
|

|
|

|
TERRENCE'S WEB SITE

|
Builder:
|
Terrence Phillips
|
Location:
|
Corvallis, MT - USA
|
Aircraft:
|
Zenith Aircraft Co. - CH601XL
|
Manufacturer:
|
http://www.zenithair.com/
|
Engine:
|
Jabiru - 3300
|
Prop:
|
Sensenich - 2A0J5R64Z-N Carbon Fiber Ground Adjustable - Constant Pitch
|
|
Welcome to my airplane builder’s-log website. I am building a Zenith 601XL from a complete kit delivered in February, 2007. I originally wanted to build a Cozy. But I decided I’d rather spend my retirement flying than building, so I set my sights on the RV-9A. Then I decided light sport was the way to go. In the Fall 2006 time-frame the Zenair 601XL looked to me to offer the best combination of performance, building ease, proven design, and value. I visited the factory in Mexico, MO for a demo flight and committed to the 601XL.
A glance at my builder's log reveals that precious little has been done since April 6, 2008. There is a reason for that. On April 7, a 601XL lost a wing and crashed near Polk City, FL. That was the 4th 601XL wing loss accident since February 2006. I decided that I could not continue building until the cause for these accidents was determined, and something was developed to eliminate the problem. Since the Polk City accident, three more 601XL's have lost a wing in flight, confirming (in my mind, at least) the correctness of my decision to halt my build.
Since then, I have devoted my building time to facilitating an independent engineering analysis of 601XL through the auspices of the Zenith Builders Analysis Group (ZBAG). Twenty-seven other builders joined me to make ZBAG happen. At the time of this writing (1/09) I believe that one of our engineers has determined the cause of the accidents. I'm confident that we will soon have design changes that will stop the wing loss accidents.
I remain committed to my 601XL. I still believe that Zenith Aircraft offer the most bang for the buck in the homebuilt Light Sport market. I am confident that, as modified, the 601XL will be just as safe as other LSA kit on the market. As soon as the analysis process is complete, I plan to resume my build.
Recent Activity
Date

|
Work Summary

|
|
06-29-2008
|
Check diameter of main spar bolt holes
|
|
06-13-2008
|
Make up 22 rivet strength test specimens
|
|
04-06-2008
|
Drill new holes for NR#4
|
|
04-04-2008
|
Add shims to move NR#7
|
|
04-03-2008
|
Positioned nose skin--problems with prepunched hol
|
|
04-02-2008
|
Drill holes for gas line, position nose skin
|
|
04-01-2008
|
Drill main spar pilot holes, etc.
|
|
03-30-2008
|
Drill remaining 3/32" holes in bottom skin
|
|
03-29-2008
|
Drill & cleco bottom rear skin
|
|
03-27-2008
|
Check wing twist, start drilling bottom skin
|
|
|

|

|

|
|

|

|
Copyright © 2001-2009 Matronics. All Rights Reserved.
|