The ‘Built In A Week’ One Week Wonder Is Now Turned Loose To Carry A Passenger And Fly Anyplace At Will

When you certify a homebuilt airplane that doesn’t mean you’re all set to do anything and go anywhere. First, you must complete the phase 1 test flying required in the operating limitations. That’s exactly what the AirVenture 2014 One Week Wonder has just done.

During the week of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014, thousands of people had a hand in building EAA’s One Week Wonder Zenith CH 750 Cruzer. During the ensuing weeks a handful of pilots completed the required 40 hours of Phase I flight testing, beginning with the first flight by Jeff Skiles the day after the convention. Plans are now being made to fly the airplane to the 23rd annual Zenith Open Hangar Day and Fly-In set for September 19-20 in Mexico, Missouri.

According to an EAA press release, EAA staffers and others flew the Phase I hours, including Zenith builder Tracy Buttles, Roger Dubbert of Zenith Aircraft, and EAA staffers Andy Ovans, Charlie Becker, Kyle Voltz, and Tim Hoversten. Ovans also had the honor of flying the final Phase I hours and making the logbook entry.

“The whole idea was to show everyone how building your own airplane from a modern kit is within reach, that it’s fun, and that EAA has all the resources you need to help you along the way,” Charlie Becker wrote in the September issue of Sport Aviation. Mission accomplished.

Now all that remains to be done is paint, also a collaborative effort as EAA members first voted from among 10 original designs provided by Scheme Designers, then selected from the top three at the convention and blue was the winner. Becker says the airplane will be painted over the winter.

Becker will fly the airplane to Missouri later this month for the Zenith event and will also conduct a presentation about the One Week Wonder Project.

(Image provided by EAA is of Andy Ovans signing the airplane log to complete the phase 1 testing)

FMI: www.eaa.org www.zenithair.com