Jon,
I really enjoyed your 701 homebuilt help videos. I just received my horizontal and rudder kit. Although the build seems pretty straight forward, I am uncertain about what not to rivet and the sequence. What is your estimate to release some 750 videos?
Thanks Ron
Well, I've taken several in-person looks at both the 701 and 801 over the last couple of years, at Oshkosh, Sun and Fun, and also locally here, a couple of guys around have them.
When details on the 750 were first released, I thought about it and came to the conclusion that the 701 was still for me. All I really plan to do with airplane is fly around locally with the dog, go camping from time to time (wife's not interested in camping), and take kids on afternoon rides. I had the idea that the 750 would probably be more complicated to build, and that going with the less complicated 701 might be better for non-mechanical me.
But--if the 750 really is that much easier to put together...hmm. Is the 750 really significantly bigger on the inside than the 701? There's great photos of the exterior on the Zenith website, but not that many interior photos. I have to admit that the 701 is a little cramped for me + camping gear + dog.
The dog's pretty small, granted (check my zenith.aero page for a photo) but we'll need a tent, sleeping bag, bits and pieces, and whatnot.
Hmm...it sure is something to think about.
I gather that you're making a set of videos for the 750 just as you have for the 701? No pressure but...I'd sure like to get your 750 videos before I decide.
In an effort to sell the idea of me getting a 701 to my wife, I've been *forcing* her to watch your homebuilt help videos. She likes your Wisconsin accent, it reminds her of home (she's from Milwaukee) and reminds me of her brother, who talks more like you than you do.
My thought is that part of why she's not all that keen on the idea is that she's afraid I won't be able to put it together and end up with a reasonably safe airplane to fly. I'm not really all that mechanical, admittedly.
She's ready to let me spend $40K on a reasonably good 152 or an ancient 172, but who wants an creaky old Pontiac when you could have a juicy little hotrod instead? For $40K, I could get the 701, a nice new rotax to put in it, some reasonable instruments, and a new sleeping bag for camping!
Seeing the videos helps her see that even I can do it. I think I've got her just about sold.
Hi, Jon; Wayne Bartlett here, I'm a big fan of your videos. I'm retired AF, teaching high school English here in Alabama as a second career.
I want a 701, and I'll build one pretty soon, but I'm wondering if I could ask you something about it performance wise?
How comfortable would you be approaching and landing on a typical rural high school football field? I guess there's no such thing as typical football field, but I mean a field that doesn't have a large stadium built around it but maybe just has some bleachers.
I've got an idea about something I could do if I had a 701.
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Custom instrument panels are now available directly from Zenith Aircraft Company exclusively for Zenith builders and owners. Pre-cut panel, Dynon and Garmin avionics, and more.
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Jon Croke's Comments
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I really enjoyed your 701 homebuilt help videos. I just received my horizontal and rudder kit. Although the build seems pretty straight forward, I am uncertain about what not to rivet and the sequence. What is your estimate to release some 750 videos?
Thanks Ron
have fun
Tracy
it was good seeing you at Sebring. Back to the great white north!
Juan
Well, I've taken several in-person looks at both the 701 and 801 over the last couple of years, at Oshkosh, Sun and Fun, and also locally here, a couple of guys around have them.
When details on the 750 were first released, I thought about it and came to the conclusion that the 701 was still for me. All I really plan to do with airplane is fly around locally with the dog, go camping from time to time (wife's not interested in camping), and take kids on afternoon rides. I had the idea that the 750 would probably be more complicated to build, and that going with the less complicated 701 might be better for non-mechanical me.
But--if the 750 really is that much easier to put together...hmm. Is the 750 really significantly bigger on the inside than the 701? There's great photos of the exterior on the Zenith website, but not that many interior photos. I have to admit that the 701 is a little cramped for me + camping gear + dog.
The dog's pretty small, granted (check my zenith.aero page for a photo) but we'll need a tent, sleeping bag, bits and pieces, and whatnot.
Hmm...it sure is something to think about.
I gather that you're making a set of videos for the 750 just as you have for the 701? No pressure but...I'd sure like to get your 750 videos before I decide.
Hmm....
Thanks!...Wayne
In an effort to sell the idea of me getting a 701 to my wife, I've been *forcing* her to watch your homebuilt help videos. She likes your Wisconsin accent, it reminds her of home (she's from Milwaukee) and reminds me of her brother, who talks more like you than you do.
My thought is that part of why she's not all that keen on the idea is that she's afraid I won't be able to put it together and end up with a reasonably safe airplane to fly. I'm not really all that mechanical, admittedly.
She's ready to let me spend $40K on a reasonably good 152 or an ancient 172, but who wants an creaky old Pontiac when you could have a juicy little hotrod instead? For $40K, I could get the 701, a nice new rotax to put in it, some reasonable instruments, and a new sleeping bag for camping!
Seeing the videos helps her see that even I can do it. I think I've got her just about sold.
Thanks!...Wayne
I want a 701, and I'll build one pretty soon, but I'm wondering if I could ask you something about it performance wise?
How comfortable would you be approaching and landing on a typical rural high school football field? I guess there's no such thing as typical football field, but I mean a field that doesn't have a large stadium built around it but maybe just has some bleachers.
I've got an idea about something I could do if I had a 701.
Thanks!...Wayne
Here is a new story on my plane, MS and me:
http://www.generalaviationnews.com/2008/12/news/overcoming-ms-and-fulfilling-dreams/#more-4351
I really like how this came out.
Tim Garrett
any chance you could share the story you did of me and my dad? I'm the guy you met at the spring Zenith fly-in with MS.
Thanks!
Tim Garrett
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Developed specifically for Zenith builders (by a builder) these videos on DVD are a great help in building your own kit plane by providing practical hands-on construction information. Visit HomebuiltHelp.com for the latest DVD titles.