The Zenith STOL CH 701 is a two-seat, all-metal kit airplane designed by Chris Heintz for very short takeoffs and landings. It is one of the cheapest ways to get a new bush-capable airplane, because the airframe is simple and Zenith publishes its kit prices. At the time of writing, Zenith's online store lists the complete airframe kit at $22,950 and the finishing kit at $7,450, a total of $30,400 before the engine, avionics, paint and upholstery.
Key Takeaways
- Zenith's store lists the airframe kit at $22,950 and the finishing kit at $7,450. Engines and avionics are priced on request.
- Zenith specifies a stall speed of 28 mph and a takeoff roll of 50 to 60 feet with a Rotax 912 engine, at 1,100 pounds gross.
- Zenith says scratch-building takes about 1,500 hours. The factory kit takes far less, though Zenith gives no precise number.
- With 20 gallons of fuel and 4.1 to 4.6 hours of endurance, the fuel burn works out to roughly 4 to 5 gallons per hour.
What the CH 701 Is
The CH 701 is a high-wing STOL airplane with an all-aluminum airframe, built from pre-cut and pre-drilled parts. Zenith says the standard kit meets the definition of a light-sport aircraft, so a sport pilot may fly it. It also says it cannot guarantee that any particular airplane, as the builder constructs it, will meet that definition, and advises keeping it as light as possible if you plan to operate it in the sport pilot category.
Zenith STOL CH 701 specifications (Zenith Aircraft Company)| Item | Rotax 912 (80 hp) | Rotax 912S (100 hp) |
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| Top speed | 85 mph | 95 mph |
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| Maximum cruise, sea level | 80 mph | 85 mph |
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| 75 percent cruise at 8,000 feet | 92 mph | 98 mph |
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| Stall speed, flaps down | 28 mph | 28 mph |
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| Rate of climb | 1,100 fpm | 1,200 fpm |
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| Takeoff roll | 60 feet | 50 feet |
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| Landing distance | 80 feet | 80 feet |
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| Range, no reserve | 372 miles | 350 miles |
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| Endurance, no reserve | 4.6 hours | 4.1 hours |
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Zenith's figures are at 1,100 pounds gross weight in standard atmosphere, at sea level with no wind. Other dimensions are a wingspan of 27 feet, a length of 20 feet 11 inches, an empty weight of 580 pounds, a useful load of 520 pounds and 20 gallons of fuel.
Kit Prices
These are the prices on Zenith Aircraft's online store for the CH 701 complete kits. Zenith states prices are subject to change.
STOL CH 701 kit prices (Zenith Aircraft online store)| Item | Price |
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| Airframe kit | $22,950 |
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| Finishing kit | $7,450 |
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| Airframe plus finishing, our sum | $30,400 |
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| Rudder starter kit | $375 |
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| Complete tool kit with air drill | $890 |
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| Complete tool kit without air drill | $755 |
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Zenith's component kits are priced individually, for builders who want to buy in stages: fuselage kit $7,990, wing kit $7,550, controls kit $2,450, flaperons and leading-edge slats kit $2,450, fuel system kit $1,750 and tail kit $2,150.
The airframe kit includes factory-riveted wing spars, pre-formed sheet-metal parts, welded parts, the fuel system, controls and hardware. The finishing kit includes the gear and wheels with hydraulic disc brakes, the windshield, doors, seat belts, wing struts and hardware. Not included are the engine and instrument packages, paint and upholstery. Zenith sells firewall-forward Rotax 912 engine packages and Garmin or Dynon instrument packages, but says to contact it for current pricing, so there is no published figure to add. Get a quote before you plan the total.
Build Time
Zenith says building from drawings and manuals alone requires about 1,500 hours, and that the factory kit can be assembled in "a few hundred hours." The second figure is Zenith's marketing claim and not a measured average, so treat it as a best case for an experienced builder. The kit is aimed at novices and can be built in a single-car garage with basic tools.
Running Costs
Zenith does not publish an hourly operating cost. From its endurance figures, a 20-gallon tank lasting 4.6 hours (912) or 4.1 hours (912S) implies about 4.3 to 4.9 gallons per hour. That is our arithmetic from figures quoted without reserves, so real burn will vary. At $4, $5 and $6 a gallon, those burns work out to roughly $17 to $29 an hour. The prices are illustrations, not quotes.
- Engine reserve. Divide a Rotax overhaul quote by the engine's published overhaul interval. Zenith does not publish an overhaul price, so ask a Rotax service center.
- Insurance and hangar. Zenith publishes no premium, so get quotes before you buy.
- Inspection. An airplane you built can have its condition inspection done by you if you hold a repairman certificate under 14 CFR 65.104.
The Experimental Rules
A CH 701 built by an amateur is an experimental amateur-built aircraft under 14 CFR 21.191(g). Under 14 CFR 91.319, you cannot carry persons or property for compensation or hire, and you must tell each person you carry that the aircraft is experimental. Zenith's conditions of sale permit the buyer to build one airplane in the experimental or ultralight category.
Zenith's newer CH 750 STOL, with a published airframe kit price of $28,250, is the larger alternative if the 701's 1,100 pounds gross weight is too limiting. For other bush airplanes, see our guide to how much a bush plane costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Zenith CH 701 kit cost?
Zenith's online store lists the airframe kit at $22,950 and the finishing kit at $7,450, a total of $30,400. The engine, avionics, paint and upholstery are extra, and prices are subject to change.
How short is the CH 701 takeoff roll?
Zenith specifies a takeoff roll of 60 feet with the 80 hp Rotax 912 and 50 feet with the 100 hp 912S, at 1,100 pounds gross weight, standard atmosphere, sea level and no wind.
How long does it take to build a CH 701?
Zenith says building from drawings and manuals alone takes about 1,500 hours and that the factory kit can be assembled in a few hundred hours. The kit is aimed at first-time builders.
Can a sport pilot fly a CH 701?
Zenith says the standard kit meets the light-sport aircraft definition, so a sport pilot may fly it, but it cannot guarantee a builder's finished airplane will meet that definition. It recommends keeping the airplane as light as possible.
What engine does the CH 701 use?
Zenith quotes performance with the Rotax 912 (80 hp) and the Rotax 912S (100 hp). It sells firewall-forward engine packages and says to contact it for pricing.
Related guides: How Much Does a Savannah S Cost?.
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