Short Take Off Turbo Zenith 801, Piper Super Cub, Cessna 172

September 11, 2010


Short take offs are difficult in high density altitudes. All three planes used flaps. It would be fun to see the same planes at or near see level on a cool day. Zenith Ch 801 Turbo, Piper Super Cub, Cessna Skyhawk 172.

Comments

20 Responses to “Short Take Off Turbo Zenith 801, Piper Super Cub, Cessna 172”

  1. Mushkill666 on September 11th, 2010 1:47 am

    you think the 172 won? lol

  2. mrsmelzbad on September 11th, 2010 2:27 am

    60 gals of fuel?, damn, I could really get into trouble!.. gonna research this craft. Pilot buddy (airline Capt & bush-pilot) says I should get a 170 w/flaps to start on. Cuz they are cheap, BUT the zenith looks like the ticket. Ive been a mechanic for 30 years so projects dont scare me…Im just a fledgling pilot, but my Capt friend has been a good teacher, been yelling at me for over 10 years now! trys to scare me, but doesnt anymore….haha Thanks

  3. 801pilot on September 11th, 2010 3:26 am

    @mrsmelzbad
    The Zenith is half the price as a new cub…. BUT you have to build the Zenith, so you have to ask yourself what your time is worth. In the end we were very happy with our decision. We got 4 seats instead of 2, 60 gallons of gas, an all glass panel, and the joy and pride of having built it as a family. We love it!

  4. 801pilot on September 11th, 2010 3:28 am

    @state8citizen
    We weren’t trying to make the 172 look bad, just doing a real world comparison. I also own a 172 and two of my boys are learning to fly in it. It is a GREAT trainer. But as a short field, high altitude airplane, that’s just not what it’s built for.

  5. state8citizen on September 11th, 2010 4:23 am

    sorry…172.
    I agree he could have pulled up sooner but not for this anti-172 vid.

  6. state8citizen on September 11th, 2010 5:03 am

    All I can say for the 180 is ..Hahahahahahahahahahahahaahha-hahhh but that must have been the point of this video otherwise what the hell was that plane doing in it?

  7. mrsmelzbad on September 11th, 2010 5:17 am

    which costs more, zenith or cub?… In all fairness that zenith was turboed? the cub not. Ive seen super-cubs launch in the AK bush after 40-50 ft….. looks like a fine bush plane!

  8. farmerfranck on September 11th, 2010 5:43 am

    LOL in the distance it took the Cessna to be off the ground, the 801 would have already reached it’s cruising altitude!

  9. 801pilot on September 11th, 2010 6:33 am

    38 inch map gives 220 HP for takeoff, 30 inch map gives 180 HP max continuos

  10. jessehart05 on September 11th, 2010 6:53 am

    Do you have an estimated horse power for your plane?

  11. paxtonsmith on September 11th, 2010 7:14 am

    what was the last one? that was a really short take off

  12. fxdwings on September 11th, 2010 7:49 am

    Amazing

  13. Geistero on September 11th, 2010 8:41 am

    Do you mean in general? Or Zenith is fully loaded and with four people on this video?

  14. biscuitpusher on September 11th, 2010 9:02 am

    It all goes to prove just what a fine aircraft the Zenith is. My brother’s wildlife research team used one for game counting in national parks in Africa a few years ago. As the video proves, a Zenith can take off and land nearly anywhere.

  15. 801pilot on September 11th, 2010 9:06 am

    I agree, he was full power and had some flaps in but certainly he could have pulled up a little sooner. Still the same, at these density altitudes, EVERYONE is using twice the runway they would at lower elevations. My wifes 180hp 172 used over 2000 feet of runway and can only climb at 350fpm with just two people in it on hot days from this airport.

  16. 801pilot on September 11th, 2010 9:41 am

    With all respect I wish to clarify for those who are not familiar with the Zenith 801. I would hate for anyone to read your comment and assume you where referring to the Zenith. The Zenith 801 also carries FOUR people AND full fuel and baggage, only the super-cub has just two seats.

  17. biscuitpusher on September 11th, 2010 10:26 am

    Great video but it’s a Cessna 182 not a 172; it wasn’t doing a short takeoff here but it can do a short takeoff carrying FOUR people not 2 AND full fuel and baggage. I know ‘cos I’ve done this! But all of them are superb aircraft.

  18. Timberns on September 11th, 2010 11:16 am

    …Except the 172 wasn’t doing a short field take off….

  19. 801pilot on September 11th, 2010 11:42 am

    All planes where filmed same day one after the other. Winds light and variable.

  20. stolflyer on September 11th, 2010 11:58 am

    Great video! That’s a great comparison (unless you’re the cessna 172!)

Got something to say?