Zenair Zodiac/Raven 601UL Project
I have just taken over a Raven (Zenair Zodiac 601UL) project. The airframe is 90% complete. The builder/previous owner is leaving the country and has decided not to take the project along as it would be to expensive to ship.
Well, his loss is my gain ! He has done a superb job up to this point and I will strive to keep up the standard. I now need to decide on what engine to use. The plans come with engine mount options for Rotax 582 (65hp 2 stroke), VW conversion (up to 100hp 4 stroke) or Rotax 912/S (80/100hp). Of these options I would not even consider the 582, this plane deserves a 4 stroke engine ! Other options I am looking at is the Jabiru 2200A (I can get them at a good price with very low hours) or the ultimate the Jabiru 3300A. The problem with the 3300A is price (more than double the 2200a since I have to buy new) and the fact that there are long waiting lists for this motor as it is so popular.
I will have to decide soon as the engine installation and instruments are next
and the instruments are dependant to the engine choice to a certain degree. My
current favorite is the Jabiru 2200A, I already own one of these (In the Streak
Shadow) and they have a great reputation.
On the instrument side the options are conventional analogue, glass panel (Digital) or a mix of the theses, my current plan is to install a Stratus Enigma glass panel with backup analogue ASI, RPM and fuel level units.
Here is a photo of the plane at the moment.
List of things to-do.