Zodiac 601 XL Project

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Scotsman
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Zodiac 601 XL Project

Postby Scotsman » Tue Jun 16, 2009 8:30 pm

Evening all, in case anyone is interested I have decided to post my progress on a 601 XL kit that I am in the process of building (slowly).

As some of you will probably know there has been a fair bit of negative publicity about the 601 design but recent independent testing and ADs are starting to renew my confidence in what is a good little aircraft.

Anyway I hope that you enjoy a couple of photos to help whittle away the hours at work. :lol:

Cheers


James
Attachments
Compress_Overhead fuselage assembly.jpg
A view of the completed work on the fuse as at a few months ago
Compress_Overhead fuselage assembly.jpg (19.67 KiB) Viewed 12293 times
Brake pedal ass.jpg
Brake pedal assembly and firewall
Brake pedal ass.jpg (22.44 KiB) Viewed 12293 times
Firewall.jpg
Firewall under construction
Firewall.jpg (24.71 KiB) Viewed 12289 times
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Re: Zodiac 601 XL Project

Postby mikeinPE » Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:43 am

Looking good so far James. I also followed the publicity as much as possible as I am scratchbuilding a CH650 which is as you know basically a 601. I have full confidence in this aeroplane & I do believe that it is now one of the highest tested planes out there.

I will follow your progress with keen interest. Post often please!!

Mike in PE
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Stephan van Tonder
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Re: Zodiac 601 XL Project

Postby Stephan van Tonder » Wed Jun 17, 2009 1:10 pm

Mike - when you say scratch building - does it mean you bought plans only - not a kit?. or you bought a kit but none of the quick build options.
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Re: Zodiac 601 XL Project

Postby mikeinPE » Wed Jun 17, 2009 1:28 pm

I bought plans only Stephan. That is one of the attractions to Zenith's planes. Quite a few can be built from plans only. Down the line I may purchase some parts but still enjoying making parts at this stage & learning a lot.

The second reason for doing a scratchbuild was finances. As I have calculated up to now it seems that I can scratchbuild the frame for about a third of the price of a kit. Makes a huge difference & the only way I can do it.

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Re: Zodiac 601 XL Project

Postby Scotsman » Wed Jun 17, 2009 3:08 pm

A couple of the latest photos to stave off the boredom...j
Attachments
Fuse front view.jpg
Front view of fuse and longerons set up
Fuse front view.jpg (20.76 KiB) Viewed 12221 times
Fuse rear view 2.jpg
Instrument panel view
Fuse rear view 2.jpg (22.61 KiB) Viewed 12219 times
Engine attach brackets.jpg
The engine mount attach brackets
Engine attach brackets.jpg (21.77 KiB) Viewed 12219 times
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Re: Zodiac 601 XL Project

Postby Stephan van Tonder » Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:36 pm

I admire people that can buy a plan and turn it into an aircraft. I have not the patience nor the time for that. Could put something together from a kit for sure but from nothing - nope - will drive me nuts. Even guys putting one togehter from a basic kit.
Most I think I would do is build a cheetah from a kit - more like assembling a meccano set.
Nuts about Cheetahs. Petit is the place.
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Re: Zodiac 601 XL Project

Postby Scotsman » Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:50 pm

Completely agree regarding the scratch builders...I have neither the ability, energy or patience to complete a scratch build. I reckon that the level of final satisfaction is directly related to the amount of emotional and physical investment in the project so the scratch builders must be seriously chuffed when they finish their project. The only trouble is that I have heard that scratch build completion rates are quiet low and often the project is finished by someone else other than the person who started the build. Respect to the scratch builder...
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Re: Zodiac 601 XL Project

Postby grostek » Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:36 pm

Hi all,

The 601xl can be scratch build in approx 2000 hours, sounds a lot but if you work, and note I said work,2 hours every evening and 5 hours every weekend you will have done 15 hours per week. so in 50 weeks per year (need the holiday for the family) you will have done 750 hours. This leaves another 1,7 years add those 8 months for running about for spares etc and the total will be near enough 3 years.

All that is needed is enthusiasim and dedication as well as a set routine. Plan your work and then work your plan.

Zenith recommend you build the Rudder first, this will show you all the techiques needed for the rest of the aircraft and build up the confidence level .

The best workshop to have is the one attached to your house, because then its not a pain to drive around on dark winter nights and working in freezing hangers.

Working in the garage on a project like this is also a form of therapy, gets you out of the chair in front of the TV and you can always involve the kids and wife at various stages to help.

Almost all the raw material can be bought in South Africa.

That 1200BMW that Oupa and Vliegvark are developing might very well be the ultimate engine for a project such as this.

As Mike in PE says scratchbuilding is cheaper all round as well.

Once you have build one , the second one seems to be completed in about 40% less time than the first.

I have the utmost respect for scratch builders.

More power to them all.

Kind regards,

Gunter Rostek.
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Re: Zodiac 601 XL Project

Postby grostek » Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:43 pm

Hi Scotsman,

Forgot to say, your workmanship looks first class.

Kind regards,

Gunter Rostek.
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Re: Zodiac 601 XL Project

Postby Tailspin » Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:52 am

Hi Scotsman

It is really looking good !!!!
To build a Kit is a task and to scratch build is also not a walk in the park but as Gunter says it is incredibly theraputic ## ## Every day you do something and that is one thing closer to getting her in the air.
Keep at it and it will all come together in the END. :oops: Even is it is taking more than 6 years :oops:
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Re: Zodiac 601 XL Project

Postby Scotsman » Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:01 am

Thanks for the kind comments...don't recommend having a baby during your project if at all avoidable....drilling while the baby tries to sleep gets you in the poo with the wife :twisted:

I have been putting in an hour in the morning before work...puts you in a good mood all day.

James
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Re: Zodiac 601 XL Project

Postby Tailspin » Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:13 am

Yea i have Had two Kids while Building my VP - (**) Wife does get a bit tense s074 when you are working with a router in the next room and she has just put little pink foot down s068
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Re: Zodiac 601 XL Project

Postby Massimo » Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:16 pm

Having just finished my 701 rebuild i can say that scratch building is for a different breed (no offence guys). I bought all my parts directly from Zenith and it was still a hell of a job. You must seriously have alot of patience for such a project. But yes the final outcome is a huge reward. Well, never give up its all worth it in the end. :wink:
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Re: Zodiac 601 XL Project

Postby Ian » Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:51 pm

I can only echo what you guys say about scratch vs kit build, I went the kit route thank goodness. I guess there are builders, then flyers... I am a flyer right now, but may build again one day... yep, another kit...

Scotsman, I am just up the road from you, hope you plan some visiting days ?

Good luck and enjoy the build.

Cheers Ian
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Re: Zodiac 601 XL Project

Postby Scotsman » Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:31 am

Hi Ian,

You are welcome to pop in...what are you flying now....the Savanha? PM me if you want to pop over sometime.

Cheers

James
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