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staufferm
Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Posts: 34
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 Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:24 pm Post subject: Yes I'm building a Zenith........ sigh |
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Well since my family’s name and honor has been brought up on this list I guess I must respond just to save face!!
Hi, my name is Mark and I’m building a Zenith 601XL. (You all respond “Hi Mark”) The first step on the road to recovery is admitting you have a problem.
A little bit of history about me and the Zenith. I helped a friend of mine build an old model (before match drilling and very few formed parts) RV-6 when I lived in VA. I decided that I wanted to build a plane since I figured on E6 pay I couldn’t afford a “real” plane. I researched for over 2 years going to Sun n Fun twice and Oshkosh. I even talked to Pete at Oshkosh about the Esqual but honestly, at that point in time I couldn’t afford the initial high $20k that the kit cost. I liked the Rans products but was worried about a possible lack of hangar space with a “tube and fabric” airplane. The initial kit cost of an RV was good but the finishing costs (finishing kit, engine, avionics) were a tough obstacle. I settled on the Zenith as a good compromise for me and my situation.
I have over 1200 hours in my kit over a span of 5 years now. I’m within a couple hundred hours of finishing it and hope to have it flying sometime this year. I have an early Zenith kit. Almost no holes drilled and lots of sheet metal to measure and cut.
The funny thing is that the Zenith is what lead me to come work for Pete and Nick. After another couple of years of research and pestering Pete at Sun n Fun I decided on a Jabiru engine. In Aug of ’05 I attended their first engine seminar. In October I heard that they were looking for a builders assistance center manager and met with Pete about the job the week before Thanksgiving. I went back to the Army and dropped my retirement paperwork for a 1 Oct 06 retirement. In June of ’06 I moved my house to Shelbyville and started working for Arion while on transition leave from the Army. The rest, as they say, is history.
I love flying the Lightning and I’m equally excited about flying my Zenith when I get it done.
So there you have it. Now, on a side note. Whenever somebody wants a pretty aluminum console or baffle made guess who they come to??!!
Have a great evening!
Mark
From: owner-lightning-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-lightning-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Brian Whittingham
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2008 5:02 PM
To: lightning-list(at)matronics.com
Subject: RE: SC / Lightning comparison plus other comments
I think that Mark is a "Builder's builder", meaning that he likes a challenge. I hear that his next project is going to be the Spruce Goose II. (100,000,000 man hours to complete) Working on these time consuming airplanes helps him to help you guys in the builder assist program because he's been there and seen that. He does enjoy flying the Lightning in his time off to unwind though. Isn't that right Mark 
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N1BZRich(at)aol.com
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| Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:00 pm Post subject: Yes I'm building a Zenith........ sigh |
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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 in the new year.
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