Off-Field in the Zenith 701

Brent and I decided to go see how many different spots other than an airport that we could land at in an hour. It turned out to be six.
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Aircraft: Zenith CH 701 STOL
Engine: ZD C100 - Rotax 912ULS clone (100hp)
Cruise speed: 80 mph
Fuel Capacity: 20 gallons
Range: 300 miles
Payload: 500 lbs
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Here's the link for anyone who'd like to help support the channel.
paypal.me/ytmmatt
Thanks to all! :-)
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Get all your awesome headset and helmet needs met here!
qhaviation.com...?aff=2
Use coupon code "MMATT" for $25 off your next order!
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UPAC.ca is a great resource for ultralight pilots in Canada. I highly recommend joining to help support the work that they do for us.
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Cameras:
DJI Osmo Action (with JJC Mic Adapter for intercom audio)
Insta360 One X
DJI Mavic Mini
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All drone flights are conducted in accordance with CARS 901.47 and 901.73
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Navigation and Weather apps that we use:
Polaris Ride Command
FltPlan Go
GPS Essentials
Windy
WindFinder

[@berniebrown9115]

Really enjoy your episodes. I am an old man that hasn’t flown in 30 years and that zenith is getting my juices flowing again

[@pilotlanham]

Awesome video, I fly a 750 Cruzer, looks like you're having a lot of fun!!

[@JBtheExplorer]

I always look forward to your videos! Great stuff as always!

[@jeremylauer5234]

curious how that Rotax alternate engine is doing? do you have any issues or concerns? how many hours on it so far? thanks and keep up the great content.

[@mmatt]

I have about 40 hours on it now. It's given me no cause for concern yet. :)

[@jeremylauer5234]

@@mmatt thanks for the update

[@ManNomad]

How would you compare the flight characteristics between the 701 and the Rans S6 Coyote?

[@mmatt]

The 701 controls are much more sensitive and it has a much slower stall speed making takeoffs and landings much shorter. The S6 is faster in cruise and still very responsive. I really enjoyed flying it.

[@SteelTallon]

I was about to ask this myself. I've been looking at the Coyote II, Bushcat, Zenith, and Skyranger.

[@ManNomad]

I flew the s6 when it came out and was impressed with the balance and handling. @@SteelTallon

[@kenfawcett4006]

Awesome! Landing where no man has gone before.

[@FLYNRYAN1978]

What a great playground you have there!

[@josephhaack5711]

The engine seems to be doing great

[@mwb7121]

Thanks for another cool video! The 701 is on my short list of possible planes to buy. Do you have a video detailing costs of your purchase and upgrades?

[@mmatt]

Sorry, I don't. I can't recommend it highly enough though. It's a super fun plane. :)

[@mwb7121]

Maybe an idea for a rainy day video? 😅 Thanks for the reply! I’m surprised I’ve not seen more videos on 701’s (aside from some various demonstrations from the factory). I’ve heard of a lot of folks using them to land on sand bars along the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, and the company seems to have many loyal fans. Guess too many pilots are like me, and not posting videos. I’m always too busy trying to knock the rust off my old skills to make a shareable video in the RV7A I’ve been flying. Keep up the great content!

[@Doug_Morgan]

You're going to have to buy some amphibious floats some day Matt. Mind you it would reduce the places you could do off field landings on soft/rough ground.

[@mmatt]

I really enjoy off-roading in the plane. Floats would be fun but far too limiting for what I enjoy. I guess I just need another plane...? lol!

[@class2instructor32]

A floating hull would be ideal ( If you're gonna do it, do it right)

[@donc9751]

That plane would be sooo much fun to fly!

[@mmatt]

It is! :-)

[@doncatchpole]

Good show. Why is the nose wheel clunking?

[@mmatt]

As far as I can tell, poor tolerance in the design. I'm not entirely sure how to fix it but as it's only an annoyance and nothing that'll fail, it's kinda on the back burner for now.

[@YonderAircraft]

How are you getting clear cockpit audio?

[@mmatt]

I have the audio line plugged directly from the intercom into my camera. I use the second cockpit camera to capture the engine noise as I find intercom audio only to be rather sterile to listen to.

[@bgardam9347]

how many hours on the new engine matt. it sounds smooth and quiet

[@mmatt]

Right around 40. It's still working great. :)

[@johnlatulippe5939]

Hi Matt. From Stirling Ontario

[@mmatt]

Hi John from Stirling Ontario. :-)

[@stephanlessard3902]

Good & fun video I call it the Sky Jeep episode! This episode sealed-it me on the 701!

[@FLY--wy2yi]

Cheers from Long Island…..fun video!

[@RabbitHoleAdventures]

Thanks for taking us along on the adventure!

[@Tryagain205]

Thanks Matt! Love that tail camera.

[@GolfRomeoIndia]

Lots of mud in Kingston, On lately, need bigger tires on the CTSW. Haha

[@mmatt]

Haha! I don't like getting the plane muddy but when I do, I'm usually having fun! :-)

[@Cavalier-lp8tr]

Surprised you're not using any flaps (unless the camera angle hides it?)

[@mmatt]

I use flaps for almost every take off and landing. They are full length flaperons and it's kinda hard to tell up from down on camera as they don't move very much. But let me tell you, they are quite effective.

[@1972challenger]

When can we expect a video with barrel rolls and verticle takeoffs?

[@mmatt]

Wouldn't that be fun!?!

[@travelvideos]

That river is so clean. No debris or logs on the islands.

[@mmatt]

The river regularly floods with some pretty fast moving water which clears all the debris off each spring. Makes for a fun playground. :-)

[@m-alevesquefpv8971]

I want one.

[@philryder966]

Nice scenery there guys! I wanted to ask you about landing in the fields and rivers in Canada. You can really do that legally? I've never seen them do that here in the states like y'all do on the farm roads and such. I don't have a plane, so I was just wondering if we can do that. Take care.😎👍

[@mmatt]

Yes we can. We're lucky here in this part of Canada; we're basically allowed to go where ever we want unless the land is posted with "No Trespassing" signs. No sign implies that we're allowed to be there. The land owner still has the right to ask us to leave if it's not posted though and then we'd need permission to return. This is why we're very respectful of the land and do our best to never damage anything.

[@markthibault8579]

@@mmatt Interesting... Is there no requirement for you to get prior permission to land on private land? Are the local farmers all aware that random airplanes can operate off their land at any time if they don't post signs?

[@mmatt]

@@markthibault8579 That is correct. The law is actually aimed at hunters and ATV riders but it applies to everyone. A few are surprised when they see the plane but only one has complained so far. The rest are very cool with it. We have a very friendly culture around here and almost everyone is OK with others using their land so long as they are respectful about it. The few that don't like it post signs and we simply avoid that land. There aren't very many signs around here though.

[@markthibault8579]

@@mmatt Interesting. I assume that's a provincial law, right? I'll have to see if there's anything similar in BC where I am. Regardless, I suppose one complaint to TC and the fun ends...

[@mmatt]

@@markthibault8579 Yes, it's Povincial. I don't think TC has any jurisdiction over property law but regardless, we're all careful not to abuse this since no one wants to see it change.