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The Zenith Zodiac CH-701 STOL is a two-seat, single-engine, all metal
shoulder-wing microlight airplane with a fixed tricycle undercarriage
with steerable nosewheel or tail wheel. The "SkyJeep," with the heavy
gear and tundra tires and all aluminium wings is a Ultralight Bush Plane
with excellent short-field performance. With its slow flight capability
the plane is an excellent observation platform. In 1985, Chris Heintz,
founder and chief designer of Zenair, started the development of the
Zenair STOL CH701 in a response to the need for a small but rugged
airplane that could be fitted with wheels, skis and floats. The first
Zenair CH701 s/n 73001, registered N701ZA, was introduced in 1986.
Production deliveries started in 1987. In 1992, Heintz licensed the kit
manufacturing and marketing rights to Zenith Aircraft Company for the
Zodiac CH 601 and the STOL CH 701 designs. In 1992, Heintz also entered
into a license agreement with Czech Aircraft Works of Stare Mesto, Czech
Republic, to produce and market his Zodiac CH 601 and STOL CH 701
designs for the European market. The Czech-produced Zodiacs were
modified and lightened to meet European rules for microlight aircraft.
CZAW produced some 750 such machines under this agreement. On 31
December 2006, after the license agreement, under which the Zenair
Zodiac CH 601 and STOL CH 701 light aircraft designs were produced by
CZAW, was terminated and the Czech production came to an end. The Zenair
CH-701 is nowadays manufactured in kit form by Zenith Aircraft Company,
Mexico, Missouri in the USA. The STOL CH 701 kit aircraft may be built from component
or complete kits, or even built from just the drawing and manuals.
Building a STOL CH 701 from just the drawing and manuals lasts more time, skills, and tools,
to build. Recommended power for the CH-701 is the four cylinder
four stroke 80 HP Bombardier Rotax 912 UL engine, other alternative power units
with a recommended power of 65 to 100 HP and up to 185 lbs. installed weight can be installed. The aircraft
is approved as a towplane in Germany. Today the more roomy Zenith CH 750 STOL is up and running in production as a further
modified model with wider doors and even better visibility. The STOL CH701 design meets the definition of a Light Sport
Aircraft (LSA) for operation under the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category.
The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the Zenith CH 701 D STOL is CH70. |
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Zenith CH 701 D STOL s/n 7-9067 was built by Roland aircraft, Mending, Germany and was registered PH-3U1 in the Netherlands on 30 December 2003.
The 1999-built aircraft is powered by a Bombardier-Rotax 912UL DCDI piston engine.
On 13 April 2024, the Roland-built Zenith CH 701 D STOL PH-3U1
was seen at its home base Hilversum airfield (EHHV). |
