Zenith CH640 questions

I've been looking at the Zenith CH640 recently. I like the overall stats of the airplane and the fact that you can buy the plans to scratch build. It meets all the other basic factors I would like to see in an airplane as well. I've tried searching the forums and found very few references to it.

My biggest question is regarding the recent problems that the 601XL and 650 models and if the 640 may have some of the same design aspects or if it is different enough to not be a concern.

I would be curious to know if anyone can confirm or deny the ability to actually scratch build the plane.

Following onto that I am curious if any has any other information about the plane to share.

Chris

Originally Posted by cryan

I would be curious to know if anyone can confirm or deny the ability to actually scratch build the plane.

Chris

Chris,
Seems like they sell plans for it for 495$ Kit Price Info - ZODIAC CH 640: New Four Seat Kit Aircraft from Chris Heintz

But probably the best idea is to write to them, you might also want to ask Rhino.

Seb

I own plans #086 for the CH-640. It shares the same spar as the Alarus CH2000 (with some extensions to add more wing area). I'm not tracking that the CH-640 or the Alarus are affected.

I built a CH640. While any aircraft designed by the same designer will have some similarities in design, The 640 is quite different than the 601xl. As someone mentioned, the 640 is basically an Alarus with longer wings, a bigger tail, and a back seat. Some areas have been beefed up a bit for the higher weight, but they are very similar. While there are not a lot of 640's flying, there are quite a few Alarus that have been flying a long time without any evidence of structural problems. I have over 800 hours on my 640, and structurally it is a solid aircraft. It can be built from plans, and a number of people are doing just that. Check out the following website which chronicles a scratch built 640 in progress.

zodiac640.com

FlyGuy: Are you building, or planning on building, the 640?

Sadams: What type of engine are you using and how close to the documented weight/performance numbers is your aircraft to the published values?

Chris

The one thing I still don't understand about that aircraft is why so few have been built. The design was first introduced in April of 2001 and only 5 customer built versions have been completed and registered in the U.S. so far.

cryan: I have a Superior XP-360 engine with fixed pitch Sensenich prop. My planes empty wieght is 1220 lbs, fully IFR, and performance is honestly right about what is specified on the 640 website.

Jon: I'm not sure why so few have been built. I think it is kind of a unique airplane that sits between the small 2 seat kits and larger, higher performance kits like the RV-10. It doesn't fill a niche like the STOL kits, so it kind of stands alone. It also is not the most beautiful airplane to look at in a lot of peoples eyes, in that it has a very utilitarian design putting function and ease of construction over looks. In any event, I think for a lot of people it would perfectly fit their mission, it just never seemed to catch on very well. I'm very happy with mine.

Sadams: It most certainly is not the most elegant looking design however as you mentioned that it has a very utilitarian look and feel. I like the look myself and that is one the things I like about. It also fits my need for something that is larger than 2 seats but not needing to be quite 4 and less expensive than something like the RV's.

Thanks for the information about your plane.

mcjon77: The lack of built airplanes in the US is one of the reasons why I'm looking for more information. What little I have found seems to indicate it's a good airplane but most people don't seem to like the look of it. With so few out there though I want to make sure there isn't something I'm missing that is keeping the airplane from being more popular. I do like the RV line but need/would like something I can scratch build for a lower cost.

Chris

I would like to chime in as one of the few owner/builders of the ch 640

I built plan #0041 from slow build kit. (Almost 8 years in building).

I had my airworthiness inspection last August and have logged 13 very enjoyable hours before winter set in. The airplane performs very close to the numbers published by Zenith. Mine is powered by an older Lycoming O-340(170hp) and I see 140+mph regularly. As a long time C-150 drive I can tell you that climb out is QUITE impressive. Actually very fun!

As far as flying qualities, there are no surprises. It has a small yoke and seems to be very responsive. I usually only use ailerons on the yoke and fly quite a bit with the servo controlled trim. The elevator seems fairly heavy. The only downside is that it likes to go pretty fast on take off roll before rotation happens, but once it does hang on!

My dad is in the final phases of a 601XL project, therefore I can say that the wing/carry through structure of the two planes are quite different. The 601 only has a main and rear spar whereas the 640 also has a forward spar. Aileron cabling is much more sound in the 640 and the main spar is very sturdy.

My 640 came in at 1150# (without paint currently). If you've flown a mid weight Cessna (182,206) or a bigger Cherokee, you already know how to fly it.

Like I said, I built from a slow build kit. If you have access to a decent size shear and brake, I would not be at all afraid of scratch building.

Hope this helps anybody interested. If you're in the northeast Indiana area feel free to stop and see mine.

Doug

For those that think the CH640 is ugly. Check this video out. What a difference a sweet paint job and interior can make!

YouTube - Ibraex Zodiac CH 640 Voo De Performace.

YouTube - Ibraex Zodiac CH 640 Voo De Performace.
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I really like the CH640, especially the construction methods and the fact that it can be plans built. I have always thought that a CH640 and a Jab 3300 powered Sonex would be a lower budget version of a RV7/RV10 combination.

There are at least 11 videos about CH40s on youtube from all over the world. Check them out.

Originally Posted by mcjon77

For those that think the CH640 is ugly. Check this video out. What a difference a sweet paint job and interior can make!

Revoke that man's zoom priveleges! I needed some motion sickness pills after that video, and that was just from the shots on the ground!

Originally Posted by bmcj

Revoke that man's zoom priveleges! I needed some motion sickness pills after that video, and that was just from the shots on the ground!

Yes I had watched that video prior to making this post. That is one of the best done aircraft I had seen on YouTube for the 640. It was also the hardest videos to watch. I certainly hope that wasn't his day job.

Chris

I can't watch the video at work, but I have seen the planes they build. It is actually a ch640 with an RV-10 cabin/doors and an RV-10 cowl. That is why it looks so different.

Originally Posted by sadams

I can't watch the video at work, but I have seen the planes they build. It is actually a ch640 with an RV-10 cabin/doors and an RV-10 cowl. That is why it looks so different.

If I ever build one, that is the route I am going. That plane looks sweet. I kept wondering why it reminded my more of an RV-10 than the other pics of 640s that I have seen.

Hmmm and here I just thought it was an attention to details on the finishing touches and a good paint job. From looking at a couple pictures it appear the cabin portion of the aircraft in the video has a more square shape.