A Zenith STOL CH 701 on wheelsA Czech Aircraft Works-built CH 701AMD-built CH 750CH 750CH 750 instrument panelCH 701 TurbopropCH 701 Turboprop in flight
TheZenith STOL CH 701 andCH 750 are a family of light, two-placekit-builtSTOL aircraft designed by Canadian aeronautical engineerChris Heintz through hisMidland, Ontario, based company,Zenair. The CH 701 first flew in 1986 and the design is still in production.[1][2] The CH 750 was first introduced in 2008.[3] The CH 701 was later developed into the four-placeZenith STOL CH 801.[2][4]
The kit is produced and distributed in the US by theZenith Aircraft Company ofMexico, Missouri, and complete drawings, including blueprints and manuals, are also available for the design. In Europe, the CH 701 was manufactured under license byCzech Aircraft Works (CZAW) from 1992 until 2006, when the license agreement was ended.
Designed for off-runway operations, the all-metal CH 701 has many features that contribute to the aircraft's capabilities, such as a high-lift wing with full-span, non-movableleading edge slots, an all-flyingrudder, large tires,flaperons and an invertedelevator. Heintz also designed a unique tricycle gear amphibious float system for the CH 701.[4]
The STOL CH 701 has the unique distinction of being what is probably the most copied light aircraft in production today. Several dozen unauthorized versions have been produced around the world.[4][9]
Designed to the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association of Canada (LAMAC) design standard DS 10141, in its native country ofCanada the CH 701 can be built and flown as abasic ultralight,advanced ultralight or amateur-built.[10][11] The CH 701 can be flown undermicrolight or ultralight rules in several other countries also. American pilots may fly the CH 701 underLight-sport Aircraft rules or as an experimental amateur-built.[2] The CH 750 is designed to comply with the USLight sport aircraft rules.[3]
By the fall of 2007, 750 CH 701s had been completed and were flying.[2] In July 2014, representatives of the company gathered volunteers of the EAA Airventure airshow to build a CH-750 kit in a one-week timeframe.[12]
Original version. 960lbs gross and 10 gal header tank. steel spring gear and Rotax 503.[13]
STOL CH 701SP
Comes with two standard 10 U.S. gallons (38 L; 8.3 imp gal) wing tanks, solid aluminum spring gear. Smaller refinements to achieve a gross weight of 1100 lbs (500 kg).[14]
STOL CH 750
Introduced atAirVenture 2008, the STOL CH 750 has an enlarged cabin with wider doors and is optimized for USLight Sport Aircraft rules with a maximum takeoff weight of 1320 lbs (600 kg). Builders may also opt to register it for operation on water at 1430 lbs (650 kg) while remaining within the LSA limits, or as an experimental amateur-built aircraft up to 1440 lbs (655 kg.)[3][4] The STOL CH 750 was also to be factory-built byAMD as aSpecial Light Sport Aircraft but as of 2014 is listed by the FAA as no longer produced as an SLSA.[15]
CH750 Cruzer
CH 750 Cruzer
Introduced atSun 'n Fun 2013, the CH-750 Cruzer uses a new wing without the leading-edge slats of the STOL CH 750, and a newly designed tail with a separate vertical fin and rudder, rather than the all-flying rudder of the STOL version. The model is optimized for cross-country speed rather than STOL capabilities, although the specified 350 ft (107 m) ground roll of the Cruzer qualifies asSTOL by most definitions. It mountswheel pants as standard (although these may be removed and larger wheels installed) and the prototype is powered by a 130 hp (97 kW)ULPower UL350is fuel injected engine, although other engines in the 100–160 hp (75–119 kW) range can be used.[16][17][18]
STOL CH750 Super Duty
This model introduced greater carrying capacity and climb capabilities. It can be powered by engines with a range of 150 to 230 hp (112 to 172 kW), with the prototype powered by a 205 hp (153 kW)Aero Sport Power IO-375 powerplant, which gave a cruise speed of 105 mph (169 km/h) and a rate of climb of 1350 fpm (6.9 m/s). Gross weight is 1,900 lb (862 kg), with a typical empty weight of 1,100 lb (499 kg).[19]
Nuncats Sky jeep
Electric-powered derivative of CH 750, that was first flown in January 2023.[20][21][22]
