Landing a small aircraft (Zodiac 601 HDS ) on a farm strip.

[@lancebeaudion4977]

Do you think this would be a good first airplane for a new pilot? I’ve flow in the 601hd and it seemed to be a very docile plane. My flight training was received in a 152 & 172.

[@ManieRossouw71]

Lance, yes the flight characteristics of this plane is very docile. The best will be to have an introductory flight in a 601hds to see the handling qualities and if it will suit your ability as well as your needs. All 601's will be amateur build so no two will fly the same. But I enjoy my plane immensely and it does outperform a 152 and a 172. Although the all up weight is less than in a 172. Depending on how heavy the specific 601 is build, the useful weight is normally around 500 lbs. That is not a whole lot so you'll be limited to what you can load in it. But the 601 HDS handles like a little fighter and is very nimble and responsive.

[@zzyzx0069]

No trucks? Of trucks soon?

[@frederickbawden9470]

How do you like the handling of the aircraft? What is your take off distance on your runway?

[@ManieRossouw71]

Of all the aircraft I have flown so far, I really like the handling of this design. Mine have the piano hinges on the aileron and not the complete metal skin as a hinge as per normal plans of the 601HDS. I do think that this improves the handling a bit as I have flown another plane that has the skins that serves as a hinge. In the speed range that I fly (125mph - 138mph) the ailerons do get heavier than at lower speeds like 100-120mph. The elevator is large and very sensitive so you must be careful when flaring for the landing. Most changes in pitch and roll requires only a slight pressure rather than a control movement. I have a friend that flies a Super Cub and he is also a RV7 and RV8 fanatic. He have flown in RV's and in my plane and his opinion is that for the huge amount of money that the RV cost and the small amount comparing to the RV that my plane cost there is not much of a difference in performance. And it is also a fairly good mid range short field performer comparing to a Cub. Although your approach speed with the HDS wing is a fair bit higher than in a Cub. That was one of the things that my friend noticed immediately on the first flight and also the way the aircraft climb out after wheels left the ground. And the HDS wing also have great handling in turbulence. I have flown the HD wing also, but I prefer the HDS wing on the 601. My take-off distance at DA of 1500ft with a weight of around 950-1000lbs is around 230ft and from opening the throttle to wheels leaving the ground is always around 6-7 seconds. I hope that helps. If you need more information you can just ask.

[@frederickbawden9470]

@@ManieRossouw71 I own a Cherokee 150 and was looking for a plane to do some little aerobatics in. This is why I like the HDS wing. HDS has a rating of -+ 9g. How does it roll? I have the planes to build the HDS but was also looking at the Sonerai II STL. Both use the same engine for low cost flight. What altitude are you getting your cruise speeds of 125-138mph, is that at 75% throttle? Are you also get the climb rate of 1300fpm as stated in performance specs?

[@ManieRossouw71]

@@frederickbawden9470 I do think that a Sonerai would be better for aerobatics, although the HDS wings is very strong and mine is fitted with a G-meter and I have taken it to 4.2G at one stage, I don't do like real aerobatics (rolls and loops). I do however fly it like a cropduster low level over the fields, pull up at the end of the field with around 2.5-2.8G. Zoom climb 500ft up and do a wing over turn with the speed down to 80mph at the apex of the turn and pulling between 1.1-1.4G at the top with a 90deg bank angle (wing over). This isn't a maneuver to try so close to the ground without proper training and would be considered very dangerous by most. But it rolls real quick in maneuvers and it is mostly because of the short wing. There has been quite a few people that did roll these planes without issues, but it is not recommended by the manufacturer, but the plane is quite able to do it. Most of my flying is between sea level and 7500ft. The true airspeed is the same at all heights, but the indicated speed comes down the higher you go. Because of the constant speed prop, I fly wide open throttle at 7500ft at 5200rpm where the MAP is about 23inches and that is less than 75% and the indicated airspeed will be around 125mph but the true airspeed will be around 135mph. I have the MGL EFIS that indicates true airspeed and indicated airspeed as well as groundspeed with the GPS on the EFIS. With the constant speed prop I get around 1300fpm-1600fpm at the lower weights of between 850 and 920lbs. At gross weight at sea level I still climb out at around 1100fpm but with the small wings and high weight the climb performance degrades quickly the higher you go. I usually climbs out at around 90mph at around 1100fpm on the lower weights and will get to 4500ft in less than 5mins from take-off. Dont go with anything lower than 100hp with the small wings. Although it will still flies good with 80hp, the performance is so much better with a bigger engine.

[@frederickbawden9470]

@@ManieRossouw71 You have been most helpful with your flying experiences with the HDS. You need to post more videos of you flying over fields like a crop duster. That is real flying!

[@ManieRossouw71]

@@frederickbawden9470 I don't think the insurance company will think much of me when seeing me having fun in my aircraft.....