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N601BZ Fly's!

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billsewell(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 9:05 am Post subject: N601BZ Fly's!

Today, August 27, 2007, at 8:56AM EDT N601BZ flew for the first time.  The flight was unintentional, occurring during a high speed taxi test.   I had the stick full back as is typical when taxing a conventional gear aircraft and as the aircraft accelerated past 40MPH and approached 50MPH, just as I was about to bring the tail up, the right wheel broke ground.   I moved the stick to the right and the left wheel came up and we were flying.  I moved the stick to lower the nose into a gentle climb attitude and added right trim to bring the stick back to neutral.   I then trimmed the nose up to continue the climb at around 90 MPH, when I had a chance to look, and was at pattern altitude before I knew it.   Since the there were clouds at about 2000 feet and since I hadn't intended to fly in the first place, I decided to make one circuit of the pattern and attempt to put the airplane back on the runway at the first opportunity.   I made a gentle left turn to cross wind and another to down wind.  Once on down wind, I reduced power to 2000 and added a bit more nose up trim.   Once past the end of the runway I reduced power to 1500 and began a smooth gradual descent.  Another gentle left turn to base and one more to final and before I knew it I was over the end of the runway.   I pulled power back to idle as I flared and the propeller stopped just a second before I made a soft 3 point touch down.  I rolled out and slowed down and restarted the engine with the starter.   My first flight was over and it probably lasted all of 6 minutes. 

  

So this is what I learned.  First, the TD will take off in a 3 point attitude very easily.   The 601XL accelerates very quickly once the throttle is fully open.  I had heard about the left wing being heavy and needing right trim from other first flight reports so there was no surprise there.   I'm not sure why the propeller stopped over the runway in the flair, the ground idle speed is set to 850 and hasn't been a problem.  I realized after landing that I had forgotten to pull carb heat and it was a humid so I suppose there might have been some carb ice but I'm not convinced of that.   I will download the EMS data and see if it contains any clue. 

  

Even though my first flight was very short, my impression of the 601XL's flight characteristics are that it is very much like a Citabria or even a Cessna and I felt right at home flying it.   The landing and taxi characteristics are also very similar to the Citabria that I have done most of my tail wheel flying in. 

  

I will be posting some video to my web site in the near future. 

  

Just want to thank Zenith Aircraft for a great design and all the other builders that have helped me out.   And of course to thank my wife for supporting my hobby and for filming my "high speed taxi tests." 

  

Bill Sewell 

N601BZ  [quote][b]

larry(at)macsmachine.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 9:52 am Post subject: N601BZ Fly's!

Congratulations Bill,

This is one of life's best adventures.  Pleased you made it in one piece.

Do continue to fly safe,



Larry McFarland 601HDS at www.macsmachine.com

do not archive.



Bill Sewell wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  

 Today, August 27, 2007, at 8:56AM EDT N601BZ flew for the first time.  



 Just want to thank Zenith Aircraft for a great design and all the 

 other builders that have helped me out.  And of course to thank my 

 wife for supporting my hobby and for filming my "high speed taxi tests."



  



 Bill Sewell



 N601BZ

wjones(at)brazoriainet.co
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 10:04 am Post subject: N601BZ Fly's!

Congratulations Bill ,you have built a beautiful  aircraft and did well on your first flight .I have seen this happen before with  high speed taxing and it is nice when your plane is prepared for flight even  when it is not your intention .Thanks for the help you have given me and as  always be safe and enjoy your new toy .

 Wade Jones    South Texas 

601XL plans building

Cont.  0200

 [quote]   ---

john.marzulli(at)gmail.co
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 10:27 am Post subject: N601BZ Fly's!

Congrats and good luck tracking down the engine gremlins.



What engine are you using?



-John in Seattle



On 8/27/07, Bill Sewell < billsewell(at)gmail.com (billsewell(at)gmail.com)> wrote:[quote]

 Today, August 27, 2007, at 8:56AM EDT N601BZ flew for the first time.  The flight was unintentional, occurring during a high speed taxi test.   I had the stick full back as is typical when taxing a conventional gear aircraft and as the aircraft accelerated past 40MPH and approached 50MPH, just as I was about to bring the tail up, the right wheel broke ground.   I moved the stick to the right and the left wheel came up and we were flying.  I moved the stick to lower the nose into a gentle climb attitude and added right trim to bring the stick back to neutral.   I then trimmed the nose up to continue the climb at around 90 MPH, when I had a chance to look, and was at pattern altitude before I knew it.   Since the there were clouds at about 2000 feet and since I hadn't intended to fly in the first place, I decided to make one circuit of the pattern and attempt to put the airplane back on the runway at the first opportunity.   I made a gentle left turn to cross wind and another to down wind.  Once on down wind, I reduced power to 2000 and added a bit more nose up trim.   Once past the end of the runway I reduced power to 1500 and began a smooth gradual descent.  Another gentle left turn to base and one more to final and before I knew it I was over the end of the runway.   I pulled power back to idle as I flared and the propeller stopped just a second before I made a soft 3 point touch down.  I rolled out and slowed down and restarted the engine with the starter.   My first flight was over and it probably lasted all of 6 minutes. 

  

So this is what I learned.  First, the TD will take off in a 3 point attitude very easily.   The 601XL accelerates very quickly once the throttle is fully open.  I had heard about the left wing being heavy and needing right trim from other first flight reports so there was no surprise there.   I'm not sure why the propeller stopped over the runway in the flair, the ground idle speed is set to 850 and hasn't been a problem.  I realized after landing that I had forgotten to pull carb heat and it was a humid so I suppose there might have been some carb ice but I'm not convinced of that.   I will download the EMS data and see if it contains any clue. 

  

Even though my first flight was very short, my impression of the 601XL's flight characteristics are that it is very much like a Citabria or even a Cessna and I felt right at home flying it.   The landing and taxi characteristics are also very similar to the Citabria that I have done most of my tail wheel flying in. 

  

I will be posting some video to my web site in the near future. 

  

Just want to thank Zenith Aircraft for a great design and all the other builders that have helped me out.   And of course to thank my wife for supporting my hobby and for filming my "high speed taxi tests." 

  

Bill Sewell 

N601BZ  [quote][b]  http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List http://forums.matronics.com 



"Flying a plane is no different than riding a bicycle... it's just a lot harder to put baseball cards in the spokes.

-Airplane The Movie  [quote][b]

dredmoody(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 10:42 am Post subject: N601BZ Fly's!

First, my congratulations on a successful (although "unintentional") first flight. That had to be a thrill to remember and I'm glad it went so smoothly for you.



Second, some recent posts have urged setting the idle rpm to 1,000 until the engine has run enough (25 - 35 hrs?) to loosen up a bit. I can't speak to that since mine isn't flying yet.



Third, I have to say that I find the "oops factor" somewhat suspicious in your story. Hell, call me a cynic, but I wouldn't expect the general public to buy that story at face value. I detect a touch of "Damn the torpedoes.... full speed ahead" in the account. But hey, it's your story so stick to it. It has been run up the flagpole and some will salute it even if there's a hint of N601BS rather than N601BZ in it.  '-)



Dred



PS: Did you buy the kit then tell your wife, "Honey, it followed me home. Can we keep it?" As you were. Carry on.



Do Not Archive

eddies

Joined: 20 Jun 2006
Posts: 40
Location: Australia

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 1:24 pm Post subject: Re: N601BZ Fly's!

A big congratulations Bill, looking forward to seeing your flight video's on your website



Eddie

n801bh(at)netzero.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 2:12 pm Post subject: N601BZ Fly's!

A BIG congrats to you,,,, I bet you still have that silly grin on your face too.... 

do not archive



Ben Haas

N801BH

www.haaspowerair.com



-- "Bill Sewell" <billsewell(at)gmail.com> wrote:

 

Today, August 27, 2007, at 8:56AM EDT N601BZ flew for the first time.  The flight was unintentional, occurring during a high speed taxi test.   I had the stick full back as is typical when taxing a conventional gear aircraft and as the aircraft accelerated past 40MPH and approached 50MPH, just as I was about to bring the tail up, the right wheel broke ground.   I moved the stick to the right and the left wheel came up and we were flying.  I moved the stick to lower the nose into a gentle climb attitude and added right trim to bring the stick back to neutral.   I then trimmed the nose up to continue the climb at around 90 MPH, when I had a chance to look, and was at pattern altitude before I knew it.  Since the there were clouds at about 2000 feet and since I hadn't intended to fly in the first place, I decided to make one circuit of the pattern and attempt to put the airplane back on the runway at the first opportunity.   I made a gentle left turn to cross wind and another to down wind.  Once on down wind, I reduced power to 2000 and added a bit more nose up trim.   Once past the end of the runway I reduced power to 1500 and began a smooth gradual descent.  Another gentle left turn to base and one more to final and before I knew it I was over the end of the runway.   I pulled power back to idle as I flared and the propeller stopped just a second before I made a soft 3 point touch down.  I rolled out and slowed down and restarted the engine with the starter.   My first flight was over and it probably lasted all of 6 minutes. 

  

So this is what I learned.  First, the TD will take off in a 3 point attitude very easily.   The 601XL accelerates very quickly once the throttle is fully open.  I had heard about the left wing being heavy and needing right trim from other first flight reports so there was no surprise there.   I'm not sure why the propeller stopped over the runway in the flair, the ground idle speed is set to 850 and hasn't been a problem.  I realized after landing that I had forgotten to pull carb heat and it was a humid so I suppose there might have been some carb ice but I'm not convinced of that.   I will download the EMS data and see if it contains any clue. 

  

Even though my first flight was very short, my impression of the 601XL's flight characteristics are that it is very much like a Citabria or even a Cessna and I felt right at home flying it.   The landing and taxi characteristics are also very similar to the Citabria that I have done most of my tail wheel flying in. 

  

I will be posting some video to my web site in the near future. 

  

Just want to thank Zenith Aircraft for a great design and all the other builders that have helped me out.  And of course to thank my wife for supporting my hobby and for filming my "high speed taxi tests." 

  

Bill Sewell 

N601BZ[quote]



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

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

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

tronics.com

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



[b]

gfmjr_20(at)HOTMAIL.COM
Guest

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 3:03 pm Post subject: N601BZ Fly's!

Bill

  Congradulations!!  The fun begins-------



George May

601XL 912s  147hrs

 	  Quote: 	
		  From: "Bill Sewell" <billsewell(at)gmail.com>

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

To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com, "Zenith AC Support" <support(at)zenithair.com>

Subject: N601BZ Fly's!

Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2007 13:04:46 -0400



Today, August 27, 2007, at 8:56AM EDT N601BZ flew for the first time.  The

flight was unintentional, occurring during a high speed taxi test.  I had

the stick full back as is typical when taxing a conventional gear aircraft

and as the aircraft accelerated past 40MPH and approached 50MPH, just as I

was about to bring the tail up, the right wheel broke ground.  I moved the

stick to the right and the left wheel came up and we were flying.  I moved

the stick to lower the nose into a gentle climb attitude and added right

trim to bring the stick back to neutral.  I then trimmed the nose up to

continue the climb at around 90 MPH, when I had a chance to look, and was 

at

pattern altitude before I knew it.  Since the there were clouds at about

2000 feet and since I hadn't intended to fly in the first place, I decided

to make one circuit of the pattern and attempt to put the airplane back on

the runway at the first opportunity.  I made a gentle left turn to cross

wind and another to down wind.  Once on down wind, I reduced power to 2000

and added a bit more nose up trim.  Once past the end of the runway I

reduced power to 1500 and began a smooth gradual descent.  Another gentle

left turn to base and one more to final and before I knew it I was over the

end of the runway.  I pulled power back to idle as I flared and the

propeller stopped just a second before I made a soft 3 point touch down.  I

rolled out and slowed down and restarted the engine with the starter.  My

first flight was over and it probably lasted all of 6 minutes.



So this is what I learned.  First, the TD will take off in a 3 point

attitude very easily.  The 601XL accelerates very quickly once the throttle

is fully open.  I had heard about the left wing being heavy and needing

right trim from other first flight reports so there was no surprise there.  

I'm

not sure why the propeller stopped over the runway in the flair, the ground

idle speed is set to 850 and hasn't been a problem.  I realized after

landing that I had forgotten to pull carb heat and it was a humid so I

suppose there might have been some carb ice but I'm not convinced of that.  

I

will download the EMS data and see if it contains any clue.



Even though my first flight was very short, my impression of the 601XL's

flight characteristics are that it is very much like a Citabria or even a

Cessna and I felt right at home flying it.  The landing and taxi

characteristics are also very similar to the Citabria that I have done most

of my tail wheel flying in.



I will be posting some video to my web site in the near future.



Just want to thank Zenith Aircraft for a great design and all the other

builders that have helped me out.  And of course to thank my wife for

supporting my hobby and for filming my "high speed taxi tests."



Bill Sewell



N601BZ


	


_________________________________________________________________

Booking a flight? Know when to buy with airfare predictions on MSN Travel. 

http://travel.msn.com/Articles/aboutfarecast.aspx&ocid=T001MSN25A07001

archerm

Joined: 01 Jan 2007
Posts: 21
Location: Wichta

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 3:38 pm Post subject: N601BZ Fly's!

Congratulations Bill,   I have been  following your progress on your website and it has really helped when I run into  problems.  

 

Great News.

  

 Keep Safe

  

 Matt Archer

 www.zodiacxl.com

  

  

 ---

_________________
Matt
www.zodiacxl.com

rgeese

Joined: 16 Aug 2006
Posts: 19

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 6:33 pm Post subject: Re: N601BZ Fly's!

Congratulations, Bill!  I, like others, am very grateful to you for your website. I always seem to go to it when I have a problem, and usually find a solution there.  Thanks for all your hard work in keeping it updated.  It is appreciated.  Our building speeds are about the same, so I could always depend on you for help. 



I had the same experience of "unintended flight" several years ago while high-speed taxi testing my Dragonfly MKI. All of a sudden everything got really quiet, and upon looking out at the end of the canard, found that my wheels were a couple of feet in the air. I firewalled the throttle and away I went for a 45 minute first flight.  The thrill was indescribable.  



Again, congratulations, and please be safe!! Someday I hope to meet you in person-maybe on one of my business trips to VA.



Do not archive.



Ron Geese

Columbus, Ohio

PatrickW

Joined: 27 Oct 2006
Posts: 380
Location: Fort Worth, Texas

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 9:01 pm Post subject: Re: N601BZ Fly's!

Congrats!  



You inspire the rest of us.



- Pat

  XL/Corvair

lgingell

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 50
Location: Lake California Airpark 68CA

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 12:55 am Post subject: Re: N601BZ Fly's!

Big congratulations Bill!  I didn't even know you got started again after completing the airframe.



Can't wait to see the video!



..lance, 210hours

_________________
Zodiac XL/Jab 3300
http://lancegingell.com

GLJSOJ1

Joined: 18 Aug 2007
Posts: 82
Location: Chesapeake, Virginia

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 3:35 am Post subject: Re: N601BZ Fly's!

CAN SOMBODY GIVE ME A LINK TO BILL'S WEBSITE

THANKS

GLENN

_________________
601XL N676L FLYING PHASE I
CHESAPEAKE VA

jeffrey_davidson(at)earth
Guest

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:06 am Post subject: N601BZ Fly's!

CAN SOMBODY GIVE ME A LINK TO BILL'S WEBSITE

THANKS

GLENN

Links to many builders' web sites, including Bill's, are at the following

URL:

http://www.ch601.org/Builder_links.htm



Jeff D.

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 5:04 am Post subject: N601BZ Fly's!

I also drive a Miata.  One  of the very first ones to come across from the land of the rising sun.  No  power steering (it's supposed to be a sports car!)  No Air conditioning (  just the drop top) No Power anything (I can reach most anything except the  outside passenger side mirror)  It does have a half decent, for '89, stereo  but it gets in the way of enjoying the car.  Now if I could only shoe horn  in a bigger engine !

  

 Now that's out of the  way.  The Miata has a very small tank.  Around ten Gal., 12 Gal.  U.S..  If you refill from one of those service stations that have the one  hose for all grades of gas places you will no doubt end up pumping a  considerable quantity of low octane gas into your car before the good stuff even  gets to the nozzle.

  

 Lets assume the inside of the  hose is around 1.25 in in diameter and it is around 20 feet long to account  for some of the plumbing that goes to the overhead connector the hose is  attached to. this gives us 93.75 cubic inches or .4 Gal U.S..  If you have  a habit of keeping your car full and refill the tank as soon as the needle hits  3/4 then you actually have a lot less high octane gas in your  tank.

  

 This is important to an engine  like the Miata and the 912/Jab or even the TSC'd Lycoming.  They will  knock like, never mind (PG 13), and you can be sure it isn't good for the engine  either.  

  

 My advice  is:  

  

 Only purchase your high octane  gas at service stations where they have dedicated nozzles for each grade of gas  or put the first Gal into a separate container to use in your lawn  mower.

  

 Check to make sure you aren't  getting fuel contaminated (no better word) with Ethanol when buying gas for your  plane.  Personally because of the increase in carbon footprint I won't use  Ethanol contaminated fuel in anything.  If you want to debate that  statement I'll do it off list.

  

 Try to buy gas at busy  locations.  It may cost a few pennies more but the gas gets delivered there  more often so it should be fresher.  

  

 Never add any thing to your  gas.  A lot of petroleum distillates will eat parts of your engine.  I  haven't seen MTBE, the agent used to increase octane, for sale any where.   But hey, if you can get it.

  

  

  

 Noel

    [quote][b]

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

Tommy Walker

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

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 6:48 am Post subject: N601BZ Fly's!

Congratulations!  

   

So, maybe you could call yourself the “Accidental Pilot.”  

   

Tommy Walker in Alabama  

Do Not Archive  

       [quote][b]

_________________
Tommy Walker
N25A - Anniston, AL

Gig Giacona

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1416
Location: El Dorado Arkansas USA

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 6:48 am Post subject: Re: N601BZ Fly's!

Congrats on the first flight.



But this should be a reminder to all. When doing fast taxi testing, BE PREPARED TO FLY.

_________________
W.R. "Gig" Giacona
601XL Under Construction
See my progress at www.peoamerica.net/N601WR

leo(at)zuehlfield.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 7:19 am Post subject: N601BZ Fly's!

Bill, Those darn CH designs just want to fly!  Oh, Joy, Joy.



Leo Gates

N601Z

do not archive.



Bill Sewell wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  

 Today, August 27, 2007, at 8:56AM EDT N601BZ flew for the first time.  



 Just want to thank Zenith Aircraft for a great design and all the 

 other builders that have helped me out.  And of course to thank my 

 wife for supporting my hobby and for filming my "high speed taxi tests."



  



 Bill Sewell



 N601BZ

Terry Phillips

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 346
Location: Corvallis, MT

Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 8:31 am Post subject: N601BZ Fly's!

Bill



 Congratulations on a great building job and successful first flight. And thank you for the great website. 



 Terry



 do not archive



 

 At 01:04 PM 8/27/2007 -0400, you wrote:



  	  Quote: 	
		  Today, August 27, 2007, at 8:56AM EDT N601BZ flew for the first time.  ... 

 

 Just want to thank Zenith Aircraft for a great design and all the other builders that have helped me out.  And of course to thank my wife for supporting my hobby and for filming my "high speed taxi tests."

 

  

 

 Bill Sewell

 

 N601BZ 	
 

 

 Terry Phillips

 ttp44~at~rkymtn.net

 Corvallis MT

 601XL/Jab 3300 slow build kit - Rudder done--finally; working on the stab

 http://www.mykitlog.com/N47TP/     [quote][b]

_________________
Terry Phillips
Corvallis, MT
ttp44<at>rkymtn.net
Zenith 601XL/Jab 3300 slow build kit - Tail feathers done; working on the wings.

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