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One last reality check

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larrywinger(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 12:24 pm Post subject: One last reality check

After many months of investigating my homebuilt options, I have settled on

the 601XL -- subject to one last reality check.



Because I am 6'6" talI, I have two specific questions:



1)  Are there any builders within 400 miles of LA who have a completed

fuselage and canopy that I could try on for size?  That would satisfy my

need to sit in the plane as it was designed.



2)  If I need to squeeze out some additional leg room (and possibly head

room), are there any reasonably simple modifications that can increase those

two dimensions without negative consequences (safety, aerodynamics, etc.)?

I intend to build from scratch with a Corvair engine.



This appears to be a great list.  Thanks in advance for the responses.



Larry Winger

larrywinger(at)gmail.com

Tustin, CA

N53VP

WW Conversion Manual enroute.

Ready to send my check to ZAC

taffy0687(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 1:03 pm Post subject: One last reality check

Larry

  For what it is worth--- 1)  Chris Heintz is a fairly tall person---- and most designers tend to design around their needs.  2) He has a most forward position for the rudder pedals.  ( he use to have 2 positions)  3) scratch building allows you to design your own cockpit enclosure instead of using the "bubble canopy"------- I am going to use a fixed windshield, gull wing doors and rear window design as several other folks have done.  ( I have my canopy frame ready for welding)

  by opinion only

  Fritz --  Corvair, scratch building,   90/90



Larry Winger <larrywinger(at)gmail.com> wrote:

  



After many months of investigating my homebuilt options, I have settled on

the 601XL -- subject to one last reality check.



Because I am 6'6" talI, I have two specific questions:



1) Are there any builders within 400 miles of LA who have a completed

fuselage and canopy that I could try on for size? That would satisfy my

need to sit in the plane as it was designed.



2) If I need to squeeze out some additional leg room (and possibly head

room), are there any reasonably simple modifications that can increase those

two dimensions without negative consequences (safety, aerodynamics, etc.)?

I intend to build from scratch with a Corvair engine.



This appears to be a great list. Thanks in advance for the responses.



Larry Winger

larrywinger(at)gmail.com

Tustin, CA

N53VP

WW Conversion Manual enroute.

Ready to send my check to ZAC





 		

---------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups gets better. Check out the new email design. Plus there’s much more to come.

craig(at)craigandjean.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 1:49 pm Post subject: One last reality check

If no one chimes in take a look at the map at www.frappr.com/zenith601. I

see at least 13 XLs around LA. Also there is a list on the Zenith web site

which can be searched by state.



I'd let you sit in mine but I'm in Utah



-- Craig

 

--

ch601xl(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 2:05 pm Post subject: One last reality check

 	  Quote: 	
		  I am going to use a fixed windshield, gull wing doors and rear window

design as several other folks have done.  ( I have my canopy frame ready for
	


welding)



Does anyone have pictures of this kind of setup?



On 6/19/06, Big Gee <taffy0687(at)yahoo.com> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  

 



 Larry

   For what it is worth--- 1)  Chris Heintz is a fairly tall person---- and

 most designers tend to design around their needs.  2) He has a most forward

 position for the rudder pedals.  ( he use to have 2 positions)  3) scratch

 building allows you to design your own cockpit enclosure instead of using

 the "bubble canopy"------- I am going to use a fixed windshield, gull wing

 doors and rear window design as several other folks have done.  ( I have my

 canopy frame ready for welding)

   by opinion only

   Fritz --  Corvair, scratch building,   90/90



 Larry Winger <larrywinger(at)gmail.com> wrote:

   



 After many months of investigating my homebuilt options, I have settled on

 the 601XL -- subject to one last reality check.



 Because I am 6'6" talI, I have two specific questions:



 1) Are there any builders within 400 miles of LA who have a completed

 fuselage and canopy that I could try on for size? That would satisfy my

 need to sit in the plane as it was designed.



 2) If I need to squeeze out some additional leg room (and possibly head

 room), are there any reasonably simple modifications that can increase

 those

 two dimensions without negative consequences (safety, aerodynamics, etc.)?

 I intend to build from scratch with a Corvair engine.



 This appears to be a great list. Thanks in advance for the responses.



 Larry Winger

 larrywinger(at)gmail.com

 Tustin, CA

 N53VP

 WW Conversion Manual enroute.

 Ready to send my check to ZAC



 ---------------------------------

 Yahoo! Groups gets better. Check out the new email design. Plus there's

 much more to come.








	




-- 

Christopher W. E. Smith

http://ch-601xl.com

daberti(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 5:45 pm Post subject: One last reality check

Fritz, I applaud your decision to build the gull wing canopy but a builder

in my EAA chapter put this setup on his 601HD...It was the worst thing I

ever tried to get into and out from.. And if there was ever a fire forget

about getting out.  Now maybe your doors are longer than his were, and the

longer, the better, would be my take as based on his setup. Now if your

windows slide down into the fuselage like the Aerocoupe, I think it would

also work better.  I have the side opening canopy but with a modified hinge

design (that I can take no credit for) that can't fly open accidentally

after being latched, but can be totally detached in an emergency by pulling

both releases at the same time (easier to do with 2 on board).  The nice

thing is that it seals tight along the longeron without foam or other gasket

materials.



And to give the proper credit for the design that I used, I believe the

original setup is from Mike Fothergill and improved by Jeff Small.  Fred

Hulen may have had his fingers in the mix too.  Search the archives but this

photo will give you an idea of how it works.



Dave 601-HD 912ULS

..........3) scratch

 	  Quote: 	
		   building allows you to design your own cockpit enclosure instead of using

 the "bubble canopy"------- I am going to use a fixed windshield, gull wing

 doors and rear window design as several other folks have done.  ( I have

my
	


 	  Quote: 	
		   canopy frame ready for welding)

   by opinion only

   Fritz --  Corvair, scratch building,   90/90


	




Attachment: http://www.matronics.com/enclosures/88711a3e96b4485d30ff6ecc9afffbb7cc2d048a.bmp

zodierocket(at)hsfx.ca
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2006 7:41 pm Post subject: One last reality check

Better yet plan a trip to Arlington, I'm sure we have a 601XL there.



Mark Townsend

Can-Zac Aviation Ltd.

president(at)can-zacaviation.com

www.can-zacaviation.com 




--> <larrywinger(at)gmail.com>



1)  Are there any builders within 400 miles of LA who have a completed

fuselage and canopy that I could try on for size?  That would satisfy my

need to sit in the plane as it was designed.



2)  If I need to squeeze out some additional leg room (and possibly head

room), are there any reasonably simple modifications that can increase

those

two dimensions without negative consequences (safety, aerodynamics,

etc.)?

I intend to build from scratch with a Corvair engine.



This appears to be a great list.  Thanks in advance for the responses.



Larry Winger

larrywinger(at)gmail.com

Tustin, CA

N53VP

WW Conversion Manual enroute.

Ready to send my check to ZAC

 

 

 



 

 

 

-- 

No virus found in this incoming message.

 



--

lrepilot(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 7:24 am Post subject: One last reality check

there is one available for rent at Torrance (ZMP)

phone 800-971-8710



--- Larry Winger <larrywinger(at)gmail.com> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <larrywinger(at)gmail.com>

 

 After many months of investigating my homebuilt

 options, I have settled on

 the 601XL -- subject to one last reality check.

 

 Because I am 6'6" talI, I have two specific

 questions:

 

 1)  Are there any builders within 400 miles of LA

 who have a completed

 fuselage and canopy that I could try on for size? 

 That would satisfy my

 need to sit in the plane as it was designed.

 

 2)  If I need to squeeze out some additional leg

 room (and possibly head

 room), are there any reasonably simple modifications

 that can increase those

 two dimensions without negative consequences

 (safety, aerodynamics, etc.)?

 I intend to build from scratch with a Corvair

 engine.

 

 This appears to be a great list.  Thanks in advance

 for the responses.

 

 Larry Winger

 larrywinger(at)gmail.com

 Tustin, CA

 N53VP

 WW Conversion Manual enroute.

 Ready to send my check to ZAC

 

 

 



 browse

 Subscriptions page,

 FAQ,

 http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List

 Admin.



 

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

 

 


	




__________________________________________________

craig(at)craigandjean.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 7:59 am Post subject: One last reality check

Here is a little more information on the 601XL instructor in SoCal:



Jon Thornburgh



Jon(at)JonThornburgh.com  

Cell Phone 800-971-8710



http://www.lasportplanes.com/13132.html



Warning: in my search for instruction in a 601XL I have found that many

schools are planning or advertising instruction in a 601XL but do not

actually have a plane yet. The only confirmed plane that I know of is Jim

Pellien's at Mid-Atlantic Sports Planes in Virginia. I would love to hear of

other confirmed sightings.



-- Craig

larrywinger(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 7:42 pm Post subject: One last reality check

Fritz,



In looking at the Zenith DVD, it sure looked like Chris was fairly tall.

That's probably good news for guys like me.



My great hope is that I'll fit under the bubble canopy just fine.  If not, I

may be contacting you for more info on your modification.



Thanks,

Larry

On 6/19/06, Big Gee <taffy0687(at)yahoo.com> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  

 



 Larry

 For what it is worth--- 1)  Chris Heintz is a fairly tall person---- and

 most designers tend to design around their needs.  2) He has a most forward

 position for the rudder pedals.  ( he use to have 2 positions)  3) scratch

 building allows you to design your own cockpit enclosure instead of using

 the "bubble canopy"------- I am going to use a fixed windshield, gull wing

 doors and rear window design as several other folks have done.  ( I have my

 canopy frame ready for welding)

 by opinion only

 Fritz --  Corvair, scratch building,   90/90



 Larry Winger <larrywinger(at)gmail.com> wrote:

 



 After many months of investigating my homebuilt options, I have settled on

 the 601XL -- subject to one last reality check.



 Because I am 6'6" talI, I have two specific questions:



 1) Are there any builders within 400 miles of LA who have a completed

 fuselage and canopy that I could try on for size? That would satisfy my

 need to sit in the plane as it was designed.



 2) If I need to squeeze out some additional leg room (and possibly head

 room), are there any reasonably simple modifications that can increase

 those

 two dimensions without negative consequences (safety, aerodynamics, etc.)?

 I intend to build from scratch with a Corvair engine.



 This appears to be a great list. Thanks in advance for the responses.



 Larry Winger

 larrywinger(at)gmail.com

 Tustin, CA

 N53VP

 WW Conversion Manual enroute.

 Ready to send my check to ZAC



 ---------------------------------

 much more to come.

jimandmandy(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 4:35 am Post subject: One last reality check

The airplane does actually exist. I got to fly it at

Golden West. 



Jim



--- Craig Payne <craig(at)craigandjean.com> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <craig(at)craigandjean.com>

 

 Here is a little more information on the 601XL

 instructor in SoCal:

 

 Jon Thornburgh

 

 Jon(at)JonThornburgh.com  

 Cell Phone 800-971-8710

 

 http://www.lasportplanes.com/13132.html

 

 Warning: in my search for instruction in a 601XL I

 have found that many

 schools are planning or advertising instruction in a

 601XL but do not

 actually have a plane yet. The only confirmed plane

 that I know of is Jim

 Pellien's at Mid-Atlantic Sports Planes in Virginia.

 I would love to hear of

 other confirmed sightings.

 

 -- Craig 

 

 

 

 



 browse

 Subscriptions page,

 FAQ,

 http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List

 Admin.

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