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The newest version of this aircraft is the STOL CH 801-SD The CH 801-SD has a longer wing span, more tail surface
and a much higher useful load than earlier models! |
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Click here for the latest on the availability of STOL CH 801-SD airframe kits. (Updated 12/23)
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The Zenair STOL CH 801 is a robust, easy to assemble and to maintain four-seat utility kit aircraft designed to carry an impressive useful-load and to provide maximum short-field performances. Developed for much more than occasional leisure flights and weekend outings, the STOL CH 801 has always been optimized for tight, off-airport operations at full loads!
HISTORY OF ZENAIR'S STOL AIRCRAFT:
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First came the 2-seat STOL CH 701 (1986): Absolutely awesome performances but a little small for many, with minimal useful load and limited engine choices - a prize-winning all-metal ultra-light in many countries!
The 4-seat STOL CH 801 followed (1999): A roomy hauler with 180HP - Big enough for pilots who find the CH 701 "too tight" and for those who wish to take the family along... Then, for sport pilots, came the Light Sport CH 750 series: “Sky Jeep” performance with a roomy cabin and lots of engine choices! There are three distinct versions of the CH 750: STOL, CRUZER and Super-Duty. |
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STOL CH 801 DEVELOPMENT:
1999 - 2011: The classic STOL CH 801 was first developed for recreational builders and pilots seeking exceptional Short Take-Off & Landing performances in and out of short, unpaved fields. In its first ten year, the STOL CH 801 became one of only a handful of successful 4-seat kit aircraft designs available anywhere. As with the STOL CH 701, most classic STOL CH 801 aircraft are still kept off-airport and operated from grass fields by their pragmatic and adventurous owners!
2012 - 2018: Over the years, the utility potential and versatility of the STOL CH 801 attracted an entirely new group of users: operators more interested in specialized missions and "commercial" applications such as crop spraying. To meet this demand, the classic CH 801 was beefed-up to take the daily beating of commercial use and abuse. This extra-robust model became known as the "Heavy-Duty" STOL CH 801 or CH 801-HD and officially replaced the classic CH 801 in 2012.
2019 - Present: When the new three-seat Super-Duty CH 750-SD was introduced, many of its characteristics were noticeably similar to the CH 801-HD (i.e. same engine). This coincided with an increasing demand for an even more capable CH 801, which lead to the development of the Super-Duty CH 801-SD: This larger aircraft (with extended wings & tail surfaces) now became suitable for even more power and more load-carrying capacity: a whopping 1,400 lbs useful load!
Today, the only CH 801 model still available is the STOL CH 801-SD (although individual parts and technical support are still available for older models). As with previous CH 801 models, the SD model is only available as a kit project (it cannot be constructed from "plans-only"). CH 801 kits are still undrilled at this time and kit production is also very restrained, limited to production runs of 5+ aircraft (contact Zenair for details). Builders looking for a readily-available similar aircraft currently offered as a fully pre-drilled matched-hole kit should consider the Super-Duty STOL CH 750-SD!
2012 - 2018: Over the years, the utility potential and versatility of the STOL CH 801 attracted an entirely new group of users: operators more interested in specialized missions and "commercial" applications such as crop spraying. To meet this demand, the classic CH 801 was beefed-up to take the daily beating of commercial use and abuse. This extra-robust model became known as the "Heavy-Duty" STOL CH 801 or CH 801-HD and officially replaced the classic CH 801 in 2012.
2019 - Present: When the new three-seat Super-Duty CH 750-SD was introduced, many of its characteristics were noticeably similar to the CH 801-HD (i.e. same engine). This coincided with an increasing demand for an even more capable CH 801, which lead to the development of the Super-Duty CH 801-SD: This larger aircraft (with extended wings & tail surfaces) now became suitable for even more power and more load-carrying capacity: a whopping 1,400 lbs useful load!
Today, the only CH 801 model still available is the STOL CH 801-SD (although individual parts and technical support are still available for older models). As with previous CH 801 models, the SD model is only available as a kit project (it cannot be constructed from "plans-only"). CH 801 kits are still undrilled at this time and kit production is also very restrained, limited to production runs of 5+ aircraft (contact Zenair for details). Builders looking for a readily-available similar aircraft currently offered as a fully pre-drilled matched-hole kit should consider the Super-Duty STOL CH 750-SD!
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BUILT TOUGH & ADAPTABLE!
Aside from their off-airport appeal and unmatched STOL performances, the high-wing Zenith STOL series are attractive to many thanks to their compatibility with numerous different types of engines. Many brands & models of powerplants have been installed on the Super-Duty models ranging from 160-240 HP, including:
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BUILT-IN RESILIENCE!
Differences between the original CH 801 and the newer CH 801-HD and CH 801-SD models include more ribs in the wings, thicker fuselage skins, heavier streamlined struts, beefier landing gear fittings, beefier cabin frame, more gussets and larger rivets in key areas. The HD modifications do not enhance the performance or specification of the original design, rather, they make it tougher, more resistant to abuse and rough handling. The rational for these changes is to give the aircraft a heavier, more utilitarian look and feel. The Super-Duty model does more of the the same, with additional power and for a Gross Weight of 2,700 lbs.
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Designed and Built
by Zenair Canada
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THE CH 801-HD and SD: When you need a workhorse!
Built of durable all-metal construction, the STOL CH 801-HD and SD models are designed to provide the durability and ruggedness required of an "off-airport" bushplane, while still being quick and easy to build and maintain. Developed as true utility kit aircraft, the STOL CH 801-HD and the STOL CH 801-SD offer modern features in two truly versatile and utilitarian aircraft.
Built of durable all-metal construction, the STOL CH 801-HD and SD models are designed to provide the durability and ruggedness required of an "off-airport" bushplane, while still being quick and easy to build and maintain. Developed as true utility kit aircraft, the STOL CH 801-HD and the STOL CH 801-SD offer modern features in two truly versatile and utilitarian aircraft.
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The STOL CH 801-HD and SD aircraft are at home on off-airport fields as well as on city airports, providing both the versatility of a four-seat aircraft and the capability of a cargo-hauling bush plane. Developed as utility aircraft, high speed performance has been traded for outstanding high lift features to offer true short take-off and landing performance and spectacular slow flight characteristics, with a huge cabin and payload. While many other aircraft designs may be faster than the Zenair STOL series, none offer more payload and short-field capability in an aircraft that is both affordable and simple to own.
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Simple systems maximize the reliability of the STOL CH 801. Its slow stall speed makes the aircraft easy to fly and give it spectacular short-field performance as well as overall versatility. Contact Zenair Ltd. for more details.
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Designer Chris Heintz, a veteran aeronautical engineer, summarizes Zenair's STOL series: "The much-copied two-seat STOL CH 701 first came out in 1986 and soon set the standard for all new all-metal off-airport light aircraft. When recreational pilots asked for a larger version, the four-seat CH 801 was introduced (1999). When the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category was announced, Zenair developed yet a new STOL design, the CH 750, optimized for light Sport rules. After receiving numerous requests for a larger, tougher and more "industrial-grade" STOL design based on the CH 801, the heavy-duty CH 801-HD was developed; the CH 801-SD introduced in 2017. Today, this full line of STOL designs is operated around the world by recreational pilots who enjoy the short and rough field capabilities of the design; we also have specialized groups using the "HD" in agricultural (spraying) and other commercial/specialized settings..."
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