Forward Fuselage Assembly: Building the NEW Zenith STOL CH 701 light sport utility kit aircraft

Sneak Peek: Here's Part Two of the STOL CH 701 fuselage assembly, featuring re-engineered kit with extensive final hole size match-drilled parts for simple "Cleco-together" assembly. Roger Dubbert and Calvin Heintz put together the forward fuselage assembly of the new "Sky Jeep" kit, attaching it to the rear fuselage, explaining how this new kit revolutionizes ease of assembly. This video provides an early preview of the new STOL CH 701 kit that is being finalized. A number of new features and capabilities (yet to be announced) are included for the new STOL CH 701 light sport aircraft design. We will be providing more details about the highly-anticipated new STOL CH 701 in the coming weeks and months.
See Part One (Rear Fuselage) video: • Rear Fuselage Assembly...
First introduced in 1986, the STOL CH 701 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. 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.
While the basic design has remained the same, many significant improvements have been introduced over the years, including a higher useful load, easier and quicker build kits, and more detailed drawings and step-by-step assembly instructions.
Short-field performance is where the STOL CH 701 aircraft truly excels: It is airborne in less than 120 feet of unprepared grass, or 90 feet of hard surface, at gross weight. Rotation is possible by the time full throttle setting is applied, and lift-off can begin at 25 mph (in ground effect, with no wind) - all within less than four seconds from stand still. Of course, any headwind shortens the time and distance required for take off.
The STOL CH 701 was not designed to be just another ‘pretty’ light aircraft, but was engineered to offer outstanding short take-off and landing performance, all-metal durability, and unparalleled ease of construction.
With form following function, the STOL CH 701 looks like a ‘Sky Jeep’, as it is often called by its owners.
Popular since 1986, there are thousands of Zenith STOL aircraft flying around the world! Not many of them can be found at airports - most are operated from short off-airport grass fields, in backyard fields and in remote areas. The aircraft’s all-metal construction makes it suitable for continuous outdoor storage - providing their owners with continuous cost savings (no hanger or tie-down fees).
The STOL CH 701 offers comfortable two-place side-by-side seating in an ergonomically designed 40-inch wide cabin. The cabin interior is designed to provide comfort for two adults. Large doors on either side allow easy access to the cabin from both sides, and can be quickly removed.
A new optional single-piece formed acrylic bubble door is available to maximize cabin width. The door is hinged at the top and each door is domed 3 1/4″ (82 mm.) to provide maximum additional cabin space. The full bubble door provides outstanding side and downward visibility. The door is fitted with the standard locking door latch (at bottom front of each door).
The cabin is fitted with a large instrument panel and dual controls accessible from both the left and right seats. The center-mounted control column (stick) can easily be used from either side, and does not limit visibility of the instrument panel. Dual throttle controls are mounted on both sides of the panel for easy access. The panel measures about 34 inches across by 8.5 inches tall in the center to allow for custom avionics installations.
The dual rudder pedals also steer the nose-wheel, and are equipped with standard hydraulic toe-brakes on the pilot’s side. The baggage area is located directly behind the seats for easy access.
The standard tricycle gear configuration maximizes forward visibility when taxiing, while also providing the added benefit of a level cabin while on the ground, to facilitate access to the cabin and to maximize pilot and passenger comfort.
Unlike other high-wing designs, the STOL CH 701’s wings are positioned above the cabin and fuselage to provide pilot and passengers with superior visibility. The “Above-Cab” wings taper at the wing root to maximize upward visibility while also providing superior side visibility, as the wings are located above the pilot’s head. The large “wrap-around” windows and “Above-Cab” wings allow unparalleled visibility. The standard tricycle gear configuration also allows excellent forward visibility while on the ground - crucial when operated in off-airport fields.
Details: zenithair.net/introduction-st...
#SkyJeep #BuildItFlyIt #ch701 #zenithaircraft #zenithair #zenair #LightSportAircraft #SportPilot

[@jorgmichalowski7954]

Congratulations on the great progress towards the "match drille holes" CH 701! What you can do at Zenith in just over half an hour was with Jon Croke and the construction of the "old" CH 701 2 summarized DVDs on Homebuild Help. I think the finished welded cage is great. Really impressive the simplification of the construction. 👍

[@garymiles9609]

This kit is a dream come true for smaller stature folks, like myself, where you can build it like a mechano set and experience better short field performance than most of the 'serious' bush planes out there. The Zenith crew are moving this project forward a lot faster than I expected.. clearly showing they are listening to the market and confirming the CH-701 is still a highly desired airframe.

[@rick694]

You guys are making me want to build another airplane pretty bad. 😎

[@user-vl3wd4qy3q]

Zenith definitely has detailed plans and assembly manual. I highly recommend considering Zenith for your aircraft project. I plans built the 701 for 5 years It got its wings in 2009 and I continue to fly it today.

[@richardbrowne3641]

That's a lot betters than the old design. Look very simple to build. I wish I wasn't poor. I would buy one.

[@CooterScooters]

Looks great guys!

[@ryaninman6307]

look forward to next video

[@williamdidlo8817]

Thank You !

[@lardyify]

That ice pick thing is a ‘podger’, Roger!

[@superbill9066]

Love the new steel cage design!

[@user-xz9hu4rd2v]

I can't wait to have my 701 kit.

[@DIYPackraft]

Very cool!

[@TheAmanda3589]

This is so fantastic I can't wait

[@edwardkelly5625]

AWSOME.... THATS ALL I CAN SAY..!

[@TheAamirRauf]

These are great videos! I would love to see you guys build a 650 though since that’s the airplane I am building

[@TheC1939]

Great improvements to make it easier to build. Been looking at this for years so glad to see it. When do you anticipate the newly redesigned kit to be available?

[@CaptainCurt07]

*Nice video*

[@doncatch1]

Game changer.

[@ronstowe8898]

Got to build one .

[@jesush.vazquez6851]

Revisiting this episode and watching the cleco champ in action 😂

[@alexcole8438]

🤣needs a chill pill

[@ryaninman6307]

Been year when next vid. Great makes think about wanting to build one.

[@jeremylauer5234]

the matched final hole design for the new 701 is a game changer, does that also apply to the 750 Cruzer too? You've transitioned into more of an assembler than a builder.

[@christopherdowney6055]

I like the center stick for ease of ingress and egress, but I like the traditional position of a control stick. Do you know if anyone has tried using a Robinson-style control stick in a build?

[@doesntmatter3068]

I want to work here!!

[@riverrat4631]

I really excited about the new 701. I love the idea of a Taildragger model. I would want to see one built first before I order. Please say you are designing the Airframe to handle more than 100hp like the old kit. . Your own Jon Humberd flys a 130hp of the old model. I would like to order a 701, but I’m waiting for the new kit. This seems so much fast build time than the original 701.

[@brandonbascue7185]

Awesome work, love the planes you guys make. I am considering building one myself, I wonder if tailwheel options will extend into the 750 line?

[@TailwheelTimes]

Detailed instructions? Not for the Cruzer. Where can if find the e-drawings for the Super Duty. Maybe that will work for the Cruzer as well.

[@djwashx]

hey Roger are you still on the 1st engine? Love the videos thanks for all the videos!!!!!!!!!

[@itsokayimnotadoctor]

Wow

[@murrayhelmer8941]

Are there any more parts to this build? Also. Will it be finished as a taildragger?

[@ManNomad]

Can it be built so it can be switched back and forth from TD to Tricycle?

[@V4NLIFE_CANADA]

So getting those advanced kits that only need to be assembled like that. How long in theorize does it take to rivet the whole thing together and go flying ?

[@user-wo5xy3pg9x]

Any update on when this new version of the kit will be available?

[@zenithac]

We're currently working on it but don't want to guess on availability...

[@franklibbey6439]

As the seats are not adjustable in this 701 would a 5' 2'' pilot have any problems with rudder pedals and brakes?

[@zenithac]

Probably no problem at all. May need some extra cushioning to keep the pilot forward in seat

[@murrayhelmer8941]

Will that exact kit be available in Canada?

[@johngriecosr8723]

How do you remove the klikos that you covered up?

[@paulgriffin7863]

Great Job on updating this kit! I just need clarification on the main gear location. You said you are building a tail dragger version but my question is does the main gear remain in the same location as the tri cycle gear or do you have a separate floor pan with different CNC holes for each version?

[@zenithac]

No, taildragger gear configuration requires the main gear to move forward. We'll have more details on the new kit at a later time

[@ashikness]

@@zenithac would you please give your Email?

[@matthewhoopes7757]

I tried several 701s but at 6' 2" I just didn't fit. We'll have to see how this new"er" one is.

[@zenithac]

We have many CH 701 owners/pilots who are taller than 6'2", but fit will depend on build (of the pilot, leg inseam, torso height) and finish of the aircraft (amount of seat cushioning, position of rudder pedals). The CH 750 series was developed specifically to offer more room in the cabin and adjustable seats

[@clemkidadittlehopper8966]

Do you have a electric motor for the 701

[@sebastienheintz]

Not quite yet...

[@aguiamotivacionalsergiosilva]

Olá gostaria de saber o valor do kit do CH 701 em dólar ou moeda brasileira Reais. E se vocês conseguem mandar para o Brasil.

[@DanielHunterUSA]

Eles devem ter os valores no site deles

[@yurimig253]

If one is dragging out the build. Is that means they are a taildragger. 😅