 Mike Creek’s Bearhawk N2828M was completed in December 2008 after three and a half years of building, and took to the air one month later with test pilot Danny Sorensen. Luckily, I had the help of many friends including Alan Wilson and Roger Knight, who are invaluable mentors. The Bearhawk is powered by a Lycoming O-540 and has a Hartzell constant-speed prop. The combination produces impressive takeoff performance, and has exceeded all of my expectations. Many thanks to Avipro for producing such a fine kit and to Bob Barrows for an outstanding design. Elko, Nevada |
 Kelly Wright’s Zenith 601 XL-B After four years I finally completed my Zenith 601 XL-B on December 3, 2010, and flew it December 24, 2010. What a thrill! I should have been able to finish it a year earlier, but I had to take it apart to perform wing modifications just before inspection. The engine is a Corvair built by William Wynne’s shop, and has most of the options. It supplies plenty of power for this plane and is the envy of a few of my airport buddies. Many thanks to my wonderful wife, Debbie, for a huge amount of patience and for allowing me to put off the house renovation until I was done. Many thanks also to KITPLANES for some great articles that I was able to apply to this build. Lake Wales, Florida |
 Phil Owens’ Zenith CH 801 I started working on my Zenith CH 801 in June 2000, and after a long journey finally finished in June 2009. (I didn’t work on it at all during the winter months, and only three days per week during the summer). The engine is an eight-cylinder Jabiru 5100, which generates 180 horsepower and sports a custom three-blade Catto prop. With 800 pounds of thrust on a plane with an empty weight of 1240 pounds, it just leaps off the ground! Everything forward of the firewall is custom designed and manufactured, as there was no firewall-forward package available. The airplane currently has 9 hours of flight time on it, and it flies great! Beloit, Wisconsin |
BUILDERS SHARE THEIR SUCCESSES
Submissions to “Completions” should include a typed, double-spaced description (a few paragraphs only-250 words maximum) of the project and the finished aircraft. Also include a good color photograph (prints or 35mm slides are acceptable) of the aircraft that we may keep. Please include a daytime phone number where we can contact you if necessary. Also indicate whether we may publish your address in case other builders would like to contact you. Send submissions to: Completions, c/o KITPLANES Magazine, P.O. Box 315, Ashland, OR 97520. Digital submissions are also acceptable. Send text and photos to editorial@kitplanes.com with a subject line of “Completions.” Photos must be high-resolution-300 dpi at a 3 x 5 print size is the minimum requirement. You can also submit your aircraft through our online form.
