ATEC Zephyr for sale

[skippydiesel]

  A very nice & well appointed Zephyr has just come on the market at an extraordinarily reasonable $65K. 

 

https://aviationclassifieds.com.au/listing/7357

 

These are truly wonderful aircraft to fly.

 

[Thruster88]

My friend has one, it is a nice aircraft. Empty weight seems a bit bit low at 200kg.? 

[Blueadventures]

1 hour ago, Thruster88 said:

My friend has one, it is a nice aircraft. Empty weight seems a bit bit low at 200kg.? 

Yep, recon missing about 70.

[Arron25]

I read the '2'00 as '3'00 which would be closer....🥺

[skippydiesel]

2 minutes ago, Arron25 said:

I read the '2'00 as '3'00 which would be closer....🥺

I agree - give the owner (Jon) a call to clarify.

 

I think this may be the youngest Zephyr in Australia and has been very well looked after, by the one owner since new. 

 

Extraordinarily wide flight envelope. Mine had a sub 30 knot stall, well under 100m TO on grass, could loiter at under 8L/hr, a little under 13L/hr @100 knots and could pick up her skirts and do 120 knots with the prop set for advantage climb. Very robust undercarriage. Quiet/comfortable interior. Lots of baggage space behind the seats.

Edited December 9 by skippydiesel

[FlyBoy1960]

Wooden wings and fabric covering are the only downside.  But for the asking price still good value. 

 

Are they still in business in CZ ?

[Blueadventures]

1 hour ago, FlyBoy1960 said:

Wooden wings and fabric covering are the only downside.  But for the asking price still good value. 

 

Are they still in business in CZ ?

Yep, specialist check required.  I had a bit to do with timber gliders and repairs to them in the past.  I read with the Zephr they need specific wing / fabric checks and are required to have major overhaul (MO) every 10 years at the factory or authorised workshop.  Any purchaser would be best to see the currency of any particular aircrafts 10 yearly MO checks as may be expensive.  In gliding we had 10 yearly surveys as a requirement.

[skippydiesel]

18 hours ago, Blueadventures said:

Yep, specialist check required.  I had a bit to do with timber gliders and repairs to them in the past.  I read with the Zephr they need specific wing / fabric checks and are required to have major overhaul (MO) every 10 years at the factory or authorised workshop.  Any purchaser would be best to see the currency of any particular aircrafts 10 yearly MO checks as may be expensive.  In gliding we had 10 yearly surveys as a requirement.

To the best of my knowledge no "specialist check required" "specific wing / fabric checks" however I advise that a pre purchase check, by a suitably qualified person, should be conducted.

"...........required to have major overhaul (MO) every 10 years at the factory or authorised workshop." Yes the factory advise (not require) this be done. This is a 19 Rego /experimental aircraft, you can do all of this yourself.

The latest fabrics, glues & compatible paint systems are extraordinarily durable,  lightyears ahead of the materials & systems of the past.

Potential owners might like to reflect that wood is the original "composite",  has an almost limitless fatigue life, does not corrode and with a little care can & does exceed the lifespan of most pilots. Wood was still in use during WW2 on many fighter/bomber/transport/training aircraft - some still flying today. All wood (Zephyr also uses plastics) aircraft like the Falco are still very desirable high performance machines.

Edited December 10 by skippydiesel

[FlyBoy1960]

it sounds like you are making excuses because it is wood ?

 

 If the manufacturer has a requirement for a 10 year inspection then that should be complied with regardless of the registration category. You have to expect that the factory knows best based on the materials they are using, that wood type, the glues etc.

 

I remember at our airport probably 4 or 5 years ago Malcolm Aldridge had to pull several apart and replace the trailing edge of the wing because water had gotten in and rotted the trailing edge near where it meets the fuselage.

 

If the factory have this is a requirement then it should be complied with otherwise in the event of an accident you would be a negligent party and in a worst-case scenario where you crashed into a school bus, life wouldn't be worth living

[Blueadventures]

1 hour ago, FlyBoy1960 said:

it sounds like you are making excuses because it is wood ?

 

 If the manufacturer has a requirement for a 10 year inspection then that should be complied with regardless of the registration category. You have to expect that the factory knows best based on the materials they are using, that wood type, the glues etc.

 

I remember at our airport probably 4 or 5 years ago Malcolm Aldridge had to pull several apart and replace the trailing edge of the wing because water had gotten in and rotted the trailing edge near where it meets the fuselage.

 

If the factory have this is a requirement then it should be complied with otherwise in the event of an accident you would be a negligent party and in a worst-case scenario where you crashed into a school bus, life wouldn't be worth living

Agree, I'm surprised that Skip as a previous owner and connected in the past with the agent is not fully across the periodic checks and 10 yearly major overhaul requirements and including the manufactures specific bulletins for the wings for this aircraft line.  I read that any shallow cracks are to be painted over with a specific paint to prevent water entry.  As an example composite gliders have small cracks painted with water based paint not enamel as acetone will remove the water based paint prior to permanent repair and ensure no contamination present that would prevent 100% adhesion.  Any person purchasing an aircraft needs to do their homework or get assistance with the prepurchase. 

Edited December 11 by Blueadventures

[FlyBoy1960]

But how many level 2's would really know what they are looking at/for when it comes to these things but are still allowed to do inspections ?

[facthunter]

Most of the "grounded "wooden wings had glue problems. They Used 'Casein". No Ply skin is going to last well left in the elements..   Nev.  

[skippydiesel]

4 hours ago, FlyBoy1960 said:

it sounds like you are making excuses because it is wood ?

 

 If the manufacturer has a requirement for a 10 year inspection then that should be complied with regardless of the registration category. You have to expect that the factory knows best based on the materials they are using, that wood type, the glues etc.

 

I remember at our airport probably 4 or 5 years ago Malcolm Aldridge had to pull several apart and replace the trailing edge of the wing because water had gotten in and rotted the trailing edge near where it meets the fuselage.

 

If the factory have this is a requirement then it should be complied with otherwise in the event of an accident you would be a negligent party and in a worst-case scenario where you crashed into a school bus, life wouldn't be worth living

No offence intended - You Dont know what you are talking about.

 

I love wood - it great. Has stood the test of time (we still have Tiger Moths, DC3 & I thing  DH Mosquito's, etc,etc  flying around). It's a wonderful material to work with - little chance of an allergic reaction, cacogenic exposure. It incredibly strong for its weight and  easy to repair if needed. It has one aviation weakness - it does not like prolonged exposure to moisture/weather - best kept in a hanger (as the sale one has been all its life).

 

First you miss quote me - I actually advised a pre purchase inspection. Then you assumed I had no experince in the model;

 

I owned (12 years) flew and reconditioned, a much older Zephyr (possibly one of two original imports) than this one for sale. 

 

You went on to BS about a damaged aircraft;

 

Damage through neglect or accident, should never be quoted/held up as an example of any aircrafts maintenance requirements - shame on you!.

 

If I recall correctly Malcolm refurbished ONE aircraft (not several) that had been stored in a leaking container or shed for many years-hardly a good example for you to quote.

 

Further the ATEC Czech factory recognises that Australia is not in the next valley and is very helpful/accommodating to the Au enthusiastic home builder/renovator.

 

 

[FlyBoy1960]

Dont get defensive, if it says 10 years in the manuals then its 10 years, egardless of what YOU think.

 

I didnt say you had no experience with the model ?

 

I do remember 3 being rebuilt because of wing problems and water.

 

I said nothing about damaged aircraft ?

 

I didnt say anything about maintenance.  I did say if its in the manual as a 10 year service ten it needs to be done.  Dont argue with me, argue with the manufacturer.

 

I never said anything about the manufacturer not being helpfull.

 

I think your off on a drunken rant or something ?

 

 

[Blueadventures]

18 hours ago, skippydiesel said:

No offence intended - You Dont know what you are talking about.

 

I love wood - it great. Has stood the test of time (we still have Tiger Moths, DC3 & I thing  DH Mosquito's, etc,etc  flying around). It's a wonderful material to work with - little chance of an allergic reaction, cacogenic exposure. It incredibly strong for its weight and  easy to repair if needed. It has one aviation weakness - it does not like prolonged exposure to moisture/weather - best kept in a hanger (as the sale one has been all its life).

 

First you miss quote me - I actually advised a pre purchase inspection. Then you assumed I had no experince in the model;

 

I owned (12 years) flew and reconditioned, a much older Zephyr (possibly one of two original imports) than this one for sale. 

 

You went on to BS about a damaged aircraft;

 

Damage through neglect or accident, should never be quoted/held up as an example of any aircrafts maintenance requirements - shame on you!.

 

If I recall correctly Malcolm refurbished ONE aircraft (not several) that had been stored in a leaking container or shed for many years-hardly a good example for you to quote.

 

Further the ATEC Czech factory recognises that Australia is not in the next valley and is very helpful/accommodating to the Au enthusiastic home builder/renovator.

 

 

Shippy could you detail the checks you did for your Zephyr to comply with the manufacturers periodic and 10 yearly major haul requirements and who did it (available in Australia hopefully).  Seems like two 10 yearlys would / should have been done with at least one being in your ownership period.  I intend to send an email to the owner up here that has your Zephyr so he is aware of the requirements for the wooden wings for his safe flying (I hope he is aware of such). Thanks in advance for your information.

[facthunter]

From a design point of view, CONSISTENCY is difficult with solid wood, but a good bit  is OK for wing spars. Wood can rot wet or dry.. You need inspections periodically and keep it Hangared. . . Wacketts were grounded in the Mid 60's. Percivals not long after. All following in flight wing failures and inspections. 

[skippydiesel]

1 hour ago, Blueadventures said:

Shippy could you detail the checks you did for your Zephyr to comply with the manufacturers periodic and 10 yearly major haul requirements and who did it (available in Australia hopefully).  Seems like two 10 yearlys would / should have been done with at least one being in your ownership period.  I intend to send an email to the owner up here that has your Zephyr so he is aware of the requirements for the wooden wings for his safe flying (I hope he is aware of such). Thanks in advance for your information.

Hi Blue - the new owner, who put the aircraft back in the air after I had crashed it, is in touch with me, has all the documents (logbook etc). He knows he can consult with me at any time (which he has done) regarding the aircraft & its history.

 

 

[Blueadventures]

5 minutes ago, skippydiesel said:

Hi Blue - the new owner, who put the aircraft back in the air after I had crashed it, is in touch with me, has all the documents (logbook etc). He knows he can consult with me at any time (which he has done) regarding the aircraft & its history.

 

 

Yep understand; however who does the MO in Australia or overseas; info for all who own these.  Your knowledge about this is appreciated.  

[Blueadventures]

53 minutes ago, facthunter said:

From a design point of view, CONSISTENCY is difficult with solid wood, but a good bit  is OK for wing spars. Wood can rot wet or dry.. You need inspections periodically and keep it Hangared. . . Wacketts were grounded in the Mid 60's. Percivals not long after. All following in flight wing failures and inspections. 

Wing checks every 10 hours; that keeps on top of things.  I have contacted the owner of such an aircraft up here to reassure myself that he knows of these checks.  He is a personal friend and would not like hear of a matter that involves not checking the wing, etc.  He phones me on a regular basis about his Savannah and other matters.  

[facthunter]

My Now sold Citabria  7ECA. VH-SAG Has a wooden spar and is aerobatic.   Nev

[rgmwa]

Nice!

[Blueadventures]

21 hours ago, Blueadventures said:

Yep understand; however who does the MO in Australia or overseas; info for all who own these.  Your knowledge about this is appreciated.  

Skippy still waiting for this info.    

[skippydiesel]

2 hours ago, Blueadventures said:

Skippy still waiting for this info.    

No idea - as all aircraft 19's, it's up to the individual owner to keep airworthy. You could try Dexter Berkill, ATEC Aircraft Australasia ,https://www.atecplanes.com.au/faeta.htm

[Blueadventures]

11 minutes ago, skippydiesel said:

No idea - as all aircraft 19's, it's up to the individual owner to keep airworthy. You could try Dexter Berkill, ATEC Aircraft Australasia ,https://www.atecplanes.com.au/faeta.htm

Are you saying that you did not follow / ignored the aircraft manufacture's advice?  You have been listed as an agent back when you owned one so thought you would have been a content expert for this model.  I'm thinking that the wings on my friends aircraft may possibly have unknown issues with the wing and he will need, in my opinion, to check things out before next flight.  These can have serious issues if wings are not checked IAW manufacture.  

[facthunter]

By law it is the OWNER or Operators responsibility to ensure  a plane is maintained  in a safe condition.. . With structural items like wing spars . It's obvious they are critical items. Even some metal spars have defined "Lives". The DHC-1 centre section spar is lifed at 5000 hour's.  Nev