Stephen Larew

personal website — updated sporadically

Articles

  • Inaccurate ZAC part: 6T1-8

    When I left off building in 2021, I had encountered a minor discrepancy in the size and fit of the stabilizer tip rib extension 6T1-8 and the stabilizer tip. After a couple hours of trying to find my mistake, I realized the tip rib extension was simply too big.

    The …

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  • reboot #4

    By my count, this is now the fourth major overhaul to my website. Maybe this one will last longer.

    My apologies for all the broken links.

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  • Rudder Skeleton

    Work entries: E41, E44-E57 Performer: Stephen Larew Location: San Diego apartment garage Methods: Construction Manual, Construction Standards, and Photo Assembly Guides

    Rudder skeleton parts laying out on the work surface.
    Rudder skeleton parts were first laid out to get a sense of how they fit together.
    Cut angles at ends of the rudder spar doublers.
    Bottom corners of the 65-T-4-5 rudder spar doublers were trimmed to form a …

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  • Accuracy of ZAC Pieces

    I am curious to see how accurate the ZAC pieces are compared to the drawings. I would not immediately conclude that any difference was an error on the part of ZAC. There may be good reasons for the ZAC pieces to have different measures compared to the drawings. I am …

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  • Surprise Rudder Parts

    I started the rudder tonight. I have yet to look over all the parts included in the complete airframe kit, but already I found surprises.

    Preview of the layout of rudder skeleton pieces.

    First, an observation: Zenith Aircraft did not choose low-residue easy-peel stickers when labeling every single part. In fact, I spent at least an hour peeling …

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  • Kit Received

    It’s here! After three long days of travel, I have my ZODIAC CH 650 kit from Zenith Aircraft.

    Packaged complete kit for the ZODIAC CH 650 in my garage.

    The plan was to travel to the Zenith Aircraft facility in Mexico, MO where I would pick up the kit and drive it home to San Diego in a Penske moving …

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  • Transporting the Kit

    I decided to travel to the Zenith Aircraft facility in Mexico, MO in order to pick up the kit. My plan is to rent a 12 foot Penske moving van in Columbia, MO. While at the factory, I hope to get a tour and a demo flight from Roger. Then …

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  • Mission, Design, and Planning

    One of the first suggestions one receives when choosing a design is to define and prioritize the missions for the aircraft. My two missions in order are:

    1. Fly locally for fun: hop around among the airports, enjoy the views, and go fast or slow as I please.
    2. Spend vacations adventuring …

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  • Defining Work

    Articles with the Nadir Work Log tag will focus on documenting the fabrication and assembly tasks for compliance with Title 14 CFR § 21.191(g):

    Operating an aircraft the major portion of which has been fabricated and assembled by persons who undertook the construction project solely for their own education …

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  • Initial Impressions of the Drawings

    Front page of drawings for Chris Heintz's ZODIAC CH 650 B.
    Hopefully that bend in the ZODIAC CH 650 B drawings will flatten out over time.

    I received the drawings yesterday after four days in transit via UPS Ground. The shipment included the drawings and a CD-ROM containing the Photo Assembly Guides and Construction Manual.

    Besides the large dollar amounts on …

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  • I Ordered a Kit Airplane

    Three view illustration of the ZODIAC CH 650.

    After a lifetime of dreaming and months of research and consideration, I ordered a ZODIAC CH 650 B kit from Zenith Aircraft on October 12, 2020. I have about three months to continue planning the project before the actual kit ships in early January 2021. The drawings should arrive in …

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