By Joseph Millette, EAA 1382789
This piece originally ran in the September 2026 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine.
Some aircraft are built in hangars. Others are built in the heart long before the first rivet is set. For me, the L750 Cricket isn’t just a Zenith CH 750 Cruzer — it’s a tribute to a father’s dream, a pilot’s journey, and the community that carried me through the final mile.
My father always dreamed of becoming a pilot, but life never gave him the chance. Instead, he poured that passion into remote‑control airplanes — meticulously building and flying them with the same dedication as any aviator. He passed that love on to me, unknowingly setting the course for my future. That early spark led me into a career in uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), flying large, unmanned aircraft in support of military operations in Iraq, Israel, and Afghanistan. Aviation shaped my life, and eventually I earned my private and commercial certificates and my instrument and multiengine ratings. But one dream remained: to build an airplane with my own hands.
With the unwavering support of my incredible wife, I began the journey to build a Zenith CH 750 Cruzer. I chose the Cruzer for its builder‑friendly design, modular construction, and the strong support of the EAA community. From the first rivet to the final assembly, every step was an act of dedication — to my family, my father, and a dream deferred by a generation.
Like many builders, I started with the rudder kit in 2020. I planned to complete the entire aircraft myself, but the wiring became a major roadblock. I enjoyed the metalwork, but the electrical side stalled me for nearly a year. Progress slowed, frustration grew, and the project sat untouched more often than I’d like to admit.
In 2023, before the build was complete, my father passed away. A Vietnam veteran who came home and pushed through the weight of his experiences, he became a devoted family man who shared his love of engineering and aviation with me. His absence cast a long shadow over the hangar. Grief made every rivet feel heavier than steel. The airplane stood 99 percent complete, but I stepped away for two years, convinced I might never return to it.
But the aviation community wouldn’t let me quit. Friends stepped in with tools, expertise, encouragement, and heart. They reignited my purpose and helped me carry the build across the finish line. To those who contributed — whether through donations or hands‑on labor — you know who you are. My father would be proud to call you friends, and so am I.
As the project neared completion, I began exploring color schemes inspired by World War II liaison aircraft like the L‑4 Grasshopper. I wanted the Cricket to carry a sense of nostalgia and history.
My wife added her own touch. She promised a vintage pin‑up style photo shoot once the aircraft was finished, channeling the spirit and elegance of 1940s aviation. True to her word, she dressed in full period attire, and the photos were stunning. They became a playful, heartfelt tribute to the era that inspired the Cricket’s look.
On Memorial Day 2025, the L750 Cricket lifted into the sky for the first time — with me at the controls. I changed the aircraft’s squadron and wing markings in honor of my father: the number “46” for his birth year, and the letter “D” for his first initial. In every flight, he is with me — etched into the skin of the airplane, flying where he always longed to be. The hum of the engine now joins the legacy of countless RC flights from my childhood, the camaraderie of friends who helped me finish the build, and the love that never left my side.
The airplane is powered by a 130-hp Viking Aircraft engine, and features a 10-inch GRT Sport display along with a GRT engine information system, an Aircraft Automation ECOPilot autopilot, a Garmin 175 IFR GPS, and a Trig 91 comm radio.
Building an aircraft isn’t just an engineering feat — it’s a personal evolution. The L750 Cricket is more than aluminum and avionics; it’s a vessel of memory, perseverance, and tribute. For anyone dreaming of building their own airplane, know this: It will take time, grit, and heart. But in return, it will give you a sky that’s yours forever. The airplane now has more than 108 hours on it and has completed its first cross-country trip to the Zenith Homecoming in 2025, and we’re excited about its first trip to Oshkosh for AirVenture.
Attention — Aircraft Builders and Restorers
We would love to share your story with your fellow EAA members in the pages of EAA Sport Aviation magazine, even if it’s a project that’s been completed for a while. Readers consistently rate the “What Our Members Are Building/Restoring” section of the magazine as one of their favorites, so don’t miss the chance to show off your handiwork and inspire your peers to start or complete projects of their own. Learn more ->