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Starting to Build Again

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NCG27

Joined: 29 Jan 2013
Posts: 5

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 6:19 am Post subject: Starting to Build Again

A few years ago I started building a 601XL from plans only.  I have the entire tail section complete and both wings close to completion.  Just as I got to that point, I got an email from Aircraft Spruce that they had sent me a batch of solid rivets that were too soft and I would need to remove all of those from my wing spars and replace them.  I was disgusted.  I kind of took a break from building for a while...and during that time, I changed jobs, changed locations, went through a divorce...etc.  I haven't keep up with with the happenings in the "601XL world" for a while.  Lately, I've set my shop back up, took inventory of all of the parts that I have and I am pleasantly surprised of the amount of parts that I have... at any rate, I want to start building again.



I've been reading of the problems with the wings causing crashes and how ZenAir has an upgrade kit to cure that problem.  With me building with plans only, and my wings not complete yet, now would be the perfect time to implement that upgrade.  Can I get drawings from Zenith to build that upgrade kit?



I'm just trying to get caught back up in any pertinent knowledge before I start cutting aluminum and driving rivets...  For all I know, the 601XL may be grounded for life and I may need to just drop this project...I just don't know.



Any tips anyone can give me I will appreciate.



Thanks in advance,



Randy

- The Matronics Zenith601-List Email Forum -

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Terry Phillips

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

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 7:54 am Post subject: Starting to Build Again

Randy

 

 1st, I second Carlos' welcome back. 

 

 Yes, you are correct that Zenair is not only selling an upgrade kit, but  complete drawings for the upgrade are available for free. I can't think  of any parts of the upgrade kit that would be a problem for a scratch  builder. Zenair have also changed their web support a bunch, setting up  the Zenith Aero site. However, the upgrade drawings are available at the  standard zenithair.com website. You just log on to the builders area,  click on the 650/601XL page, and then links to the upgrade drawings will  appear. 

 

 The good news is that there has not been a single wing failure since the  FAA issued their upgrade order for the design. Note that the upgrade  was not specifically required for experimental 601XL's/650's that had  their final registration certificates, but it was highly recommended. I  suspect that compliance is near 100%, but that is just a guess and I've  not seen any hard data. The upgrade was required prior to registration  for all 601XL's/650's that had not yet been approved. 

 

 Good luck with your build. Support is available through the Matronics  Groups and through Zenith Aero.

 

 Terry

 

  	  Quote: 	
		      	[img]cid:part1.00020104.05060107(at)gmail.com[/img]

       	NCG27 (randyebryant(at)gmail.com)

         Wednesday,  January 30, 2013 7:19 AM

   --> Zenith601-List  message posted by: "NCG27" <randyebryant(at)gmail.com> (randyebryant(at)gmail.com)



A few  years ago I started building a 601XL from plans only.  I have the entire  tail section complete and both wings close to completion.  Just as I  got to that point, I got an email from Aircraft Spruce that they had  sent me a batch of solid rivets that were too soft and I would need to  remove all of those from my wing spars and replace them.  I was  disgusted.  I kind of took a break from building for a while...and  during that time, I changed jobs, changed locations, went through a  divorce...etc.  I haven't keep up with with the happenings in the "601XL  world" for a while.  Lately, I've set my shop back up, took inventory  of all of the parts that I have and I am pleasantly surprised of the  amount of parts that I have... at any rate, I want to start building  again.



I've been reading of the problems with the wings causing  crashes and how ZenAir has an upgrade kit to cure that problem.  With me  building with plans only, and my wings not complete yet, now would be  the perfect time to implement that upgrade.  Can I get drawings from  Zenith to build that upgrade kit?



I'm just trying to get caught  back up in any pertinent knowledge before I start cutting aluminum and  driving rivets...  For all I know, the 601XL may be grounded for life  and I may need to just drop this project...I just don't know.



Any  tips anyone can give me I will appreciate.



Thanks in advance,



Randy





Read 	
 

 -- 

Terry Phillips 

 ttp444~at~gmail.com

 Corvallis MT

 ZU-601XLB/Jab 3300  s .. l .. o .. o .. o .. w  build kit - Tail &  flaps are done; 

 Upgrading wings & ailerons per the AMD Safety Directive

 http://www.mykitlog.com/N47TP/

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

NCG27

Joined: 29 Jan 2013
Posts: 5

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 8:35 am Post subject: Re: Starting to Build Again

Thank you Terry!



I have lost my login for the Zenith site and waiting for them to send me a new one... I figured the drawings would be in the builder's area...



I see that in your signature that you are working on your wings too, and adding the upgrade...  I guess, like me, it seems only logical if you are in the middle of the build to go ahead and do it then.



BTW, since you are just now on the wings, are you going to use the cable system or the push/pull rods for the ailerons?

- The Matronics Zenith601-List Email Forum -

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craig(at)craigandjean.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 9:29 am Post subject: Starting to Build Again

BTW the cost of the upgrade is (was?) so cheap that even a scratch builder

should consider just buying it. Zenith is basically selling it for the cost

of materials as it is in their best interest to get every XL upgraded.



-- Craig

- The Matronics Zenith601-List Email Forum -

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Ron Lendon

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 685
Location: Clinton Twp., MI

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 4:51 pm Post subject: Re: Starting to Build Again

Welcome back!  Buy the kit from Zenith for the upgrade.  I couldn't buy the materials for less than they charged including shipping.  I did two of the upgrades and it adds 200 hours to an already complete build.  If you get at it before you build the wing spars you will save much time.



My scratch build is flying now and if all goes well I just might fly it to SunNFun this year.

- The Matronics Zenith601-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?Zenith601-List

_________________
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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