Researched 12v Wiring Systems

Wealth of info on 12v systems and parts: Automotive wiring: www.WiringProducts.com

Mike Gleason (701 flying) Aircraft electronics wiring source www.SteinAir.Com

Mike is reviewing possible panel lay-outs.  SteinAir does CNC panel bulkhead preparation.

Bad Elf GPS Antenna for iPad Air

Ordered Bad Elf external GPS antenna for iPad Air. Also bought Lightning-t--30-pin adapter ar Apple Store Willow Bend.

Researched iPad Air panel mount fro Aircraft Spruce

iPad Air panel mount: Aircraft Spruce ... Appears to be a rather clumsy installation.  Will research further options.

Researced Setup & Operation of iPad Air

iPad Air, 32 Gb, Christmas Present. Downloaded basic Apple software, setup, and registration.

Researched & Ordered AOA Kit

Studied AOA kit from www.BarkerAviation.Com At $60 this seems to be a bargain. Ordered.

Very compact instrument dispaly and sensor with rather small circuit boards, components, & wires.   Kit construction (soldering) will require higher skills than mine.  Located EE student to do the build.

Plans and Parts Numbering

The plans are a packet of about 70 sheets 11x17 broken into sections by major components.  The plans/sheets/components/parts numbering scheme: 7xC-P; where:

7 = the 701 aircraft,
x = the component:
      R = Rudder,
      H = H. Stab & Elevator,
      V = Wings,
      S = Slats/Flaperons,
      F = Fuselage,
      E = Engine,    
      L = Landing Gear
      C = Controls
      ETO = Elevator Trim Option
      FWO = Folding Wing Option
      VGO = Vortex Generators Option
C = Page # within the component group
P = the part identifier on the page

Thus 7V3-2 indicates part # 2 on page 3 of the wing section for the 701 aircraft.

Researched Lithium Ion Bateries

Deltran Lithium-Ion (360 CCA, 24 Ahr, 2.6 lbs, $150). www.ebay.com/381044582015 ... Possible replacements for $350


!!!! EarthX batteries recommended by Viking. Jan @ Viking says ONLY EarthX batteries have an internal cell management system for the recommended dual battery configuration.  Expensive ($360/ea - ETX36C), but have built-in power management system to preserve life, charging, and operation.

Researched Marine Bus Bars for Power Distribution

Blue Sea Systems: 10 Gang Common 150A Busbar & cover ~$12 ... E-Bay.

Researched & Ordered the Viking 701 Steel Nose Gear Assembly

Ordered steel nose gear spring replacement for bungee cords on CH-701 ($345). Highly recommended modification.

Researched 12v LED array

Found 15 LED, 12v, clear-bright, column array replacement parts for Ford lights. #14/pair WalMart.  Will test for possible use ... 

!!!! Rather complicated build process ... Rejected: 12/10/2014 !!!!

Researched Hi-Hat Storage Trailer Purchase

Rene@OnSiteStorage.Com $2400 + $350 delivery - used 40'x10'x10' storage trailer. Possibly move to Lavon North.

Build Worktable

4' x 14' worktable (caster too small - replace later).

!!!! Replaces with 3", locking casters: 7/7/2015 !!!!

Researched possible building/rigging space

Wylie Rental Space off US78 and Sanden Rd: (214) 808-6336. Possible source shared with hot-rod builder and paint shop.  Possible source shared with hot-rod builder and paint shop

!!!!!! No longer available due to owner's business expansion: 11/21/2015 !!!!!

Researched Basing Option: Lavon North - 46TS

www.airnav.com/airport/46TS ... Approximately 10 miles away. Unimproved, 2 long gravel/grass runways. Parasail operator. Possibly move storage trailer to site. 214-241-8132: Manager: Future Flight Inc

Return home - Researched kit & options

Returned home from the workshop.  Researched kit and options.  Decided on:
Serial # 10221 - N701LT
Complete SOL Kit:
Folding Wing Option
Tail Light Option
Vortex Generators Option

Researched Welding Aluminum

Home Aluminum Welding: www.muggyweld.com

Researched Streamlined Strut Fairings

PVC Fairings: www.uflyit.com/streamline_fairings.html

Researched "Steam Gauge" Instruments

Researched avionics sources. Manufacturers List: www.UltraLightMarket.Com Chinese non-certified instruments: BST Technologies, Ltd

Researched Marine Navigation/Position Lights

Researched marine navigation/position lights and ordered a single clear (tail) assembly for inspection. Also ordered a red lens and green lens. Thought is to build 2 or 3 arrays of 9-15 LED for sources.

Researched 105 HP Jibaru Engine

Researched 105 Hp Jabiru 3300 engine: Performance, weight, installation, cost. Checked Zenith Builder's Website for comments on engines flying.

Built Slats Jig

Built Slats Jig from plans & spare shop lumber. Lent completed jig to Doug Boggs (Ft. Worth 701 builder).

Research Noral Seats

Researched Noral Seats ... Price/comfort looks good: ~ $100/ea. www.NoralEnterprises.Com (~$80/ea)

HomeBuiltHelp 701 Build DVD's

Jon Croke's DVD's on building the 701 are excellent.  Probably could not have undertaken the project without them.  He is also quite responsive to questions about the build process.

Research Viking 110 HP Engine

Researched 110 Hp Viking 110 engine. Performance, weight, installation, cost. Checked Zenith Builder's Website for info on flying engines. Major discussions with Chumphol (Champ) Sirinavin building 3rd CH-701 in Thailand. Recommended the engine highly for performance and cost/benefit.

Received CH-701 plans

Received via UPS one set of CH-701 Plans, Ser. # 10221.  Included were the pages for the Folding Wing, Electric Trim, and Vortex generators options.

Researched Jibaru 2200 engine

Researched 80 Hp, Jabiru 2200 engine. Performance, weight, installation, costs. Checked Zenith Builder's Website for comments of engines flying.  Cost with 701 Firewall Fwd ~$16K

Ordered Complete Kit with Options

Ordered a full CH-701 kit from Zenith.  Added FWO (Folding Wing Option), ETO (Electric Elevator Trim Option), and VGO (Vortex Generators Option).  Added 2 quarts of Cortec anti-corrosion primer.  Scheduled delivery: 19 January 2015.

Attend Zenith Rudder Build Workshop

Attended a workshop to see the Zenith Factory and build a CH-701 Rudder kit in 1-2 days.  Drove 550 miles to the factory in Mexico, MO.  Found the kit to be quite complete and the plans/instructions easy to follow.  Completed the entire all aluminum riveted rudder in less than 8 hours.

Test flew the factory demonstrator 701 and found it to be quite responsive and easy to fly.  The STOL characteristics were excellent on the 80 HP Rotax engine.