Flight in the Zenith STOL CH 701 powered by the Jabiru 2200 engine (85-hp)

[aerhearts]

Wow that first takeoff looked almost instantaneous.

[Msagro5]

Nice video. What is the meter for just below the compass?

[zenithairco]

@Msagro5 I think that's the electric elevator trim tab position indicator

[juliogaropaba]

really very good!!! the jabiru is an excellent joice!!

the Zenair perfect! The engine hood is a work of art! I'm looking forward to seeing the results of my Zenair supercharger Flying with the hood, the airspeed is much better!

[stealhty1]

i like the video, does your ALT indicator work ??

[kajabbi]

lol you'd need to take a protractor up if you wanted to measure your bank angle...seems odd not having a HSI, even if you don't really need it.

[Thesupersmith79]

Does the 701 and 801 have the same weak wing design as the 601, I have been looking at building an 801 but have heard some concerns about structural integrity?

[stolflyer]

@Thesupersmith79

Hello! One's a low wing monoplane and the other is a strut braced high wing STOL... same wing design? where do you even come up with this? Judging from the hundreds (or is it thousands) of completed planes flying (doing pretty extreme stuff - look at the videos) I'd say this is about as proven a design as you'll ever find, especially compared to the lightweight european stuff.

[Koeker]

i haven't seen the artificial horizon. didn't know it was possible to fly without one of those vital instruments.

[zenithairco]

@Koeker - Artificial horizon is only useful if you can't see the real horizon, and this is a VFR (aka FUN) plane. 

[jsmallwood2007]

@Koeker  I see birds do it all the time

[janrusgo]

@Koeker

The artificial horizont isn't vital, if you fly in visual conditions... you see the real horizont

[jonescounty01]

Great video. I've been looking all over the internet for a cheap plane that flies well, and I've found it with Zenair. I'm choosing the CH 701 because its about $5000 cheaper than the other STOLs. I only have enough for the starter kit (rudder) and I'm gonna buy/build it soon. Any tips on how to save up for the whole thing? Thanks. Btw- I still have to get my light sport license. :(

[sortashaman]

Nice flight, and informative view of the instruments...how's the fuel burn w/ the 2200?

[gur2ys4me]

You can actually get fuel burn under 3 gallons an hour if you're willing to pull back a bit more on rpm's, many report 2.5-3 gph. At 75% cruise I think the fuel burn is 4 gph.

[will79601]

i have a fear of heights but my 1st ride in a plane was in one of these,i would do it again in a heartbeat!

[stolflyer]

Great views of the panel - thanks!