Photograph:
Zenair STOL CH-701 19-4017 (c/n 7-4302) at Watts Bridge, QLD in August 2010 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Canada
Description:
Two-seat light sport and touring aircraft
Power Plant:
One 63 kw (85 hp) Rotax 912 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed liquid-and-air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 8.23 m (27 ft)
- Length: 6.38 m (20 ft 11 in)
- Height: 2.6 m (8 ft 7 in)
- Wing area: 11.33 m² (122 sq ft)
- Max speed: 137 km/h (85 mph)
- Cruising speed: 129 km/h (80 mph)
- Stalling speed: 55 m/h (34 mph)
- Rate of climb: 335 m/min (1,100 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 4,267 m (14,000 ft)
- Range: 599 km (372 miles)
- Take-off run: 18 m (60 ft)
- Landing run: 24 m (80 ft)
- Endurance: 4.6 hours
- Empty weight: 263 kg (580 lb)
- Useful load: 236 kg (520 lb)
- Loaded weight: 500 kg (1,100 lb)
History:
One of a series of designs developed by Zenair Ltd in Canada, the CH-701, which was first flown in 1986, could be obtained in kit form. More than 500 examples have been completed around the world. Normally fitted with a tricycle undercarriage, the CH-701 could also be fitted with floats, in which form it usually had the 60 kw (80 hp) Rotax 912 engine installed.
This model was developed as an ‘off-airport’ short take-off and landing kit aircraft to fulfil the requirements of both sports pilots and first-time builders. To achieve STOL performance, full-span leading-edge slats were installed to near constant chord wings, and Junkers type flaperons. An agricultural variant was available with a Micro AG spraying and dusting system. Fuel capacity was 42 litres (9.2 Imp gals).
Zenair advertised that short-field performance was where the CH-701 excelled, being airborne in less than 37 m (120 ft) on unprepared grass, or 27 m (90 ft) on a hard surface at gross weight. “Rotation is possible by the time full throttle setting is applied, and lift off can begin at 40 km/h (25 mph) [in ground effect with no wind] within less than four seconds from stand still.” Most are operated from short off-airport grass fields, the all-metal construction making the type suitable for continuous outdoor storage.
Examples have been used for missionary and utility work in third-world countries, as well as cattle herding, fence patrolling and crop dusting.
A variety of engines could be installed in the range from 37 kw (50 hp) to 75 kw (100 hp), including the 37 kw (50 hp) Rotax 503, 48 kw (64 hp) Rotax 532, 48 kw (65 hp) to 67 kw (90 hp) Continentals, or a 52 kw (70 hp) Volkswagen conversion. Tundra tyres have been fitted for rough-field operations.
A small number of kits has been imported to this region, one of the first to be completed being ZK-LOK (c/n 73538) fitted with a Rotax 912 engine. A number have been registered under RAA Regulations in Australia.