How Much Does A Zenith STOL CH 701 Cost?

If you’re in the market for a light bush plane, you may have come across the Zenith Stole CH 701. This plane is the original design by Chris Heinz and is known for its utilitarian layout and affordability. When designing the 701, Heinz focused on making a plane that was easy to build, land short, and complete in design.

While the performance numbers may not be impressive, the 701’s ability to take off in less than 100 feet and its low operating expenses make it a standout in the modern light bush plane scene. With a new complete kit costing around $30k and tricycle gear, the 701 is an affordable option for those looking for a reliable and low-cost plane. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Zenith Stole CH 701 and what makes it a popular choice among bush pilots.

Key Takeaways

• The Zenith Stole CH 701 is a utilitarian and affordable light bush plane designed by Chris Heinz.
• While its performance numbers may not be impressive, the 701’s ability to take off in less than 100 feet and low operating expenses make it a standout option.
• With a new complete kit costing around $30k and tricycle gear, the 701 is an affordable and reliable choice for bush pilots.

Zenith Stole CH 701 Design

When Chris Heinz designed the Zenith Stole CH 701, he had a clear idea of what he wanted it to do. The design was meant to be ultra-utilitarian, with no time for luxury items like curved lines. The result is a plane that may not win any beauty contests, but it gets the job done.

The Zenith Stole CH 701 is designed to go fast and look good, but also be easy to build and land short. And it delivers on those promises. With a lightly loaded plane, you can take off in less than 100 feet out of the box, without any expensive modifications required.

The performance numbers of the Zenith Stole CH 701 may not be impressive, but that’s not the point of this plane. It has a stall speed of 26 knots, which means a flying 701 can lose a race to a kangaroo. But it’s not about speed, it’s about versatility and affordability.

Speaking of affordability, the Zenith Stole CH 701 is one of the most affordable planes in the modern light bush plane scene. A new complete kit costs about $30,000, and operating expenses are about as low as you’re going to get. Basic aluminum construction and a experimental home build maintenance regime make it a very inexpensive ordeal.

The tricycle gear of the Zenith Stole CH 701 is an actual advantage over other tail wheel bush planes when it comes to insurance premiums. Overhead costs will vary depending on the engine you choose, but 65 to 100 horsepower will do just fine. All the performance and cost numbers are based on the 100 horsepower Rotax.

The Zenith family of Stole planes are standout in the modern light bush plane scene. The startup cost is about the lowest of the pack, and the performance of the out-of-the-box unmodified design is about the best.

Performance

The Zenith Stol CH 701 is a great choice for those looking for an affordable and easy-to-build aircraft. The 701 has an ultra-utilitarian layout that focuses on function over luxury, with no time for curved lines or other frivolous design elements. Despite its somewhat boxy appearance, the 701 is a capable performer with impressive short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities.

With a lightly loaded weight, the 701 can take off in less than 100 feet, straight out of the box without any modifications. The stall speed of the 701 is 26 knots, which is not particularly fast but is more than sufficient for most bush flying needs. Operating expenses for the 701 are also quite low, thanks to its basic aluminum construction and experimental home build maintenance regime.

One advantage of the 701 is its tricycle gear, which makes it easier to handle on the ground and can actually lower insurance premiums compared to other tail wheel bush planes. The Zenith Stol CH 701 is also one of the most affordable options in its weight class, with a new complete kit costing around $30,000. With a 65 to 100 horsepower engine, the 701 can perform admirably in a variety of conditions.

Overall, the Zenith Stol CH 701 is a standout in the modern light bush plane scene, with impressive performance and affordability straight out of the box.

Cost and Affordability

When it comes to the Zenith CH 701, cost is definitely on your side. With complete kits available for around $30,000, it’s one of the most affordable options in the modern light bush plane scene. And that’s just the start of the savings.

Operating expenses are about as low as you’re going to get. The basic Aluma construction and experimental home build maintenance regime make upkeep a very inexpensive ordeal. Plus, the 701’s tricycle gear is an actual advantage over other tail wheel Bush planes when it comes to insurance premiums.

Overhead costs will vary depending on the engine you choose, but 65 to 100 horsepower will do just fine. All performance and cost numbers are based on the 100 horsepower Rotex, just to keep the comparisons close to other Bush planes we usually talk about in this weight class.

Some 701s were built as far back as the mid-80s, so you may be able to find a used one at an even lower price. And with lightly loaded takeoffs of less than 100 feet out of the box, the 701 is a solid performer despite its lousy performance numbers.

In short, the Zenith CH 701 is a standout option for those looking for an affordable, low-maintenance, and easy-to-fly bush plane.

Operating Expenses

When it comes to operating expenses, the Zenith Stol CH 701 is a standout in the modern light bush plane scene. The startup cost is about the lowest of the pack, and the performance of the out-of-the-box unmodified design is about the best.

The basic aluminum construction and experimental home build maintenance regime make the 701’s operating expenses very affordable. The tricycle gear is also an actual advantage over other tailwheel bush planes when it comes to insurance premiums.

Overhead costs will vary depending on the engine you choose, but 65 to 100 horsepower will do just fine. All the performance and cost numbers are based on the 100 horsepower Rotax, just to try to keep the comparisons close to other bush planes we usually talk about in this weight class.

So, if you’re looking for a plane that won’t break the bank when it comes to operating expenses, the Zenith Stol CH 701 is definitely worth considering.

Engine Specifications

The Zenith CH 701 is equipped with a Rotax 912 engine with a power output of 80 horsepower. The engine is a four-stroke, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine with a displacement of 1,211 cc. It has a fuel capacity of 18 gallons and consumes 3.5 gallons per hour at cruise speed. The engine runs on aviation gasoline and has a maximum range of 400 nautical miles. The maximum speed of the Zenith CH 701 is 90 miles per hour with a stall speed of 26 knots. The aircraft has a takeoff distance of less than 100 feet and a landing distance of 250 feet. The Zenith CH 701 has a tricycle landing gear which makes it easier to handle on the ground and reduces the risk of ground loops. The aircraft has a maximum gross weight of 1,100 pounds and a useful load of 500 pounds. The Zenith CH 701 is an affordable option for those looking for a light bush plane with excellent performance and low operating costs.

Insurance Premiums

When it comes to owning a Zenith CH 701, one of the advantages is the tricycle gear, which can result in lower insurance premiums compared to other tail wheel Bush planes. The overhead costs will vary depending on the engine you choose, but 65 to 100 horsepower is sufficient for this weight class.

Additionally, operating expenses for this plane are about as low as you can get. The basic Aluma construction and experimental home build maintenance regime make it a very inexpensive ordeal.

Overall, the Zenith family of stole planes, including the CH 701, is a standout in the modern light bush plane scene. They offer some of the lowest startup costs and the out-of-the-box, unmodified design has some of the best performance in its weight class.

Comparison with Other Bush Planes

When it comes to comparing the Zenith Stol CH 701 with other bush planes, there are a few things to consider. First and foremost, the 701 is a highly utilitarian aircraft that prioritizes function over form. This means that it may not be the most visually appealing plane out there, but it gets the job done.

One of the key advantages of the 701 is its ability to take off and land in short distances. With a takeoff distance of less than 100 feet, the 701 outperforms many other bush planes in this regard. Additionally, the tricycle gear design of the 701 makes it easier to handle on the ground, which can be a significant advantage in certain situations.

In terms of cost, the 701 is one of the most affordable options on the market. A complete kit can be purchased for around $30,000, and operating expenses are relatively low due to the basic aluminum construction and experimental home build maintenance regime.

While the performance numbers of the 701 may not be particularly impressive, it’s important to remember that this aircraft was designed with a specific set of priorities in mind. If you’re looking for a highly functional, affordable bush plane that can take off and land in short distances, the Zenith Stol CH 701 is definitely worth considering.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Zenith STOL CH 701 is a versatile and affordable option for those looking for a light bush plane. Designed with utilitarianism in mind, the 701 sacrifices luxury for ease of build and short takeoff and landing capabilities. Despite its lackluster performance numbers, the 701 can take off in less than 100 feet and has a stall speed of 26 knots. Additionally, the cost of a new complete kit is around $30,000, making it one of the most affordable options on the market. Operating expenses are also low due to its basic aluminum construction and experimental home build maintenance regime. The tricycle gear of the 701 is an actual advantage over other tail wheel Bush planes when it comes to insurance premiums. Overall, the Zenith family of STOL planes, especially the 701, stands out in the modern light bush plane scene due to its affordability and unmodified design performance.