Terry Phillips - Zenith CH 601XL

Terry is building one of three Zenith aircraft currently under construction by chapter members. Terry's is a 601XL. Terry is working from a complete kit. He originally wanted to build a Cozy, but decided he'd rather spend his retirement flying than building. Next he set his sights on an RV-9A. But then he decided that light sport was a better way to go for a 62 year old student pilot on a special issuance medical. In the Fall 2006 the Zenair 601XL appeared to offer the best combination of performance, building ease, proven design, value, and light sport compliance. In the Fall of 2006, he visited the factory in Mexico, MO for a demo flight.. Terry began building in February, 2007. It's way too early to estimate a completion date.

Terry set up his aircraft factory in half of the garage. Sherry's car gets the other half. He adapted plans from EAA Chapter 1000 for a worktable, and built storage shelving from ripped 2x4's and from plywood and screws from kit shipping crate. He has completed the rudder, horizontal stabilizer, elevator, flaps, and ailerons. He's working hard on the right wing now. For an incredibly detailed account of Terry's building adventure, check out his Kitlog Pro construction log.

You can view Terry's construction log here N47TP

Terry's freshly completed rudder

Zenith 601XL on display at Oshkosh, 2006

Horizontal stabilizer and elevator, completed 12/07

Flaps, completed 1/08

Right aileron (including trim tab), completed 1/08

Last updated 9 May, 2008