Aeronca 7ac

Single Piston· 2,133 globally registered

The Zenair CH 701 is a Canadian-designed two-seat light sport aircraft celebrated for its exceptional short takeoff and landing capabilities. Introduced by designer Chris Heintz in the 1980s as a kit aircraft, the CH 701 features a distinctive high-wing configuration with full-span leading-edge slats that enable stall speeds below 30 knots and takeoff rolls under 100 feet. Its rugged fixed tricycle gear and simple all-metal construction made it popular among homebuilders seeking a practical bush plane that could operate from unprepared strips, sandbars, and mountain meadows where conventional aircraft cannot venture. The type's slow-flight envelope is genuinely remarkable for a fixed-wing aircraft. With a stall speed around 28 knots in landing configuration and a never-exceed speed of only 115 knots, the CH 701 occupies a unique performance niche between traditional ultralights and certified light sport aircraft. The full-span slats remain deployed at all times, providing docile handling and steep approach capability without complex systems. Power typically comes from Rotax 912 or Continental O-200 engines producing 80-100 horsepower, giving the 1,320-pound aircraft a useful load around 500 pounds and endurance of three to four hours. While the CH 701 achieved success in the experimental and light sport categories, the design also faced scrutiny following several in-flight breakups in the mid-2000s. Investigations revealed that certain flight conditions could induce tail flutter, prompting Zenair to issue structural modifications including reinforced tail surfaces and revised flight limitations. Builders who incorporated these changes have continued to operate the type safely in its intended STOL role, where its ability to land in spaces shorter than many helicopters require remains unmatched among fixed-wing designs. SkyMeter has tracked 520 flights across 169 airframes and 155 operators, with LETOURNEAU UNIVERSITY the largest observed operator.