Let's go flying! Demo flight in the Zenith STOL CH 701 "Sky Jeep" light sport utility kit airplane

Zenith Aircraft's Roger Dubbert takes Roland flying in his STOL CH 701 "Sky Jeep" light sport utility kit airplane (powered by a 100-hp Rotax 912ULS engine), to check out the STOL's performance and handling characteristics, as well as cabin space.
Roland, a young (and tall) new licensed pilot from Michigan, was participating at the August hands-on kit aircraft building workshop class, hosted at the Zenith kit airplane factory in Mexico, Missouri, where he built his own rudder kit.
This particular aircraft is the Zenith STOL CH 701 factory demo airplane, built by Roger Dubbert in 1997, now with more than 2,000 hours on the airframe.
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 hundreds of STOL CH 701 aircraft flying around the world! Not many of the more than 500 STOL CH 701’s flying today 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.
More about the Zenith STOL CH 701: zenithair.net/...
#BuildItFlyIt #SkyJeep #ch701 #zenithaircraft #zenair

[@masterthee]

Does anyone with one notice how squished their knees are? How tall are you guys that own these, and which zenith would be best for someone 6'6" or so? Such a nice looking plane, super short take off!

[@zenithairco]

The STOL CH 701 model is definitely more "compact" than the larger STOL CH 750 series (which features a larger cabin and adjustable seats), recommended for anyone over 6-feet tall. That said, Roger (himself 6-feet tall) and his taller passenger Roland, were quite comfortable in the STOL CH 701

[@flywiseman]

Love those 701's