Zodiac 601/ Carl Babst Raven

[swiftprop]

Could any owners or interested people give info on some of the following:

1.Opinion on the Zodiac or Raven as an entry level two seater.
2.Post photos if any
3.What engine?
4.Build details
5.Performance
6.If you are an owner would you again choose this aircraft?
7.What do you use it for?

Any other info will be welcome

Thanks
Andre

[grostek]

I have been looking at this aircraft for a long time now.

It is local.

The cost is very reasonable.

It is a very well laid out kit.

Building the aircraft to flying status can be done in 3-4 months part time (if you have engine, prop instruments on hand and paper work in order.)

The aircraft performs very well with engines in the 80-100 hp range.

In the USA the Great Plains 2180 direct drive VW derived engine flies this aircraft two up with ease.

Carl has build some with this engine combination and his opinion is "it works very well" He acctually recommended that I use a 2180 VW should I build one.

Now what better recomendation can there be than from the kit manufacturer himself?

I have heard a lot of stories that this engine combination will not work on the Highveld, but there are fying examples on the Highveld.

The Achilles heel of the VW is cooling but a properly cooled VW will give years of reliable service. So proper baffling and a decent oil cooler will go a long way to giving the required reliability.

Why cosider the VW Cost! A brand new Great Plains VW will cost approx USD 5000 a Jabiru 2200 probably more than double that. Local new VW are available locally as well . They were fitted to the Cubby with great success.

It can carry a very good load ( I stand to be corrected here but it will lift nearly its own empty weight in load)

It is about as fast as a Cessna 150. and if a bit of airodynamic cleanup is done on the undercarriage and gaps sealed the speed can increace by nearly 12-15mph.

I have been in contact with Carl Babst several times over the last few months wanting to know from him if the Raven was "Approved" by CAA and whether they would issue a build number and also if they require any additional testing to be done once the aircraft was complete.

The good news is that Carl has done static load tests under the supervision of CAA, submitted all the drawings, submitted all his stress calculations and is now awaiting a positive outcome from CAA, which I dont think will be long in coming.

Al in all I think this is the most under rated kit on the local market.

Sorry if I am somewhat longwinded but I am enthusiastic about this aircraft.

Kind regards,

Gunter Rostek

[swiftprop]

Thanks a lot for the informative reply Gunter. I asked Carl on Thursday if he had gone into the sand business (just joking with him) as there were bags of sand all over that he had used for the static tests. These aircraft are incredibly strong. Previously saw the wings fully packed with 20kg sandbags.
Best wishes
Andre

[Morph]

As far as the Raven is concerned, a fantastic little plane. I have spoken to the manufacturer and he recommends that the kit be built by a professional assembler. Johan Froneman at Saldanha assembles the kits.

They fly very well at sea level with a 582. performance wise a cruise of around 100mph, which is astounding considering the engine is a mere 65HP. You can also go the 80-100HP route, but then you are looking at the new sport/recreational pilots licence or PPL to fly it.

http://www.microflying.co.za/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=7150

[swiftprop]

Thanks for that Morph. Just out of curiosity. Who would be the better builder: Carl Babst or Johann Froneman?

[grostek]

Just an Update about VW engines from Great Plains.

Have copied a page off their website and have attached it as a Word doc.
makes interesting reading.

Kind regards,

Gunter Rostek.

[bosbok]

Gunter, could you please pm me Carl Babst`s telephone number ?

Could someone please also pm me Johan Froneman`s telephone number ?

Thank you.

[Morph]

Thanks for that Morp. Just out of curiosity. Who would be the better builder: Carl Babst or Johann Froneman?

I only know Johan's work, which is supurb so I cannot compare.

[priester]

Very nice little aircraft without vices, easy to fly and performs very well. The one I sold to Johan at Grahamstown is equipped with an Aerovee engine and cruises at 100 Mph block speed. I have flown this aircraft for 60 hours and can only speak well of it. Standard it comes with a center stick, which some people think is a problem. In reality a center stick is a very good idea and a nice setup. It is also used in other aircraft like the Jabbi, Savannah and CH 601, 701, 801 etc.

Carl has alot of experience manufacturing and building these aircraft.

[Flooi]

Had 2 Zodiacs. One with a Great Plains 2.2 direct drive and the other with 2.4 Eric Addison VW engine.
I still think it is one of the most underrated aircraft around. For one: It will fly in weather when other
aircraft are grounded. It is an easy and safe aircraft. 44" cockpit. And perhaps the most important:
It is rugged and strong so u van fly into all the dirt microlight airstrips

As far as VW goes: You have to stick to a few basic principles for VW engines; but if you do, it
can be as reliable as any other engine.

[grostek]

Hi Flooi,

Do you still have some performance figures for the 2.2 L direct drive VW engined model .

Would appreciate some real world figures.

Thank you.

Gunter Rostek.

[Boet]

The Raven + BMW engine...... what a combination!!

[Rudix]

The Raven + BMW engine...... what a combination!!

I agree Boet, what a combination.....

I am VERY tempted, have the Raven/Zodiac, just need the engine. I was going to put in a Jab but that could go into something else !

Fly safe,
Rudi

[Flooi]

Hi Gunther!

I sold my Raven (ZU-BUU) to Fred Blokland at Springs. His number is 083 256 1873 if you would like his opinion.
He sold it recently after using it for training more than 600 trouble free hours.

Depending on the prop: At about 2800rpm she was cruising indicated 90mph with the VW engine.
Short field performance was good. At 5200 ft one up about 150 met of runway was used.

Ideally the Raven/Zodiac would be best with a 912 if you can fit the bill. Even then it would not cruise much
faster due to the high lift/drag wing, but climb would be much better (as well as economy)

Consider: There is nothing on the market that can give you overall what the Zodiac can at that price. I firmly
believe that for our conditions it is a great choice.

Regards

[grostek]

Hi Flooi,

Thanks for the info

Kind regards,

Gunter Rostek