Monday 15 June 2015

Zenair CH 750 STOLs of New Zealand

The Zenith/Zenair CH 750 STOL was designed by Chris Heintz and was introduced at EAA Airventure 2008 as an off-airport STOL aircraft that slots in between the CH 701 and the CH 801. (And in 2013 a CH 750 Cruzer model was introduced designed for use from airport runways).

It is 11 inches longer (at 20 feet 10 inches) and 2 inches taller (at 8 feet 1 inch) than the CH 701 and has a 2 foot 9 inch wider wingspan (at 29 feet 9 inches) with a wing area of 144 square feet (compared to the CH 701s 122 square feet).  And it still has the fixed slats.  It also has a wider cabin and bigger cabin doors, and a more robust undercarriage.  Empty weight is 775 pounds (350 Kg) and MAUW is 1,320 pounds (600KG) which means it can be a LSA.  Power is from a 100 and up HP engine such as the Rotax 912iS, O-200, Jabiru 3300 or UL Power.

We have had only two CH 750 STOLs in New Zealand to date, but we will see more.  I know of one that is being imported from the US and which should be here later in the year.

ZK-FLN3 (c/n 75-7669) was built by Jeff Gilbertson of Wanganui and was registered to the Gildon Trust of Wanganui on 16/12/13.  Jeff told me that it first flew in February 2014 and that he has now flown more than 100 hours in the aircraft.  Thanks to Jeff for the photo.

ZK-EAS2 (c/n 75-7075) was built by James H Nelson of Clearwater, Florida and was registered as N75JN on 12/7/12.  It was cancelled from the US register on 14/1/14 and imported into New Zealand by Hamish R Hamilton of Hokitika, being assembled at Rangiora, and it was registered here on 17/3/14.  It was photo'd above at Rangiora on 11/4/14.  Unfortunately it suffered an accident while landing in the Taramakau River bed on 8/6/14 and was badly damaged but may be being rebuilt.


2 comments:

  1. Hello. I'm Naomi's husband Bob and we are traveling the North Island until March 22 and leave on the 23. Any chance of getting any CH701 or 750 rides? I have built and now fly a 701 in the mountains and prairies of Alberta, Canada. Thanks

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  2. Hello there Bob.
    Do you have a set itinerary. Let me know and I may be able to put you in contact with an owner.
    I believe we have eleven 701's scattered around the North Island.
    My direct email is paulldj@xtra.co.nz
    Cheers

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