Mexico MO/ Zenith Factory

[Yellow Duck]

Leaving in the morning (Tuesday Nov. 8th,2005) for Mexico MO to look at the Zeneth kit aircrafts. Both the STOL 701 and the sleeker loow wing 601.

My cell number is 337-367-0070

Lee N Shirley

Yellow Duck

[Yellow Duck]

Re: Mexico MO/ Zenith Factory

On the way home. (Friday morning) In West Plains MO this morning on the way home. Visited Branson MO and took in a show. Ray Stevens.

While at the Zenith factory. They took me on a very nice tour.Not large,but very busy and organized very well. Took a flight in the 601 XL. Not a bad aircraft. Cruised at about 130-135 mph. Took off nicely. A little heavy on the controls, but not real bad. Lots of room in the cockpit. Great visibility. Had the Jabbru engine 100 hp. Electric flaps and electric trim. And get this it has a STARTER !

The two brothers Sebastian and Nick was very gracious as was the two secetaries. Lots of people working there and seems to be putting out lots of kits.

Harry should go there and see how a real aviation company operates.

[Carl Ellis]

Re: Mexico MO/ Zenith Factory

How did you like the "hingeless" aileron design?

If I'm not mistaken, that model uses flexing aluminum wing skin as a hinge.

- Carl -

[Yellow Duck]

Re: Mexico MO/ Zenith Factory

Yes they do, and it was a question I wanted addressed. Maybe that is why the controls feel so heavy. Hmmmm?

[VictorBravo]

Re: Mexico MO/ Zenith Factory

There were two or three racing sailpalnes that used the hingeless design (the Polish Jantar series), but they did it in fiberglass. No failures and few problems.

Ordinarily I would strongly question an aluminum hinge like that, but I have such respect for Chris Heintz I would probably be willing to try it. In particular, I'd want to see his design philosophy and which benefits balanced which downsides.

That 701 STOL has completely won me over. If I ever get to build a kit airplane, that one is first in line. Not to replace a T-craft, but to go places I wouldn't risk a T-craft. It's so ugly that it's cute. But the design philosophy and his reasoning for his decisions is very impressive. Reminds me of one of the classic radio controlled model airplanes of all time, the "Ugly Stick". Come to think of it, I'd paint a 701 up like the Ugly Stick just for the sake of the comparison!

[Len Petterson]

Re: Mexico MO/ Zenith Factory

We had the awnore to have Cris Heints as guest speaker at our RAA chapter some time ago. He said what if you bend the metal in the hinge 200 000 (it was a Large number he said) times to the maximum defection angel of aileron it will never brake.
And in a reacent article in Kitplane, he stated what had he known about all the question about it he would never had dune it what way, it would have hinges instead!
I asked him if there was a good textbook aircraft desing, oh yes it is from 1947 or newer one from 51. Athour is Bruins. I found one on the net like new $75 like new. INTERESTNG's stuff. Cris Heintz said: If I know the book I could desing the a 747.
To big I think?
Some fellow what Cris Heintz.
His Zeinth 300 flew nonstop Vancover to Halifax in the 78 I think 22 hr something, Red Morris was the pilot. What was before Burt Rutan and the Voyeger.
Ps I have as set of Zenith 250 drawings for sale.
Len Petterson
Len