johngilpin
Joined: 23 Mar 2011
Posts: 93
Location: 004
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 Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 11:58 pm Post subject: New 750 Cruiser?? |
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Hey guys, have a look about halfway down the page in this blog, in the section titled “Visit to Zenair”.
http://airdriebell.wordpress.com/
That’s a cleaned up 750 that Zenith has built and has been testing. No slats, long wing, streamlining over the cabin, and symmetrical horizontal stabilizer. Note that it also has a fixed vertical stabilizer, like the Savannah. It’ll be like a larger Savannah, which is just what’s needed. I reckon it’ll go really well! It’ll cruise faster for x-country, carry a good load, and still have enough STOL capability for real life short fields. Shouldn’t cost any more than the old 750, and even easier to build, so will be great value for the home-builder. I sure hope they follow through and put it in production!
Those are the same mods (except for the vert stab) that we’ve proven so well on Hans’ 701, and it goes great now! It’s going to prove itself in the next couple of weeks when we fly to Tasmania. When we last flew there in 2006, Hans still had slats on his 701, while I had just removed the slats from my Savannah. I had to throttle way back to stay with him on that trip. At the first fuel stop, my aircraft took a lot less fuel than his…. Hans was recording the numbers on the pump, and we first thought he’d made a mistake, but every fuel stop after was the same. Over the whole 50 hour trip I used $200 less fuel than he did.
As soon as we got home he removed his slats and lengthened his wings, and since then he’s also streamlined over the cabin and fitted a symmetrical horiz stab, and now we’re pretty much equal in performance.
We used to cruise at 5000rpm or less, but the Rotax experts are saying that it’s better for the engine at 5200rpm, so that’s how we’ll go on this trip. At that power we go 86kts (99mph) when the aircraft are light. When we’re fully loaded up to 545kg (1200lb) for travelling, that speed goes down to 80kts (92mph), at a fuel burn of 18 litres/hr (4.7usgal/hr). So that’s still 19.6 mpg, pretty good for such an aircraft at full load at that speed. With the original 701 slats and short wings, when Hans was loaded heavy, his fuel consumption was horrendous, but now it’s much improved. This time he’ll save more like $300 at today’s fuel prices.
Anyhow, I think all this experience indicates that this new 750 could be a really great cruising aircraft, just what’s needed I reckon. Once again, I sure hope they follow through and put it in production. Maybe need to lobby Zenith to push for that....
I spent last summer touring the western USA with a Kolb ultralight in a trailer, and flew from 48 airfields in 14 states.
See the story at http://www.tailwindsplease.com/
I found the USA to be just the greatest place for touring in light aircraft! Spectacular scenery in every direction, even better when seen from the air, as you can see! And lots of good little friendly airfields, most with pilot’s lounges, and many with courtesy cars, makes it so easy and convenient. I’m envious as heck for the opportunities that you have there…..
Tailwinds Always,
JG [quote][b]
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