EAA staff Zenith 750 project

[Green Goggles]

I was thrilled when I saw EAA staff would be building a CH 750. That airplane is at the top of my "to do" list. This is great! I will be anxiously awaiting each update, both here and in the magazines.

One question:
How/why did EAA decide which airplane to construct?
I am curious how the selection process worked and what qualities made the CH 750 win-out over all others.

Edit: Reviewing the first post, I see the aircraft was a donation. Cool, even better.

[Chad Jensen]

Hey Green,

Beyond the donation of a kit, we were looking at building an ELSA to eliminate choices among a group of builders, but still get the full build experience. That left two choices, Zenith 750 and RV-12 as they have SLSA versions. While Van's made an attractive offer, the 750 was donated, and that's how we ended up with it. Both are fantastic airplanes, and the choice would have come down to a vote of preference between low and high wing I think if both offered donations.

Thanks for checking in! We build again tonight!

[DanP]

This is great. I will be following the progress.

[Chad Jensen]

We've had a few build sessions since the launch party, and the tail group is coming along nicely! I've had a few new faces at each session so the total count of staff involved is now well over 20. Last night we finished the initial drilling on the horizontal stabilizer, and worked on a few smaller pieces of the elevator.









Saturday we should be riveting the HS together!

[RV8505]

We've had a few build sessions since the launch party, and the tail group is coming along nicely! I've had a few new faces at each session so the total count of staff involved is now well over 20. Last night we finished the initial drilling on the horizontal stabilizer, and worked on a few smaller pieces of the elevator.









Saturday we should be riveting the HS together!

Don't forget the weber grill and the fridge to help keep it fun!

[Frank Giger]

Special thanks to Sebastian and Zenith Aircraft for the generous donation of the 750 to EAA for us to build, and eventually put in to the EAA Employee flying club!

There is no such thing as a free puppy or airplanes.



Is there going to be a drawing on who gets the repairman's license?

(fantastic program - nothing demonstrates that the core function of the organization is still a core function of the organization to the membership and others)

[Chad Jensen]

There is no such thing as a free puppy or airplanes.



Is there going to be a drawing on who gets the repairman's license?

(fantastic program - nothing demonstrates that the core function of the organization is still a core function of the organization to the membership and others)

Thanks Frank! Since we are building ELSA, we won't apply for a repairman certificate (go through the course), and it will be maintained by the great folks at EAA's Weeks hangar.

[malexander]

Thanks Frank! Since we are building ELSA, we won't apply for a repairman certificate (go through the course), and it will be maintained by the great folks at EAA's Weeks hangar.

Think you can find an A&P somewhere?

[Floatsflyer]

Hey Green,

Beyond the donation of a kit, we were looking at building an ELSA to eliminate choices among a group of builders, but still get the full build experience. That left two choices, Zenith 750 and RV-12 as they have SLSA versions. While Van's made an attractive offer, the 750 was donated, and that's how we ended up with it.

As a non-builder I am, however, very intersted in following your build progress because I find the entire process intriguing. I wish all of those involved the best of luck and the most fun as you move towards completion.


Chad, can you clear up possible confusion re your comment about the RV-12 as S-LSA. Vans does not build any factory ready to fly aircraft. The RV-12 is intended to be licensed as ELSA and is also eligible for registration as E-AB. Van's received S-LSA approval for the prototype but no factory built version is or was meant to be available.

[Chad Jensen]

As a non-builder I am, however, very intersted in following your build progress because I find the entire process intriguing. I wish all of those involved the best of luck and the most fun as you move towards completion.


Chad, can you clear up possible confusion re your comment about the RV-12 as S-LSA. Vans does not build any factory ready to fly aircraft. The RV-12 is intended to be licensed as ELSA and is also eligible for registration as E-AB. Van's received S-LSA approval for the prototype but no factory built version is or was meant to be available.

You are exactly correct. I didn't mean to imply that Van's sells SLSA RV-12, only that we were planning to build an ELSA approved airplane based on an SLSA design. Sorry about that.