Heintz designed the CH 50 Mini Zenith for his son Michael as a 12th grade school project. Michael built it in six months.

The STOL CH 801 was developed to provide maximum short-field performance while being easy to build and maintain. The STOL CH 801 is a four-seat sport utility kit aircraft based on the two-seat STOL CH 701.

The larger STOL CH 801 has been developed to expand the utility of the STOL CH 701 model by increasing the useful load from 500 lbs. (225 kg) to 1,000 lbs. (450 kg.) while retaining the original design’s short and rough field capability. While the two designs share many similarities in appearance, they actually do not share any airframe parts due to the significantly larger size of the STOL CH 801.

Built of all-metal construction, the STOL CH 801 is designed to provide the durability and ruggedness required of an “off-airport” bushplane with high-lift wing with slats and flaps, the kit (basic airframe) was $18,490, and $20,950 in 2002.

Engine: Subaru, 180 hp
Wing span: 9.4 m / 30 ft 10 in
Wing area: 15 sq.m
Length: 23 ft 2 in
MAUW: 920 kg
Empty weight: 460 kg
Fuel capacity: 150 lt
Max speed: 200 kph / 125 mph
Cruise speed: 175 kph / 110 mph
Minimum speed: 62 kph / 39 mph
Climb rate: 5.3 m/s
Take-off roll: 200 ft
Landing roll: 150 ft
Seats: 4
Fuel consumption: 30 lt/hr

Engine: Lycoming O-360-A, 180 hp
Prop: Sensenich 76-EM8-0-54 fixed
Engine range: 150 – 240 hp, 440lb
Length: 24 ft.6 in./ 7.5 m.
Height: 10 ft.0 in./ 3.0 m
Ultimate load: + 5.7, – 2.8g
Wing Span: 31 ft.4 in./ 9.55 m
Wing Area: 167 sq.ft./ 15.5 m.sq.
Wing Chord: 5 ft.3 in./ 1.6 m
Empty Weight: 1,150 lb./ 522 kg
Horizontal Tail Span: 10 ft.1 in./ 3.1 m
Gross Weight: 2,200 lb./ 1,000 kg
Horizontal Tail Area: 30 sq.ft./ 2.8 m.sq
Useful Load: 1,050 lb./ 478 kg
Fuel Cap (Std): 30 USG. (2 x 15)/ 112 lt (2 x 56)
Design Payload: 800 lb./ 360 kg.
Fuel Cap (Opt): 60 USG. (4 x 15)/ 224 lt (4 x 56)
Wing Loading: 13.2 lb /sq.ft /64.4 kg/m sq.ft.
Power Loading: 11.95 lb /hp / 5.44 kg/hp
Cabin Width: 44 in/112 cm.
Cabin Length: 78 in/198 cm
Max. Flap Speed: 80 mph/129 km/h
Max. Cruise: 120 mph/193 km/h
Vne: 150 mph/240 km/h
Take-Off Roll: 290-390 ft./ 88-119 m
Max Level Speed: 110 -112 mph/178-181 km/h
Cruise (75%, 7,000 ft.): 105 -106 mph/169-170 km/h
Stall (Flaps Dn): 35-39 mph/56-64 km/h
Stall (Flaps Up): 43-48 mph/69-77 km/h
Rate Of Climb: 720 -1,200 fpm/3.7 -6.1 m/s
Endurance (Std): 3.0 Hrs
Endurance (Opt): 6.0 Hrs.
Range (Std): 315 -320 sm/507 -515 km
Range (Opt): 630-640 sm/1015-1030 km.
Service Ceiling: 14,000 -16,000+ ft/4,267-4,875+ m.
Cockpit width: 44 in
Undercarriage: trigear

Based on the CH 701 the STOL CH 750 design incorporates the 701’s short-field capabilities, while maximizing cabin size and load carrying capability allowed under the FAA’s new Sport Pilot / Light Sport Aircraft category.
The STOL CH 750 aircraft was developed as an “off-airport” short take-off and landing kit aircraft to fulfill the demanding requirements of both sport pilots and first-time builders. The aircraft features fixed leading-edge slats for high lift, full-span flaperons (both ailerons and flaps), an all-flying rudder, and durable all-metal construction. The aircraft features many engine choices: Continental, Jabiru, Rotax, Corvair, and more, and full length flaperons and all-flying rudder

Engine: Continental O-200-A, 100 hp
Powerplant range: 80 – 125 hp, up to 300 lb.
Wing Span: 29 ft. 9 in/9.1 m
Height (Rudder Tip): 8 ft. 8 in/2.6 m.
Wing Area: 144 sq.ft./13.4 m.sq
Wing Chord: 4 ft. 10 in/1.5 m.
Length: 21 ft. 10 in/ 6.7 m
Horizontal Tail Span: 8 ft. 5 in/2.6 m
Wing Loading: 9.15 lb/ft.sq/44.8 m.sq
Horizontal Tail Area: 22.2 sq.ft/2.0 m.sq.
Empty Weight: 775 lb/350 kg
Gross Weight: 1,320 lb/600 kg.
Useful Load: 545 lb/250 kg
Power Loading: 13.2 lb/hp / 6.0 kg/hp
Load Factor (Ult): +6 G / -3g
Cabin Width (Shoulders): 42 in/100 cm.
Cabin Width(Opt): 50 in/1.27 m
Fuel Capacity (Std): 24 USG/90 lt
Take-Off Roll: 100 ft/30m
Landing Roll: 125 ft/38m
Max Cruise SL: 100 mph/162 kph
VNE : 125 mph/200 kph
Stall, Flaps Dn: 35 mph/56 kph
Rate of climb: 1,000 fpm/5.1 m/s
Service Ceiling: 14,000+ ft/ 4,200+ m
Std. Range: 400 sm/710 km.
Endurance: 5 Hrs

The STOL CH 701 aircraft was developed as an “off-airport” short take-off and landing kit aircraft for both sport pilots and first-time builders. It is designed to be providing maximum short-field performance while being easy to build and maintain, making in a true sport utility kit aircraft.
With the STOL CH 701, designer Chris Heintz combined the features and advantages of a “real” airplane with the short-field capabilities of an “ultralight” aircraft. The aircraft features fixed leading-edge slats for high lift, full-span flaperons (both ailerons and flaps), an all-flying rudder, and durable all-metal construction.
Simple systems, modern materials, and design ingenuity minimize required maintenance, and make the STOL CH 701 easy to build and fly, affordable, and very durable.
The STOL CH 701 uses a special airfoil design to achieve very high lift, low stall speeds, and high strength. A thick wing, full-length leading-edge slats and trailing edge ‘junker’ type flaperons develop a maximum wing lift while maintaining a short wing-span – for maximum strength and ground maneuverability.
The aircraft designs also feature an all-flying vertical tail (rudder) section for excellent effectiveness and control, especially at low speeds. This provides responsive rudder control, while also minimizing weight and complexity (there’s only one vertical tail section). Two rudder bearings bolt to the rear fuselage to fix the rudder to the fuselage.

The Zenith Zodiac CH-701 STOL is a two-seat, single-engine, all metal shoulder-wing microlight airplane with a fixed tricycle undercarriage with steerable nosewheel or tail wheel. The “SkyJeep,” with the heavy gear and tundra tires and all aluminium wings is a Ultralight Bush Plane with excellent short-field performance. With its slow flight capability the plane is an excellent observation platform. In 1985, Chris Heintz, founder and chief designer of Zenair, started the development of the Zenair STOL CH701 in a response to the need for a small but rugged airplane that could be fitted with wheels, skis and floats. The first Zenair CH701 s/n 73001, registered N701ZA, was introduced in 1986. Production deliveries started in 1987. In 1992, Heintz licensed the kit manufacturing and marketing rights to Zenith Aircraft Company for the Zodiac CH 601 and the STOL CH 701 designs. The Zenair CH-701 is nowadays manufactured in kit form by Zenith Aircraft Company, Mexico, Missouri in the USA. The STOL CH 701 kit aircraft may be built from component or complete kits, or even built from just the drawing and manuals. Building a STOL CH 701 from just the drawing and manuals lasts more time, skills, and tools, to build. Recommended power for the CH-701 is the four cylinder four stroke 80 HP Bombardier Rotax 912 UL engine, other alternative power units with a recommended power of 65 to 100 HP and up to 185 lbs. installed weight can be installed. Already over 500 CH-701 airframes are flying all around the world. The STOL CH701 design meets the definition of a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) for operation under the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category.

The STOL CH701 design meets the definition of a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) for operation under the FAA’s Sport Pilot / Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category. 2009 Price: 42000 US$
The two-seat, high wing aircraft has been fitted with the Spray Miser Ag System by Czech Aircraft Works which uses wind-driven rotary atomisers. This CH 701-AG is equipped with fixed leading-edge slats, full-length flaperons, which enable it to be manoeuvred at speeds below 35 mph and typically take-off in less than 30 metres.

Featuring CNC precut and predrilled aluminum skins, the CH 701 is easy to build quickly. On three occasions, Zenith demonstrated this with kit startup, completion and first flights in seven days using volunteers at the Florida Sun ’n Fun fly-ins.

As of October 1998 125 kits were sold, and 95 were built from plans, the basic airframe kit selling for $12,360. Plans also offered.

Amphibious floats cut the speed by 3 mph. The floats are built in about 80 hrs from plans and are installed without removing the tri gear. The nose wheel folds back.

The STOL CH.701 two-seat utility cabin monoplane is certificated in Israel and Mexico.

Gallery

STOL CH 701
Engine: Rotax 582, 65 hp
Engine Limit: 50-100 hp, up to 185 lbs.
Wing Span: 27 ft/8.2 m
Wing Area: 122 sq.ft./11.4 m.sq.
Length: 20 ft. 11 in/6.38 m
Height: 8 ft. 7 in/2.6 m.
Empty weight: 580 lbs/263 kg
Gross weight: 1,100 lbs/500 kg.
Useful load: 520 lbs/236 kg
Wing loading: 9.0 lb/sq.ft / 43.8 sq.m
Power loading: 13.75 lb/hp / 6.25 kg/hp
Design load: +6 G / -3G
Cabin width Option: 44 in / 110 cm
Cabin width: 40 in / 100 cm.
Fuel cap Std: 20 USG (2 x 10 USG.)
Fuel cap Opt: 2 x 38 lt
Speed max: 85 mph.
Cruise: 75 mph.
Range: 270 sm
Range Opt: 740 km
Stall: 28 mph
ROC: 1200 fpm.
Take-off dist: 90 ft
Landing dist: 125 ft.
Service ceiling: 16,000 ft
Seats: 2.
Width (wings folded): 7 ft 4 in
Landing gear: nose.

STOL CH 701
Engine: Rotax 912, 80 hp
Top Speed: 85 mph
Cruise, Sea Level: 80 mph
VNE: 110 mph
75% Cruise @ 8,000 ft: 92 mph tas
Stall: 28-30 mph
Rate Of Climb: 1,000-1,100 fpm
Take-Off Roll: 60-115 ft
Landing Roll: 80-140 ft
Service Ceiling: 12,000-13,000+ ft
Std. Range: 372 sm
Endurance: 4.6 Hrs.

STOL CH 701
Engine: Rotax 912S, 100 hp
Top Speed: 95 mph
Cruise, Sea Level: 85 mph
Vne: 110 mph
75% Cruise @ 8,000 ft.: 98 mph
Stall: 28-30 mph
Rate of Climb: 1,100-1,200fpm
Take-Off Roll: 50-90ft
Landing Roll: 80-140ft
Service Ceiling: 12,000-15,000+ft
Std. Range: 350sm
Endurance: 4.1 Hrs.

Zenair SP701 STOL
Wing area: 11.4 sq.m
Length: 6.38 m
Height: 2.6 m
Gross weight (floats): 500 kg
Empty weight (floats): 354 kg
Useful load: 236 kg
Wing loading: 43.8 kg/sq.m
Design loading; +6 / -3 G
Cabin width: 1.04 m
Fuel capacity (wing tanks): 2 x 45 lt
Top speed: 159 kph
Cruise: 144 kph
Stall: 65 kph
ROC: 305 m/min
Takeoff roll: 40 m
Landing dist; 50 m
Range no res: 700-830 km
Endurance 5000 rpm: 82 kt / 16 lt/hr: 5.5 hr
Endurance 5300 rpm: 20 lt/hr: 4.4 hr

CH701 STOL
Engine: Rotax 912S, 100 hp
HP range: 50-100
Length: 20.9 ft
Wing span: 27 ft
Wing area: 122 sq.ft
Empty weight: 580 lb
Gross weight: 1100 lb
Fuel capacity: 20 USG
Cruise: 85 mph
Stall: 30 mph
Range: 460 sm
Rate of climb: 1200 fpm
Takeoff dist: 90 ft
Landing dist: 140 ft
Seats: 2
Cockpit width: 44 in
Landing gear: nosewheel
LSA: yes

CH 701-AG

CH 701 STOL Amphib
Top speed: 90 mph
Cruise: 74 mph
Stall: 32 mph
Range: 240 sm
Rate of climb: 950 fpm
Takeoff dist: 155 ft land / 300 ft water
Landing dist: 225 ft land / 250 ft water
Service ceiling: 12,000 ft
Engine: Rotax 912, 80 hp
HP range: 65-100
Fuel capacity: 11 USG
Empty weight: 575 lb
Gross weight: 1075 lb
Height: 9.5 ft
Length: 20 ft
Wing span: 27 ft
Wing area: 122 sq.ft
Seats: 2
Landing gear: retract trigear / floats

Zenair CH701
Engine: Jabiru 2200, 80hp
Fuel capacity: 60 lt
Cruise: 75-80 kt
Take-off dist: 17.6 m
Landing dist: 32.8 m

Engine: Rotax 912, 80 hp
Wing span: 8.22 m
Wing area: 11.40 sq.m
MAUW: 450 kg
Empty weight: 225 kg
Fuel capacity: 60 lt
Max speed: 180 kph
Cruise speed: 130 kph
Minimum speed: 65 kph
Climb rate: 8 m/s
Certification: vVz, PFA
Seats: 2
Fuel consumption: 12 lt/hr
Price (1998): 80 000 DM
Kit price (1998): £9900

The CH 650 LS AND LSi, introduced at AirVenture 2008, combine the best of a European-built CH 601 XL sold as a ready-to-fly aircraft, the AMD CH 601 XL sold as an S-LSA, and the Zenith Aircraft Company’s amateur built CH 601 XL kit.
Eventually, the 601 XL will be phased out. The 650 is available as plans (with CAD drawings and assembly manuals), a complete kit (or a series of sub kits) from Zenith Aircraft, Mexico, Missouri, or as a ready-to-fly S-LSA from Aircraft Design Manufacturing & Design (AMD) of Eastman Georgia.
The CH 650 LS’s improvements include a more-convenient hinged clamshell bubble canopy, with dual tube 4130 roll-over protection. The new canopy adds headroom. (The new roll-over protection and redesigned canopy latching system are also available from Zenith Aircraft as an upgrade kit for existing Zodiac Owners.)
The CH 650 LS, anticipated as a primary trainer, sports standard aviation 500-by-5 wheels and brakes. The gear system is bigger, making the aircraft taller, and the AMD main gear spring is gun-drilled, for cleaner, more protected brake line routing.
The rudder was redesigned and looks sleeker. The “European” wing angle is now standard on the 650 LS, with the trailing edge of the wing tilted down about 2 inches. Extra aluminum braces have been added to the fuselage sides and wings. The interior sports carpeting, and parts familiar to other Heintz-designed airplanes include the rudder pedals, the cowl, the nose gear strut, and firewall, all similar to the larger CH 640, CH 801, and CH 2000.
Much work was done to the controls, which are now more balanced for better feel.
The IFR airframe of the 650 LSi is based on what was required to certify the Alarus CH 2000 to FAR 23 Certification. The 650 LS is powered by a TCM (Continental) O-200 with Sensenich fixed-pitch prop. Performance and safety options include a BRS all-aircraft parachute system, AmSafe airbag-seat belts, full electric gyro instruments, and wheelpants.
In the experimental kit version, the CH 650’s firewall-forward will accommodate a Jabiru 3300, Lycoming O-235 or -233, or Rotax four-cylinder powerplants as alternatives to the S-LSA version’s TCM O-200.
With the Continental O-200 engine, the AMD 650 LS carries 30 gallons of fuel and has a useful load of 550 pounds. (With the Jabiru 3300, the useful load is 625 pounds, leaving a generous 481 pounds with full 24 gallon tanks.)
For European pilots who want to fly without getting involved in the assembly and/or finishing of their aircraft, the CH 650 E is now available as a Ready-to-Fly (RTF) ultralight from most of our regional distributors. Assembled locally from genuine Zenair airframe kits, these RTF planes can now be completed with custom features, options and colors to meet your unique needs.

Common equipment list for a typical Ready-to-Fly CH 650 E model: Instruments can include basic flight and engine instruments plus the Dynon EFIS-D100 with flight and engine monitoring capabilities, and avionics such as the Garmin 296 GPS and Garmin SL-30 Nav/com. This advanced panel offers considerable redundancy and makes for an ideal cross-country flyer as well as an excellent training platform (the built-in intercom is a nice feature of the Garmin SL-30). Expect your standard CH 650 E to be equipped with the rocket-powered BRS recovery system as well as a two tone exterior color finishing. 2009 Price: 35820 EURO

Zodiac CH 650 E
Stall: 32 kt / 37 mph / 60 kmh
Cruise: 121 kt / 140 mph / 225 kmh
VNE: 140 kt / 162 mph / 260 kmh
Empty Weight: 298 kg / 657 lbs
MTOW Weight: 472 kg / 1041 lbs
Climb Ratio: 900 ft/min / 4.8 m/s
Take-off distance (50ft obstacle): 490 ft / 150 m