cdewey6969(at)yahoo.com
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 Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:34 pm Post subject: Zenith ///////// Lightning |
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I actually like the STOL Zenith 4 seater. I thought it
was a great plane when plane shopping at Sun n Fun. If
I could have 2 planes, that would be a good people and
stuff mover. My flight instructor in Winter Haven was
advising against Zenith for what he considered to be a
flawed wing. I can't remember why exactly he had
concerns about it, but I will find out about it and
post it. If anyone knows him, he is John Amundsen,
owner of Tailwheels, Etc. Flight School (at) Gilbert
Field.
The 4-seater STOL is used a lot in Africa and in
the Amazon to get supplies in and people out for
medical care. Because they take off and land in a
rididulously small amount, and have a virtually
vertical takeoff, they can get into tiny airstrips the
Lightning could never access. Check their website out
to see the video of a takeoff.
Because the Zenith was all metal, I knew it would
be a silly long build process. The Zenith price was so
good that it was tempting, but the Lightning swayed me
due to it is a fast build, much faster speedwise, and
much more fuel efficient AND it could be had with a
parachute. SO, it really was a no-brainer decision for
me which to choose.
I had to reconsile the fact that if I bought the
Zenith, I would be buying it more for others than
myself. I say this b/c 90% of the time, I will be
flying alone or with one other person. So a 4-seater
really wasn't necessary- but it would be great to have
the extra seats and storage when needed. I am also
trying hard to be the kind of guy who travels light.
There's nothing worse than hauling junk you wind up
never using. Not that I wouldn't haul uselful stuff in
the Zenith, I figured I could still be creative and
haul pleny of stuff in the Lightning when and if
needed. I see no problem hauling 150 lbs of groceries
instead of a passenger. It would just involve some
clever packing.
--- N1BZRich(at)aol.com wrote:
| Quote: | Since I think I was the one that "outed" Mark let me
add a few words in his
behalf. First off, I have been to Mark's house and
garage work shop in
Shelbyville and looked at his project. At the time,
our EAA Chapter in
Williamsburg, VA (Chapter 156) was building a Zenith
601XL and I figured I might pick
up some good ideas and suggestions since Mark had
been at the project for
about 3 years at that time. The first thing I
noticed was that Marks workmanship
was superb. Every piece and part that he had
completed was absolutely first
rate. I am an EAA Technical Counselor (and Flight
Advisor) and have visited
many projects in the past to evaluate the builders
work and to make
suggestions if I thought any change was required.
In Mark's case, I was very
impressed with all he had completed and his overall
plan to finish the project -
first rate work. I might add that having been to
the Arion hangar numerous
times over the past 2 1/2 years, I have also seen
the results of Mark's work on
Lightning kits being assembled there as well.
Again, first rate. Heck, he
would not be working for Pete and Nick if that was
not the case. All the
Arion people are dedicated to producing an excellent
built airplane with
outstanding flying qualities.
Sorry mark, now everyone knows that you work with on
a metal airplane during
the evenings. Well, except on the weekends. That
is when he chases women.
Blue Skies,
Buz
**************Start the year off right. Easy ways
to stay in shape.
http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489
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