FLYING the Zenith Cruzer

Are you thinking about building and flying a Zenith Cruzer kitplane? Do you want to know what it's like to fly one? Come along for a ride with me in the Blue Angels Cruzer to find out!
PRODUCTS I'VE USED:
Antislip Tape: amzn.to/2TzU32s
Adel Clamps: amzn.to/3ztVsI0
Snap Bushing (you NEED these): amzn.to/3gryDfm
Dremel Flap Wheel: amzn.to/3ztmXle
Air Hose: amzn.to/3wrqezA
Air Hose Fittings: amzn.to/3iIf2dB
Paint Gun (works GREAT for smaller parts): amzn.to/3vqDgMa
Air Filter for Paint Gun: amzn.to/3iHhfX2
USB Data Port (for Dynon): amzn.to/3iLsiOL
My Microphone: amzn.to/35likMa
Paint Mix Cups: amzn.to/2RSM4gc
Fly Cutter (for fuel sender): amzn.to/3gvgXzO
#blueangels #zenithcruzer #flying

[@gumby442]

That sir, was awesome. It is also my nomination for flight video of the year.

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Wow thank you!

[@Jbmc65]

This video should be on zeniths website showing what an amazing plane it is.

[@AnonyMous-jf4lc]

To anyone wondering, I have bought one of his shirts. The shirt is great material (soft and tough) and the print was perfect without bleeding or thin spots. Really good quality.

[@sebastienheintz]

Yes, I love the soft fabric and fit

[@gsnewsome5448]

Same here, really like my sky Jeep shirt.

[@Joesofly1]

Same here, his t-shirts are great quality. I bought a grey RV-6 shirt

[@tronder66]

I’ve been temporarily laid off since November due to Covid ( hotel industry ) and I’ve had plenty of time available for KZbin.. When I was 14, my best friend’s dad bought a plane..and me and some friends asked him to teach us to fly.. And he did ( he was a CFI ) So we went through theory and I logged 17 hours.. But the age limit in Norway was 16, and when I turned 16 he had sold his plane.. and I couldn’t afford flight lessons with a flight academy.. ( he was ridiculously cheap for our little group of friends ) And since then, prices have gone up, and being in the hotel industry doesn’t leave much money left for $150 flight lessons.. But now I’ve discovered Sportplanes / Microlights. And they don’t look like a motorized hang glider anymore.. They’re real two seat planes.. So your videos has brought back my love for aviation, and I’m starting my theory classes soon. I’ve already started Radio communication course, which is mandatory for sportplanes in Norway. Actually there is a guy who’s selling his 3/4 finished Zenith kit... Maybe....?? Thanks for helping me get back into this thing I’ve missed for 40 years! Love these videos!

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Hey Erik, glad you like the videos and got some motivation from them! Good luck with flight training and have fun!

[@mattdrat3087]

Thanks for taking us along! This kind of flying, just getting up there with minimal paperwork, filing flightplans etc. would be a dream come true!

[@bing4342]

Enjoyed the flight, particularly with your real time speaking directly to the viewers in-flight. Keep them coming please! Thank you for your superb quality videos and contents.

[@gvrose1]

Nice description of how to fly the Cruzer. Thanks Mark..

[@stevensterry796]

Fun flight and informative!

[@davejoynt6276]

Thanks for the ride Mark.

[@theworshiptraveler6709]

Enjoyed the flight. Thanks for taking us along with you.

[@markperkins5664]

Thanks for taking us along. What a beautiful area to fly around in.

[@carlylea]

Great video mark. Thanks for taking us up in your plane.

[@douglascloud4484]

Thanks for all your sharing, you do very fine work, good luck

[@rodandanner2132]

Great video as always. Keep em coming brother.

[@TheFlyingSPR]

beautiful machine

[@timrobinson6404]

Thank You Mark.

[@scottthompson9748]

Great video it was explain in full detail. Your plane looks awesome what a great job you did.

[@adrianelliott3126]

Great post flying

[@darrenweston6056]

Thanks Mark great video

[@Know-Way]

Great flight video. Those bubble door are awesome. Most have felt pretty cramped in the cockpit with dozens of KZbin viewers along for the ride. Looks like a great flying plane.

[@yacahumax1431]

That plane looks so cool.

[@Maddog29]

Really enjoyed it, thanks!

[@willenser4372]

That was really cool to watch. I am thinking I would enjoy this style of airplane. Thanks for explaining so much. Love the livery of your bird!

[@aaronstrom16]

I really liked this video and how many things you went over flying the Zenith. Ive made up my mind to go for my PPL and have my own bush plane. This is an awesome airplane and thanks for sharing all the details about how it flies!

[@hongshi8251]

Mr. Mark 😇 Always enjoy the building videos but the flying videos are what really makes a guy want a cruiser. Thank you for all the hard work involved and edit in such masterpieces

[@scose]

amazing visibility!

[@dbriggs1689]

Great video looking forward to more.

[@piperericalbert538]

Nice video Mark. Love those Rosen visors!

[@adrianelliott3126]

Really enjoyed this video.

[@bensteyn1974]

Lovely plane!

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Thank you!

[@Tryagain205]

Awesome Video. I really like the view from the top between the wings at 1:10

[@z135210]

Love the discussion during the flight, a great description of how the plane reacts to real conditions. Also like when you mention getting bounced or what your speeds or flaps were set at.

[@DrT_MD]

So inspirational. Can’t wait to do this in my own plane.

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

It's the best hobby in the world!

[@mtovani]

Great informational flight Mark. You have to lead with rudder in my Tri Champ also.

[@jamesbegley2700]

Nice Flight Mark, met you at Zenith in September.

[@kevindrapola7838]

Nice flight ✈️

[@doncatchpole7370]

Enjoyed

[@FRIENDHORATIO1]

Nice

[@musoseven8218]

Great video. Nice, interesting, aeroplane, great paint scheme too✌️💜👍😊

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Thanks-I appreciate the compliment!

[@musoseven8218]

@@KitplaneEnthusiast You're most welcome. Lovely aircraft, great visibility, great performance, great all round - above and beyond (literally) I'd say💜✌️😊👍

[@sebastienheintz]

Thanks for the ride, Captain Mark! Great flight

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

I was thinking-I should have offered you a ride when I was at the factory for the fly-in!

[@daryldrennan]

@@KitplaneEnthusiast Hi Mark, I hope that Sebastian will hire you to do their aerial video work from now on, your videos are the best!

[@Grantspec]

Love the paint scheme. The empennage section does resemble Fat Albert! Great vid.

[@jallen3391]

Hi Mark. Great info on using Dawn dish soap for cleaning the fuel stains from gas caps. I have fought the same issues and never found something that worked. Cruzer Jim Venice Fl.

[@fivezeroida34]

Ill have do a touch and go there the next time I fly. Life has been getting in the way lately.

[@user-tl5fi9lz9z]

Nice Vid!

[@JimPfarr]

Good video! Go Air Force!

[@TheFretman2]

Nice vid...really like the bird. About the same useful load as a Cessna 150.

[@garyjones6914]

Nice Ball Cap

[@deerranch6560]

Thanks that's an awesome plane. Thanks for explaining all your procedures, I am currently looking into purchasing me a zenith 701 or 750 still undecided . Great video Thanks

[@philipritson8821]

If you want extreme STOL get the 701 and stick a Rotax 912ULS in it. If you want fly cross country in comfort get a Cruzer and fly behind a Rotax, a Jabiru or a UL Power engine. If you want a lot of column A and a lot of Column B get an 100 horsepower Rotax in any configuration.

[@circusfactory]

nice video !

[@michaeldavidheit]

Great video, thank you for sharing. Do you have a trim control on the stick? You mention setting trim several times and I thought you may have used a HAT switch on the stick to set it ...

[@dbarbagarcia]

Where’s your airfield located?? Looks amazing!!

[@Mike-01234]

Would be a good search and rescue aircraft maybe add some extra fuel tanks. If the electric flaps fail to retract on a landing can you still go around if you had to with full flaps?

[@higjeff]

Beautiful airplane. I am curious to know what would be your useful load in this configuration.

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

My empty weight is 841. So at the light sport weight of 1320, the useful load is 479.

[@jms241965]

Great video…do you run 2 batteries with the UL engine?

[@JohnWiltberger]

Great video, thanks! I was wondering, why is there such a long displaced threshold on the runway? It seemed to be pretty open to me :)

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Good observation. There was one tree that was in the protected area. From what I understand there was a long standing battle with the property owner to remove the tree. He saw an opportunity to make money and he wanted something like $50,000 to cut the tree down. I believe that the tree has since been cut down. It just may be up to the state now to re-certify the full length runway.

[@robertottwell605]

Man that’s so awesome your plane is Meticulous. Your next one will have to be air force Theme. If you made it a dedicated full time job how long would the build take . I think you said this one was five years, did you have another plane to fly while you were building.

[@thomasschultz7724]

I really enjoy your videos. What type of camera mount is that on the wing strut? I’m looking to attach my hero 9 to a J3 wing strut.

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Nflightcam.com

[@generalcanby5847]

Great Video Mark. I agree that videos of the type "What is it like to fly in an XXXX aircraft" is a winning theme. Most of my flying is also just local sightseeing as well - Cruzer is a perfect fit to my mission. A few questions: I noticed your radio unit is basically on your left/right panel centerline. Assume you use your left hand for frequency entry/changes? I was not sure how this worked with the Y-Stick. Secondly, have you done any power on stalls, with partial or, ahem, at firewall power? (wow) I am just wondering how the Cruzer behaves under those conditions. Thanks as always for taking the time to put these videos together. They are very well done and very interesting.

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Nope-I use my right hand for the radio. There's no problem with taking my hand off the stick. You could install the radio head to the left of the HDX if you preferred. I have not performed any power on stalls as they serve no purpose in my opinion. There's no real world reason to do them.

[@user-tl5fi9lz9z]

I'd love to buy a tee shirt. But you don't seem to have any I want. How about a C-130 shirt? Or a Lake LA-4 shirt?

[@glennstocker487]

Hey Mark, greetings from Australia, I really enjoyed the walk through flight, particularly the preflight procedure & checks, two questions? I have been following the UL product line with interest for some time, particularly from an engineering perspective - 1/ are you happy with/would you go again with the 350is , given your experience with your engine thus far? following your channel for some time I recall your first flights you mentioned you were concerned that the engine was not getting max RPM and you said you were thinking you may have had the prop pitched to aggressively? - 2/ does UL Power recommend a less aggressive loading on a new engine until perhaps the engine is run/bed'd in? love your attention to detail & agree completely about your being a "Pure genius" in a previous video around aircraft build affordability - "did'nt marry, no Kids" very funny, very true. Cheers love your work.

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Glenn-yes I'm very happy with the UL Power engine. It's never missed a beat and it runs smooth. Just as a small correction, I was never "concerned" about my engine not getting full RPM on takeoff. I knew from the start it was just because I had too much pitch in the prop. I don't recall anything in the manual about using a certain pitch for break-in. I don't think there is any limitation for that. I know the UL Power engines are expensive, but they are light weight and powerful. I like mine.

[@glennstocker487]

@@KitplaneEnthusiast Thank you for such a quick response Mark, I was hoping you were happy with the engine it is very much on my short list - live by the moto - "Buy once, Cry once". Thanks agian

[@garyray1247]

Hi Mark. I was flying the 601XLB with the red cowl that morning. The x-winds near the runway were a bit twitchy on my approach. Otherwise at altitude I got the same beautiful flight and view. Hangered at KPTK E-10. I met you at Zenith Open House 2020. Camped two aircraft down the line from your crusier. I was planning on updating my panel to the Skyview HDX. Did I hear you mention that you were a Dynon dealer?

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Was that you that I borrowed a hammer from for my tent? Stop in next time you're here. I am no longer a dealer for Dynon.

[@garyray1247]

@@KitplaneEnthusiast Yes. I will stop by before I disassemble my panel. Your videos are right to the point. Makes me want to start another one. Flying is good but I miss the building part of the whole experience.

[@1shARyn3]

If you have flaperons, having them extended is what makes the "ailerons" stiff, rather than just the speed. If you try doing less than 40mph clean, I would be you still have light controls.

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Hmm...interesting. I'll try it next time I fly!

[@scottmiller4711]

I have the same “stiffness issue” with flaps. I have found that full flaps makes it difficult to move the controls so I only use about 10 degrees (2/3) flaps max...

[@user-xd5ls7pu3g]

Мені подобаються Ваші відео!

[@Laserdoc905]

Did you end up modifying the controls? ( divorcing the rudder ) Looks like yours fly's pretty nice

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

I did not modify the controls. There is a small bungee on one of the elevator cables, and I can feel it when I move the controls on the ground, but in the air the controls are perfectly balanced.

[@johnreed8872]

Hey Mike!.. I really appreciate your build videos , but this one's killer! Second to being all aluminum , visability is what sold me on a Zenith. I don't recall you mentioning your final empty weight? Thanks again.... Blue Skies!

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

841

[@johnreed8872]

@@KitplaneEnthusiast thanks!

[@Jbmc65]

So for someone that is just starting out and trying to understand why we do some things in planes. He set the ground level for his area on the altimeter for 920’ ASL. So as you are flying you are always having to subtract 920 from the number so you can tell how high you are AGL. So lets say you are going on a trip across country, are you constantly changing AGL as your flying closer to the coast etc? Seems kinda confusing, woukd someone want to elaborate?

[@scottmiller4711]

What did you go with on the nose gear, stock bungee, Zenith pucks or Viking Steel bungee?

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Viking spring.

[@jeffreycfi]

Is there a way in the settings to silence the CHT warning for a minute or two to give them a chance to warm up?

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Yes. Because the plane is new I wanted all the warnings. Eventually I will probably inhibit the warnings for the first minute or so.

[@johnreed8872]

Sorry Mark!! I get all the M.P.s confused , Pauly, Patey, Penderstadgrassenhurst etc.. thanks again Martin!

[@liocaputo]

Great video!!

[@mhilderbrand7693]

Mark, where do you get your parking break set up? Thank you!

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

I bought the actual parking brake block from Spruce and then designed my own system. It’s pretty simple. I show the details in one of my Cruzer videos. (Don’t recall which one)

[@haverelmink]

Are there any other advantages to the normal CH750 other than a lower stall speed and associated shorter takeoff and landing rolls? It seems impractical to cruise around with the drag caused by the permanently extended slats. The Cruzer makes more sense to me.

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

A lot of people will build the Cruzer and put slightly larger tires on it if they need to do 'bush' type flying. Even without the slats the Cruzer is an excellent bush plane!

[@samueltreffinger2292]

What is the fuel burn in the ul engine? It seems very smooth.

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

At around 2500 rpm I burn 4.6 gph.

[@GeneralSirDouglasMcA]

I would like to see how the Cruzer and the 601/650 would perform with a Rotax 915. At high altitudes, I imagine they’d actually almost be speed demons.

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

If I were to build another Cruzer, I would definitely use the Rotax 915!

[@mombasasherman]

Great content Captain. With a rotax 915, what cruise speeds would you expect? And with your current engine set up, how many hours could you cruise?

[@dragos9318]

Just starting a Cruzer build myself, haven't fully decided on an engine yet but I've been considering the smaller UL260i to keep the price down a bit and let me run lower octane fuel. How do you find the power in yours, do you think I'll miss the extra 30hp? Most of my flying is low altitude and no mountains anywhere near me here in Southern Ontario.

[@DrT_MD]

Have you considered a Viking engine (a Honda auto-conversion)? They have a 130 hp conversion that can (I think) burn 88 or 89 octane mogas. Their engine and firewall forward kit are also less expensive than any of the other popular options, including UL Power. I’m 95% sure that’s what I’m putting in mine. I’m expecting airframe kit delivery in a couple of weeks, so I’ve still got time to think about my powerplant.

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

I'm not sure what advice to give you on the engine. More power is more betterer LOL. I think your cruise speeds will still be about the same as mine, but the extra power is always a plus when you have two people and want the climb performance. I understand that budget is a concern when choosing an engine too. My thoughts would be to buy the most hp you can afford!

[@joshhenry1545]

What are is the model number of those sun shields? I’ve got a Cherokee six with the bar in the center of my windshield and I think those may attach nicely. Googled it but didn’t see anything immediately.

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

The sun visors are from Rosen. You can go to their website and find a pair that fits your plane.

[@cpg727]

When you need to get from A to B in the Cruzer, what do you plan for cruise speed?

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

100kts TAS

[@cpg727]

@@KitplaneEnthusiast Thanks!

[@dominicdiclemente8877]

I must have missed it, when did you lower the flaps for takeoff ?

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

I usually lower then before I take the runway, but in this video it may have been edited out.

[@dominicdiclemente8877]

@@KitplaneEnthusiast I wish we had airport/house communities like you have here in Canada.

[@davidwhite2011]

What is the TBO on the engine?

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Actually I don't remember off hand-probably 2,000 hours.

[@AlpineWarren]

Is that an iPad bracket on the right side of the panel?

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Yes.

[@brewfest2008]

No mixture control? It's fuel Injected?

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Yes it is fuel injected, but the engine is controlled by a computer that automatically sets the fuel/air ratio for the ambient conditions. So the only control is the throttle.

[@karlriley1314]

That's really neat, you wear a AIR FORCE hat and FLY a BLUE ANGLES air plane. LOL

[@russellsmith3825]

Pretty sure he is an Air Force vet

[@karlriley1314]

@@russellsmith3825 Yea I think so but it's still FUNNY. Seems that the plane should be a THUNDER BIRD instead.

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Wait until my ARMY themed Super Duty is painted and done LOL!

[@karlriley1314]

@@KitplaneEnthusiast OK, WAITING, HEHE

[@wb6anp]

Where did you find your shirt.

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

www.AircraftTshirts.com

[@wb6anp]

@@KitplaneEnthusiast thanks, they dont have a ch750 stol

[@Lawaxiee]

Could I obtain a license with prescription lenses? if so please let me know how

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Yes

[@Lawaxiee]

@@KitplaneEnthusiast thanks for the quick response! I’m currently living less than 10 minutes from SDM airport, a little nervous but I think that’s my starting point.

[@andremarais2706]

Flying taildragger for a Yank is like driving a shift stick. VERY difficult..

[@yamkaw346]

Does anyone build these to be IFR capable?

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Yes. My Super Duty is equipped for IFR flight.

[@yamkaw346]

@@KitplaneEnthusiast Dang that’s cool. Love these

[@diyvillageproject8430]

Hello you lookes like John Cena❤️😎

[@sawdust466]

+hanger, insurance, maintenance problems, annuals. Unforeseen problems, everyone with their hands out for money, regulations...😏. I’m going back to part 103.....

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

That’s true-there are a lot of costs with airplane ownership. But I’m this video, I’m only referring to the direct cost of this one flight.

[@Xman8184]

6 dollars in fuel !!!!!!! Wow. that's pretty stingy on fuel. Are you using regular automotive gas or Aviation gas?

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Yep this flight used about 3 gallons of car gas.

[@spyrosg3172]

Folks who think that the cost for this 35min flight is crazy low at $6, just wait until he tells us what his first annual goes for..! (sigh)

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

You're right-it gets even better! The annuals are FREE! Since I am the builder of this airplane I have a Repairman's Certificate from the FAA that allows me to perform all required maintenance and annual condition inspections on this particular airplane. This is one of the great advantages of experimental aircraft.

[@josephhenrich7784]

now 100% sure I don't want a dynon

[@JohnWiltberger]

You can disable the engine warnings for a specified amount of time after startup to avoid those beeps

[@KitplaneEnthusiast]

Yes that is true. Eventually I'll probably play with that setting, but for now being a new plane I wanted all of the warnings.

[@raymondedge8889]

Ok...that woman has to shut up or get out. Damm nag

[@_londe_]

Nice