Online Community of Zenith Builders and Flyers
The Plane is Built. Now How do I Fly It?
My 701 is built, registered, AW inspection passed, and ready for Phase 1. I am not a pilot yet but I'm working towards my LSA with a Private pilot CFI. I'm not even sure if this gets me any closer to my goal and its quite expensive. My goal is simply to fly the plane I've spent years building legally. How do I get there? My understanding is that I will still need transition training and the schools are distant. How did you all do it? Did you take time off and go to the niche schools? Did the trainers come fly your plane? Are there any of these places in the South East? I found one in Tennessee but the website was down. Did everyone have to go thru these or is there any other way?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Austin
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You obviously need at least a Sport Pilot certificate to legally fly a 701, so you're going to have to complete that requirement regardless of anything else. If you look to the right on this page, you'll see ads - scroll down to "Builder and Pilot Supplies" and there are at least 2 transition training sources listed - I believe one is a school you would have to travel to and the other is Phil Cook, who I believe will travel to you for transition training, also does first flights and assists with initial flight testing, etc. The "Buzz Air" transition training in Tennessee is no longer in business.
The 701 and all the Zenith STOL aircraft fly quite a bit differently from your typical Cessna, etc. Not unsafe, just different! Transition training is highly recommended and almost always your insurance company will require either transition training or x number of hours flight experience in a 701, especially in a new or low-time pilot. A lot of companies will accept transition training or time in a similar Zenith aircraft such as the 750 STOL.
John
N750A
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