On-Site Kit Evaluation Of The STOL CH 750 Kit Completed
A four-person FAA National Kit Evaluation Team (NKET) concluded
its two day visit to Zenith Aircraft Company in Mexico, Missouri
Wednesday. The team was sent to determine whether the STOL CH 750
aircraft kit will officially allow an amateur-builder to meet the
"major portion" (or "51% percent") requirement of Title 14, Code of
Federal Regulations part 21, Certification Procedures for Products
and Parts, § 21.191(g).
While it will be several more weeks before the FAA issues its
official determination and the STOL CH 750 kit is added to the
FAA's official "Revised Listing of Amateur-Built Aircraft Kits,"
Zenith Aircraft officials were pleased with the NKET's visit.
"Based on the FAA's on-site inspections and our discussions the
STOL CH 750 kit will be added to the FAA list of eligible aircraft
kits," said Zenith Aircraft Company's president Sebastien
Heintz.
STOL CH 750 builders will be able to use the resulting FAA
checklists to determine exactly how much commercial / professional
builder assistance may be used in the construction of their
projects without violating the "major portion" requirement,
commonly referred to as the "51% Rule."
Based on the popular STOL CH 701 "Sky Jeep" design from Chris
Heintz that was first introduced more than twenty years ago, the
all new STOL CH 750 design incorporates all of the 701's amazing
short-field capabilities, while maximizing cabin size and load
carrying capability allowed under the FAA's new Sport Pilot / Light
Sport Aircraft category.
Like the original, the STOL CH 750 aircraft was developed as an
"off-airport" short take-off and landing kit aircraft to fulfill
the demanding requirements of both sport pilots and first-time
builders. The all-metal aircraft wing design features fixed
leading-edge slats for high lift, full-span flaperons (both
ailerons and flaps), and an all-flying rudder. The design delivers
truly amazing short take-off and landing (STOL) performance as well
as surprisingly competitive cruise speed. The plane offers great
bushplane capabilities all with the simplicity of a tricycle gear
configuration (with fully steerable nosewheel). Pilots are
universally impressed by the huge cabin, side-by-side seating, and
easy cabin access through the dual bubble doors that help with
spectacular "wrap-around" visibility. The are many engine choices
available for the STOL CH 750, including the Continental O-200,
Jabiru 3300, Rotax 912 ULS, ULpower, Corvair, and others.
The all-new STOL CH 750 is available as an easy-to-build kit
which draws on Zenith's decades of experience in the kit industry,
while also using new state-of-the-art CNC fabrication equipment.
The result is a complete kit that Zenith says can be assembled by
first time builders with only basic tools and skills. The
STOL CH 750 airframe requires less than 400 hours to build from the
complete factory-supplied kit. The kit includes many CNC pre-cut
and pre-drilled skins and components, made with extensive use of
match-hole technology, and includes detailed drawings (blueprints)
and photo assembly manuals. The standard kit comes with
factory-finished wing spar assemblies, and is supplied with all
hardware needed to complete the airframe.