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Good question Redair. I'd also like to know what people are using eg. brand names. I would have thought contact surfaces would be the primary concern.

Captain I've just been looking at the FlightDek D180 at the Dynon site. I assume it's the one you have. Adding the instrument, options, Sensor pack, exchange rate, GST I come to about $5,000. What have you added to make it $10K-12K ? Looks like it could be the way to go

I'm a long ways off needing instrumentation for the Zodiac but while I'm waiting for the kit I've started to think about the instrument panel layout. I'd love to go Glass but it's considerably more expensive than steam so I'll probably settle for analogue gauges. Has anyone done an objective comparison between glass and analogue. Cost wise and usefulness. There are a few more questions that forum members may be able to help me with :- · Where can I buy gauges, switches, breakers or fuses. (In Oz or overseas) · Are there particular brands of gauges that are better than others. · Is there aviation specific wiring/connectors that I should use. Ian – do you have plans for the shop to stock a range of these items ?.

Hi Kuzzy, What Baphomet says above about covers it. Plus there is a lot of builder support and I also like the look of the Zodiac. It wasn't by any means a lay down misere for the Zodiac, more an accumulation points that in the end pushed me over the line.

Thanks for the congrats and encouragement guys. The Zodiac was probably the first aircraft I looked at when I started. I've been backwards and forwards between a number of kits and finally it came down to a Jab or the Zodiac. I decided I'd go for the basic kit rather than the QB. This is a retirement project so hopefully I'll have plenty of time.

After a couple of years of searching and procrastinating I've finally made up my mind and ordered the Zodiac kit. The deposit is paid and I expect I will see the kit around May. You don't realise how much mental energy you use in the process but it's amazing what a relief it is to get the decision out of the road. ;) I'm not sure where to keep a record of the building process. I've see Eddie Seve's effort in Kitlog Pro so I think that may be the way to go. It's time we did a head count of Zodiac builders. There were at least 4 (5 now :big_grin:)

I wonder if it would be possible to have a builders log application (something like Kitlog Pro perhaps) on this (Recreationalflying) site. I know people are giving us a record of their building progress in other threads (eg. "Cowboy Up", J160 and J230) but maybe a dedicated area would be better able to keep the records easily accessible long after we have finished our projects. It would be good for new starters to see the trials and tribulations of taking on such a project, both for inspiration and direction and it would be a great addition to the Recreationalflying family of sites. - Ian ?

I copied the picture to see it I could enlarge it to see the runway numbers. When I pasted it on my desktop it had YCOM in the file name. :)

Paul, That one's too easy. That's you home strip.

Red, I've been through this for a couple of years now and I know how you feel. I've done the demo flights. I've been to Norromine. I've search the web. There are so many things you can do. So many choices. So much info you'd think it would be easy. My aim has always been to build. Not so much for price but for the challange and satisfaction. I've almost made my decission but it hasn't been simple and straight forward. It's a big cost item in time or money or both. There have been many times when I've said - 'That's the one'. 'That's what I'll get'. 'No doubt about it.' Only to change my mind for some reason. Asking the question here will also provide good, usefull information but in the end you have to make an expensive choice and live with it. My advice is to make sure your choice is attractive to it's next prospective owner eg. Easy (and safe) to fly, does 100kts in cruise and can fly for 4+ hours without needing a drink. I think most buyers would see these attributes as essential. I probably haven't helped much but at least you know your not the only one struggling with the decission.

Paul, I recon it's Flinders Island (YFLI)

G'day Bigglesworth, There not much within 20K of Tamworth. You could investigate these if you can organise transport. LAKE KEEPIT YKEP 30:53:18S 150:31:12E WAKEFIELD YWAF 30:55:16S 150:47:35E BREEZA YBZA 31:100S 150:31:00E

Hi All, I'm in a bit of a quandry about which engine to go for when I get my Zodiac kit. I know I probably don't have to make the decision now but I've been advised that it may save some bucks if I get the firewall forward kit now. I'd like to ask all the budding Zodiac builders out there what their choice of engine is and why. I'm leaning toward a Jabiru because it's cheaper than a Rotax and it's locally built. I've also had a fly in Garry's Zodiac on the Gold Coast which is Jabiru powered and it seemed fine. Has anyone had any experience in a Rotax powered Zodiac ?

G'day Chris, Not sure what's available in Australia but Zenith aircraft sell a riveter with their aircraft kits. Have a look at http://www.zenithair.com/kit/tools/index.html

If you haven't already found Eddie Seve's Zodiac builders site here's a link to it. It is a fairly comprehensive record of the build process. http://www.mykitlog.com/users/category.php?user=eddieseve&project=89&category=0 I wonder if it would be possible to have a builders log application (like Kitlog) on this (Recreationalflying) site. I know people are giving us a record of their progress in other threads (eg. "Cowboy Up", J160 and J230) but may be a dedicated area would be better able to keep the records easily accessible long after we have finished our projects. It would be good for new starters to see the trials and tribulations of taking on such a project, both for inspiration and direction and it would be a great addition to the Recreationalflying family of sites. - Ian ?

Thanks for the offer of help Ianrat. I've written to Garry for a bit more info before telling him to go ahead. Still waiting for a reply. Mal - Give Garry at Sport Air a ring. I think you will find him very approachable. He took me for a fly October last year (yes, I'm a slow decision maker) no string attached.

Quite likely there will be 5 being built in Brisbane next year. I'm on the verge of placing my order.

Peter. It's at the top right of the home page under the spinning "NEW" sign.

How long before they are available from the shop Ian ?:big_grin:

Great Ian. Nice position. In keeping with RecreationalFlyings growing status.

The O-235 has a bit of a weight problem though - 113Kg O-200 - 77Kg Jab3300 - 81Kg

G’day Flyer, I’m looking at the Zodiac for much the same reasons as T87. I started looking a couple of years ago and the Zodiac was one of the first I came across. I think I’ve looked at every kit on the web in the mean time and have come down to a choice of two. A Jabiru (170 or 230) or the Zodiac. My main reasons for the Zodiac are that it’s all metal and will be a reasonable challenge to build. (I also like doing 3000-5000 piece puzzles). For me it’s a pre/post retirement project. My criteria were :- Should have good performance. Price. Should look good. Should present some challenge to build. (I’d build an RV if it was light enough) Should have wide cabin. Fuel should be in the wings. If anyone has any opinions on the Zodiac I'd really like to hear them before I go ahead and jump into the deep end.

Sounds like the way to go. What's the deal with deposits (eg %) and final payments etc. on the kit.

The total would be US$4000 converted to A$ = ~ $4400 plus GST = ~A$4850 plus shipping. Do you have a price for the locally supplied parts. I see that Jabiru have a Zodiac FWF kit specified on their web site.

I want to live my next life backwards. You start out dead and get that out of the way. Then you wake up in an old age home feeling better every day. You get kicked out for being too healthy. Go collect your pension. Then when you start work, you get a gold watch on your first day. You work 40 years until you're young enough to enjoy your retirement. You drink alcohol, you party, you're generally promiscuous and you get ready for High School. You go to primary school. You become a kid, you play, you have no responsibilities. You become a baby, and then...You spend your last 9 months floating peacefully in luxurious spa-like conditions with central heating, room service on tap, larger quarters every day, and then ....... You finish off as an orgasm! I rest my case.