The Most Popular Homebuilt Airplane In The World
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- čas přidán 9. 11. 2023
- RV Vans line of airplanes is the most sold homebuilt kit plane in the world and I show you why.
Get a part of the Elvis Jet at www.SaveThe310.com before they are gone forever
Learn more about Vans Aircraft here: www.vansaircraft.com/
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I built an RV 10 using the standard build method, took four years and over 2500 hours. 😊 I now have about 650hrs on the airframe. N700SE .
Nice work. The plane looks great. White with a red stripe. Clean and classy
As Textron locks down the parts market to keep prices in the stratosphere, and their profits, the experimental market is the best way to stay away from that horrendous scam.
I built a "slow build" original Glasair 1-RG it took me more than 4000 hours and about 10 years building part time. That's an average of 8 hours per week for 10 years. Been flying it since 2004, even flew it to Alaska with my son and to the Arctic Circle while up there. N789DB
@@danblumel what about all that time sitting on the couch watching TV you missed out on?
How’s she fly?
Jimmy please learn to let the person finish their story without interrupting them. One of the skills a good interviewer learns over time.
I didn't think he was going to let him get a word in edgewise😮
YES! He’s always cutting people off. Drives me crazy.
Hey guys, go watch someone else..respectfully. Jimmy has a particular personality that most of us enjoy. Or start your own channel..
A.D.D & A.D.H.D are personality or mental disorders. Most can’t control it well without specific training to overcome it, although very high IQ’s are a common result.
Inventive skills common, often seeing things others are blind to.
The brain literally works so fast, it goes out ahead of most conversations, especially difficult if a person takes forever to finally spit out whatever they’re trying to say. 😖
Stop being such dicks. We are all lucky and should respect the time and trouble it takes to put these together
I built one of the First customer built RV-6s. First flight was July 1989. No pre-punch parts, I drilled and dimpled every hole in it.
I built a RV-6 back when nothing was punched and even riveted my wing spars. Kit was $10K back in 92. Took me 8yrs to finish. Built it VFR for $32,000 and then flew it for 8 yrs and 700 hrs. Lots of fun , but college funds became a priority. No regrets.
Hopefully Van will be able to stay in business. A great company that is so necessary to GA.
As 63 year old metal fabricator with 40+ years building race cars, this would be my choice of plane to build! I find this factory absolutely amazing!
I've been a Aircraft Structural Maintainer in the Air Force for 14 years and i'm always watching fabrication videos like yours to learn about new technologies. We recently recived a 1100 Ton Hydraulic Press and it's made a huge difference in replicating 30 year old parts for the A-10 that aren't manufactured anymore. Seeing that CNC Turret Press is an absolute game changer!
AHH yes, the A10. From an honest aircraft company that just made great aircraft instead of puffing their bank accounts with lies about "invisible skin", then using some of that money to grease the skids.
its not a turret. its a single station with rotation and a tool changer. but appropriate commentary in a company thats toast due to incompetence concerning fabrication process.
I need cooler friends
So glad you are showing Van's operation. With their announcement recently that they are having current financial hardships, it's important to show how big their operation is and the attention to not just new kit purchases but the ability to make a part from prior kits purchased decades ago. Try doing that with Beech, Piper or Cessna.
seems like the general aviation industry is losing its grip, i heard compared to other times that the US ain't producing enough pilots plus aviation in general took a big hit during covid, well it looks like it hasn't recovered quite yet, who's going to buy the new planes, a experimental or a big airliner if the demand to fly more is not even there.
@lcfflc3887 For at least the last fourth years the aviation community has been saying there will be a shortage of pilot and mechanics, yet cockpits keep being filled and mechanics have been available (although a lot of places are filling positions with people that don't have an A&P). What has been a trend for the last decade is people turning g old enough to enter the job market DON'T want a career which tales them away from home or to have to work with their hands or out in the weather.
@@gregdcross the passion for aviation perhaps is what's missing compared to few decades back plus the economics behind it is a factor too plus so many Job choice available this days make same amount of money by doing very little.
@lcfflc3887 Agreed. But back in 86 after graduating with a BS in Aviation Maintenance Management and getting g my A&P, my first job was at an FBO that was a Beechcraft dealer at BNA. Starting salary was $16,225/year while working on all sorts of corporate aircraft. So imagine walking across then hanger floor carrying a part that costs $30K, yet a mechanic at a car dealership was making twice as much. After 6 months and an excellent evaluation my my crew chief and Maintenance manager, they gave me a 3% raise. Pay was @ 10% of what they charged for shop rate and all mechanics were expected to be able to finish tasks in less time than the shop standard billing time, then move to another task.
@@gregdcross despite the pay been a lot hier today as a starter, Young people seems to be more interested in other things even so the aviation industry is so large and has so much opportunities to offer, the evolution of computer tech and other technologies today has taken future prospects out of the aviation arena plus so many regulations and certificates for this and that sure is overwhelming enough to keep many young people away, computer graphics designers, software developers, or a carrier in business, are attractive carries opportunities that are hot today and young people just want a big chunk of money from the very start, things has changed.
I used to work at one of those third-party companies. Vans aircrafts are awesome
To funny those spars are what I made to cool
Hmm interesting timing. A week or so Vans just shut down in an attempt to reorganize as they are out of cash, have 2 times the amount of inventory they should have and orders have been slow to com in. They have appointed a new CEO, the previous CEO of Glasair to head the work in an attempt to turn this around. I wish them all the best luck in the world. They have a big task ahead of them. Hope they are successful.
Glasair. Another great kit plane
DO AN 'ELON.
There is a lot of dead wood and redundant practices in old companies. Makes it very hard to implement change. Startups have the nimble advantage of a clean sheet. Elon looked at the Space Market and saw the obvious flaw. 'You use these how many times?'
With very small TAMs the only hope for small companies is the third Industrial Revolution with cheap robotic labour and lean design for manufacture.
They have to sack all the employees, hire back half of them and introduce new blood at all levels, then hold on for a few more years until Musk has the robotics factory turning out a million a year at $20k each.
I like to describe the process of building this thing to my family like a 3D printed lego set. Someone sends you all the 3D printed pieces and you clean them up and stick it all together following the instructions. Sometimes I do read ahead and then get a little panic at the scope of a section and have to remind myself to work one page at a time.
I can't get over the visibility in that cockpit. What a remarkable little plane!
I built my RV-8 from scratch in less than 2 years. I am flying it for about 240 Hours now. AMAZING AIRCRAFT! FLIES AMAZINGLY WELL! I LOVE MY RV-8
An incredible story of survival sharing during this flight. One of the best pilot stories I've ever heard. EVERYONE should watch this! It is emotional, frightening, poignant, instructional, and a lesson we should all think through BEFORE we ever encounter a situation like this ourselves. Thank you so much for sharing this!
I agree with your comment . This man's training saved lives .
Grag is an amazing man. He helped me a lot when making the SWS Vans series for Flight Sim! Give it a fly before you even buy!
Grew up watching my grandpa build his 6 tail dragger. When I went up in it was one of the best experiences in my life. He also got me my young eagles certificate when I was about 6 in a starduster II!
I got my first look at an RV-12 at the airport one day last year. The fit and finish was absolutely fantastic as you like to say. I hope VANS can keep building kits for people who want to build a fine new airplane. My old Ercoupe is all I can afford right now. Thank you for SHOWCASING this great company and these great airplanes.
There are a lot of Van's Aircraft CZcams videos out there. This one is the best! Good Job Jimmy's World!!!
We have a RV-7A, fantastic aircraft. Built from scratch. I wish the best for Vans, they are great people top to bottom. Great video Jimmy.
Jimmy, love this video. Vans are so awesome. (I think you guys should invest in one of those gyro camera stabilizers. It would up your video quality tremendously.)
or a tripod 😵💫 but this could be stabilized in post pretty easily
I truly hope Vans survives this financial storm they are in, it would be a huge hit to the GA world if they don't.
Me too! Hope Van's survives. The trend, however, is not good. The awful GA fatal accident rate is not helping the whole community. Lots of poor judgement going on.
@@vgrof2315wtf are you talking about “ga accident rate” have you ever looked at real data before? Accident rates aren’t rising.
Let’s hope, they survive and get out of their financial struggles they are into. 😢 The airplanes are awesome. Van‘s people, please don’t screw around with quality. Even knowing money is short. Keep up the quality and please don’t ruin your business because of rushing out kits to gain money. Keep your faith your great standards and your good philosophy up. The people out there will thank you for this and honor this. You have great airplanes and people know this. We have hard times in the world. Hopefully you will make it. Van’s aircraft is huge in the GA community and the GA needs these airplanes. Good luck 🍀👍 😊
@@zq3yp the hilarious part is GA accidents are actually lower than previous years, not sure where this bozo made this up from
@@spacexenthusiast1799the real issue in part is the liability issues that have plagued GA for many decades. Any kind or type of accident happens and multiple law suits are filed for millions in damages.
It was for this same reason that GA Mfg lijj my e Cessna and
Piper, etc stoped manufacturing for twenty to thirty years. Ending in tge later 80’s. At that time some legal concessions had been made. However it’s still an issue.
The people make that company great and in turn their products are phenomenal! I truly hope they weather the storm and come out the other side stronger.
Even more impressed with Van's aircraft after seeing this behind-the-scenes video. Very professional operation.
Jerry
Just got to see Redline Airshow (father and son aerobatic team) flying in their RV8's. What an amazing plane.
I just finished building a 9A, I'm painting it now. Very high quality kit that goes together easily. Took me a year to complete and will be another month or so to paint. I highly recommend Van's, their support has been good. I hope they weather the storm they're currently going through.
Only a year? From the start? That's fast.
I got the project from another builder who had finished building the tail and gave up. I built everything else. The fuse was a quick build, that helped. Also, I'm retired so that really helps.
Buck rivets are so hard to do solo. Thats why Sling has been gaining popularity using pull rivets.
I could easily watch a whole series of the Van's factory operations. Still appreciate the hour long video Jimmy. Thanks, and I hope Vans aircraft come out the other side of the clouds flying.
Outstanding video! I actually saw the damaged RV7a in a hangar in Boulder, so appreciate the story from Greg.I fly an RV6 and am building an RV10 (for the family!). The grin does not go away!
WOW! The equipment alone is in the multi million dollar cost! You have to love aviation to invest a lifetime into manufacturing! As A/P myself having worked at Boeing I can see what is involved in making this company!
I think Jimmy needs an RV-12 in his life 👍👍
I helped a friend of mine build an RV12iS. Took a little over a year and we just finished its first condition inspection with minor adjustments. Flies great and climbs really well even with us two lead butt pilots in it. Avionics are fabulous, autopilot and all that is available in the Dynon panel. The RV grin is a real thing and I recommend Van's aircraft to anyone that wants a decent plane that will not break the bank.
The greatest part of this video is all the employees doing exceptional work while still using their hands along with their brains. Being in the automotive business for 30yrs, younger kids generally seem to have an aversion to this type of work. I’m quite certain these are well compensated people. Kudos!!!
I'm 20 id love to work and do something like this there's so much to do and learn there. Currently working on trying to get my pilot's license and then amp school to get my mechanical and airframe certification.
@@ryansaindon5559that’s great! And don’t let OP’s anecdotal and discriminatory post get you down. Good luck! One point of order, it’s A&P school: airframe and powerplant.
A very valuable video, as it clearly shows why so few people can build a high-performance home-build these days. Hats off to Van's - an amazing company that does not seem to have any competitors here in the UK, due to high labour costs, factory costs and dare I suggest, over-regulation of the GA world. I learned to fly in an 80's Slingsby T67A, hand-built in the UK, of which only 10 were built. Those were the days.
Wow Jimmy, you're a crazy bastard but I still watch all your videos but this Vans video was super excellent, your best by far !! I always just assumed that Vans were simply ANOTHER home built aircraft but your factory tour completely changed my mind !! Well done mister "what could go wrong" !!
your camera operator could use a gimble rig
I just love these factory walk throughs. The quality and thoughtfulness that goes into building a super sweet RV is awesome. Thank You. Jimmy and RV!
I doubt if you could have found a more knowledgeable chap to take you through the tour, Excellent
WOW Thank-you for taking us on this tour I enjoyed it 👍👍
This was one of the best videos I've seen on kit aircraft. Really well done! These are very well produced kits. Great commentary!
He makes a perfect point while telling his bird strike story and something I agree with very much. If you are going to fly you should spend hours in the cockpit on the ground learning the entire cockpit by feel. Had he not been able to remember his panel things might have worked out differently for him.
That flight was OUTSTANDING !!! you're a lucky man Mr. Jimmy !!!
I would be so excited to build an airplane, I would nerd out throughout the whole thing, even after it's done
Love your enthusiasm Jimmy, I like how inquisitive you are, don’t ever change!
He's like a kid on Christmas morning. Most of us get a little cynical as we age, but Jimmy seems to have avoided this.
Love the Vans airplanes, I always wanted the 8A
Jimmy, this is one of your top videos. well done.
That was an awesome tour, Jimmy.
Great video. Did not realize their operation was that big. A friend of mine built an RV-8 from scratch. A beautiful flying airplane. Wish Van's the best in their current struggles.
Jimmy, that was a fascinating video. The people at Van's are awesome. Their planes are really special. Let's all hope they can overcome the current financial struggles. They have been such a valuable addition to modern aviation.
Vans needs to get some military contracts to help balance their bottom line.
The people who complain aboutbtheir Taxes and who support more spending on the military are usually the same person. I wonder if they listen to themselves.
Looking at the scale of the operation, it's really impressive, I had no idea it was so big. They're doing some really impressive things.
It's obviously also a very big investment.
The history of light aviation though from day 1 is full of companies with big dreams that over invested. Some (most?) went bankrupt and disappeared, some are still around. I don't recall exactly but Piper went bankrupt I think at least 3 times in their history.
The reality of the aviation biz never measures up to the dreams...!
Excellent video Jimmy I love the Vans Aircraft. I work with a couple of high schools in GA building an RV12 then later selling them if they have not spoken for. Wonderful build and great experience for myself and the younger generation of aviators and mechanics. Great vid Jimmy
The cameraman’s a bit jittery
I finished my aerolite 103 build this Friday was it's Maiden flight was so much fun...
The RV14A is the plane I would build if I can figure out how to swing the build time. It's literally the perfect plane if it's just you and one person travelling. Nimble, fast, and pretty!.
I applied for a job at cirrus just so i could get a one on one tour. It's cool seeing how airplanes are built!
If you ever want to get a little dizzy, just look at a picture of Boeing's Everett plant.
I can't imagine the army of people needed to churn out a 737 in only 18 hours.
My uncle has an RV-6 tail dragged he built years ago. Lots of fond memories in that one.
This is genuinely one of your most interesting videos, Jimmy. Thanks for sharing this experience with us. 🙂👍
One of your most informative ad exciting videos yet Jimmy. Greg is truly gracious, knowledgeable, and a solid representative of Vans Aircraft Company. Thank you for this vedeo.
Fantastic video. I built a RV-9A 12 years ago and love it. Always wanted to tour Van's facility but now have a pretty good idea of what it looks like. Vans if a great company and hope they are able to get back on track soon.
Got you beat Mike, finished my RV-4 34 yrs ago.
Wow, the take-off was quick and the pitch angle looked insane from the wing camera! Great video, lots of insight on the process and safety built into the aircraft.
Most enjoyable tour and commentary. Thanks for taking us along 👍👍👍👍👍
Jimmy's tour guide was an exceptional tour guide. Very knowledgeable, well spoken,descriptive and had a fairly pleasing voice. He did a great job. Now in fairness I'm not in the market for an aircraft, I couldn't be in the market for a riding lawn mower 😂😂 but nonetheless. Cheers Jimmy 🇺🇲
Impressive build quality...quite the unit.
I worked in fabrication at Douglas for part of my career, the forming of parts using form blocks always amazed me. Early 90s so transition from hand drawn MLO to CAD was occurring.
Some of forming tools were from the 40s.
Great I have built about 10 different RV7 and RV10. What a great designed kit plane. All with Lycoming engines. Haven't done one with a Rotax yet.
Excellent video Jimmy, could see you were loving it!
10,000 thumbs up on this episode.. great questionand answer sessions.... looks like you are reallyenjoyingthe Pacific NW.... how was it to fly with real mountains.... now we can say.... "out of the western sky comes Sky Jimmy"..... very coooooolllll!
Wow, that place is HUGE. And I notice the entire place is spotless and everything is in order. Most impressive.
I just showed a visitor a photo of my RV-4 which I built in the 1980's. Fabulous aircraft. In the 1990's I visited the factory and Richard took me for a demo flight in the RV-6. Magic stuff. I wish I could do it all over again, but I am a bit old now. Thank you, Richard, for a wonderful experience.
The RV flight was out of Pearson Airpark Vancouver Washington. I thought Vans was located near Hillsboro Oregon.
Pearson is part of my old flying area.
Its historical as the first airport in the early days of aviation. Its also the landing spot for the first Russia flight across the North Pole.
Google maps shows them at Aroura oregon
Wow! maybe your best video ever. Truly enjoyable.
without a doubt, THE MOST INTERESTING VIDEOS TO DATE!! Kudos to the spokesman, fantastic info. I dont fly, BUT I WANT ONE!!
What a coincidence, I work in the same area, and just got a ride in an Rv doing areobatics just the other day probably the same airspace. Cool to see Jimmy is in the area!
Sheeze. What an operation that place is!!!
Sounds like a good idea for an addition to the cockpit. A small box attached to the bottom of the dash or the sidewall just big enough to hold a spare pair of glasses.
I would probably Velcro a soft something to somewhere convenient. Just in case.
Cool, Thanks for the Tour Jimmy, and Vans Aircraft! Interesting for sure!
Flew the RV 10 with Gus at Fun n Sun years ago sadly I did not build it, now sitting on the ground watching and sitting in the commercial seats. Miss it every day.
For those who follow Flight Chops - his RV14 is a fantastic plane, and aero capable too. Lots of video of the build and plenty more videos since with flying. Fascinating video Jimmy and nice flight - and I'd hate to see Vans have to cease - the best kit planes out there IMO. :)
Hopefully they stay in business
Brings back old memories, I used to fly in and out of there in the Christena Mini Coup , just a 22ft wingspan ....
Got to build an RV-12 in highschool and then go fly it, great program
I don’t know when you shot this but Vans is having financial problems now. During the tour they were talking about shipping the buyer the kit to build one part of the airplane at a time. I am worried that if I buy one, I could get half way through the build and wouldn’t get the rest of my plane because the company went out of business. That wasn’t a worry until a week ago. Those of us why fly for fun should offer to donate to save this family owned company.
That's kinda sad. Their products look well made. Why are they in financial trouble? 😢
There are a few versions of the story doing the rounds at the moment. It would appear that they have had two main problems. Firstly, during the covid epidemic, they were swamped with orders that created a huge backlog of orders for which they had taken deposits (and thus committed themselves to delivering at the agreed price). In the interim, material and labour costs have soared leaving them out of pocket. Secondly, a sub-contractor that was using laser cutting to machine rivet holes, allegedly misused the technology and created a situation whereby the surrounding metal became brittle and then prone to cracking. So they have a large recall to manage and then the issue of having to supply replacement parts FOC. It appears to be a moving situation, but I'm sure they will get through it. Whether that will involve a chapter 11 situation, time will tell (which aircraft manufacturer has that NOT happened to?) time will tell. They're great aircraft, great guys, and I wish them well.
@@wsmempson1 which aircraft manufacturer hasn’t had to go through it? Van’s Aircraft. I sure hope they do make it. I have flown several Vans airplanes. I haven’t found one I dislike. The only reason I don’t own one is I don’t consider myself a builder. I had all I want, rebuilding an aircraft. At the same time I’m worried about buying used because I don’t know the quality of the build on someone else’s Vans.
You think that’s bad, watch the latest “Aerostar owners association” vids on parts availability, they’re all going to be grounded very soon with lack of parts being made. It’s a very telling forecast of the “certified aircraft market” as a whole. Experimental is the only way to go and stay flying.
@@pwffstube Some truth to what you stated but also the vendor did not use Van's pattern of starting the hole from the center but instead from the outer edge that created a heat/brittle issue.
Great video. Assuming you could find the hanger space, this would be a great video series. It would be great to see you and your son building one rather than spending time and money on A/C that have many issues.
The videos of a project like this would also be of enormous interest to youe subscribers.
Been looking at Vans for 30 years now I love the RV for with the sliding cockpit cuz it looks like a fighter airplane the stall speed is awesome top speed is great I don't think you can beat this kit. I just don't have the skill I don't think to put one together or the patience hats off to those who have completed these kits!!
One of my old neighbors works at Van's, I Ilive about 12 miles from them. That airfield where they're located is also home of Columbia Helicopter.
What an informative video. That was a pleasure to see how experimentals are produced.
On another note I lived north of St. Helens when she blew and that sounded like a nuke bomb going off, not to mention the ash covered eastern Washington with inches of it.
Must have been a blast to fly that plane, thank you for the video.
That was totally awesome Jimmy that is one amazing airplane. Makes me want to purchase one besides the ultralight that I've been shopping around for. That plane you were in that can do 6 Gs + 3 Gs - is CRAZY. "What could possibly go wrong "
Dang.....Been wait8ng for this for the last 2 years....!!!!! Awesome Jimmy
LOVE the experimental! Magic aircraft with great visibility. Thanks for the video!
great video jimmy you really need to build a kit plane it would be an awesome video series go for it please
Enjoyed this a lot. The safety manager built one of these kits at the small airport outside of Live Oak Fl. Always liked listening to his experiences.
On the River Sturgeon topic they are in the Suwannee River. I was diving in the dark Tania water and just saw it approaching. Since it's on a few ft of vis wasn't sure if it was a bull shark coming upstream until the last minute. Scared the C out of me.
On another note they jump out of the water fairly high and people on Jet Ski and boats have hit them. They injure people pretty bad and there have been a few deaths.
A interesting side note is the safety managers last name was Vans but not related of course. His instructor helped him and others that live around the airport to build the plane. I live a bit east of there in Lake City and we have a small airport. I have always wanted to learn to fly but never got the chance. I grew up next to a family that owned a charter service and flight school.
I saw an RV-1 (The RV-1) fly into A small airport in Alvin Texas in the early/mid 90's. It was yellow with metal wings and a fabric covered fuselage. This was a small airport belonging to Robert "BUBE" Hering...Alvin Airpark (6R5)
Great tour and info. Thanks James
Interesting timing given they just announced they are having some serious financial issues - which I hope they can resolve!
The description in the vid of how we as American pilots “never give up when you get hit” is the mentality we flew in WW2, much differently than the Japanese pilots, who preferred to be martyred and not keep flying. That determination is how the right mindset keeps you winning at everything.
Well, I will 1st point out that Americans buy cars from foreign brands 45% of the time and of that 45%, Japan is the clear leader.
Next, I will point out that during WW2, Japan was completely dependent upon foreign resources to fight the War. The USA at the time meanwhile, was nearly (not rubber, for instance) independent of foreign resources. That's what the War in the Pacific was first all about.
The martyrdom you write about was forced upon the young pilots because the plane was nearly all that Japan had left to throw at the US Navy. Food for thought, yes?
Finally, my father died of old age but he was a combat veteran of WW2, so I know the age group and I know that those still alive don't name themselves after Jack Black movies. I can teach you more, you know where to find me.
Jimmy, OMG what an amazing video. Thank you.
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE STORY ! THANKS FOR SHARING , A LESSON LEARNED , THANKS AGAIN !!!
Very cool! I spent three years of my life (2012-2014) building an RV-12 here in Brazil. A phenomenal kit that is currently a bestseller. Unfortunately, I had to sell it during the divorce proceedings and was unable to fly on my plane. My ex-wife got half of the plane. In any case, it is better to lose the saddle than the horses. Sweet memories of a perfect moment in my life. Meanwhile, I've remarried twice more and am hoping for another opportunity to build an airplane again when I'm retired. Who knows?
G,day Jimmy from Sydney Australia. Absolutely fantastic episode this week. I really enjoyed and appreciated the look into Vans Aircraft company manufacturing facilities. Words like;
* production efficiency
* partners and stakeholders
The product knowledge and experience of experimental plane building unsurpassed.
Birdstrike over the "Rockies"
Was the windshield plexiglass? I often think of the central support division to divide the screen into two?
🇭🇲🐝
Reminds me of flying with my Dad in our Champion Citabra back in the late 60's. N8393V
I used to fly an RV6... and RV10... They are amazing!!!!!!!
I used to adore their aircraft. I happened to find a video come through my feed THIS WEEK of someone talking about cracks in laser cut parts. Not sure if that will be an issue with your kit... I hope not. In today's market, I'd be after a Sonex or a Zenith. They have great history, so I truly hope they can get replacement parts out to builders and prevent further failure.
Zenith had to stop producing a couple models due to poor design and major safety issues. I believe a few people lost their lives because of it. But, they have other great aircraft as well. I love my CH801. It still plays second fiddle to a Stinson 108 though.
@@adamr9215interesting, had never heard about that... what were the issues...?
The people / journalists that cover experimental aviation are extremely averse to talking / writing about safety, due to the payback they'll get from manufacturers in the event of something negative. The downside is the public just isn't aware when there's issues.
@@PRH123 It’s been a long time since I looked into it, but if I remember correctly there was a fatigue and cracking problem. It was one of their 2 seat, low wing designs. I remember shortly after deciding not to buy one, I ended up reading a report about them all being grounded. I believe it was the CH650, but, it’s been a number of years.
@@adamr9215 googled it... in 2010 seems they were grounded due to multiple inflight breakups of the 601 and 650... NTSB said engineering of wing was inadequate, weak, and prone to flutter... Zenith denied everything but reengineered wing and problem stopped...
Inre: what I mentioned regarding coverage, I see that kitplanes magazine at the time of the grounding published an article praising Zenith's safety... the same month that Flying magazines article pretty much damned it...
@@PRH123 Yea, that seems about right. I had already built my CH801 and loved it, so I was looking at a low wing kit next, and the 650 had my interest until I started hearing about this stuff. I decided to wait until something was figured out, and with Zenith saying nothing was wrong, I backed away. It wasn’t but a few months later that they grounded them and originally Zenith said their had no plans to offer a fix. So I went another direction and didn’t look back.
I remember seeing kitplane writers being bashed over that. Someone figured out that they all had Zenith planes ordered and all of the sudden, their orders got pushed to the front of the line. So yea, I think they were covering for them. I would have bought another Zenith if they had handled the problem better, many of their designs are great. Oh well, there are plenty of other great planes out there.