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lwinger
Joined: 21 Jun 2006
Posts: 229
Location: Tustin, CA
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 Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 7:49 am Post subject: Course adjustment |
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When I started scratch-building my 601XL in July of 2006, there was no more valuable resource to me than the Matronics Zenith list. I found it helpful and at times even inspirational. I saw it as a sort of water cooler where I could hang out with serious builders who respected the designer’s plans and had the experience I lacked. I quickly learned that not all contributions were of equal value, but even a rookie builder like me could spot the posts that fell outside the bell curve of tested reason.
Something has changed, in the list and in me, since the rash of fatal accidents. List members are understandably concerned, and very predictably the number of posts about accidents has grown in number and in emotional intensity. I get that.
I’ve never been bothered by the questioning, because I think that is a sign of being discerning and aware of one’s risk environment. What has caused me to rethink my building strategy is the nearly endless, wildly speculative, and completely irresponsible posts on wing & control surface modifications that I fear could actually make the problem worse for anyone foolish enough to listen to the handful of arm-chair experts who have declared a dozen different solutions before the real investigation has even begun.
Other builders have chosen to sell their projects. Here’s what I’ve decided to do instead:
• Sign off all Zenith lists until my airframe is complete, for my own sanity and productivity.
• Send my $300 to Terry Phillips to do something constructive (not speculative) about the problems we all face.
• Order my BRS system, which was always a part of my plan.
• Go to the garage and bend some metal or make some holes to fill with rivets.
• Keep a close eye on the notice area of the Zenith Aircraft Builders Pages. If there is a design issue, I am confident that Chris Heintz will address it.
For anyone who would like to contact me about building-related issues or just to say “hi,” my address is larrywinger(at)gmail.com.
I wish you safety and success.
P.S. My hope for you is that the ones who are dragging this list down will get off voluntarily or stop their endless, self-serving postings. I’m not holding my breath, however, because that would require a measure of self-awareness that appears to be lacking. Sorry, that was my mini-rant. Now the healing can begin!
| | - The Matronics Zenith-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
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_________________
Larry Winger
Tustin, CA
Plans building 601XL/650 with Corvair
Installing fuel system
www.mykitlog.com/lwinger |
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Ron Lendon
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 685
Location: Clinton Twp., MI
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 8:31 am Post subject: Re: Course adjustment |
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I do understand your feeling Larry. I will hang out here and let em make the noise they do. If I hear of anything I think you need to know I'll shoot ya an email.
| | - The Matronics Zenith-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List |
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_________________
Ron Lendon
WW Corvair with Roy's Garage 5th bearing
CH 601 XLB
N601LT - Flying
http://www.mykitlog.com/rlendon
Corvair Engine Prints:
https://sites.google.com/site/corvairenginedata/ |
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notsew_evets(at)frontiern
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 12:47 pm Post subject: Course adjustment |
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Zactly why I left.......................................................
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| | - The Matronics Zenith-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List |
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jim.lanier(at)charter.net
Guest
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| Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 10:55 am Post subject: Course adjustment |
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I too have made a course adjustment, but in a completely different
direction. But first, to comment on your reasoning, I find part of your
post to be valid. It is not the postings that express concern that
"bring down" the list as one member put it. I have no problem with
people talking about possible improvements with the structural integrity
of the aircraft. Both sides of the issue have been expressed here and
readers can make their own decisions. If you are not an engineer, then
maybe you shouldn't modify your aircraft. The reason for all of the
speculation is that this aircraft (in my opinion) has had more than it's
share of in-flight structural failures. Statistically, the failure rate
is high enough that many reasonable people could conclude that there may
be a problem with this aircraft. What is concerning to me, are the
apologists for the design that seem to blame everything on the pilot or
the builder (Keep in mind that at least two of these reported in-flight
failures were factory-built aircraft). Pilots make errors in other
aircraft as well, but this is the aircraft with recent (reported)
in-flight structural failures. If it is harmful to suggest changes to
the design, then the same could be said for those that insist the design
is sound in light of the statistical data. Until the NTSB and/or the
designer find and rectify this problem (if there is a problem), I would
consider flying this plane to be risky at best.
My "course adjustment" is to NOT build this plane. Fortunately, my
economic investment in this aircraft is minimal at this point and that
makes it much easier for me to make this decision. I consider the money
spent and the work done so far to be strictly an educational expense.
Frankly, I don't know what I would do if I had substantial money
invested in the project. I have decided to devote my attention to
another design that I have chosen. It has an excellent record and has
been flying for over 40 years. Please understand that I do not mean to
offend anyone here but I felt the need to express my opinion on the
subject. I respect all of your opinions and I hope that you will respect
mine.
Jim
lwinger wrote:
| Quote: |
When I started scratch-building my 601XL in July of 2006, there was no more valuable resource to me than the Matronics Zenith list. I found it helpful and at times even inspirational. I saw it as a sort of water cooler where I could hang out with serious builders who respected the designer’s plans and had the experience I lacked. I quickly learned that not all contributions were of equal value, but even a rookie builder like me could spot the posts that fell outside the bell curve of tested reason.
Something has changed, in the list and in me, since the rash of fatal accidents. List members are understandably concerned, and very predictably the number of posts about accidents has grown in number and in emotional intensity. I get that.
I’ve never been bothered by the questioning, because I think that is a sign of being discerning and aware of one’s risk environment. What has caused me to rethink my building strategy is the nearly endless, wildly speculative, and completely irresponsible posts on wing & control surface modifications that I fear could actually make the problem worse for anyone foolish enough to listen to the handful of arm-chair experts who have declared a dozen different solutions before the real investigation has even begun.
Other builders have chosen to sell their projects. Here’s what I’ve decided to do instead:
• Sign off all Zenith lists until my airframe is complete, for my own sanity and productivity.
• Send my $300 to Terry Phillips to do something constructive (not speculative) about the problems we all face.
• Order my BRS system, which was always a part of my plan.
• Go to the garage and bend some metal or make some holes to fill with rivets.
• Keep a close eye on the notice area of the Zenith Aircraft Builders Pages. If there is a design issue, I am confident that Chris Heintz will address it.
For anyone who would like to contact me about building-related issues or just to say “hi,” my address is larrywinger(at)gmail.com.
I wish you safety and success.
P.S. My hope for you is that the ones who are dragging this list down will get off voluntarily or stop their endless, self-serving postings. I’m not holding my breath, however, because that would require a measure of self-awareness that appears to be lacking. Sorry, that was my mini-rant. Now the healing can begin!
--------
Larry Winger
Tustin, CA
601XL/Corvair from scratch
Control surfaces and wings complete.
Bottom rear fuselage and firewall done
Ready for wing jig alignment
www.mykitlog.com/lwinger
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=182366#182366
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| | - The Matronics Zenith-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List |
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