EAA Sport Aviation - April 2010

FLORIDA ZODIAC 601 XL MY ZODIAC 601 XL is powered by an 80-hp Rotax 912UL with a Czech firewall-forward kit. Weight matched the Zenith spec sheet at 680 pounds. Flight-testing showed a clean stall at 42 mph indicated and at 40 indicated with flaps. Cruise at 5000 rpm is 117 mph. The kit was complete and a pleasure to build. It took me two years to build, but I’m sure it could be done in 10 months. I’ll try to correct the heavy rudder pedals next. I have also added a cross brace to the canopy rear loop just above the side frames to prevent the canopy from belling out when I close it. This allows it to latch properly every time I close it.

MINNESOTA RV-9A MY RV-9A IS POWERED by a Lycoming IO-360-M1B swinging a Hartzell constant-speed blended-foil prop. The instrument panel houses an Advanced Flight Systems 3500/3400 EFIS, Garmin 430, Garmin SL30 nav/comm, Garmin GMA 340 audio, Garmin GTX 330 transponder, Tru Trak DigiFlight II VSG, and XM weather. Two things (out of the box) are keyless entry tip-up canopy and an 8-gallon auxiliary fuel tank. St. James Holy Cowl and the interior are by Classic Aero Designs. First flight went well. It’s fun to fly, and it flies straight. Cruises at 155 knots indicated at 5,500 feet. Special thanks for years of support by my wife, Jody; Jim G.; and all the guys at RGK.

FLORIDA MURPHY REBEL THE FIRST FLIGHT TOOK place on October 16, 2009, after five owners (only two builders) and some 15-plus years of gestation. I received the plane about 50 percent complete and have spent the last five and a half years completing it. The Rebel performs to the book figures, cruising at 120 mph at 65 percent power. Plane empty and gross weights are 961 and 1,650 pounds, respectively, with a Lycoming O-320 (160-hp) engine and a Sensenich metal prop. It has a Grand Rapids Technologies EFIS and EIS and a Garmin SL40 and GTX 327. Interior is gray and maroon. Thanks to Chris Conn, Bernie Kerr, George Fritschle, Rob Kermanj, Joe Baker, and others who have helped me through the years, both with their labor and knowledge. This project would not have been possible without their help.

Rolfe Benson, EAA 580163; Land O’ Lakes, Florida E-mail: rnben@tampabay.rr.com

Jim McIlrath, EAA 453657; Red Wing, Minnesota E-mail: jimmcilrath@embarqmail.com

Garrick Gustafson, EAA 726028; Tequesta, Florida
E-mail: gargus@comcast.net
Flight Advisor: Randy Berry

COLORADO RV- 8

THIS IS MY SECOND RV- 8, and this time I went with the fastback conversion. I chose to do the slow-build on this one. It’s fun to see the whole aircraft take shape from parts (my first RV-8 was a quick-build kit). I began construction in June 2007, and its first flight was on August 28, 2008. The panel features a Dynon FlightDek-D180, AvMap, Becker transponder, and an XCOM radio. The IO-360 195-hp engine is from Aero Sport Power, and it runs beautifully. It already has 190-plus hours on it. The wood propeller is from Performance Propellers. Thanks to Bart and Sue at Aero Sport and Mike Seager for the transition training.

TENNESSEE LONG-EZ

THE FIRST FLIGHT OF Long-EZ N499CM was June 29, 2009. This is my third EZ project, the first two being Cozy Mk IVs. The Long-EZ was started about 20 years ago by another builder and, sadly, sat idle for many years. My brother, Charles, bought the project; I picked up the pieces and put in the work necessary to complete it. It has lots of power with an O-320-E2D swinging a wood and fiberglass propeller I fabricated. It is loaded with many of the modifications you see in most of the higher-end Longs that include the extended nose, electric lift, trim, and speed brake. The Dynon FlightDek is the star of the panel along with the King comm and transponder. I am fortunate to be married to Tonya, who condones my addiction to fiberglass and epoxy. My son, Trace, was 18 inches tall when I built my first Cozy but, as you can see in the picture, has grown considerably. He is now a student pilot, and together we are building a bigger airplane!