Viking Powered Zenith 750 Cruzer

scroll through a few of our customers’ builds and completions. Maybe it will help give you inspiration for your own build.

With over 900 Viking engines in Zenith aircraft, this is not our first rodeo. It is our most widely used application with proven results, astonishing numbers for performance, which is escalated even more with the variable/constant speed propeller now offered. If you want maximum performance, you came to the right place with a plug and play system tested over the past decade. We have built over 6 Zenith aircraft, fly them all over the country and know the ins and outs of the aircraft, so much so we did the Zenith Aircraft Superduty prototype! We will help you every step of the engine installation (even if you need us to install it), and even through your aircraft build.

David Tillema - Viking 130 with variable pitch prop - Zenith 750 Cruzer

MY ✌️ CENTS 🤓.....

Why choose a Viking engine vs ….. any other
Customer support: Nobody touches this team. Virtually 24x7 replies. Have an emergency? No other company stocks parts ,and full engines, and can ship the next day. Downtime is only limited usually by shipping company.
Reliability: I can only speak for the Honda 130 system. I have 325 hrs. on this engine in aprox 16 months. In that time I have changed the oils and belts, adj the valves ( I was bored, they were fine), and swapped propellers systems. The engine is so reliable , I create work to do ..lol The engine has run flawlessly. ( unlike the Azalea aviation corvair broken crankshaft DRAMA). The engine starts just like a car. Smooth and quiet. Many compliments on its noise level. I have the confidence to fly down beaches, over water, long cross countries, and taking family and friends flying. I got caught in a torrential downpour on a trip. (lesson learned) I was virtually a boat, there was so much rain. The engine never stuttered.
How does it perform: I have tested and tested and still test everything I can about this engine and plane. The Honda 130. Revs up quick to 5800 rpm for take off . The torque puts you back in the cushion, Depending on prop setting, you are up in less than 250 feet ( current best 238, but I’m still cautious 😊)
Power: Flying solo, ya got a rocket, Flying two real adults? Ya still got a rocket, but a bit more mellow. Throw the adjustable VIP on there and you wont be concerned with short runways.
Economy: I can fly as low as 2.9 gph at 85to90mph or as high as 6.1 ( full max speed, not enjoyable with the Cruzer style) My cruise setting is burning 5.2 aprox at 4552 rpm , 1953 prop rpm. I have tested all altitudes and fuel burns vs mpg.118 tas at 5.2 to 5.3gph. But check this out.. I have also tested different fuels, not just premium as recommended. Now , I like to fly cheap as I can. So this is me testing , not Viking approved.
As long as you stay under 5200 feet D.A. , The engine performs normally with just regular auto fuel. Afterall, it’s a car engine. It operates in Colorado. 😊 Above 5200 feet it still runs great, but you can feel the loss of Hp as it adjusts.
If you are flying high , use premium. Low… well I fly a lot and a dollar adds up quick .
Long sustained climbs, steep descents…. The engine does it all. Not overheating , not supercooling. Ya get to enjoy the flight , not focused on mixture or temps.
I change my oil every 50 hrs. No issues. And NO LEAKS 😊
Viking Aviation has earned my support and I Highly recommend anyone on the fence to purchase this system, You will have ZERO regrets, And you can upgrade to the VIP for the same cost of a basic system from other dealers.

The engines on my list were the following.
Corvairs, Viking, Rotex, UL power.
High Turn key cost knocked the UL and the Rotex out in round one.
Round two was Corvair vs Viking.
At that time I thought I would enjoy building my own engine and knowing every detail inside of it. The knowledge was great, but the reality was disappointing. When my crankshaft broke and no replacement was in sight for months, I realized it was time to try fuel injected. The Viking 130 was the only direction my finances allowed me to consider. Now, I had been following Viking and Jan Eggenfellner, for years. The Viking looked very promising. So, I decided after speaking with other happy owners, to jump in. And I couldn't be happier ☺
I have Great efficiency, great cruise and top end speeds, and now with the Viking In-flight Prop (VIP) I also have great short field or heavy load climb capabilities. I have the Best of the Best in ALL categories.
I would enjoy doing some side by side comparisons with other Cruzers , in flight , to see how the performance matches up 🤓👍✈

Jon Fay - Viking 130 with variable pitch prop - Zenith 750 Cruzer

SEE HIS BLOG HERE

“We had the first clear weekend in a while. I got together with my friend and we flew our planes up to the Skagit river looking for some sand/gravel bars that were significantly shorter. I knew I could land my Viking 130 powered Big Tire in these shortened bars, and now I had the confidence that the Viking VIP prop could get me back up as well. After a low pass Arai decided it was too short for his Kitfox so I decided to make a second pass and get the feel for it. At short final committed and put it down. The brakes came in quite handy and necessary and proved why a nose wheel has advantages sometimes. I stopped her before getting my feet wet and stopped to take pictures while Ajai made a few more passes. I had landed this bar when it was 5 times longer, and I knew last time that I had taken a lot longer to get in the air than I had now with the Whirlwind and 23.5. This time the VIP at full fine I got airborne in less than half my rollout distance! Ajai said he was impressed with the total transformation the new prop had been in terms of takeoff distance and climb out. I ordered the DUC spinner for the prop and I was only running back plate yesterday so I don’t have final numbers yet, but it easily did over 1000 FPM all the way to 3500 cruise. First at 50 kts at 8.8 GPH then at 70 kts at 6 GPH.

Bill Fahey - Viking 130 with variable pitch prop - Zenith 750 Cruzer

Mark/Dean - Viking 130 VIP - Zenith 750 Cruzer

Jon Croke - Viking 130 - Zenith 750 Cruzer

Mike Hilderbrand - Viking 130 - Zenith Cruzer

Walter Tachiki - Viking 130 -Zenith 750 Cruzer

Mike Wilson - Viking 130 - Viking 130 - Viking 110 - Viking 110 - Zenith 701/650/750

“I may have made some unwise decisions over the years, but going with Viking was not one of them. I am the proud owner of two 130’s (750 Cruzer, 650) ”

— Mike

“First things first, as far as I am concerned the Viking 130 is the perfect engine for either of the Zenith 750 aircraft. I have four Viking engines, two 110, two 130’s. I bought the 110’s before the 130 was available . They are in 701’s. The two 130’s are on a 750 Cruzer and a 650. The Cruzer has the most time at around 400hours . Could not be more pleased. I also recommend getting the full FWF from Viking including the Header tank and Viking View EMS. The installation is straight forward.
Initially I picked the Viking engine because they are Honda based engines and they run and run. If you need any engine parts you can go the the Honda dealer. Way more less expensive than Rotax, Lycoming, Continental, and likely available off the shelf.
If for some remote reason you would need a replacement part from Viking they are the best people to work with.
I had some growing pains with the first 110 but with Viking’s prompt assistance those issues were resolved. The 130’s have performed extremely well with normal routine maintenance.
I have built the following Zenith’s CH601XL-B, 2 750 Cruzers , 2 CH701SP STOL, and a CH650-B, getting ready to help a friend with another 701 using his O-200 Continental from another plane. More of an adviser on this one other than hands on. My 80 + years are catching up with me. Still flying through.
”

— Mike