Save Time, Save Money, and FINISH the Airplane!

I finished my ‪@zenithac‬ CH750 Cruzer powered by a @WWFlycorvair engine in 18 months, with no professional assistance, and it wasn't a quick-build. I'll share my secrets to save time and money, and as a result, finish your airplane faster than you otherwise would, without compromising safety or functionality.
Follow on Instagram: / ozarkgarage
0:00 Intro
0:28 How long?
1:20 Time Well Spent
2:45 Saving Money
5:25 Space
6:27 Simplify!
9:23 The #1 Factor
11:00 Other Factors?
#experimentalaircraft #zenithaircraft #aviation #builditflyit

[@flyingkub]

I totally agree with your comment about building at home, rather than at a hangar, I build in a big shed and it allows me to go out most evenings and at the weekend (if the weather is not good enough to fly). My Fisher Youngster build is progressing and I am at about the 14 month point at the moment and still as chunk off being flight ready but it is a wood biplane and I have not been in a rush and as such have carried out a lot of mods (as well has having a few issues with the kit methods). The main thing that slows me down is producing video to share with other on KZbin, so they can see the methods I use to help them with Fisher style kits. (I have a full time job building aircraft as well!) Good video, well done.

[@ozarkgarage]

Thanks! I'll have to check out your channel. On one hand, I wish I had more video of the build process, but you are 100% correct, it definitely slows down the process and can be a distraction when you don't need/want one.

[@tomcoryell]

Your comment about avoiding Netflix etc. was spot on! I get a huge amount done and am clueless when it comes to the latest video series fad.

[@thomaslongfellow4993]

One of the best videos on this subject! 🎉

[@gregbacon819]

You built a beautiful aircraft, with quality throughout! I would like to see videos on how you designed your fuel and electrical systems. I’m sure other builders would benefit from this content. 😉

[@cgsturm]

Great tips! I would add, not owning another airplane will go a long ways in motivating you to finish. Cool Zenith!

[@ozarkgarage]

Yeah, there is definitely a tradeoff between having a plane to remain proficient and ready for Phase I testing and having a dedicated focus to finishing the build.

[@dannoble7254]

So true on all of that. Everyone should watch this before buying a kit. Or especially an abandoned project. Nice job!

[@ozarkgarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@ShadowfaxIsAHorse]

I’m building a Highlander and the folks at Just Aircraft gave me some good advice. The larger blocks of time you work, the faster it will get done. That’s been my experience too. So the first 4 hours I work I’m plodding along. By 6 hours I’m really making progress. By 8 hours I’m really cruising. By 12 hours I’m still cruising.

[@ozarkgarage]

When you get into that state of flow where everything goes smoothly and time just zips by, you can definitely feel and see the momentum.

[@n206ja]

This is simply one of the best videos I've ever seen that summarizes the reality of building a Zenith Aircraft kit! However, you omitted a major cost saving/time saving option: purchase a partially-completed kit! Partially-completed or abandoned kits typically sell for less than the original cost of the parts (typically the seller is giving away their labor for free) and if the kit's plans' number is properly transferred through Zenith, Zenith Aircraft supplies technical support (which is excellent!) same as if the buyer was the original builder. Of course, there is some risk in that a second-hand kit has missing parts or poor quality construction, so inspecting the kit with a knowledgeable Zenith builder is a must. I purchased a partially completed kit and it saved me thousands of dollars and probably 200+ hours of construction and allowed me to finish the kit in 12 months and approximately 1000 hrs of build time - that was over 12 years ago and absolutely no regrets! Again, this was an excellent video and I look forward to seeing more!

[@ozarkgarage]

Finding an unfinished project sounds very lucrative, sounds like it definitely paid off! Were you able to find the partially completed kit locally or did you have to travel to get it? Did you look for one for a while before finding one?

[@douglassfwilson]

Cool stuff rules!

[@douglasschafer6372]

Impressive, thanks

[@sonianrichardson]

Finally. Been waiting for a detailed plane video to show Alex.

[@johnm2240]

This is a great video

[@johnmarkgatti3324]

Well done , good breakdown of process ,you missed the help on four paws , put a lot of time in ...and wife , a legend [blessed to have one share projects /time ,good time to talk to ,with hands busy and no pressure ].

[@ozarkgarage]

Thanks 👍

[@Sonex815]

Excellent summary and very practical advice. I did a Sonex from plans and worked with basically all the concepts you presented here. Especially like the part about how you did the electrical and keeping the project nearby until there's absolutely nothing else you can do at home. Upholstery - be careful with fabric store materials. We had a guy bring in a burned seat to our EAA chapter meeting showing that FAA-approved material that doesn't support flame can save lives. It was from an in-cockpit fire / fuel leak situation.

[@user-wu3li9zf4x]

Awesome!

[@ozarkgarage]

Thanks!

[@spikekavalench]

Excellent video, thank you.

[@ozarkgarage]

Glad you liked it!

[@benward87]

This video is wicked bro! Thank you. I started building my 701 kit for fun and didn't have a license. I then started flying to get my wings and since then have lost the space and income I use to have so it's been discouraging seeing it sitting in a storage locker. I really don't want to be a statistic but seems like I jumped in and bit off more then I could chew.

[@ozarkgarage]

Ever consider finding a build partner to share the cost/effort and ownership? I know my local flying club has a multi-year waiting list.

[@benward87]

@@ozarkgarage I have a bit. Most of the people are into Rv builds and I do like the versatility and Rv idea but still the ink the 701 would be fun for back country. I’ll put the money into it when I’m done the wings.

[@danniendorff4815]

Great video! I think you covered it very well, and hit the spots that most people get hung up on. May I add one small thing (which you did already mention, - but I think deserves more emphasis)? That is CONSISTENCY. And by that I mean to work on the project every day even if for just a short time. This keeps your brain active in knowing where you are in the plans, so you don’t have to “catch up” when you come back to it. That makes a huge difference. Yours is one of the best and most clear videos that I have seen on this topic. Well done.

[@ozarkgarage]

Thanks Dan

[@haggeoromero]

Man, that was all good, very motivating!

[@ozarkgarage]

Glad to hear it!

[@joeroscillo4015]

Seeing your secret of a speedy build! Your highly talented and committed!! Great job!!

[@ozarkgarage]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mcorrive12]

Very inspiring! I love the Cruzer with mid size tires! Such a nice look! Please post performance and tech details when you can get around to it. Have fun!

[@ozarkgarage]

With the climb prop installed, it tops out at 92 kts (105mph) in level flight. That's the penalty from the extra drag that comes with larger tires and vortex generators.

[@kariingason6569]

Fabulous video, very well thought out. Love from a pilot in Iceland.

[@ozarkgarage]

Glad you enjoyed it! Is there much General Aviation in Iceland? I looked it up on the chart and there only seems to be a handful of airports (charted ones, anyway).

[@jasonthayer762]

Dang! I need to turn in my Ozarks man card. That comment on spending time hit hard.

[@ozarkgarage]

Never too late to turn your life around 😁

[@michaelcollins106]

Those were some pretty sweet seats.

[@ozarkgarage]

Would still be a bargain at twice the price!

[@steved0x]

Very interesting! Would love to see a video that is a tour of the panel, including the fusebox. How did you make the 3 busses, is it ring terminals or spade terminals? I am doing a Cruzer with a WW 2850 and going to use fuses as well.

[@ozarkgarage]

A more detailed "walk-around" video will come soon! The fuse block came with 3 independent busses built-in, with both ring terminal and spade terminal connections.

[@craigsanders6925]

Buddy of mine built an RV 10 in 14 months. :)

[@clintgosch2306]

100% truth on all points! Great video!

[@ozarkgarage]

Should I have included building from scratch as a way to save money?

[@clintgosch2306]

Nope, your video was perfect without mentioning the scratch build option, would have confused the flow of your story. You can save a few $$, but for most builders, the quicker to assemble kits are the way to go. Mine took 7 years to build and I saved around $4500 on the airframe (not much considering the total project cost) my financial situation at the time would not allow for sub kit purchases so buying a few materials at a time kept me in the game. I really liked the process and might do it again! I flew to the Zenith event in June and saw your plane, you did a great job on it! Hopefully you'll attend the September Zenith event, it would be great to chat with you!

[@ozarkgarage]

You did a great job on your plane, the only way you can tell it wasn't a kit is the lack of back windows. I wish mine didn't have windows there, definitely one of the toughest areas to polish.

[@clintgosch2306]

Thanks! Next upgrade I hope to complete is an aluminum cowl. My fiberglass cowl came with the engine, I've never been happy with its appearance. Just need to stop flying long enough to plan and fabricate it! Maybe an idea for a future video would be an intro to polishing aluminum? I've been tempted, but worry about the polisher banging away on those thin aluminum skins.

[@ozarkgarage]

Are you planning to use a fiberglass nose or FULL aluminum? I'm still learning the tricks to the aluminum polishing myself, check out @AvianaAircraft channel.

[@scottmiller4711]

Nice video. While I have no proof that wig wags scare off birds, the simple ($45/pair) Amazon motorcycle LED's and basic Wig Wag controller (about $40) that I installed with them does/has made me more visible to other aircraft (they have been called out on radio calls). Bottom line is I think it was money well spent. FYI, my LED's are mounted on the included brackets that are attached to the top center bolt on the wing strut (no cutting or mods required)...

[@ozarkgarage]

What are you running for anti-collision lights (strobes)? Mine are really bright (FAA approved) and have a slower flash rate, so I definitely felt a wig wag was redundant.

[@scottmiller4711]

@@ozarkgarage I have Aeroled Nav/Strobes on the wing tips, they are great. I actually had a RV12 yesterday comment to me that he saw my Wigwags before anything else and it was hazy out.

[@Anonymous99997]

Having WBI (Wife Buy In) is critical to being able to get it done.

[@ozarkgarage]

Haha! So true!

[@leefinstad4272]

Nice build! How are you liking your Corvair? Building a 2850 for my project as well, that’s why I’m asking

[@ozarkgarage]

It's great! What airframe are you building?

[@leefinstad4272]

@@ozarkgarage piper colt / Wagabond frame like William’s

[@JT-Fly-JT]

Hey there This is John your DAR. How is it going?

[@ozarkgarage]

Going great! Are you staying busy?

[@JT-Fly-JT]

@@ozarkgarage Next up is a Long EZ. Enjoy the Zenith and stay safe. I am interested in your fuel containers if you can point me in the right direction. Thanks

[@ozarkgarage]

Check back tomorrow, I'll have a detailed video on the fuel jugs by popular demand.

[@erniesautowerks4803]

I know you did most of this build by yourself…..but it seems like your wife is in a whole bunch of the clips in this video……nice plane btw

[@ozarkgarage]

Early on, she was the one motivated to film, so all of her footage has her in it!

[@privateassman8839]

Do you really need wings? Flying without wings is much cheaper and lighter than flying with them 😂

[@user-qf6eq3dw5z]

You can fly without wings. It is called computer flying. It is also forgiving.

[@simeon2851]

No Game of Thrones..? You missed nothing.

[@antr7493]