Which Zenith Model makes the Best Amphibious Float Plane? - Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers2024-03-29T08:13:34Zhttps://zenith.aero/forum/topics/which-model-makes-the-best-amphipious-float-plane?commentId=2606393%3AComment%3A532705&feed=yes&xn_auth=noNow that the Super Duty is ou…tag:zenith.aero,2019-11-18:2606393:Comment:7006422019-11-18T23:06:32.018Zbud smithhttps://zenith.aero/profile/budsmith
<p>Now that the Super Duty is out, has bigger gross and 180HP+ lycoming, could be the best overall. Thoughts?</p>
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<p>Now that the Super Duty is out, has bigger gross and 180HP+ lycoming, could be the best overall. Thoughts?</p>
<p></p> Hi Bud! my CH 750 is about 8…tag:zenith.aero,2016-11-04:2606393:Comment:5342642016-11-04T00:55:41.824ZFrank A Piszhttps://zenith.aero/profile/FrankAPisz
<p>Hi Bud! my CH 750 is about 85% completed. Rudder, Elevator, Stabilizer, Slats, Flaperons, Wings, Floats are completed and in racks. The fuselage (my second fuselage build, was not happy with the way the first one turned out, so I did it over) is completed to the point of putting the engine and instruments in, which I'm currently doing. I don't have an on-line blog, but will send pictures if desired. I am located in Lakeway, Texas which is a suburb of Austin Texas. </p>
<p>Hi Bud! my CH 750 is about 85% completed. Rudder, Elevator, Stabilizer, Slats, Flaperons, Wings, Floats are completed and in racks. The fuselage (my second fuselage build, was not happy with the way the first one turned out, so I did it over) is completed to the point of putting the engine and instruments in, which I'm currently doing. I don't have an on-line blog, but will send pictures if desired. I am located in Lakeway, Texas which is a suburb of Austin Texas. </p> Frank please update us on you…tag:zenith.aero,2016-11-01:2606393:Comment:5335402016-11-01T11:11:04.924Zbud smithhttps://zenith.aero/profile/budsmith
<p>Frank please update us on your build progress. do you have an on line log. where are you located?</p>
<p>Frank please update us on your build progress. do you have an on line log. where are you located?</p> You guys are the best. Great…tag:zenith.aero,2016-10-31:2606393:Comment:5335052016-10-31T21:58:25.441Zbud smithhttps://zenith.aero/profile/budsmith
<p>You guys are the best. Great responses and really appreciate your experience. </p>
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<p>BTW, I'm not a float pilot yet, but really want to be. I love aluminum and rivet kit planes, Looking forward to the next build, hoping to meet some of you at Sebring and/or Lakeland. I can't remember seeing any of the Zenith's on floats in person. </p>
<p>You guys are the best. Great responses and really appreciate your experience. </p>
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<p>BTW, I'm not a float pilot yet, but really want to be. I love aluminum and rivet kit planes, Looking forward to the next build, hoping to meet some of you at Sebring and/or Lakeland. I can't remember seeing any of the Zenith's on floats in person. </p> Great answers as always... BU…tag:zenith.aero,2016-10-27:2606393:Comment:5329682016-10-27T09:16:54.810ZJonathan Porterhttps://zenith.aero/profile/JonathanPorter
<p>Great answers as always... BUT remember, float operations are as much about pilot skills as plane performance....</p>
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<p>Any airframes with enough power and floats will fly... but always be much better with the right rigging, powerplant, pilot training, etc...</p>
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<p>Choose your mission, choose your airframe, choose your engine... make it a reality! </p>
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<p>Great answers as always... BUT remember, float operations are as much about pilot skills as plane performance....</p>
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<p>Any airframes with enough power and floats will fly... but always be much better with the right rigging, powerplant, pilot training, etc...</p>
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<p>Choose your mission, choose your airframe, choose your engine... make it a reality! </p>
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<p></p> Bud, the responses so far are…tag:zenith.aero,2016-10-26:2606393:Comment:5327052016-10-26T22:21:02.857ZRich M Wardhttps://zenith.aero/profile/RichMWard
<p>Bud, the responses so far are good, true and realistic. The 701 STOL is the lightweight. The 750 is the STOL compromise for LSA. The 801 is the true STOL hauler. The Cruzer is what it is. The 601 is the long ranger. Getting up and out quickly demands a flight envelope that is fundamentally at odds to going fast and far. Build your plane for your mission. Ask all the questions you have. </p>
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<p>Bud, the responses so far are good, true and realistic. The 701 STOL is the lightweight. The 750 is the STOL compromise for LSA. The 801 is the true STOL hauler. The Cruzer is what it is. The 601 is the long ranger. Getting up and out quickly demands a flight envelope that is fundamentally at odds to going fast and far. Build your plane for your mission. Ask all the questions you have. </p>
<p></p> You could always take the ext…tag:zenith.aero,2016-10-26:2606393:Comment:5326462016-10-26T14:23:02.400ZScott Ehnihttps://zenith.aero/profile/ScottEhni
<p>You could always take the extremely experimental option like we did. With flush bucked rivets/wet wings/strut faring and a lot of other thing incorporated into our 701's we were able to keep the weight to 612 lbs on wheels and with a UL350IS on the front we fly 78 knots at 2600 rpm on 5.5 gph. We should finish the floats this winter and have the power reserve to fly the same speed with the floats installed. At least I hope so as we intend to fly from Texas to Alaska and back with them.</p>
<p>You could always take the extremely experimental option like we did. With flush bucked rivets/wet wings/strut faring and a lot of other thing incorporated into our 701's we were able to keep the weight to 612 lbs on wheels and with a UL350IS on the front we fly 78 knots at 2600 rpm on 5.5 gph. We should finish the floats this winter and have the power reserve to fly the same speed with the floats installed. At least I hope so as we intend to fly from Texas to Alaska and back with them.</p> Bob: I'm with you on thi…tag:zenith.aero,2016-10-26:2606393:Comment:5324352016-10-26T03:22:12.282ZBrian Fitzpatrickhttps://zenith.aero/profile/BrianFitzpatrick
<p>Bob: I'm with you on this airplane quiz regarding apples vs. oranges.Picking a big enough pond to match the airplane's float performance is the trick before doing a splash down.</p>
<p>Only once, or ok maybe a few times I was counting the seconds to clear the trees at the shoreline while flying various aircraft.</p>
<p>I have been rassling with what type of wing I should build for my modified 750 which will live mostly on floats. Finally settled on a boring no frills, no slats,…</p>
<p>Bob: I'm with you on this airplane quiz regarding apples vs. oranges.Picking a big enough pond to match the airplane's float performance is the trick before doing a splash down.</p>
<p>Only once, or ok maybe a few times I was counting the seconds to clear the trees at the shoreline while flying various aircraft.</p>
<p>I have been rassling with what type of wing I should build for my modified 750 which will live mostly on floats. Finally settled on a boring no frills, no slats, Sportsman type cuff, same chord, span and area as the 801. The 200 horse turbo Honda will be appreciated but the pondage calculations still apply.</p>
<p>There will be times that wheels or skis will be installed and I expect the takeoff performance will be hair straight back.</p>
<p>Should be flying by this time next year.</p> Good point phillip but 180HP…tag:zenith.aero,2016-10-26:2606393:Comment:5326142016-10-26T01:36:53.264ZJohn Joneshttps://zenith.aero/profile/JohnJones
Good point phillip but 180HP will get a C-172 on amphibs in the air in a hurry too! But without the payload available.
Good point phillip but 180HP will get a C-172 on amphibs in the air in a hurry too! But without the payload available. Right on the money Bob. The C…tag:zenith.aero,2016-10-26:2606393:Comment:5323322016-10-26T00:00:24.014ZBob McDonaldhttps://zenith.aero/profile/BobMcDonald
<p>Right on the money Bob. The CH701 is better than the CH750 simply by virtue of a lighter airframe. My "experienced" vote on available Zenith products as a float plane goes to the CH701.</p>
<p>Right on the money Bob. The CH701 is better than the CH750 simply by virtue of a lighter airframe. My "experienced" vote on available Zenith products as a float plane goes to the CH701.</p>