Update #21

Continued work on the CH-701 and the CH-601

Curtis works on the header tank support flange.

Much is happening at the CKJH project early in the year. With the mounting of our engine we now have to hook up all the ancillary systems. We have purchased a carburetor from Sonex, Inc. We will have to create a secure mount for it and then fashion intake manifolds that connect with the cylinders. We have an exhaust manifold but a heat muff to provide carburator heat must be fabricated. Next comes the fuel system, the instruments, the controls, etc. Even with a 'completed' airframe, there is a lot to accomplish. Fortunately, we have a lot of help and a lot of willing workers.
What is driving us is our goal to have the 701 flying by June. We have realized that as hard as we work while we're in the shop, we really only have 4 hours per week to get things done. This may have to change and move to a more constant work schedule if we hope to finish and see this plane in the air anytime soon.

	Here Curtis is mounting the header tank. He formed an 'L' channel and riveted it to the firewall to hold the forward bottom edge of the tank. Next is the fabrication of a strap to hold the top in place. The tank is a custom fabrication that takes up less space than either the full sized header or the 'D' tank, but still holds 6 gallons.
Three weeks earlier the mentors went to a local junkyard and removed a transaxle from a VW bug. Back in the shop students disassembled it, removed the gears, and cleaned it thoroughly. Then they set the engine mounting flange down on the table and drilled 1000 holes in a ring about 3 inches up. Mr. Smith put it on the milling machine and created a nice edge, leaving the starter mounting flange in place.
	What the ring does for us is provides bolt holes and a secure mount that attaches to the engine. (The gray tape is holding the alternator in a temporary location so a mount for it may be fabricated)
Here Patrick is working on the sill. The original doors fit the entire opening and swung forward on two hinges. The new and improved plans call for a wider sill with a hinge along the bottom and a door that swings up. The newest of the optional equipment is a 'bubble' door that gives a bit more shoulder room and allows better side and downward visibility. We have found a skylight manufacturer that is willing to let us use his facilities to blow our doors of acrylic if we construct the frames. The first step is creating the exact opening size as Patrick is doing here.
	On the 601 front, several thing are happening. We have been given great help by the father and son team of Bill Crib and Bill Jr. They have built 4 601s from plans and have been extremely generous with their forms, jigs, experience, and expertise. Here Bill and Steve discuss the bending of the wing leading edge skins.

	Work on the 601 fuselage continues apace. Mr Williams is the primary mentor and Tim, shown here, is the fabricator. Here he is pulling, or setting rivets in the center armrest section. Behind that the baggage shelf is clecoed in place.

If you would like to contact us please email Mr. Smith or Mr. Steed We would really like to hear from you.

If you would like information on how to start a program like this at your school, visit our how to page.

Webmaster: George Steed

Last Updated: 07/11/05

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