STOL CH 701 Complete Airframe Kit - Zenith Aircraft

The underlying philosophy behind the STOL CH 701 kit is to provide the builder with everything needed to complete the STOL CH 701 airframe - with only basic tools and skills. The STOL CH 701 requires about one year (or about 400 hours) to build from the complete factory-supplied kit.

All you need to get started is a level workbench and basic hand tools. The detailed Drawings & Manuals guide the builder through the kit assembly process. The Drawings and Manuals supplied with the complete kit are not just instructions as with most kits, but are detailed blueprints of the complete aircraft.

Actually, a STOL CH 701 builder is really assembling the kit from quality parts and components supplied in the kit. All components, parts and hardware are supplied – labeled and numbered for easy identification. Every bolt, fastener, and rivet is supplied; from the propeller spinner right down to the rear fuselage tie-down bracket.

The airframe kit takes an average time of just 400 hours of straight-forward and basic assembly work to put together using only simple tools, such as an electric hand drill, a hand rivet puller, ‘Cleco’ temporary fasteners, a set of wrenches, a few hand files, sheet-metal snips, etc. Importantly, virtually no jigs and fixtures are needed in the building process, as all sections are built up from the flat workbench. A bending brake, shear or other machinery is not needed, and assembly is easily done in a single car garage or basement workshop.

While previous aircraft building experience and sheet-metal skills are always an asset, the STOL CH 701 kit and assembly instructions have been developed specifically for the inexperienced novice builder. In fact, an overwhelming number of STOL CH 701 builders are building their very first aircraft. The simplicity of construction, quality of parts and components, and the completeness of the kit translates into low build-times and a very high kit completion ratio, even for novice builders.

The STOL CH 701 kit meets the requirements for amateur-built (experimental) categories in the United States and Canada, as well as in most countries around the world. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has determined that the STOL CH 701 kits meet FAR section 21.191(g), making it eligible for amateur-built registration. The STOL CH 701 meets "ultralight" specifications in many other countries.

"A tour of the factory demonstrates the work which goes into producing a kit. Using state-of-the-art fabrication techniques, the skilled staff produces all kit parts with special attention to detail. All parts supplied in the kit are ready-to-assemble."

- CANADIAN FLIGHT

In the kit, all the wing ribs and fuselage bulkheads are supplied pre-formed. For example, the internal wing ribs are first press-formed, with lightening holes cut and flanged, and then hand finished at the factory for a perfect ready-to-install fit. The heavy-duty wing spar comes complete with all solid (bucked) rivets already set by factory professionals. Surface skins - wings, ailerons, elevator, rudder, and fuselage - are ready for fitting, and most skins are supplied pre-drilled to minimize construction time.

While the basic design of the STOL CH 701 has remained the same since its introduction in 1986, many significant improvements have been made to the kit over the years, including a new all-terrain gear, higher useful load, quicker and easier build kits, and more detailed drawings and step-by-step assembly instructions. New Kit Features - Same Low Price: The standard STOL CH 701 kit now includes many CNC pre-cut and pre-drilled skins and components, and also includes new updated CAD Drawings and Photo Assembly Manuals.

Parts Manufacturing at the Zenith Aircraft factory:

Pre-assembled parts (such as the wing spar) are factory-treated with zinc-chromate primer for maximum corrosion resistance. Welded parts, such as the engine mount, control assemblies, and fuel tank, come factory welded and ready to install.

The STOL CH 701 kit is complete: the new all-terrain landing gear, hydraulic brake system, fiber-glass wing tips, control systems, welded aluminum fuel tank, etc., are standard equipment in the complete airframe kit. With the addition of the ‘firewall-forward’ Rotax 912 series powerplant and instruments package, the builder gets everything needed to complete the STOL CH 701 aircraft.

The STOL CH 701 builder can start assembly right away after taking delivery of the kit. Working from a flat table, the builder can immediately begin to build the wings - simply by measuring, drilling and riveting, and thus progress through the whole airframe section by section, aided by the detailed blue prints, step-by-step manual and visual photo guides supplied with the kit. Building the all-metal STOL CH 701 is straight forward, requiring no complex jigs, and no messy (and hazardous) doping or epoxy work is involved. With the proven and simple all-metal construction technique, the STOL CH 701 builder does not have to worry about having a temperature controlled dust-free work-shop environment, and does not have to mix compounds and wait for parts to cure.

The STOL CH 701 builder is buying more than a box full of aircraft kit parts: We take customer support seriously, and take pride in the reputation we’ve developed over the last twenty years. Our relationship with the customer only begins when the kit is delivered. Direct factory support is always available - just a phone call, fax or email message away, which is promptly answered by the same professionals who build the kits. Whether building from plans-only, component kits, or from the complete kit, direct technical support is available to every STOL CH 701 builder. The exclusive online builder resources and the ZENITH.AERO online community are other forms of continuous builder support, providing ongoing updates, building tips and news from other builders. Also, there are already hundreds of active STOL CH 701 builders around the world, happy to help other local builders complete their projects.

Workshops at the factory allow first-time builders to gain hands-on experience in building their own aircraft with the guidance and help of experienced factory professionals.

Compare the value and quality of the STOL CH 701 kit to the competition for completeness, pre-manufactured parts and components, standard equipment, low build time, building ease and required skills. The high STOL CH 701 kit completion ratio speaks for the quality of the kit and the level of available customer support.

START BUILDING FOR JUST A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS ! An exclusive offer for first-time builders

If you’re ready to start building your own airplane, but aren’t sure that you have the required skills and want to learn more about building, the introductory Starter Kit has been developed just for you. The Starter Kit includes the complete kit for the rudder tail section of the STOL CH 701 and comes with a detailed and illustrated 'step-by-step' assembly manual - everything you need to get started! Developed specifically for the first-time builder, the low-cost Starter Kit includes everything you need to start building your own STOL CH 701 kit aircraft. Click here for information on the introductory Starter Kit and factory workshops.

Metalworking 101 is a new two-hour DVD that covers the complete assembly of the STOL CH 701 rudder starter kit. Independently produced by a STOL CH 701 builder, the DVD provides an excellent introduction to getting started on your own STOL CH 701 kit project... the next best thing to attending a factory workshop. The DVD makes an excellent companion to the rudder starter kit. HomebuiltHelp.com offers additional DVD titles specifically to help STOL CH 701 builders with their project.

Related Topics:

• Detailed Kit Construction Photos

• Drawings & Manuals

• Kit Features & Equipment

• Visiting the Zenith Aircraft factory

• All-Metal Aircraft Construction

© Zenith Aircraft Company: 2013-05-06