Big Kahunas

"Carl Ellis" wrote in message
...

"

Building a Zenith 601XL.. You can see up to the minute photos of the
under
taking at www.peoamerica.net/N601WR



That's a nice little airplane. I imagine you've had a chance to fly one?
What are your impressions?

- Carl -


I went through the new builder's workshop and test flew the plane in
September on 2002. When went up to the factory in Mexico MO I had never
seen one in person. I had already paid my $300 for the rudder kit and had 2
things I had to know before I left or else I wouldn't continue the project.

1. How did the plane fly? I didn't want an ultralight I wanted a small plane
that I could comfortably do x-country in and maybe even very light IFR.

Within 1 minute of take-off I was pretty sure the 601XL would fill the bill
on that. After 30 minutes I was sure.

2. Could I build the thing pretty much alone with my very limited skill set?

I felt obviously felt that I could. I've made a couple of mistakes along the
way but nothing a couple of hundred dollars of new parts wouldn't fix.

I also looked into the Sonex. For what I wanted the panel area looked a
little small and it's design was a kind of radical for my taste and it was a
much less proven design, especially at the time.

The RVs are great but I didn't feel like I could do enough of the work
without an extra set of hands.


Gig Giacona
www.peoamerica.net/N601WR