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ZODIAC
CH 601 builder/pilot Viktor Strausak of Switzerland writes:
These
pictures over the Swiss Alps were taken on the 18th of December
2003. In the last 7 months I've spent over 135 hours in the air
over these beautiful mountains in my Zodiac. I'm enjoying every
minute with my flying machine.
If I
had to re-do it, I would start the exact same project again after
all the experience I made.
My
Zodiac is one of the lightest aircraft in the area with the best
useful load, best endurance and most fuel economy and shortest
take off run. I am proud of the simple and beautiful design and
the fresh looking colors. Please forward my special regards
to Chris Heintz, the father of my baby HB-YKV!
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Viktor's Trip to Tunisia and Libya:
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"Following are some pictures of my most beautiful air trip to Libya and
Tunisia (Africa) in my Zodiac. The journey began on October
5th and ended on October 21st.
"Following is
a list of the landing places with the necessary flying time.
Beginning at Fehraltorf, Switzerland (LSZK), Locarno (LSZL) 1.08,
Olbia, Italy (LIEO) 5.17, Gagliari (LIEE) 1.50, Monastir, Tunisia
(DTMB) 2.27, Ghadames, Libya (HLTD) 4.47, Ghat (HLGT) 4.34, Sabha
(HLLS) 3.43, Tripoli Mitiga (HLLM) 4.17, Regio Calabria, Italy (LICR)
4.20, Perugia (LIRZ) 4.42, Locarno, Switzerland (LSZL) 3.11, home
to Fehraltorf, Switzerland (LSZK) 1.46 hours.
"Total flying time
was 42 hours, and we used 628 liters (165 gal). of gas or 14.95
l./hr (or 3.95 gal./hour). My homebuilt Zenair Zodiac has an
empty weight of 295 kg (650 lbs.) and useful load of 250 kg (550
lbs.) powered by the 80 HP Rotax 912. The plane and engine
worked super. This journey to the desert was absolutely unique
and was a wonderful trip."
- Click
here for view full report with photos (in German).
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Kemble,
UK (July 2005)
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Builder/pilot
Viktor Strausak wrote:
"Finished
my 601HDS 5 months ago. I now have over 135 landings and 112hrs. It
flies great right up to 16,000 feet.
"Absolutely
great fun and no problems!
"Take-off
performance is excellent, even at high altitude airports like
Samedan/St Moritz (5,600 ft)."
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Camping with the plane
(notice the open wing baggage lockers).
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Waving to heli-skiers in the European Alps |
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A great view of Zurich
International Airport
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Flying over and around
the Swiss Alps:
"Climbing to
16,000 feet with two on board still provides good rate of
climb."
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The three Swiss Zodiacs
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Mountaintop lakes in the
Alps...
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Mountain flying with the Zodiac CH
601...
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Flying over glaciers...
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Following a glacier... |
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Zodiac
XL
on a mountaintop grass field (Europe)
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This photo is from the
other side of the earth.
Click
here for pictures of mountain flying in New Zealand.
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View of the Tirol mountains (from the Zodiac) |
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A nice view of the
Canadian Rockies over a
Zodiac's nose. |
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This photo (facing the
rear) demonstrates the outstanding 360-degree visibility from the
gorgeous Zodiac bubble canopy.
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Wingtip cam - unusual attitude!
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Mountain flying in the Zodiac XL -
below the clouds and below the mountain peaks... |
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Navigating the Zodiac through valleys... |
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...beautiful views |
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Mountain flying around clouds... should we go
under or over?... |
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On final... |
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YouTube video clip:
Flying the Zodiac XL in the European Alps and landing at the
"altiport" of Alpe d'Huez.
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