Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
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Looking for opinions between the 701 and 750 STOL
I found this forum a few days ago and have been reading as much as I can on the different models. I have a Warner Sportster that I plan to sell this Spring, I intended to replace it with a Kitfox until I started watching video's and reading about the 701 and 750 STOL.
These two planes have caught my attention and put the Kitfox at the bottom of the list.
I have built two planes, the Warner and a Team HiMax, I am not wanting to build another so I will look for a flying plane.
I am interested in what pilots and builders have to say about the two models.
The factory is only about 4 hours away so I will contact them after the holidays and see if I can visit them and maybe get an intro flight or transition training if they will do that.
Thanks for any insight
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jim and Amelia Isaacs on
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I have flown both. I built and continue to own and fly a 701 with the Rotax 80hp 912 engine, and flew several hours with an instructor in a 750 with a 100 hp engine (Lycoming or Continental, I can’t recall which) to satisfy insurance requirements. Also flew a 701 equipped with floats, it had a 100hp Rotax- and it needed all 100 horses that hot Summer day. Floats are draggy! I went with the 701 kit as my circumstances required maximum STOL capability on a tight budget. The two are quite similar in basic flight characteristics. Hopefully a 750 owner or two will jump in and offer a better insight than I can. My thoughts on the 750 as compared to the 701 is it’s roomier- a wider cabin and higher max takeoff weight is important as we Americans are getting bigger every generation. It’s also able to accept heavier and more powerful engines too. But that means its empty weight is going to be heavier than a 701’s, so useful load will be about the same as the 701. Looking at a used 750 you are likely to find that the build quality is likely to be more consistent between aircraft as compared to a 701 due to newer manufacturing techniques such as predrilled skins and other 701 lessons learned by Zenith. The direct-drive 100hp engine in the 750 I flew gave adequate performance, but I only flew it from a long paved runway. The performance decrease on hot high days was noticeable. Two big guys on a high DA day on a short grass strip with trees at the end would have been dicey in that plane. Speaking of engines, although folks have put all kinds in the 701, the 80-100hp Rotax 912 seems to be popular for max STOL at minimum weight in the 701. My 80hp performs STOL ops quite well year -round with just me on board, and I’ll do STOL with a passenger all Winter long, but come Summer in Alabama, unless it’s first thing in the cooler morning I won’t attempt a takeoff with a passenger from my confined area field. The Rotax 912 is pricey when new, and when building a plane finding a good used one with detailed logs and no stories is difficult. Your odds are better though as you’re looking for a completed aircraft. My geared 80hp Rotax will outperform some 701s with higher hp direct drive engines. For the 750, I’d recommend something other than a direct drive 100hp engine if you are wanting max STOL capability. I notice the Viking engines are popular in the 750. I don’t have any experience flying behind a Viking engine, maybe someone who does will weigh in here. The long term availability of tech support and the aircraft-specific parts unique to any modified automobile engine or small startup engine manufacturer here in the US should be a consideration as well. For example, it appears Jabiru North America has ceased supporting one of their early generation engines. Anyway if you have specific questions about the 701 feel free to reach out to me and I’m happy to talk to you if need be.
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Permalink Reply by Gary Leopold on
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Just saw your response, I didn't get a notification for some reason. Thanks, that is good info to consider. Thanks for the offer to discuss further. I don't know anything about Viking engines but I have worked on Rotax engines and like them.
I wish I could afford to put the Rotec engine (110hp) on one.
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Permalink Reply by Perry Delano on
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Hi Gary,
I built a 701 with a 912 ULS 100 hp (many thanks to Jim over the years for great advice on many things, and I agree with what he says in his response) . I barely have first flight on it so other than less shoulder room than the 750 I cannot comment beyond that. Our RAA built a big tire 750 Cruzer with an O-200, It is a nice flying AC, but takes some transitioning if you have been flying typical GA planes. I have only flown it a few times, but to my knowledge it is not a STOL performer nor was it designed to be. Another member Built a 750 STOL with a UL 350 and is very pleased with it. I think if you want real STOL performance out of the 750 you need to be looking at having an extra 30+ rated hp in your pocket over what is required for 701.
Perry
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Thanks for the reply. I think I would be happy with a 701 with 100 hp and the extra width of the 750 would be a bonus but I wouldn't have to have it.
Are there many airframe parts interchangeable between the 701 and 750?
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Hi Gary,
I cannot think of any truly interchangeable parts. I have std doors on mine but plan to modify them as someone else has done (I could not find the video) or come up with my own design. Factory bubble doors should give you a little extra shoulder room. The original bubble doors on the 750 were very convex, we changed them out after cracking pilot side severely. The new ones are less bubbly but still provide quite a bit more room.
Perry
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Hi Gary,
I found the video on door improvement TIP 20 Homebuilt Help
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Thanks, I will take a look. I did read something about fiberglass door frames cracking.
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I found the page but I couldn't get it to load.
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That's funny. I did buy some HBH videos but don't think i got any special access. They crack easy when they fly open in flight LOL, and they find ways of opening in flight. Long story but repaired doors do pretty good wing damage when they fly open in flight. Ive got good experience on door fabrication, repair and wing repair.
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I can get to the page to order videos but the sign up for newsletters is a bad link. Looks like a lot of good info on the site. Thanks for pointing out the site. My friends Citabria has the same problem with the side window latches, the latches are a little too short.
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Gary a 100hp Rotax 912 would perform very well in a 701, you may wish for a bit more power in a 750 on a high DA day at max gross but that depends on your home field and mission- as far as interchangeable parts I bought a 750 curved roof and grafted it onto my 701 it wasn’t difficult to do but then again I did it during the build. If you’re looking for a 701 (Or an early 750) already built look for one with that curved roof mod (referred to as the “Beenie mod” on a 701). The early 750 kits had a flat roof, Zenith added to later edition kits. Regardless the curved roof (and VGs on the elevator, but those are easy to add post-build) helps maintain elevator authority during low speed landings. If you’re interested in whether some parts are interchangeable a quick chat with Roger at Zenith would be informative.
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I didn't know that about the roof, thanks.
I saw something on the VG's and was going to look into it further. I am looking forward to talking with Zenith and I really want to make a trip there.
I need to focus on completing the condition inspection on this Warner so I can get it sold and be ready for another plane. Trying to sell an open cockpit airplane during the winter months may not be an easy task lol.
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