First Flight: Zenith CH 750 Cruzer

[@johnfrederickson3082]

Roger is my hero. I have no idea how much money he makes but what a life he has led.

[@johndimattei7925]

Thanks for sharing this video. Really helps to get an idea how the Zenith Cruzer performs. And hey - you got a A-OK from Roger - not too bad I'd say! Anxious to get my build completed and up in the air as soon as possible.

[@transsib]

Love the calming sound of the O-200!

[@RafaeldeMoraes]

Watching from Brazil! I love this airplane 👏🏻👏🏻

[@deanmarcott2243]

Nice job David. Great looking plane. Nice to see the fairing worked out well.

[@aerotuc]

better viewing angle ,thanks Roger

[@robaust3049]

Congratulations on first flight.

[@KenSiefert]

These aircraft are beautiful

[@mhilderbrand7693]

Thanks for sharing! Very inspirational!

[@adhdexperimentalaircraftbu1473]

Nice job Roger.. Have to love all of the video critics.. So far I have made it through 17 minutes and you havent run into anyone.. Good lord!! Making videos used to be fun..

[@paoemantega8793]

SOUND LEVELS GUYS ! started off real qwiet then BOOOOM! try and keep them capped and level please

[@dntower85]

great job. sure was bumpy

[@suppressedarmament5648]

i would like to see your process before you jump in and go. I am sure there is a lot to learn from that.

[@wayneschenk5512]

Like that engine

[@simeon2851]

Short take off, and I love how he still used the whole runway.

[@sebastienheintz]

It's a Zenith CH 750 Cruzer on it's first flight. Not the place or time for short take-off or short landing demonstration :)

[@jamesrea8454]

Where did you get the strut fairings used at the wing attachment point? Looks good.

[@deanmarcott2243]

They are 3D printed check adds in Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers

[@jefish]

Are those wing root skins painted, or a different material than the standard aluminum?

[@philipritson8821]

I know the 100 horsepower 912ULS is cheaper, lighter and runs on MOGAS, but I just like the idea of an O-200 on any aircraft of this size.

[@colsanjaybajpai5747]

Is it normal for this aircraft to be so unstable

[@aciagriculturalconstructio2264]

Doesn't it make you nervous that the builder won't ride the first flight with you? I hired a guy to test fly for me. He agreed only if i was comfortable going up with him. I thought that was a fair test on how confident i was with my work.

[@amerlin4u]

First 5 hrs in a test flight series are required to be solo. Passengers are strictly prohibited, so your hired test pilot violated FARs

[@sebastienheintz]

How would having the builder on board for the first flight contribute to making that flight more successful?

[@roccoj083]

@@amerlin4u Not anymore. Per the FAA for reasons of safety you are now permitted to bring along what they consider an essential crew member to assist in first fights. www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/2014/media/se_topic_11_2014.pdf. Additional a lot of first flights are flown with test pilots. It's preferable for an experienced pilot do it as opposed to someone with little time in type. And the five hour rule is only for E-LSA. This is an EAB and the DAR can determine the number of hours, but it's usually forty.

[@DavidR_192]

Rotax a far better engine choice than the Continental in the Zenith, in my opinion. The Rotax gives better performance, fuel burn and is cheaper. So no idea why someone would choose the Continental, other than 1950s conservatism 😄

[@philipritson8821]

The Rotax hates AVGAS for a start! Many times, AVGAS is the only fuel available at an airport facility. That said, Jabiru 3300 is perfectly happy running on AVGAS and it is cheaper and lighter and more powerful that an O-200!

[@virginiafiume5751]

You sat on runway to take off TOO LONG and working radios and whatever-it’s a NO NO !

[@michaelmartin2486]

Shakey leg syndrome 😛

[@TheTerrypcurtin]

You didn't call entering the runway. Turning circles on the runway area? Never called turn to final. Really bad fundamentals. One day some guy may run you over. I hope you read this and don't let yourself get lazy like this.

[@amerlin4u]

Agreed, I wouldn't want an field inspector watching the circus circles running wild prior to take off, then watching this video and seeing a lack of checklist usage in a first test flight flight situation etc.

[@tjohnson9909]

Turning circles at a rural airport like this are to ensure the airspace is clear before actually taking the runway. There are lots of aircraft out there with no radios, this ensures someone isn't on final before entering the runway.

[@tjohnson9909]

@@amerlin4u Everyone approaches first flights differently, Roger has enough experience to know what he is looking for on a first flight. He recorded his observations verbally, vs using a lapboard. I am sure the owner will go through a much more thorough checklist on subsequent flights while developing the flight envelope. This is a simple VFR airplane, not a high performance jet.

[@stewartsmith1947]

In the last couple of weeks they have had 4 airliners on the ground smack each other ! Pilots had ATP ratings. They had radios, checklists and eyes. I have been flying a C-150 since 1969 and I believe I know the check list pretty good.

[@TheTerrypcurtin]

The lamest excuses for bad fundamentals. Rural airport etc. What about someone landing in an emergency and this goof just drives on the runway. Saying circles is normal is nonsense. He only did that after a traffic alert. This guy teaches people. Sad. Just admit this is terrible and learn from it before the midair. I suppose not calling base to final in rural areas is normal too. I am a high time pilot and have flown all across this country and Mexixo. This is how horrible accidents happen. Watch Probable cause. Ask Dan Gryder if this is normal rural FARs.

[@jeffroavery]

Is that you in your avatar?

[@StubProductions]

@@jeffroavery 😂