I've always liked the idea of building a kit, but can't quite afford an RV-7/8 anytime soon. The following is my wishlist:

-Tailwheel
-Reasonable T/O and Landing Dist (don't need super STOL requirements on the east coast), but want to get into short-ish grass strips.
-2 seats and enough baggage for a a trip
-Room to pack enough for a light camping trip or long cross country flight
-Greater than 110 mph cruise
-Stall speed 45-55 mph

For some reason today, I ventured onto the Zenith site and took a look at the CH 650. I never realized it had a factory TD option! It is all blind rivets, so I don't need a helper to buck, and the build time is very reasonable. The 7-series zenith builders seem happy with the quality and ease of build of their kits. Price is around $20k without engine and instruments, so is reasonable.

Has anyone flown one of these? The taildraggers seem rare, but they do exist. With all the engine options, I might even be able to run auto gas with ethanol eventually (I am aware of all the issues with this, just a plus in case 100LL skyrockets).

The 601HD can be made into a tail dragger as well.

The Zenith folks were great to deal with during my 801 build...... The 650 has the mod to address the wing issue too. If I remember correctly there is a 601 /650 TD down in AZ built by a DR and it came out real nice.. he should have pics of it on the Zenith site...

Ben.

PM me if your interested in the TD version of the 601 and I'll put you in contact with a builder. There is only a couple of them out there.

My experience with factory support at Zenith was excellent. When I went from 65 hp on their factory engine mount to 92 with an engine change, Sebastian Heintz had his father Chris check their numbers on that mount and with his approval I made the change. Most manufacturers would just say you're on your own because of time and engineering involved or just the possibile liability of approving it. Anytime I ordered a part or needed advice they were good to deal with.

About a minute after my post, I started reading about how a handful had in flight failures. Well that's not good. Any idea what their wing modification is? Did they ever even find out what the problem was? I'm going to check the NTSB site and see if anything like that happened since then. Just a tad bit concerning...

Seems like I could make a bunch of big pieces in my guest room, and then start on larger assemblies in my garage.

Or, you could get a Highlander & an I-pod.

The Highlander meets most of your needs for cargo, people, folding wings, similar $ (don't know the exact comparison).

the I-pod is to listen to music because you're only cruising at 100

Just a thought....

k

PilotRPI wrote:About a minute after my post, I started reading about how a handful had in flight failures. Well that's not good. Any idea what their wing modification is? Did they ever even find out what the problem was? I'm going to check the NTSB site and see if anything like that happened since then. Just a tad bit concerning...

Seems like I could make a bunch of big pieces in my guest room, and then start on larger assemblies in my garage.

They re-engineered the wing spars and construction and offered a kit to previous builders. It's not an issue. There is an FBO at Tahoe-Minden that instructs in the 650. Also, there is a fellow here on the forum that just finished up his LSA training in one up there is central Idaho. I think it's a non issue.

I already have an iPOD, so I'm half way to a highlander! I actually thought about a Kitfox too, but I just don't have the space. My building space consists of a two car garage that is one car width wide and two lengths deep, and a guest/hobby room. The kitfox or highlander would take up the garage for too long (but they would let me carry my dog).

I looked at some of the upgrades to the CH 650 and they are substantial. I have an aero engineering degree, and it looks like they did everything to tackle any issue it might be: strengthened roots for bending load, stiffeners for wing twist, and mass balances for aileron flutter. There seem to be no structural accidents since these as well.

Next step is to go to a show to see a bunch of kits and see what I like. For the time being, I think I will get myself a C-140 while I figure this all out. Then build my kit, and sell the C140 for an engine when the time comes. I just can't take renting anymore.

PilotRPI wrote: I have an aero engineering degree

Now that's handy. I wish I understood structures but I don't. Some of the mods that pop up out there for these airplanes give me the willies. This may not be a consideration for you but some of that sagebrush is pretty high out there and I don't think you can get FAT tires on the Z 650.