AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2020 - 56

SPEC SHEET

Zenith Aircraft STOL CH 701
KIT PRICE: LOW $50,000s | PRICE AS TESTED: ABOUT $80,000
SPECIFICATIONS

PERFORMANCE

Powerplant | UL Power 350iS, 130 hp

Takeoff distance, ground roll | 50 ft

	

Takeoff distance over 50-ft obstacle | 200 ft

Recommended TBO | 1,500 hr

Propeller | Whirlwind ground adjustable 3-blade

Rate of climb, sea level | 1,200 fpm

Length | 20 ft 11 in

Max level speed, sea level | 110 mph

Height | 8 ft 7 in

Cruise speed/endurance w/45-min rsv, std fuel

Wingspan | 27 ft

	

Wing area | 122 sq ft

	

@ 70% power, best economy | 90 mph/ 4.5 hr

Wing loading | 9 lb/sq ft

	

6,500 ft | (5 gph/30 pph)

Power loading | 8.5 lb/hp

Max operating altitude | 12,500 ft

Seats | 2

Landing distance over 50-ft obstacle | 200 ft

Cabin width | 3 ft 4 in

Landing distance, ground roll	 | 80 ft

(fuel consumption)

Cabin width, bubble doors | 3 ft 8 in
Empty weight, standard kit | 580 lb

LIMITING AND RECOMMENDED AIRSPEEDS

Empty weight, as built | 700 lb

VX (best angle of climb) | 35 mph

Max gross weight, standard kit | 1,100 lb

VY (best rate of climb) | 60 mph

Max gross weight, as built | 1,250 lb

VA (design maneuvering) | 71 mph

Useful load, standard kit | 520 lb

VFE (max flap extended) | 63 mph

Useful load, as built | 550 lb

VNO (max structural cruising) | 99 mph

Payload w/full fuel, as built | 388 lb

VNE (never exceed) | 110 mph

Max takeoff weight | 1,250 lb

VS1 (stall, clean) | 29 mph

Max landing weight	 | 1,250 lb
Fuel capacity, standard kit, ext range tanks |

FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact kit manu-

	

24 gal (23 gal usable)

facturer Zenith Aircraft Company, 1881 Airport

	

144 lb (138 lb usable)

Road, Mexico, Missouri 65265; 573-581-9000.

Fuel capacity, as built w/header tank |
	

27 gal (26 gal usable)

All specifications are based on manufacturer's

	

162 lb (156 lb usable)

calculations. All performance figures are based

Oil capacity | 3.5 qt

on standard day, standard atmosphere, sea level,

Baggage capacity | 50 lb

gross weight conditions unless otherwise noted.

of," he said. "It's overkill-it's maybe a lot
of overkill. I chose it mostly because it fit."
Humberd increased the maximum
gross weight by 150 pounds above the factory numbers, requiring a recalculation of
the airframe's G limits. He installed several
Zenith upgrade options, including extended
range fuel tanks, LED lighting, streamlined
struts, and outward-domed bubble doors-
the latter for increased elbow room and
improved visibility. He also added a custom-made, 3-gallon header tank.
His builder's log, required by the FAA
to document construction, is a hardbound
photo book consisting of daily progress
HUMBERD TAKES OFF from his

Tennessee farm. He seldom
uses more than half of the
350-foot runway for either
takeoff or landing.
56 | AOPA PILOT October 2020

pictures, and Humberd said the FAA inspectors from the Nashville Flight Standards
District Office loved it. But he never recorded
his hours worked for the two-year project.
He enjoyed the building experience.
"Zenith has been really good to work
with," he said, and the UL Power engine
has been easy to install, operate, and maintain. Anyone could build such an airplane,
he added. "It's not out of reach for anybody.
It's about budgeting and making it work."
He earned his private pilot certificate at
nearby Collegedale Municipal Airport, finishing just before he started building the kit.
Humberd's wife, April Humberd, helped
at various points during the build. "We're
outdoors people," she said. "It's a way to
enjoy nature from a different point of view.
It's definitely a fun adventure. I know it
means a lot to Jon, so it means a lot to us."

She said she helped a lot with riveting
and rustproofing. "People say he has a ton of
patience, and I laugh," she laughed. "He is
stubborn and determined. He is not patient."
First flight was August 31, 2018, and after
flying off the required hours, his daughter
Joslyn Savannah became his first passenger
(the video is on YouTube and it's really cute;
search for "Sky Jeep 1st Passenger"). Joslyn,
who started kindergarten this fall, has not
yet noticed that the airplane's tail number
combines her birthday and initials.
Humberd has flown the airplane about
350 hours. Locally he flies by himself, or with
a group of local STOL pilots (see "Meet the
STOL Bandits," p. 54). A flight to Gainesville,
Texas, in March for the Lonestar STOL
Competition is his longest cross-country so
far. He cruises at 90 to 95 mph. "The 701 is
a draggy airplane and the fuel burn quickly
AOPA Pilot Magazine - October 2020

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