Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
Online Community of Zenith Builders and Flyers
No more CH640?
From the Zenair website... http://www.zenair640.info/
For economic reasons, kit production for the CH 640 aircraft was discontinued in early 2020. Zenair will continue to provide necessary parts and sub-kits to existing builders to complete their projects and for owners to maintain & repair existing aircraft.
Interestingly when I click on the hyperlink, the page it takes me to is like a press release, but it disappears about 10 seconds after it pops up every time I try to read the whole thing. An excerpt from the hyperlinked press release:
The demand for four-seat experimental kit aircraft has been slow across the industry; a fact that has also impacted sales of Zenair's 4-seat designs. This has unfortunately made production of our affordable airframe kits for the Zodiac CH 640 economically un-viable. Rather than increase the price of these kits, Zenair has decided to cease production and sale of all new drawings and/or kits for this particular design.
For those that have already started a CH 640 kit project, or for those already flying one of these remarkable 4-seat aircraft, Zenair is committed to providing all necessary parts and sub-kits necessary to complete the aircraft and/or to maintain & repair existing models.
To order parts for your CH 640 aircraft, contact Zenair with the part-numbers and the part quantities you need.
Note: You will need to be registered as the owner of your aircraft for technical-support and to order parts; your aircraft serial-number will be needed to register.
See Here for additional "How to Order" information.
This is what's curious to me. You won't even sell the drawings if we want to plans-build? I guess somebody needs to tell Vans they need to shut down their RV-10 production lines... And Airplane Factory, y'all need to shut down your Sling TSi machines as well. Y'a know... since "The demand for four-seat experimental kit aircraft has been slow across the industry" and all...
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Dan Hill on
-
It seems that Zenith is going to continue to support current builders so I personally don't see it as an issue. If we look at the numbers Zenith probabbly should have stopped offering the 640 long ago . It seems that it is an airplane which has a small cult following and while it has been a relativly inexpensive alternative for 4 seats it appeals to very few who will actually build it. It has a dated design appearance and most who want more than 2 seats within the zenith line will build an 801 from a kit or a 750 super duty. When we look at the forums the 701 and the 750 each has in excess of 1700 members while the 640 has 133 and the reality is that only a small percentage are building just my opinion, Dan.
-
Permalink Reply by George Burns on
-
Dan,
And your opinion is shared by many. I have a different take on it. My take is, the only reason the 640 didn't sell is, nobody knew about it. There was no advertising effort put forth by Zenair. I never saw any coverage at the airshows about it. I can't tell you the number of EAA members I had to explain to what a CH640 is. One of our local EAA chapter members flies an RV10. He asked me what I wanted to build. I told him, He said "You mean a CH650?" I said no, then pulled up a picture of the 640 on my phone. He looked at it for a few minutes like he had been gut-punched a little... "I wish I'd have known Zenith made a 4-place". Am I saying he would have chosen to build a 640 over an RV10? No. Not him in particular. But a certain percentage of him? Yes.
And that's all fine, except, I'm not a "current builder" yet. I attempted to buy my set of CH 640 plans last fall. I sent several e-mails to Michael Heintz inquiring about the plane, he would answer my questions, and my final e-mail was a request to purchase. My e-mail got ignored. Never responded to. I was annoyed, but thought "I will just put it off 'til the spring and reconnect then and buy the plans."
Now I ask you... What is left out there to scratch-build a 4-seat low-wing?
I wonder if Zenair would sell me the rights to the plans. I could try and make a go of it... I would makes some changes though.... (Split flaps???)
-
Permalink Reply by Ian Robb on
-
"What is left out there to scratch-build a 4-seat low-wing"
Not much really.
There's the Jodel D.140 Mousquetaire, which supposedly has plans, and like the Ch640, was a factory built model. Looks great too.
The Edelweiss RD-03 was a plans built 2+2, but with a pretty low gross weight for a 4 seater(650lbs)
Does it have to be low-wing? I get the appeal of the low-wingers, but there are many more high-wing 4-seat designs out there, both low and slow, and high and fast.
-
-
Falconar F12A cruiser is a fairly large 2 seater with optional 3rd seat, and bout 900lbs of useful load.
-
Permalink Reply by CHRISTIAN TREMBLAY on
-
Hi George,Related to the fact about CH640 Zenith annoncement, I send today an email to Michael Heinz, I need to evaluated how this will impact my own project planification.Questions asked to M.H.:1) Coul'd I have an update plan release for my plan CH0059 ? Many changes occurs ? new drawing format ?2) My plan CH0059 dont show (640-f-33) dimension measurement for canopy and the door-windows ? Without dimension, I can' figure what it should be without facing greater security risk.3) What would be the exact futur of CH640, what parts and sub-kits will be availables (for existing builders) :- Only existing inventory part,- Zenith would you be able to produce parts "on demand" if not in the inventory,- What will happen with the specific dye and moulds of CH640 ?Like you suggest, they could reseved existing inventory sub-kits & pieces to actual builders and continue to sell plan to new (without or not) any support. But what we do about the Canopy ? Where are de dimensions specifications that I dont have ? (Cowling could be purchase or made by old method of foam forming)I will post the precision of Zenith CH640 builders group about their respond.RegardsChristian
-
Permalink Reply by Brad Payne on
-
I never saw anything about this model until now! It's no wonder there is no demand. No one in the last 5+ years knew it existed! I would be seriously looking at that as my next kit right now if it was an option. If we dont know about it, it's hard to say we want one and buy it.
-
-
Thank you Brad. My point exactly.
-
Permalink Reply by Rostie on
-
we can combine our efforts to give second birth to this wonderful project. We have everything for this, drawings and improvements.
We can discuss this in private messages
-
Permalink Reply by Michael T. on
-
I wrote to the owner/CEO of Sonex
i hit my knees and asked them very nicely to consider the CH-640
Sonex does not have a 4 place aircraft…. The CH-640 is a ready to go… proven design
The CH-640 looks at home with the low wing Sonex line…The CH-640 was out of place in the high wing line up
my suggestion was a license agreement or out right purchase
Zenair could still provide hard to fabricate parts like main landing gear legs and canopy
the best thing would be for a company to do the CH-640 as a kit and not scratch build..
Sonex has the in-house resources to bring the CH-640 plans into the modern age.. pre-punched kits… ect
also to take a fresh look at the back seat to make it a better 4 place.. lower the floor… raise the canopy a little to make riding in the back a better experience… also a baggage door/area under/behind the backseat… as the CH-640 has load capacity to spare
im asking all of you …. If you love this plane… then write the letter… to Sonex or whomever … to look at this fabulous aircraft …, it deserves a second life in a new home
I BTW own plans for the Sonex A and the CH-640
Michael
-
-
I have decided to design my own 4 place low wing and market it as a kit. I think something like the 640 is a good starting point for design, construction methods, etc., but its looks have fallen behind. Almost everything needs to be improved or totally redesigned. I'm planning on offering a kit that has almost everything determined, like the SlingTsi comes with the Rotax Tsi... mine will come with a specific engine. Auto repurpose, Turbo, FADEC. Tapered wings, wet wing tanks, longer fuselage in order to expand W&B range, parachute, optional retract design, better looking aerodynamics. simpler stick design instead of the complicated yoke apparatus, etc.
-
-
I can’t edit my early post so I’m adding this post
if a company was to pick up the CH-640 and re-brand it
it could be done with very little cost respectively
an offer could be made to solicit orders for the tail kit… they would not even have to lift a pencil or click a mouse yet on the plans…. Just see if their is interest in the kit
if not they can walk away … no harm no foul
if they get enough interest … then making match hole kits for the tail parts could begin..,
-
-
Zenair management has made the friendly suggestion that since the CH-640 is a now discontinued model that discussions and comments be moved over to the forums that exist now for the other discontinued models
the forum group for the CH-200 and CH-300(models the paved the way for the CH-640) is
https://zenith.groups.io/g/classic/messages
That forum is paid for and funded by owners and enthusiasts of the CH-200/300
its not easy to make a living these days… so I don’t second guess management and the decisions made concerning the CH-640
New from Zenith:
Classified listing for buying or selling your Zenith building or flying related stuff...
Custom Instrument Panels
for your Zenith:
Custom instrument panels are now available directly from Zenith Aircraft Company exclusively for Zenith builders and owners. Pre-cut panel, Dynon and Garmin avionics, and more.
Zenith Homecoming Tee:
Flying On Your Own Wings:
A Complete Guide to Understanding Light Airplane Design, by Chris Heintz
Builder & Pilot Supplies:
Pro Builder Assistance:
Transition training:
Aircraft Spruce & Specialty for all your building and pilot supplies!
How to videos from HomebuiltHELP.com
Developed specifically for Zenith builders (by a builder) these videos on DVD are a great help in building your own kit plane by providing practical hands-on construction information. Visit HomebuiltHelp.com for the latest DVD titles.
© 2024 Created by Zenith.Aero.
Powered by
