat time in YOUR Zodiac and see exactly  what is going on.  MAYBE yours is in need of some very small fine-tuning to  make it an exceptional aircraft - it could be that simple.  As far as your  CFII's comments, maybe he is right with regard to YOUR aircraft set up as it is  RIGHT NOW.  Somehow I doubt he would be an expert in 601XL handling  characteristics to be able to pass judgement on the whole family of 601's.

  

 No, my 601 is not flying yet, but I can tell you I have trusted friends and  mechanics 'test ride' my Harley every so often to pick up on the little things I  pass over and regard as 'normal'.  I have a 100% perfectly reliable,  dependable, safe and maintained FLTC because I work at it and on it.

  

 Just my 2 cents worth...I'm not trying to patronize you, but to encourage  you to look for answers.

  

 Best of luck

  

 Tracy Smith

 601XL N458XL (reserved)

  

  

  

  

 In a message dated 6/3/2007 3:36:43 PM Eastern Daylight Time,  rstone4(at)hot.rr.com writes:

  	  Quote: 	
		          I have seen a good many    posts that claim good factory support.  I would like to know what the    secret is since I have sent three questions to Zenith and have yet to receive    an answer to any of them.  I have a completed Zodiac601XL that my dad had    built and then gave it to me. 

        Also the ZodiacXL is    touted as an easy aircraft to fly and this is anything but true.  I am    still trying to learn to land on a calm day and cross-wind landing    are almost impossible to get right. My log book shows 258 hours    in Spam Cans so I am a low time pilot.  I have an instructor CFI/CFII    that says "This is a high time pilot aircraft"

    

   Tracy Stone

   Harker Heights, Tx

   ZodiacXL w/Jabiru  3300

	


 

  



See what's free at AOL.com. 

  [quote][b]

_________________
Zenith 601XL N458XL (reserved)
Naugatuck, CT
Tail Complete; working on wings

n801bh(at)netzero.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 10:14 pm Post subject: Factory Support

Ben Haas

N801BH

www.haaspowerair.com

   

  I have had nothing but GREAT factory support during the build of my 801. Nick, Roger, Sebastion, Shirley and any other person that answered the phone or my emails were wonderful all the time. Zenith Aircraft has been the best company to do business with so far during my 52 years on this planet....

  

 I want this archived too cause to me their business ethic is to be complamented.

  

 Ben

  

  

  	  Quote: 	
		        I have seen a good many posts that claim good factory support.  I would like to know what the secret is since I have sent three questions to Zenith and have yet to receive an answer to any of them.  I have a completed Zodiac601XL that my dad had built and then gave it to me. 

      Also the ZodiacXL is touted as an easy aircraft to fly and this is anything but true.  I am still trying to learn to land on a calm day and cross-wind landing are almost impossible to get right. My log book shows 258 hours in Spam Cans so I am a low time pilot.  I have an instructor CFI/CFII that says "This is a high time pilot aircraft"

  

 Tracy Stone

 Harker Heights, Tx

 ZodiacXL w/Jabiru 3300

	


 

  



   See what's free at AOL.com. 

[quote]



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

">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List

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

tronics.com

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



[b]

amyvega2005(at)earthlink.
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 3:44 am Post subject: Factory Support

Bob,



On the subject of the zodiac not flying well,  my golf game has gone from an 82 average to a 95 becauase I changed my putter.



On a serious note,  I have flown the zodiac and it is FUN!!.  you maybe trying to flare too hard.  I noticed the 601 is like the CUb, you want to peg the airspeed at 60 knots over the thresh hold.    over the thrresh hold,  set the plane's attitude and don't try to flare too hard, justa touch.  Landing the 601 is my favorite part and is lots of fun to do.



If you cant get a hold of ZOdiac on the net, just pick up the phone, they usually answer in the first ring.



On the CFII,  he probably has not flown a plane that needed piloting, living on the Garmin 1000, rub my back while I fly kind of planes.  Think Piper Cub, back to basics S and R.  

--

fderfler(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 4:33 am Post subject: Factory Support

In Reply to Tracy Stone: 

  

 Tracy -- I own and fly the AMD-made version of the 601XL, so I have no knowledge of factory support.  But, I can certainly talk about landings.  I don't agree with your assessment and I think it's important to say so because there are so many list members who haven't had the pleasure of flying the 601XL yet.   

  

 I've flown three AMD-made 601XLs.  I've got about 75 hours on the one I own and I've made landings all over Florida and Georgia  -- sometimes in heavy crosswind conditions and almost always in heated bumpy air.   (There is only one runway in Marathon, FL and the wind  usually changes between the time you were on downwind and the time you are on short final.. the ramp temperature is seldom below 80 degrees) 

  

 I am a 400 hour pilot.  My 601 lands as sweetly as any Warrior, Cadet, 172, or DA-20 I've flown.  It lands exactly the same as the Grumman Cheetah I owned.  

  

 Question:  Are you sitting high enough so you can clearly see over the cowling?  That's useful.  I have friends who need to sit on a pillow in my airplane.  Set your gaze down at the far left side of the runway.  Ignore all the bumping and jumping until you are just a few feet off the ground.  I use very little flair.  Not like the Kings' instructional video showing a full stall landing with the stall horn sounding.  Don't stall it....  Just let it ... land.  

  

 So, 601 builders, have no fear.  They fly and land sweetly.  

  Frank Derfler N183AM AMD-made 601XL flying in the Florida Keys 

See my information for pilots flying the SE at www.flyinflorida.com 

 See my Blog, "Mostly Flying" at http://mostlyflying.blogspot.com/  

  

  [quote][b]

daveaustin2(at)primus.ca
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 5:11 am Post subject: Factory Support

I agree with Tracy regarding the flying of your  XL.  It would seem your a/c may not be aligned or trimmed as it should  be.  My experience on the 601HDS is that as long as you keep a bit of power  on it is a pussycat to land.  Shut the throttle on flare and it will drop  like a stone.  

 Dave Austin  601HDS - 912, Spitfire Mk  VIII

    [quote][b]

s.c.richards(at)homecall.
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 7:06 am Post subject: Factory Support

Tracy

             I would try & get some lessons from an instructor who flys a 

similar light weight plane as they have low inertia, we did having  had 

difficulty at first landing Ray 601 HD, as It has a continental 0 200 & a 

header tank, we are now using the wing tanks to top up header tank and try 

to land with less than 25 lts in header tank . Tends to drop onto nose wheel 

as soon as mains touch & you remove power. Found we need to peg speed to 70 

knots on final with approx 1600 rpm reduce to 60 knots & 1400 rpm in flare 

and land with power on. Very good in cross winds have landed with 15 to 20 

knots across. I would have thought the XL would be easier has you have less 

drag.

  We did find ZAC slow to answer emails thought it was because we were in UK 

but managed to get answers eventually

Clive

Rays G CBDG 120 hrs

do not archive



From: "Juan Vega" <amyvega2005(at)earthlink.net>

To: <zenith-list(at)matronics.com>

Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 12:43 PM

Subject: Re: Factory Support

[quote] 



 Bob,



 On the subject of the zodiac not flying well,  my golf game has gone from 

 an 82 average to a 95 becauase I changed my putter.



 On a serious note,  I have flown the zodiac and it is FUN!!.  you maybe 

 trying to flare too hard.  I noticed the 601 is like the CUb, you want to 

 peg the airspeed at 60 knots over the thresh hold.    over the thrresh 

 hold,  set the plane's attitude and don't try to flare too hard, justa 

 touch.  Landing the 601 is my favorite part and is lots of fun to do.



 If you cant get a hold of ZOdiac on the net, just pick up the phone, they 

 usually answer in the first ring.



 On the CFII,  he probably has not flown a plane that needed piloting, 

 living on the Garmin 1000, rub my back while I fly kind of planes.  Think 

 Piper Cub, back to basics S and R.

 --

Flydog1966(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:20 pm Post subject: Factory Support

In a message dated 6/3/2007 3:36:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time,  rstone4(at)hot.rr.com writes:

  	  Quote: 	
		  I have    seen a good many posts that claim good factory support.  I would like to    know what the secret is since I have sent three questions to Zenith and have    yet to receive an answer to any of them.  	


 

 Yeah,that reminds me, I sent them a question a month ago, and still have  not heard from them !



See what's free at AOL.com. 

  [quote][b]

amyvega2005(at)earthlink.
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 4:26 am Post subject: Factory Support

pick up the phone and call, I know its hard to do, but give it the old college try.



--

jeffrey_davidson(at)earth
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 6:29 am Post subject: Factory Support

Try putting your name and builder's number in the subject line of any email you send to ZAC.



Jeff D.



do not archive

ccwacker(at)HOTMAIL.COM
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 6:31 am Post subject: Factory Support

Email response from Zenith is not very good. Pick uo the phone and call and 

you will be very happy with their support.



Chuck Wacker

N601CW, Quick Build

 	  Quote: 	
		  From: Flydog1966(at)aol.com

Reply-To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com

To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Re: Factory Support

Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2007 03:19:04 EDT

In a message dated 6/3/2007 3:36:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

rstone4(at)hot.rr.com writes:



I have  seen a good many posts that claim good factory support.  I would 

like

to  know what the secret is since I have sent three questions to Zenith and

have  yet to receive an answer to any of them.

Yeah,that reminds me, I sent them a question a month ago, and still have  

not

heard from them !



************************************** See what's free at 

http://www.aol.com.


	


_________________________________________________________________

Get a preview of Live Earth, the hottest event this summer - only on MSN 

http://liveearth.msn.com?source=msntaglineliveearthhm

agibeaut

Joined: 21 Mar 2007
Posts: 64

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 7:43 am Post subject: Factory Support

Chuck is right. I just now caled the factory on a

question and got Caleb right away, got the answer and

was off the phone in about a minute. I think they get

overwhelmed with Emails, so just call. It works.



Art Gibeaut

CH701 Components



Do not archive

--- Charles Wacker <ccwacker(at)hotmail.com> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <ccwacker(at)hotmail.com>

 

 Email response from Zenith is not very good. Pick uo

 the phone and call and 

 you will be very happy with their support.

 

 Chuck Wacker

 N601CW, Quick Build

 

 

 >From: Flydog1966(at)aol.com

 >Reply-To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com

 >To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com

 >Subject: Re: Factory Support

 >Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2007 03:19:04 EDT

 >

 >

 >In a message dated 6/3/2007 3:36:41 PM Eastern

 Daylight Time,

 >rstone4(at)hot.rr.com writes:

 >

 >I have  seen a good many posts that claim good

 factory support.  I would 

 >like

 >to  know what the secret is since I have sent three

 questions to Zenith and

 >have  yet to receive an answer to any of them.

 >

 >

 >Yeah,that reminds me, I sent them a question a

 month ago, and still have  

 >not

 >heard from them !

 >

 >

 >

 >************************************** See what's

 free at 

 >http://www.aol.com.

 



_________________________________________________________________
	


 	  Quote: 	
		   Get a preview of Live Earth, the hottest event this

 summer - only on MSN 



http://liveearth.msn.com?source=msntaglineliveearthhm
	


 	  Quote: 	
		   

 



 browse

 Subscriptions page,

 FAQ,

 http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List



 Web Forums!



 

 

 

 


	


       

Got a little couch potato? 

Check out fun summer activities for kids.

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dougsnash(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:13 am Post subject: Factory Support

I can't really comment on the e-mail/phone support

from the factory since I have only ever dealt with

them when I picked up my landing gear kit.  Roger was

an excellent host and a big help when I showed up

unannounced late on a Friday Afternoon last Fall.



I can, however, comment on the excellent service I

have received from Mark Townsend and David Barth from

CAN-ZAC. Although it means I'm not buying much

directly from them, Mark and David have both

encouraged me to scratch build my CH-701.  They are

always quick to reply to both my e-mails and to my

phone calls.  If they don't know the answer (rarely

happens) they find out for me quickly. 



I cannot ask for better customer service.



Doug MacDonald

CH-701 Scratch Builder

NW Ontario, Canada

do not archive

 

--- Art Gibeaut <aagibeaut(at)yahoo.com> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <aagibeaut(at)yahoo.com>

 

 Chuck is right. I just now caled the factory on a

 question and got Caleb right away, got the answer

 and

 was off the phone in about a minute. I think they

 get

 overwhelmed with Emails, so just call. It works.

 

 Art Gibeaut

 CH701 Components

 

 Do not archive


	


Luggage? GPS? Comic books? 

Check out fitting gifts for grads at Yahoo! Search

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JohnDRead(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:16 pm Post subject: Factory Support

Hi Listers:

                 This  is how I get answers to questions from Zenith. Make initial contact by phone,  some times this takes several tries as Zenith does not have voice mail, they  prefer the personal touch. Depending on my question I ask for either Caleb or  Sebastien. Either of them can speak to technical needs. I usually follow up with  email. For workshops, ordering or delivery questions either of the ladies in the  office can take care of you. Can Zac is also a great source for technical  answers.

  

 Regards, John Read

     



See what's free at AOL.com. 

  [quote][b]

JohnDRead(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:18 pm Post subject: Factory Support

Good advice.

  

 John Read



See what's free at AOL.com. 

  [quote][b]

LILESCHELL(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:54 pm Post subject: Factory Support

See what's free at AOL.com. 

  [quote][b]

LILESCHELL(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:54 pm Post subject: Factory Support

See what's free at AOL.com. 

  [quote][b]

LILESCHELL(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:54 pm Post subject: Factory Support

See what's free at AOL.com. 

  [quote][b]

LILESCHELL(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:54 pm Post subject: Factory Support

See what's free at AOL.com. 

  [quote][b]

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