EAA staff Zenith 750 project

The EAA staff build of a Zenith 750 STOL kit is underway! This past Saturday, 15 staffers spent the day working on three different rudders as Sebastian and Roger from Zenith watched over our progress. They brought us three rudder kits to build as a part of the opening day kickoff of our project, and I'm happy to report that all three rudders were completed in a matter of hours!

I have almost 40 people interested in helping build from the EAA staff, and a goal of Memorial Day weekend 2013 as a completion date. I'll use this thread as a "build log" as we work our way through an ELSA version of the 750.

Special thanks to Sebastian and Zenith Aircraft for the generous donation of the 750 to EAA for us to build, and eventually put in to the EAA Employee flying club!

Pics!

The kit just after being unloaded-

Attachment 2502

Our workshop corner in the EAA Weeks hangar-

Attachment 2500

Looking down the workbench that will be used for major assemblies-

Attachment 2501

While we only need one, we built three!

Attachment 2503

Thanks for posting, Chad; will be great to see this site used as the build log.

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Originally Posted by CarlOrton

Thanks for posting, Chad; will be great to see this site used as the build log.

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A build log is nice but why not make this a story each month or every other month in sport aviation magazine? This is exactly the type of content people on here have been asking to see in the magazine.

Keith

Fully agree with Keith.

Exactly what we intend to do guys. We will have photo and video covering build sessions and we will write about it for SA and Experimenter. I will also be doing a blog starting in a week or two. It will be much more than just this thread. :cool:

But to keep this thread fresh, maybe a monthly pop here w/ link to the blog & other data that emerges (articles, etc.). Or if monthly doesn't show enough visible progress (I know it doesn't on my project - last 4 months the structure looks the same, but the clecoes are turning different colors as I drill it out...), maybe just pop in here when there's a "big difference" to show / write about. My interest is that I've been asked to TC for a CH750 project, but my experience is in a couple of other blind-riveted designs. So I'll be looking for CH750-specifics - how's it different... What do you have to look out for / do here that you didn't on the Sonex.

Another random thought - lately I've considered that project documentation can be as much its own hobby as getting the work done. (Not to mention the other hobby-within-homebuilding - tool collecting...)

I was thrilled when I saw EAA staff would be building a CH 750. That airplane is at the top of my "to do" list. This is great! I will be anxiously awaiting each update, both here and in the magazines.

One question:
How/why did EAA decide which airplane to construct?
I am curious how the selection process worked and what qualities made the CH 750 win-out over all others.

Edit: Reviewing the first post, I see the aircraft was a donation. Cool, even better. Attachment 2553

Hey Green,

Beyond the donation of a kit, we were looking at building an ELSA to eliminate choices among a group of builders, but still get the full build experience. That left two choices, Zenith 750 and RV-12 as they have SLSA versions. While Van's made an attractive offer, the 750 was donated, and that's how we ended up with it. Both are fantastic airplanes, and the choice would have come down to a vote of preference between low and high wing I think if both offered donations.

Thanks for checking in! We build again tonight!

This is great. I will be following the progress.

We've had a few build sessions since the launch party, and the tail group is coming along nicely! I've had a few new faces at each session so the total count of staff involved is now well over 20. Last night we finished the initial drilling on the horizontal stabilizer, and worked on a few smaller pieces of the elevator.

Attachment 2554

Attachment 2555

Attachment 2556

Attachment 2557

Saturday we should be riveting the HS together!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chad Jensen

We've had a few build sessions since the launch party, and the tail group is coming along nicely! I've had a few new faces at each session so the total count of staff involved is now well over 20. Last night we finished the initial drilling on the horizontal stabilizer, and worked on a few smaller pieces of the elevator.

Attachment 2554

Attachment 2555

Attachment 2556

Attachment 2557

Saturday we should be riveting the HS together!

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Don't forget the weber grill and the fridge to help keep it fun!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chad Jensen

Hey Green,

Beyond the donation of a kit, we were looking at building an ELSA to eliminate choices among a group of builders, but still get the full build experience. That left two choices, Zenith 750 and RV-12 as they have SLSA versions. While Van's made an attractive offer, the 750 was donated, and that's how we ended up with it.

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As a non-builder I am, however, very intersted in following your build progress because I find the entire process intriguing. I wish all of those involved the best of luck and the most fun as you move towards completion.


Chad, can you clear up possible confusion re your comment about the RV-12 as S-LSA. Vans does not build any factory ready to fly aircraft. The RV-12 is intended to be licensed as ELSA and is also eligible for registration as E-AB. Van's received S-LSA approval for the prototype but no factory built version is or was meant to be available.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Floatsflyer

As a non-builder I am, however, very intersted in following your build progress because I find the entire process intriguing. I wish all of those involved the best of luck and the most fun as you move towards completion.


Chad, can you clear up possible confusion re your comment about the RV-12 as S-LSA. Vans does not build any factory ready to fly aircraft. The RV-12 is intended to be licensed as ELSA and is also eligible for registration as E-AB. Van's received S-LSA approval for the prototype but no factory built version is or was meant to be available.

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You are exactly correct. I didn't mean to imply that Van's sells SLSA RV-12, only that we were planning to build an ELSA approved airplane based on an SLSA design. Sorry about that. ;)

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Originally Posted by Floatsflyer

...stuff deleted....

Chad, can you clear up possible confusion re your comment about the RV-12 as S-LSA. Vans does not build any factory ready to fly aircraft. The RV-12 is intended to be licensed as ELSA and is also eligible for registration as E-AB. Van's received S-LSA approval for the prototype but no factory built version is or was meant to be available.

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Funny you should mention that. Looks like things are changing (although it is not Van's doing the actual building)....

http://www.vansaircraft.com/images/o...ss_release.pdf

Mark

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Originally Posted by rv8bldr

Funny you should mention that. Looks like things are changing (although it is not Van's doing the actual building)....

http://www.vansaircraft.com/images/o...ss_release.pdf

Mark

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RV, thanks for posting this timely release. This is a very good but long over due decision by Vans. With their very strong reputation and brand recognition, I suspect Vans may have created an initiative that will be a significant shot in the arm for the SLSA category and its to date moribund sales activity. Now if they could bring the price down to $90K their potential market would increase dramatically.

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Special thanks to Sebastian and Zenith Aircraft for the generous donation of the 750 to EAA for us to build, and eventually put in to the EAA Employee flying club!

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There is no such thing as a free puppy or airplanes.

;)

Is there going to be a drawing on who gets the repairman's license?

(fantastic program - nothing demonstrates that the core function of the organization is still a core function of the organization to the membership and others)

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Originally Posted by Frank Giger

There is no such thing as a free puppy or airplanes.

;)

Is there going to be a drawing on who gets the repairman's license?

(fantastic program - nothing demonstrates that the core function of the organization is still a core function of the organization to the membership and others)

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Thanks Frank! Since we are building ELSA, we won't apply for a repairman certificate (go through the course), and it will be maintained by the great folks at EAA's Weeks hangar.

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Originally Posted by Chad Jensen

Thanks Frank! Since we are building ELSA, we won't apply for a repairman certificate (go through the course), and it will be maintained by the great folks at EAA's Weeks hangar.

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Think you can find an A&P somewhere?:rollseyes:

Several updates to the build are on the blog site, but since we just finished the empennage this past weekend, I thought it appropriate to post the link to the latest entry. Check it out!

http://zenith750project.com/2012/11/...-to-the-wings/

http://zenith750project.com/wp-conte...-14-39-AMw.jpg

http://zenith750project.com/wp-conte...-48-45-AMw.jpg

Straight rivet lines, clean environment, aluminum without all sorts of reference and comment marks all over it.....spooky.

This is how a build table should look:

http://www.darts-page.com/images/Nieuport/rw20.JPG

Do my eyes deceive me, Chad, or is that EAA #1 at the far end of the table?!!

It sure is Jim!!

Chad,
In the pictures of the skinning of the right wing. It looks like I saw myself in a yellow T shirt. Now I know I wasn't their, but thats weird! Who is this great looking guy?

The blog is updated weekly...and I put up the latest entry a few minutes ago...

http://zenith750project.com/2013/01/...laperon-parts/

Make sure you subscribe to get the updates automatically!

any more updates or is it done? seems like it doesn't need a sticky thread

Since the blog is updated weekly (or sometimes bi-weekly), I removed the sticky...you're right doesn't need to be stuck. ;)

Not done yet, but we are looking at just a few more months.

http://zenith750project.com/wp-conte...9/IMG_7841.jpg
http://zenith750project.com/wp-conte...07/MG_0717.jpg

For a moment there I thought you had lined the aircraft with newspaper!