Is a Zodiac CH650B a good build for a handy non pilot?

I'd love to do some flying, but have no interest in real travel flying.  For local cruising and landing off airport and sightseeing, I'd look at the high wing STOLs, like the CH-750.  http://www.zenithair.com/stolch750/

With the lift available, I expect they would tolerate considerable overloading, if needed to haul out your deer, etc.

Wilson

Yeah, the useful load and cabin width is what brought me to Zenith in the first place. Their planes are rated pretty high on BigPilots.com. I even considered the Highlander because of it's capacity to accommodate big guys like me. I've lost more than 50 lbs and continue to lose so even that is becoming less of an issue for me. I do more fishing than hunting so I won't be hauling any deer unless I hit them while landing.

I took discovery flights in both a Cessna 172 and Piper Warrior II and there was no comparison. The low wing much improves the visibility above me which to me is more important.

Hi Keith,

I may be slightly biased but I think the Zenith in any model is a great airplane! I have a 650XL about 75% finished and you will find that the plans are outstanding, the company is easy to work with, and the kits are well thought out and easy to build. The Sonex is also a great airplane, but for me it's too cramped to be comfortable. Another nice thing about all of the Zenith products is that the company actually encourages and helps builders with alternative engines. Sonex does not.

Can you build one for $30,000? It's possible, but pretty hard. If you got a great deal on a good used engine, polished the aluminum instead of paint. get some used steam gauges, I think you can. If you ever visit the Oshkosh area, E-mail me at backstagelive@gmail and come and visit! You can make a trip out of it and come see the EAA museum. I can show you my kit, and you can visit the Sonex factory and see if you are comfortable in one of those planes. 

So $30k will be a stretch, huh? Good to know. I'd like to go basic with instruments. I just need them to be dependable. I actually prefer the polished aluminum to a paint job. Believe me, when I get to that point, I'll be here digging through the archives for directions for upkeep. 

I assume you got the upgraded wing reinforcement kit. What does that do to your gross weight? What  powerplant are you using? I think ideally, I like the direct drive air cooled simplicity of the Jabiru 3300, but because this will only be my "$100 hamburger" means for the most part, I am looking at the 100 Hp Corvair from William Wynne. Am I wrong believing this powerplant could accommodate me, a buddy and maybe a tackle box and occasional overnight bag?

Hi Keith,

I am building a zodiac xl (with the wing upgrade) from plans.  I think it is a fine airplane, but 30k will definitely be a stretch with the Jab engine, unless you can find a used one for cheap. The jab is a light engine for the power (the corvair will weigh more) so if you can afford it, go with the jab.  Given your size, you may find that none of the kit airplanes will  offer as much useful load as you want or need.  About 500 lbs useful load is the best you can expect (talk to people who have built them and weighed them, don't believe all that you read in brochures), and with 200# of fuel, that leave 300 lbs for passengers and baggage.  This is the dilemma with light sport; some people seems to think you can get something for nothing.  All are light airplanes that don't carry much.  As long as you understand this, you can be happy flying light sport.  Can't really beat the physics of it, unless you pay much more for high-tech carbon fiber stuff beyond the range of the average homebuilder.  But don't fall into the trap of thinking that you can fly 2 250# passengers with extended fuel and baggage for a camping trip in a light sport airplane.  Can't happen.  If that is your mission, buy a Skyhawk, it would cost about the same.

Keith;

I spent the better part of 2-years waiting to see how the 601and the Zodiac XL worked out as projects. Glad I waited because the new 650B has the upgrades suggested by the FAA and fits into the sport plane catagory.

My height and weigh are really close to yours (I'm just a few lbs lighter) but if you plan on flying a 650B with full fuel and another larger person, then do as I am doing and plan to use a few lbs.

If you are new to home building I would strongly suggest the factory kit because it will simplify your building a tremendous amount of effort and time because the ribs, spars, skins have matched tooling holes and will go together very well, especially a 'newbie' builder. Me? My funds are limited and I have to pay as I play so I'm scratch building. I've made all of the forms for the Horizontal Stab, Vertical Stab, Wing Ribs and so far the plans are complicated but thorough and there are a lot of 601 builders out there to help and the factory so far has given the few pointers I needed.

It is cheap to scratch build...very few shop equipment needed but a small drill press, band saw (found mine on the internet) and a router and table, table disc sander are about all you'll need. Most of the builders (including me) got these a Harbor Freight) but don't buy anything until you get your plans and get plugged into Zenith's Builder Forum which will tell you exactly what to get at the best price. The Builder Forum cannot be access until you have the set of plans with your Serial Number but it is quite good.

Go to http://homebuilthelp.com/Scratch.htm and spend $39.00 for their 2-DVD Video 'Scratch Build Basics for Metal Aircraft. It is terrific and geared towards the 601-650 Zenith Zodiac. You won't be disappointed. Watching their presentation should give you everything you need to make a final go-no-go decision.

Just so you know I've built 2 BD-5's some 30+ years ago. I'm now 72, in good health, and having a ball starting the 650B project. My craft will have a Wynne Corvair engine http://www.flycorvair.com/601.html which is a perfect match for what I plan on doing. Catch me at ronflieshigh@earthlink.net if there is anything else I can help you with.

Ron Moore