I started my build last July by purchasing a completed 750 STOL fuselage, wings and drawings from another builder.  I talked to Roger at Zenith about my project, and he recommended that I go to Buzz Aviation and fly their 750 STOL. I then went to Buzz Aviation and flew in their 750 STOL airplane and quickly decided that I really wanted a cruiser and not a STOL airplane.  Not long after this, I purchased another builders 750 Cruiser drawings, rudder and empennage kit which allows me to build and register my plane as a Cruiser. I also purchased a used 0-320 engine that I planned to use as my power plant, but I am still looking at engine options. Last fall, I attended a Corvair college and also talked in detail and flew with Jan in the Viking SD. At this point, I'm trying to move a direction and get the plane finished.

I am seeking the following pieces:

750 Cruiser nose ribs and leading edge skins. 

750 Cruiser vertical fin. 

750 steel fuselage cage.

750 adjustable seats. 

750 tundra tires. 

750 large nose fork. 

750 new style doors. 

750 windshield. 

750 wing struts. 

750 jury struts. 

0-320 engine mount. 

0-320 prop. 

0-320 engine cowling. 

0-320 exhaust.

VIKING 130 FWF???

Contact Mark Schleier at 

mssmaster1@gmail.com

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What made you decide to change to the cruiser?

 The reason that I have decided to rebuild my wings to the cruiser airfoil is all about the flight envelope.  The 750 STOL that Buzz Aviation has and trains in has a 100 hp Continental engine that produces a cruise speed of about 80 mph. When I flew the airplane, it reminded me of flying my ultralight back in the early 90s.  There  is no gliding on final for landing. Landing requires 75 to 80% power if you’re flying in a traditional airport pattern. All maneuvers required a lot of power.  The 750 STOL with its leading edge devices and upside down elevator airfoil is a very high drag airplane.  When I removed power back to idle, the airplane would drop out of the sky which is great if you’re a bush pilot and attempting to land on a postage stamp. At full power and level flight I could not get the airplane above 80 mph with 100% engine power for a cruise. The cruiser on the other hand is much more aerodynamic yet  it still provides a very short  take off and landing. Many of the people I talk to that have 130 to 160 hp engines in their Cruisers are achieving 122 -140 mph cruise speeds. So,  it really comes down to the type of flying that you’re wanting to do. 

That makes a lot of sense. I am looking at kits and trying to decide if I really want a STOL or not. Being from the SOuthEast I just don’t see a lot of opportunity for the backcountry capabilities. Glad you had a chance to test real world numbers.

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