Site Updated 11/15/09

Welcome!

This site serves as a builder log of Dave Gardea's progress on construction of a Zodiac CH 650 homebuilt aircraft using kit components provided by Zenith Aircraft Company. You can view my progress on my homebuilt aircraft construction by clicking on the a menu link above or clicking on the photo below showing my latest progress.

I recently decided to upgrade my Zodiac 601XL kit to include the latest CH 650 canopy and rudder. I have the CH 650 plans on order and hope to order my canopy kit soon.

Project location: Indianapolis, Indiana - USA

Latest Progress

Why did I choose the Zenith Aircraft Company Zodiac CH 650?

At the time I starting looking at homebuilt kits, I had a private ticket but was not current. At that time I had not flown for about 30 years. Since then, I have received instruction in an Evektor SportStar (see pic below) and

have been flying the past year under Sport Pilot regs. Prior to flying the SportStar, I had previously accumulated only about a hundred hours in Cessna 150's and 152's. Considering the performance of the latter, I didn't want to build a plane with performance specs, i.e., faster, more horsepower, etc., that were not within my flying ability even when I get current again. Since I don't have a taildragger endorsement or hours I had been looking for a tricycle gear configuration.

Prior to settling on the Zodiac, kits that were attractive to me as a potential match were the Kitfox, KR2, and Dragonfly. The former is fabric over tube construction, in which I have no build experience, and the latter two are wood or fiberglass/epoxy construction. I have experience building in wood and some glass work. I once helped a neighbor lay up some components of his Dragonfly. This is a very nice plane but less popular lately and I was a little concerned about builder support and allergic reactions to the epoxies. I have always seen the KR2's at shows but the relatively narrow cockpit concerned me regarding comfort on cross-country trips.

So I thought, why not learn how to construct an aircraft out of aluminum ..

all that riveting can't be that difficult with the right tools. What sold me on the Zodiac was the rudder class I attended in June 2005 at the Zenith Aircraft Company factory in Mexico, MO. There I learned the basics of sheet metal construction while completing a part of the aircraft .. the rudder. Sheet metal construction is straightforward and can be learned easily by most folks. It helped to have some coaches at this workshop to assure you that you were using correct technique. Also, setting rivets in the Zodiac is easy since this design uses Avex rivets, which is similar to a pop rivet. I also got to take a demo ride in the Zodiac demo plane.

This aircraft handles and performs like the Cessnas in which I had learned to fly. Cruise and stall speeds are similar as well. The visibility is unlike any plane I have flown in because of the bubble canopy. I'm confident I have chosen the right aircraft for my first (maybe not my last) homebuilt aircraft project!

Most importantly is that my experimental amateur built (EAB) Zodiac is eligible to be flown as a Light Sport Aircraft; meaning I can fly this aircraft with my private ticket and my Indiana drivers license. It will not be a requirement that I renew my FAA medical certificate. The only restriction is that I will not be able to fly at night under Sport Pilot rules.