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.

FMI: www.zenithair.com