dicel87
Active Member
I have been looking at the Zenith web site alot lately and one of the things that recently struck me was that they could be missing out on a potential area of opportunity. There are not that many 4 seat high wing metal planes designed for the O-360 series engines. Most of them, such as the RV-10, bump you up into the 540 series. ($$$).
First consider that the CH-701 evolved into the CH-750 and has gotten solid reviews on how much easier the kit goes together with more CNC drilled holes completed for the builder... but it is still clearly a STOL aircraft.
Now imagine not only doing something similar with the CH-801 but also putting a different twist on the new design so that it could be more of a touring aircraft capable of 20+ kts more speed than the current 801. Perhaps a different wing without the slats and flaperons (with small modifications maybe the CH-640 wing would work) and some stream lining of things like the cowling and wheel pants. Reshape the fuselage since extreme STOL is no longer the objective and the plane takes on a whole new look.
Could be marketed as the CH-850 in one of two configurations - either STOL or Touring.
Here is my 30 minute mock up
First consider that the CH-701 evolved into the CH-750 and has gotten solid reviews on how much easier the kit goes together with more CNC drilled holes completed for the builder... but it is still clearly a STOL aircraft.
Now imagine not only doing something similar with the CH-801 but also putting a different twist on the new design so that it could be more of a touring aircraft capable of 20+ kts more speed than the current 801. Perhaps a different wing without the slats and flaperons (with small modifications maybe the CH-640 wing would work) and some stream lining of things like the cowling and wheel pants. Reshape the fuselage since extreme STOL is no longer the objective and the plane takes on a whole new look.
Could be marketed as the CH-850 in one of two configurations - either STOL or Touring.
Here is my 30 minute mock up
