Check out the short landing of this Zenith STOL with custom taildragger gear configuration! Ivan Gromala of Quality Sport Planes is learning to fly his recently completed Zenith STOL CH 701 "Sky Jeep" with this custom tail wheel gear configuration.
First introduced in 1986, the STOL CH 701 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. With the STOL CH 701, designer Chris Heintz combined the features and advantages of a “real” airplane with the short-field capabilities of an “ultralight” aircraft. The aircraft features fixed leading-edge slats for high lift, full-span flaperons (both ailerons and flaps), an all-flying rudder, and durable all-metal construction.
While the basic design has remained the same, many significant improvements have been introduced over the years, including a higher useful load, easier and quicker build kits, and more detailed drawings and step-by-step assembly instructions.
The standard tricycle gear configuration of the STOL CH 701 makes it suitable for low-time recreational pilots (while offering outstanding short take off and landing performance and excellent "off airport" capability), and offers the inherent advantages of tricycle gear configuration. However, one of the big advantages to building ones own aircraft is the ability to customize the kit as desired by the builder.
Zenith STOL CH 701, custom-built and piloted by Ivan Gromala of Quality Sport Planes (Cloverdale, California) with taildragger gear configuration (using the Shock Monster gear, with Beringer wheels and Brakes, and Alaska Bushwheels tires). Rotax 912ULS with WhirlWind propeller.