A few weeks ago at OSH 2017 Zenith Aircraft rolled out an interesting new larger model that features three seats, an IO-375 205 HP fuel injected engine, and a 33 ½ foot wing.







Compared to earlier Zeniths, the new model also sports a longer fuse, larger horizontal stab, and an increased Gross Weight/Empty Weight of 1900/1100 pounds. Called the CH-750 Super Duty, this new all metal tricycle plane in some ways resembles a “lite” version of a 180 HP Maule MXT-7 trike. Of course the MXT-7 sports four seats, a 2500 lb GW, and has about a foot longer fuse. Plus the Maule is probably a “lot” tougher with its metal cage fabric covered fuse and tail. It is of course also certified, cruises faster, and costs +++.

Still.

As an EAB, Zenith features new matched hole construction techniques to help lower building time, and the IO-375 with 205 HP makes things “interesting”. The third seat in the back is spacious, can store cargo, and can normally handle 200 pounds with proper W&B. The Super Duty’s 1900 GW is teamed up with a 162 square foot wing. Fully loaded, that gives Wing Loading and Power to Weight ratios of 11.72 lbs/sq ft and 9.26 lbs/hp. That maybe makes for a bumpy ride sometimes, but offers other advantages.

Granted the Super Duty is maybe not a great “all round plane” since its design seems so STOL oriented. A quick look at the "fat wing" wing tells you immediately it's STOL mission. No sleek broad performance Riblett design like on the Bearhawk. Not to compare apples to oranges, but a Bearhawk, Maule, 180/182 , or Rans S-21 Outbound is probably a better “ one plane does it all” platform, but for folks lucky enough to have, or eventually plan to have, two planes and can split their missions, the Zenith might be a cool option. For the STOL pilot that just likes to fly locally, or around the patch, the Super Duty might also be just the ticket.

Anyway, since no one had yet talked about the Zenith Super Duty, I thought it was worth a mention. It’s a relatively affordable plane to build, and I am hoping that old Zenith issues like oil canning of the fuse skins surely will have now been resolved. I get the impression that they took all their experiences from the 701, 750, and 801 designs, added the latest quick build techniques, and came out with their latest and greatest.

I know zip about float planes, but Zenith also offers a very affordable line of experimental straight floats/amphib floats. Whether or not the new Super Duty is a good platform for float operations I will leave for others to discuss. Aesthetically it’s not a Cirrus, but many folks are okay with the “sky jeep” look of the Zeniths. YMMV.

After a few beers all Zeniths begin to look good. Just kidding. I personally like them.

It’s always nice to have more STOL choices. Thank you Zenith.

Wait. So 100% of the instrumentation is on a table that you pass around?

Is there even an oil pressure light? Compass?

I recently had my first flight in one of the Zenith STOL's. I always thought they looked like a cool bird. It performed great! My only complaint is the loose aluminum skins. They vibrated in and out and made a ton of noise (especially in a slip). You'd think they could tighten up this skins with stringers or something... Anyway, nice to see them evolving the design!

Jim

jaudette wrote:I recently had my first flight in one of the Zenith STOL's. I always thought they looked like a cool bird. It performed great! My only complaint is the loose aluminum skins. They vibrated in and out and made a ton of noise (especially in a slip). You'd think they could tighten up this skins with stringers or something... Anyway, nice to see them evolving the design!

Jim

I've got a friend who owns a CH-750, and the "flapping" skin panels is the only thing he doesn't like about it. He was thinking of riveting on some L-shaped aluminum strips diagonally on the worst offenders. Then he flew alongside another CH-750, and realized that every single panel on the fuselage was doing it, and adding up the weight of the "stringers" and rivets was just enough that he would no longer be able to legally fly with his wife. He talked to the folks at the factory in Mexico, MO, and they said it was fine, no need to worry about it. So he just bought better headsets and shrugs it off.