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Sport Aircraft Builders Club (SABC)

Zodiac 601HDS

Update - May 2004

Not much to report - progress varying between slow and non-existant.

I have done a bit of work on the main gear legs and got the final instruments for the panel (the only non electronic instruments are the slip ball and the backup mechanical compass). The solid state Attitude Indicator and Electronic Compass work well on the bench so it will be interesting to see them working in the aircraft.

Graham
May 2004

Update - January 2004

I have just got back from 'sunny?' Queensland (never go there in January) and a visit to Jabiru to get the last of the bits I needed from them for the firewall forward.

There has been some basic progress on the airframe with the fuselage now virtually complete except for the instrument panel, electrical wiring, fuel system and firewall forward. In other words I am probably at the 90% stage.

The seat (no padding etc yet) and seat belts are now fitted and the main landing gear is almost ready to be fitted.

The last of the Stratomaster instruments - the A/H and electronic compass - is due this week so I will have a fully electronic panel with the only mechanical instrument being a backup compass to comply with regulations.

I got an uprated starter motor, oil cooler and alternator from Jabiru plus the air box, propeller and spinner.

Maybe one of these years it may be ready to commit aviation. I wonder if the pilot will be ready as well?

Graham
January 2004

Update - November 2003

Finally some small progress.

I have now finished rivetting the rear turtledeck in place so the aft end of the fuselage is basically complete except for a few small details.

This, together with the fact that the outboard wings and tail feathers are complete means the only(!) things left are the seats, canopy, instruments, wheels and firewall forward.

At this rate I may be finished in a couple of years or so.

Graham
November 2003

Update - July 2003

There has not been much progress of note on the 601 except that the control cables are in and I am working on the main undercarriage legs at this time and thinking about how I am going to lay out the panel.

Graham
July 2003

Some slow progress on the 601.

1. Control cables now made up and ready for installation

2. Main undercarriage legs ready for welding and landing gear forks bent up and waiting.

3. Canopy has been 'blown' and I should be starting the major excercise of fitting it soon. Basically I need to make up the instrument panel and front fuselage top and front part of the rear turtle deck before I can do this.

4. The Stratomaster instrument is now in my possession and it looks good. At this stage I do not anticipate having any mechanical instruments at all on the panel.

Overall it is starting to look like an aeroplane rather than a pile of bits. One of these years!!!

Graham Byass
June 2003

Progress on my project has been a bit slow lately for a variety of reasons.

I am trying to put in the control cables so I can button up the rear turtle deck but, of course, I am short one turnbuckle end and there are apparently none in Australia so I will include it on my order to Aircraft Spruce tonight.

I will have to move the project to Serpentine very shortly as I cannot work on the firewall forward in the house.

The Stratomaster Ultra electronic instrument and backup altimeter/airspeed instrument have arrived in Australia so I should have them by the end of the week - fancy that, almost a fully electronic dash panel!! (That is assuming that I also lash out and put in their proposed electronic compass and AH as well)

Graham Byass
May 2003

A few brief comments on progress(???) on my Zodiac 601HDS.

Basically all the flying surfaces are complete as is the rear fuselage.

The rear turtledeck, tailplane and rudder have been 'trial fitted' and when I get the rudder pedals back from being welded I will be in a position to fit the control cables and complete the rear fuselage.

The next problem is deciding on the instruments and the instrument panel layout so that I can proceed with the forward fuselage and firewall.

Who knows I may have something like an aeroplane this century!!!

Graham Byass
February 2003

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