Zenair STOL CH-750

DOUG”S ZENITH CH750 BUILD

Tom Curski and Doug drove to Mexico, MO to pick up the complete kit October 2010. By the time the plane was done and ready for first flight 42 builders had a hand in its construction. First flight of “Spiorad” (“Spirit” in Gaelic) was 8/19/12, total cost of parts and tools was about $70,000. She was flown from KCMX and from an 800 foot grass strip in Dodgeville and flew like a dream for 90 hours with great STOL behavior behind a Jabiru 3300 120 hp engine. On 7/13/14 Doug took off twice in a 30 mph wind down the runway, 3rd takeoff the wind veered 60 degrees and blew the plane into the trees. A wild cartwheel and upside down crash was harder on the plane than on Doug. Doug and wife Lisa drove to Mexico, MO 10/31/14 to pick up the parts to replace the fuselage, wings and elevator, the engine was repaired in Minneapolis. This time with fewer helpers “Spiorad !!” made its first flight 7/14/17. Doug picked up the amphibious float kit in Canada 2 weeks before the crash, is finishing the floats in his basement, target first flight of the seaplane summer 2018.