Photograph:
First Australian Zenair CH-640 VH-UPS (c/n 640-0035) at Camden, NSW in October 2014 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Canada
Description:
Light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 130 kw (180 hp) Lycoming O-360 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 9.6 m (31 ft 6 in)
- Length: 7.01 m (23 ft)
- Height: 2.24 m (7 ft 4 in)
- Wing area: 14 m² (150 sq ft)
- Never exceed speed: 282 km/h (175 mph)
- Max speed: 257 km/h (160 mph)
- Cruising speed: 241 km/h (150 mph)
- Stalling speed flaps down: 76 km/h (47 mph)
- Rate of climb: 290 m/min (950 ft/min)
- Range: 821 km (443 miles)
- Fuel capacity [standard]: 140 litres (32 Imp gals)
- Fuel capacity[optional]: 170 litres (38 Imp gals)
- Empty weight: 520 kg (1,147 lb)
- Loaded weight: 998 kg (2,200 lb)
History:
The Zenair CH-640 was designed by Christopher Heintz and placed in production by his company, Zenair, in Canada in kit form. It was developed from the two-seat Zenair CH-2000. It had increased span of the wings and stabilator, and was re-designed to take engines in the 112 kw to 179 kw (150 hp to 240 hp) range. It was designed to meet a requirement of carrying four persons (two plus two) on cross-country flights with persons sitting in each seat and enough fuel to travel a fair distance. It was normally fitted with a tricycle undercarriage and most examples built have had the Lycoming O-360 engine installed. Construction was of 6061-T6 aluminium, the wing being of cantilever structure equipped with flaps.
A few examples of the kit have been imported to Australia, one of the first completed being by Robert Herring of Custom Aircraft of Mildura, VIC, this aircraft having a Lycoming O-360 engine. First example registered became VH-UPS (c/n 640-0035) to P Tridgell Pty Ltd of Kenthurst, NSW. A second CH-640 became VH-YZX (c/n 0029) on 3 March 2016 to Skyview Aviation Pty Ltd of Wondunna, QLD.
A military variant of the CH-640 was produced by AMD as the CH-2000 Alarus, manufactured by the Aircraft Manufacturing & Design Company of Eastman, Georgia, USA. This company produced two variants, one being a two-seater for general aviation and a variant for Military Tactical Surveillance. Whereas the CH-640 was a four-seat variant (two adults and two children) for the homebuilt general aviation market, the CH-2000 was a two-seat model, the first military operator being the Iraqi Air Force, which obtained a fleet of 16 which entered service with the 70th Reconnaissance Squadron operating alongside two Australian-designed Seabird Seekers. Six also Have seen service with the Peruvian Air Force, these being built under licence by SEMAN.