First Flight!! Zenith Cruzer Viking 130

First flight overview. Zenith Cruzer with Viking 130 engine.

[@foreststewart1968]

Super-exciting non-event event!!! : )

[@mhilderbrand7693]

That’s for sure! Let’s keep it that way😀!

[@clintgosch2306]

Congratulations! Nothing compares to a first flight in a homebuilt airplane! Nice work!

[@cliffy2107]

Great stuff, thanks for the details. Will be helpful.

[@Tryagain205]

Congratulations! Thanks for sharing!

[@Redbird85C]

Very cool an congrats. My Cruzer kit is arriving this week. Anxious to get “back to building”! Will benefit from your experience!

[@juandavidvargas6851]

Great Job Mike !

[@t.y.flyers]

Congratulations amigo. Enjoy.

[@mhilderbrand7693]

Thank you, I will

[@dkgolfnut]

Wow, so excited for you. Great job!

[@mhilderbrand7693]

Thank you so much 😀

[@5xls]

Fat tires on a Cruzer. Perfect combo!

[@hollis4th]

congrats, hoping to have my 1st before this time next year. thanks for sharing, it's inspiring

[@mhilderbrand7693]

Best of luck!

[@mcorrive12]

Congratulations! Bummer you had to cut it short. Looking forward to hearing how flight #2 goes! Good luck!

[@mhilderbrand7693]

Thank you! Flight 2 happened, will get update soon!

[@johnkoz34]

Congrats! Beautiful airplane.

[@mhilderbrand7693]

Thanks a lot!

[@DIYPackraft]

Congratulations!

[@mhilderbrand7693]

Thanks!

[@matiasmerono]

Hi everyone I'm Mike and I am a fast talker - Hi Mike, wellcome to the fast talker aviation group We know how you feel🤣

[@scottmiller4711]

Nice feedback. Congratulations on your flight.

[@mhilderbrand7693]

Thanks! Hopefully meet up with you sometime!

[@scottmiller4711]

@@mhilderbrand7693 Look forward to it. I am in the Florida panhandle 2R4 (Peter Prince) or maybe at the Homecoming in September…

[@tucanoalf247]

Based on my experience using Viking engine... the temperature of the gearbox is Hi...due to poor airflow in the cowling. My suggestion ..you must make an air outlet (shark gill) to cooling the gear box. I hope will works👍🙏

[@mhilderbrand7693]

Thank you!

[@mhilderbrand7693]

I was hoping it might just be a “break-in” thing? I tried to search, but didn’t see this has an issue from anyone else? Which I realize a very small fraction of people actually post on social media.

[@floridasaltlife]

Would you try to describe the feel of the Honda vs what an 0200 or a 0235 might be like, had you used one of those. I love this Honda idea and a lot of that is hoping for a smooth feel and sound...

[@mhilderbrand7693]

As far as the Honda engine… it really surprised me how loud the engine was (inside the cockpit) while taking off. With that being said, I have been told the engine is really quiet while I am taxing around the ramp. Even on takeoff, a person commented that it is quieter than most of the other planes. As far as smoothness, it is hard to tell 😀. Certain RPMs I feel I have subtle vibrations? I really need to dynamically balance my prop to see. Maybe during the Lakeland event you can get a ride in a zenith with a Viking engine? If that doesn’t work out, maybe we can coordinate something, maybe take a short ride in my plane.

[@dicel87]

Great achievement Sir - congrats. Are you registering this as an LSA (1,320 GW)?

[@mhilderbrand7693]

TBD… 😀

[@patway4683]

Congratulations!

[@mhilderbrand7693]

Thank you!