Zenith STOL CH 701

A Zenith STOL CH701 light aircraft

The Zenith STOL CH 701 is a light, two place aircraft designed by Canadian aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz through his Midland, Ontario based company, Zenair. The CH 701 first flew in 1986 and the design is still in production in 2006.

Although the CH 701 is currently manufactured as a complete aircraft by Czech Aircraft Works (CZAW), the majority have been built from kits. The kit is produced and distributed in the USA by the Zenith Aircraft Company. Starting December 31, 2006 Zenair designed aircraft will no longer be manfactured by CZAW.

Designed for off-runway operations, the CH 701 has many features, such as a high lift wing with full-span, non-movable leading edge slats (also known as slots), an all flying rudder, large tires, flaperons and an inverted elevator, that contribute to the the aircraft's STOL capabilities. Zenair also designed a unique tricycle gear amphibious float system for the CH 701.

Designed to the LAMAC design standard DS 10141, in its native country of Canada the CH 701 can be built and flown as a basic ultra-light, advanced ultra-light or amateur-built. The CH 701 can be flown under microlight/ultralight rules in several other countries also. American pilots may fly the CH 701 under FAA Light-sport Aircraft rules or as an experimental amateur-built.