Zenith Airplanes

Reviews of the Zenith STOL CH701
“Thanks to its thick, high-lift wing, full-span flaperons and fixed, full-span leading-edge slats, the 701 needs little more runway space than the typical backyard with clear access at the ends. Because of its stellar short-field capabilities, the 701 stands as one of the few kitplanes to serve in the sort of serious utility roles usually reserved for larger airplanes such as the Helio Courier, Piper Super Cub, Maule or Aviat Husky. That includes missionary and utility work in third world countries as well as cattle herding, fence patrol and crop dusting.” – KITPLANES magazine, January 2004

“Chris Heintz designed the CH701 some twenty years ago and it has proven itself all around the world. When the only runway is a cleared patch in the jungle, and the alternative is a week of hiking through snake-infected swamps, the 701 starts to look pretty good. This is a plane that can use almost any clearing as a runway, and its high angle of climb means that you won’t hit the trees at the end of the strip. A football field is plenty enough airstrip for a 701.” – Recreational Flyer (Canada), May/June 2005: “STOL for the people: Zenith’s amazing CH 701, ” cover story by Gary Wolf and Mary Mills, pages 4 – 10.

“Well over 500 STOL CH 701s are already flying on all continents, mostly in off airport environments: Missionary work in Tanzania and Zambia, anti-poaching patrols in Ghana, doctors in northern Thailand, flying training in India. The STOL CH 701 stands as one of the few light planes to serve in the sort of serious utility roles usually reserved for larger airplanes such as the Helio Courier, Piper Super Cub, Maule or Aviat Husky. Its stellar short field capabilities and slow flying characteristics make it ideal for any bush or farm operation: herding, surveying, patrolling and protection services.” – African Pilot magazine (South Africa), June 2005 issue, pages 53 – 56, by Athol Franz

“This aircraft is great fun to fly. The Skyjeep would be an ideal item of equipment for any farmer with substantial acreage. Moreover, the design is very well suited to many aerial work requirements where short field performance and a good view are required.” – SA Flyer magazine (South Africa), April 2005 issue cover story.

“Even though it is only handsome in the way of a Hummer, the CH 701 enjoys a good reputation for its durability and outstanding STOL performance.”

“With big tires and lots of lift-enhancing devices, the Zenair CH-701 is a great backwoods aircraft on wheels, floats, or skis as Grant Rappe demonstrates.”

“Our takeoff roll was absolutely unbelievable. The only two other aircraft that I can think of that possibly could take off shorter would be a helicopter or Wayne Handley’s Turbo Raven. With a high nose pitch, the STOL CH 701 literally climbed out with two adults and full fuel at 1, 000 feet per minute with about 100 feet of ground roll, breaking ground approaching 30 knots indicated airspeed!”