Thinking about buying a Zodiac XLi

On 2008-01-05, Vaughn Simon wrote:
There is one for rent at my local airport (LNA) I have checked out in and
used for several hours. There are things I really like about it, and things I
don't. The superior visibility alone is almost worth it to me...almost. On
balance, I have happily gone back to the rental Cessnas. Be sure to get all of
those 5 or 10 hours in a Zodiac, and then you will know if it is the plane for
you. A few trips around the patch with a demo pilot won't do it.

Okkay, so what don't you like about it? It's going to be tough for me to get
several hours in one.

I have reluctantly come to a conclusion about LSAs as our regulations
presently exist in the USA: If you want a plane with a bulletproof engine that
any small-plane A&P can fix, then you want an 0-200. If you want a full-tank,
fill-both-seats cross-country machine, then you need something powered by an
engine lighter than an 0-200; probably something like a 912. There is no free
lunch.

Hm. With a useful load of 550 pounds, and a 30-gallon tank, and me and my
roommate together weighing 350 pounds, that leaves 20 pounds of luggage,
enough for a weekend. What am I missing?

Where I fly, the Zodiac is the only rental that is not routinely sent out
with the tanks full.

Has it got tabs?
--
Jay Maynard, K5ZC http://www.conmicro.com
http://jmaynard.livejournal.com http://www.tronguy.net
http://www.hercules-390.org (Yes, that's me!)
Buy Hercules stuff at http://www.cafepress.com/hercules-390

"Jay Maynard" wrote in message
...
On 2008-01-05, Vaughn Simon wrote:
There is one for rent at my local airport (LNA) I have checked out in and
used for several hours. There are things I really like about it, and things
I
don't. The superior visibility alone is almost worth it to me...almost. On
balance, I have happily gone back to the rental Cessnas. Be sure to get all
of
those 5 or 10 hours in a Zodiac, and then you will know if it is the plane
for
you. A few trips around the patch with a demo pilot won't do it.

Okkay, so what don't you like about it?

In general, the thing seems fragile and "fussy" to me. The seat is way too
uncomfortable for more than local flying. (It feels like the wing spar is
hitting you in the middle of the back) The canopy (which gives great visibility)
is a PITA. It almost takes two people to close it because you must spring it
into shape to get it to close on both latches. In my personal opinion (I come
from a glider and Cessna background so take this with a grain of salt) the thing
just needs more wing. It hates to climb and loves to come back down.

I like the control stick and the sensitive controls, but others hate it for
just that reason.

It's going to be tough for me to get
several hours in one.

How about a nice Florida vacation? PBFT has a nice Zodiac for rent in the
Palm Beach area. The flying weather is great during the winter.


I have reluctantly come to a conclusion about LSAs as our regulations
presently exist in the USA: If you want a plane with a bulletproof engine
that
any small-plane A&P can fix, then you want an 0-200. If you want a
full-tank,
fill-both-seats cross-country machine, then you need something powered by an
engine lighter than an 0-200; probably something like a 912. There is no
free
lunch.

Hm. With a useful load of 550 pounds, and a 30-gallon tank, and me and my
roommate together weighing 350 pounds, that leaves 20 pounds of luggage,
enough for a weekend. What am I missing?

You are lucky, your average pair of USA pilots runs more like 380 pounds.
Also, just my flight bag can weigh 20 pounds. There are also other useful
weight-robbing things that you may not have considered, like engine oil and
various accessories.


Where I fly, the Zodiac is the only rental that is not routinely sent out
with the tanks full.

Has it got tabs?

No, and because of the shape and tilt of the tanks it is hard to tell how
much is in them. The gauges on the Zodiac seem to be excellent, particularly
compared to the POS in Cessnas. I haven't had enough cross-country in the
Zodiac to know if they can truly be trusted. The over-center gas caps are a
PITA.

I don't mean to sound negative on the Zodiac, there are many things I like
about it. Just be sure to invest the time to properly shop around before making
such a big investment.

Vaughn

On 2008-01-05, Vaughn Simon wrote:
I don't mean to sound negative on the Zodiac, there are many things I like
about it. Just be sure to invest the time to properly shop around before making
such a big investment.

Betcherass. That's why I'm looking for all of the opinions I can get.
--
Jay Maynard, K5ZC http://www.conmicro.com
http://jmaynard.livejournal.com http://www.tronguy.net
http://www.hercules-390.org (Yes, that's me!)
Buy Hercules stuff at http://www.cafepress.com/hercules-390

Vaughn Simon wrote:

(It feels like the wing spar is
hitting you in the middle of the back)

Strange because the Spar is under your knees.

The canopy (which gives great visibility)
is a PITA. It almost takes two people to close it because you must spring it
into shape to get it to close on both latches. In my personal opinion (I come
from a glider and Cessna background so take this with a grain of salt) the thing
just needs more wing. It hates to climb and loves to come back down.



You think it sucks to close you ought to try building it.


I like the control stick and the sensitive controls, but others hate it for
just that reason.


Are they making any of the factory built LSAs with dual stick?

On 2008-01-07, Gig601XLBuilder wrote:
Vaughn Simon wrote:
I like the control stick and the sensitive controls, but others hate it for
just that reason.
Are they making any of the factory built LSAs with dual stick?

It's listed as a standard option in the current price sheet.
--
Jay Maynard, K5ZC http://www.conmicro.com
http://jmaynard.livejournal.com http://www.tronguy.net
http://www.hercules-390.org (Yes, that's me!)
Buy Hercules stuff at http://www.cafepress.com/hercules-390

Jay Maynard wrote:
On 2008-01-07, Gig601XLBuilder wrote:
Vaughn Simon wrote:
I like the control stick and the sensitive controls, but others hate it for
just that reason.
Are they making any of the factory built LSAs with dual stick?

It's listed as a standard option in the current price sheet.


Well if you are as right handed as I am and you are ever going to be
flying and need to take notes get the dual sticks.

On 2008-01-07, Gig601XLBuilder wrote:
Jay Maynard wrote:
On 2008-01-07, Gig601XLBuilder wrote:
Vaughn Simon wrote:
I like the control stick and the sensitive controls, but others hate it for
just that reason.
Are they making any of the factory built LSAs with dual stick?
It's listed as a standard option in the current price sheet.
Well if you are as right handed as I am and you are ever going to be
flying and need to take notes get the dual sticks.

I wasn't clear: they're installing it on all aircraft, standard. I'd lways
planned to get it.
--
Jay Maynard, K5ZC http://www.conmicro.com
http://jmaynard.livejournal.com http://www.tronguy.net
http://www.hercules-390.org (Yes, that's me!)
Buy Hercules stuff at http://www.cafepress.com/hercules-390

"Gig601XLBuilder" wrote in message
...
Strange because the Spar is under your knees.

OK, then SOMETHING hits you right in the middle of the back.

You think it sucks to close you ought to try building it.

I have no doubt! Even the simplest canopies are a bear to build. At least
the Zodiac canopy is hinged in the front. I am a "glider guy" & I can tell you
confidently that any other configuration is an accident waiting to happen.

Are they making any of the factory built LSAs with dual stick?

Without dual controls, how would you use it as a trainer? ...or even safely
check out a rental pilot?

Vaughn

Vaughn Simon wrote:
"Gig601XLBuilder" wrote in message
...
Strange because the Spar is under your knees.

OK, then SOMETHING hits you right in the middle of the back.

It's where the factory seat halves meet.


You think it sucks to close you ought to try building it.

I have no doubt! Even the simplest canopies are a bear to build. At least
the Zodiac canopy is hinged in the front. I am a "glider guy" & I can tell you
confidently that any other configuration is an accident waiting to happen.

Are they making any of the factory built LSAs with dual stick?

Without dual controls, how would you use it as a trainer? ...or even safely
check out a rental pilot?

Vaughn



The Y stick is in the middle is fine for two operators. In fact one nice
for training because there is no doubt who's hands are on the controls.
I've flown from both seats and just flying is fine. It's just that I am
the most right handed person you will ever meet as far as writing is
concerned and I tend to write a bunch of stuff down when flying.

"Gig601XLBuilder" wrote in message
...
The Y stick is in the middle is fine for two operators. In fact one nice for
training because there is no doubt who's hands are on the controls. I've flown
from both seats and just flying is fine. It's just that I am the most right
handed person you will ever meet as far as writing is concerned and I tend to
write a bunch of stuff down when flying.

Yep, when my head is full of PIC stuff, I can barely remember a squawk code
long enough to write it down. I can't fly without my kneeboard and pencil.

That brings up another very small issue I had with the Zodiac...and the fix
for it. As soon as the wheels left the ground for the first time, I realized
that my (very normal) kneeboard limited stick movement to the right. There is a
very simple fix for that, simply drape the kneeboard across the center console,
it provided a very stable surface for writing.

Vaughn