A fellow nearby where I live has a Zenith 701 for sale. It's a mile from my house on a grass strip and the idea of fun cheap grass trip flying is tempting me. The owner of the strip says he doesn't want any more planes there ( or I'd already have bought a cub), but he'd let me continue to fly this 701 if I buy it. So the deal is the builder finished it a couple years ago but is in his mid 70s and no longer able to get in easily and fly it. I don't know much about experimentals. He hasn't completed the 40 hrs that must be flown after building. The engine is a Jabiru 3300. He says it runs and flys beautifully. Many build upgrades including better landing gear and brakes. He's asking $36k which includes all the tools. Can anyone shed any light on this? I am going to watch him fly it tomorrow. Any questions I should ask about the build? How would I get signed off on an experimental?
Thanks
Guy

guy,
these things literally jump off the ground, i would look seriously at doing this deal if you wanted local fun flying on the cheap-go for it.
gary

If the 40 hrs hasn't been flown off yet you might be able to get listed as the builder. In that case you get a repairman's certificate for that particular air frame. In short you have full A&P privileges for your air frame.

Watch the CHTs. A friend had a hard time getting them to stay reasonable. Also make sure the carb is good and secure. My friend lost his due to the carb literally falling off the engine.. Just a few scrapes, but the aircraft was totaled.

Super fun airplanes for low and slow...

Thanks for all the replies. He carb is actually an upgraded throttle body unit system. The builder told me he DID have problems with CHTs initially but with creative ducting and cowl leuvers the temps were controlled. Does the price seem reasonable?

Piper Cub

Not the person to confirm, but do find the zenith forums on the Internet. My friend got a lot of good ideas there.

Agreed, or a Citabria or PA20. Better plane with a better engine, certified with known build quality and resellable for less money. No brainer...

The Jaberu 3300 is a Australian type certificated engine that I believe lists for around $25,000.oo USD (Check that). They are used in some type certificated aircraft and were grounded for some problems.

A friend bought one used for around $12,000 only run a few times and put it into his Sonex. The Sonex had the 4 cylinder Jabaru, (that was not subject to the grounding) and installed the 3300. The plane now runs like a scared rabbit.

Been to the Zenith factory and seen planes in all sorts of phases. Very nicely engineered. Simple strong and effective.. Have not flown in one, but they are great short field hoppers. You could not build your own for anywhere near that price.

Every now and then I dream about flying a zenith again! With doors off you will win every flour drop contest there is. Lots of fun to fly, I used to land with power to keep air over the highly cambered tail. Didn't want to bend the firewall on my buddies airplane.

I had the owner run the engine up and fast taxi it today. It had old gas do he didn't want to take off today. Engine sounded smooth and revved freely. At idle 1 or 2 cylinders crept up to about 310 degrees. I'm told you want them below 325. Owner knows it's a weak area of that engine. He said as long as I don't fly on a 95 degree day it should be ok. My other concern is how do I safely learn how to fly it? He can't instruct me because he only has 35 hours on the engine.

I'm going to go against the grain here and say "don't touch it with a ten foot pole". If memory serves, the Zenith is constructed almost completely with blind rivets. There's no way I would rather have this than a J-3 or a Champ, which you could for the same money. I think going forward your investment and your derriere will both be safer in the classics.

I've flown the 750 quite a bit. My problem with them is the oil canning; it's like a megaphone and you sit in the bell. The side panels are flat and there is no problem with Avex type rivets. It is the easiest airplane to enter and exit I've ever known but the doors can be a problem if not well constructed they could depart. Another negative is that the nose wheel acts like an additional rudder. I certainly would go fly it and check it out for myself and see if you like it. Experimental stuff like this is really fun.

You wouldn't be near Arkansas would you? I could give my friend a call. The only down side is he has the insurance pay-off and is looking to buy ...

But he is quite honorable. Just lives in central Arkansas...