Flying the Zenith CH 650 light sport aircraft
Flying the Zenith CH 650: Zenith Aircraft's Sebastien Heintz and Roger Dubbert go flying in the popular low-wing Zenith CH 650 to discuss upcoming events and the Zenith 600-series from aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
The Zenith CH 650B: The affordable recreational kit airplane for the sport pilot: Enjoy leisure flights, with exceptional unrestricted visibility, operate from grass strips, make round trips of several hundred miles in a single day, or take your partner for a local pleasure flight, or to a far-off destination!
The Zenith CH 650B is a second generation light sport aircraft, developed specifically for Sport Pilots. It is the latest model in the Zodiac line of aircraft from aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz, first introduced in 1984. This newest model offers new and updated features including modern new styling with a larger cabin area. Some of the Zenith’s features include a stronger airframe, more engine choices, a new swept back tail design, an all new canopy system with more headroom, improved ventilation, better visibility and added roll-over protection.
Based on the Zodiac CH 601 XL model introduced in 2001, the Zenith CH 650B has been developed specifically to meet the FAA’s Sport Pilot / Light-Sport Aircraft category, and offers maximum performance and capability possible under the new FAA category. With new and updated features and modern styling, the Zenith CH 650 replaces the Zodiac XL model.
The handling characteristics of the Zenith CH650B are very good and quite similar to the previous ZODIAC models, with just slightly higher roll control forces (this was predictably the result of a larger chord aileron). The new airfoil section is thinner than previous ZODIAC models, and was chosen for reduced drag (higher top end speed). Wing flaps were added to minimize stall speed with the new lower-drag airfoil. Following flight testing of the prototype ZODIAC XL by designer Chris Heintz, aircraft stability within the useful center of gravity (CG) range was found to be very satisfactory, and incipient spin tests did not show any tendencies toward a flat spin. Spin recovery is conventional and fast.
Throughout, construction of the Zenith CH 650B kit aircraft is ‘modular’ - each section of the aircraft is built separately on the workbench. Many builders thus choose to buy ‘component kits,’ purchasing kit sections as they progress through the project. The modular construction of the kit means that required workshop space is minimal - most builders construct the kit in a single-car garage or basement workshop.
More info: zenithair.net/introduction-ch...
#ch650 #ch601 #zenair #builditflyit #eaa #osh24
Пікірлер: 23
Congratulations on 40 year anniversary awesome video love the history!!
Great video, nothing like an early morning flight. The gang at Zenith Aviation do a great job of promoting aviation. Thanks
My 601xls was ‘factory built’ in GA in ‘06. It has the 100hp Continental. Flies excellent. Love the low wing, especially on surprise x-wind landings - which can put the ‘light’ in lightsport. Dual joy-sticks, full Dinon w/AP, plus redundant six-pack. Sweetest little airplane, easy to fly and own. Thank you CH!
Just picked up my first CH750 Cruzer kit, at the factory In Mexico Missouri. Great people in the office and a clean operation. Loaded my trailer with the tail and fuselage kit, really exited about starting a new aircraft project!!!. With the UL350is engine and a Prince prop, this should be an amazing performer...........
Hey! Saw my 601XL-A in there! Great little plane that evolved very nicely over its 40 years. I really miss flying N360TM.
Happy Anniversary 600 series. As a GM engineer I'm very interested in the Viking 140 "Baby Turbo" GM engine in this airframe. Looking forward to seeing all of the Zenith folks and engine vendors at Airventure this year.
Love the 650, but would love you to produce an updated CH 640 match hole drilled. Hope you offer it in a couple of years, so I can build one after I’m done with my CH 750 SD! Would use the Viking 195T to power it. 👍
Bon 40ième Zenith et Sébastien
Lovely machine. What is the speed and fuel burn at a normal cross-country cruise setting with the UL 350i 118hp in the 650?
Can you tell us some history of the 601 twin that your dad built
I prefer low wing but I am 6'4" and I currently have a '65 Cherokee 140. I feel okay in it but it feels like tight jeans and I was wondering if I would feel any different in the 650. I'm pretty sure the Cruzer would feel roomier with the bubble door option but I'm attracted to the 650's low wings and speed. How tall is Roger?
@brent1041
2 ай бұрын
I think the seats are more comfortable in my 601xl than in any Cherokee. Mostly from the added thigh support. The Cherokee is marginally easier to get in and out but not enough to matter for most. The zenith interior is actually a few inches wider but it’s still a small plane. The speed’s of all zenith aircraft are affected by engine selection. These aircraft really start performing at 120hp+
@sunmanav8
2 ай бұрын
Jeff, I was scratch building a 650 until I bought a 1969 PA28-140 back in 2016. I sold the Cherokee last year and am considering continuing my 650 build as a close in on retirement. I am 6'2" and have not yet taken a flight in the 650 but hoping to get a demo at Airventure this year.
@jeffreyhughes7107
2 ай бұрын
@@sunmanav8 Oh I would love to hear how you fit. If I do follow through with either the Cruzer or the 650 I would consider using the Viking 140 Turbo. Thank you for responding and congratulations on nearing the end of your career. I'm about 10 years out but I work in the film industry and these two strikes sucked the hope out of retirement.
Fly 4 seater any
Yall hiring engineers/business personnel?
How did ya'll switch seats with the canopy closed?
@jeffreyhughes7107
2 ай бұрын
Yeah, I was wondering the same thing.
@deutschlehrer51
2 ай бұрын
Glad to see the low wing promoted more. Can't wait to get mine finished
@sebastienheintz
2 ай бұрын
Haha! We recorded that part separately, playing with the "Hover Air" flying camera
@jeffreyhughes7107
2 ай бұрын
@@sebastienheintz Parlez vous encore en Français?
@sebastienheintz
Ай бұрын
@@jeffreyhughes7107 Bien sur :)